Building a home is one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make. With the right team of builders, contractors, and designers behind a project, a house can become a home, embodying all the hard work and dedication of every hand that had a part in the building process.
In Ann Arbor, home building is a major market in construction. Zillow lists the median home price at $430,928, making the area a desirable place to build. If you are a potential homeowner looking to build in the area, look no further than this list of the best custom home builders in Ann Arbor, Michigan. These local builders were selected by our editorial team for their backgrounds, their experience, and their ability to meet a client’s vision, no matter the residential project scope and size.
Meadowlark Design + Build
3250 W Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Drawn to excellent architecture and design, skilled craftsmanship and ecological building practices, Meadowlark has grown its staff with people who are dedicated to providing an outstanding customer experience. Whether building a custom home or remodeling an existing home, Meadowlark follows a proven process. Our goal is not only to deliver the beautiful, healthy, and sustainable home our clients are dreaming of but also to make sure the process is enjoyable from start to finish.
As sustainable builders, Meadowlark believes in creating homes that last lifetimes. Part of that mission is a passion for not only creating homes that are easy to maintain and durable, but also staying connected with their clients to provide resources to help keep their homes functioning properly long after their projects have been completed.
Fireside Home Construction
P.O. Box 307, Dexter, MI 48130
Since the beginning of his home building career in 1996, Bob Burnside, CEO of Fireside Home Construction, has been focused on building energy-efficient and sustainable homes and renovation projects. Bob and his firm build traditional custom homes as well as premium quality timber frame homes. The firm also provides remodeling for clients who seek high-quality and energy-efficient housing. As a result of its approach to building, the firm received the Builder of the Year award in 2013 from the Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor (BRAG).
One example of the firm’s work is the “Forever Home” owned by a couple who had bought a property several years before they were ready to build their home. With the couple selecting Fireside Home Construction as their builder, the firm worked on the wooded lot, creating a home that functions as a peaceful and private retreat. Large, elegant windows cover nearly the entire rear wall of the home, giving the family spectacular natural views that they can enjoy throughout the changing seasons. Learn more about their work at www.firesidehomeconstruction.
Adaptive Building Solutions
2288 S Industrial, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Adaptive Building Solutions is a family-owned and operated company that focuses on design-build for sustainable green building and high-performance home design. The firm is very selective about the projects it takes on, building 3-4 new custom homes and 4-6 mid to large additions and renovations per year. In these carefully-selected projects, the firm’s approach to design includes collaboration with architectural partners chosen either by the firm or the client.
The firm has built several styles of homes, including Craftsman, Modern, French Château, Mid-Century and Traditional. One example of its work is this stunning contemporary home. It features a roof that slopes upward and gives the home a unique roofline. That dramatic profile is accentuated by its mixed material exterior which adds character and texture to the otherwise consistent clapboard siding.
Christian Tennant Custom Homes
2610 West Liberty, Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
With offices in Florida and Michigan, Christian Tennant Custom Homes is a full-service construction firm committed to creating a construction experience centered around the client. Led by namesake Christian Tennant, the firm is dedicated to exceeding customer goals and expectations through the provision of quality products and services. This approach has earned the firm a 2nd Place award in 2016 for the “Best Vacation Home Outside of Michigan” from the Detroit Home Design Awards.
In addition to its home building services, Christian Tennant Custom Homes strives to build homes that are value-driven, energy-efficient, and constructed using sustainable building practices. In particular, the firm is an expert at geothermal heating and cooling systems; as a result, the firm has built numerous green homes that have obtained certifications and awards for energy efficiency. The firm is also proud to hold the distinction of being the builders of the very first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified custom homes in the state of Florida.
Acheson Builders
1483 Newport Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
For Jim Acheson, founder and owner of Acheson Builders, an eye for detail and a passion for building and design has been the driving force behind his firm’s practice since its inception in 1973. Under Jim’s keen eye, Acheson Builders has become highly regarded for its craftsmanship, earning the trust of the Michigan locals, which the firm continues to keep to this day.
Jim and his firm complete everything from small remodel projects to custom cabinetry so carefully and skillfully that Acheson’s customers consistently refer the firm’s services to their friends. An example of the firm’s work is this stately 3,500 square-foot custom home in Ann Arbor, which was part of the Showcase of Homes. The grand exterior of brick makes the home appear like a manor that has aged gracefully; its window groupings speak of the home’s openness to both light and views. Another notable feature of this home is its double-level rear porch, which allows the owners to relax and take in the views of the outside from the comfort of their home.
Ann Arbor Builders Inc.
202 East Madison Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ann Arbor Builders is one of the oldest companies in Ann Arbor still owned and operated by its founder—Alex de Parry. Practically a Michigan institution, the firm has built, owned, restored, and managed many residential and commercial properties throughout southeast Michigan, southeast and southwest Florida, and southeast Georgia. Its wide geographical reach has established the firm as a household name, and today, the firm remains at the top of its game, building homes of distinction across its service areas.
In particular, the firm builds custom and semi-custom homes with energy-efficient features. Today, the firm’s homes are at least 30% more efficient than new homes that meet building codes, as measured by the HERS index. An example of the firm’s work is this Modern Farmhouse-style home. The most striking aspect of the home is the gambrel roof with dormer windows. This characteristic gives the home a unique shape as well as ceilings with plenty of volume and height. The front porch welcomes visitors warmly and allows the homeowners to relax and take in the refreshing sights of their farm after a long day’s work.
D.A. Haig Construction
476 Hilldale Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
D.A. Haig Construction is a family-owned and operated business offering new construction and specializing in remodeling and additions. The firm is led by owner David Haig, who has been building quality homes since 2003. David leads a team of project managers, talented finish carpenters, and experienced tradesmen who breathe new life into old homes and build new ones that last for generations.
In 2014, the firm won the Michigan “Barn of the Year” award for the Zingerman’s Cornman Farms project. Another example of its work is the Westside Bungalow. This charming home has plenty of appeal for street viewers, with its relaxing front porch and a two-car garage. Thanks to the sloping roof and dormer windows, the home receives plenty of light and ventilation. The dormer windows also enhance the look of the home, making it appear structured and open. All these features come together to give a bright and welcoming impression, thanks to D.A. Haig’s work on the home.
Robin Cook & Co.
1108 Westview Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
The family-owned and operated company of Robin Cook & Co. is one of the premier custom home builders in Washtenaw County. The Ann Arbor-based custom home building company was founded in 2000 and has since offered unrivaled services and products. Led by Robin Cook, the firm follows the mantra of “doing it right every day,” a saying which has guided its practice as it works tirelessly to perfect every client’s vision.
In addition to its usual building services, the firm is a big proponent of green building, with the majority of its homes using geothermal heat, Energy Star products, Icynene insulation, solar panels, and green electrical systems. One example of the firm’s work is this custom home in Ann Arbor. The house features a combination of flat and sloping rooflines that add a dramatic touch to the home and provide high ceilings and much light and ventilation. As the home expands horizontally, street viewers can almost picture the home’s functional layout, with smooth transitions from one room of the house to the next.
Chizek Custom Home Builders
5135 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
For nearly sixty years, Washtenaw County has housed Chizek Custom Home Builders, a third-generation builder that has constructed homes of distinction across the area. The firm is a big believer in collaboration, working closely with clients to create highly-individualized, warm, and welcoming homes and offices that meet clients’ visions and express their distinct styles. The firm guarantees top-notch services, perfected over generations, for every custom home, office, renovation, addition, and historical restoration project that it takes on.
One great example of the firm’s work is the Littledown House, which features exceptional design unity from the outside in. From imported Idaho ledge rock to cherry doors and rich Brazilian cherry flooring, both the home’s style and color choices echo its rich palette of materials and textures. Other notable features include a state-of-the-art kitchen with soft textured India slate flooring and a custom-designed glass tile backsplash, a master bathroom with a Japanese-style soaking tub, limestone coping, tumbled marble accents, and multiple outdoor recreation areas that allow the owners to bask in the sun or shelter around a cozy fireplace.
