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The 13 Best Custom Home Builders in Cornelius, North Carolina

9 Min Read

Cornelius, a small town in Mecklenburg County just outside of Charlotte, is one of North Carolina’s best places to live. Once a small town, Cornelius has seen a spike in the number of people moving to the area in recent years because it is an excellent place to live. 

If you are a current resident or want to relocate here and improve your home, our team has compiled a list of the best custom home builders in Cornelius, North Carolina. These companies have the knowledge and experience to turn your dream home into a reality.


Simonini Homes

3512 Wilkinson Boulevard, Suite 110A, Charlotte, NC 28208

Simonini Homes, a long-standing firm in Charlotte, is known for developing unique homes and communities. This team has distinct notoriety in the region for being the only contractor to have won the renowned “Triple Crown” of Builder Awards: the National Builder of the Year, America’s Best Builder, and the National Quality Award. They focus on quality artistry to construct homes that are built to last, while being dedicated to providing outstanding customer service.

This firm is a third-generation family-owned house construction and remodeling business that has been in operation for nearly five decades. Simonini Homes practices are based on long-term customer relationships, meeting responsibilities on time, and bringing knowledge and professional abilities to every project.


Alair Homes | Charlotte

3926 Miriam Dr. Charlotte, NC 28205

Alair Homes Charlotte’s team of design and construction professionals deliver the best building experience in the industry. Working collaboratively with clients to bring their dreams to life.

The Alair team understands that building a home is a memorable experience and collaborates with you to create unique and one-of-a-kind spaces for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.

Whether you are remodeling your kitchen or building a custom home, their process starts with a detailed consultation where they learn about your vision and provide innovative solutions that help make them a reality. Throughout the building process, Alair Homes encourages your involvement and provides complete transparency.

This results in award-winning custom homes and renovations all across the Charlotte area. They have recently been awarded the 2021 CotY Award NARI of Greater Charlotte Entire House Remodel over $1,000,000, the 2021 North Carolina HBA Stars Award for Best Room Remodel Over $50,000, and the 2021 HBA of Charlotte MAME Award for Best Remodel.


Artisan Custom Homes

21016 Catawba Ave. Cornelius, NC 28031

Artisan Custom Homes is a residential construction company that specializes in high-quality custom-built homes. Jay Johnstone and John Shryock founded the firm in July 2001 after deciding to pool their collective knowledge of the Charlotte construction industry. In Cornelius and Lake Norman, North Carolina, they established a one-of-a-kind custom home building company. As one of Charlotte’s largest high-end production home builders, their projects range in price from $250,000 to $700,000.

Johnstone graduated from Catawba College with degrees in business administration and marketing. He has over 20 years of experience supervising home construction including custom homes, renovations, additions to existing homes, and land development. Shryock earned a degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. He began his career framing houses in Raleigh in the early 1990s and quickly moved on to managing the construction of 40 to 50 homes per year.


Patrick Joseph Distinctive Homes

20600 North Main St. Cornelius, NC 28031

The Patrick Joseph Distinctive Homes firm creates unique custom homes with extraordinary style, unparalleled quality, and remarkable livability. Founded in 2011, this local team of design and build experts offers luxury homes that front or are near Lake Norman. Their portfolio contains hundreds of luxury residential designs and styles. All of the firm’s projects are uniquely customized to suit client expectations.

Patrick Joseph Distinctive Homes is headed by Michael Shalvoy. Settling in Lake Norman in 2002, Shalvoy has constructed more than 50 captivating homes in Charlotte, Cornelius, and Mooresville in the Lake Norman area.


Southern Cottage

20509 N Main St. Cornelius, NC 28031

Southern Cottage is a highly regarded, award-winning Lake Norman home builder. They have a long history of excellence and a passion for building luxury homes that families will enjoy for generations to come. Chris Hoffman, a Certified Green Home Builder, founded the company in 2002 in the Lake Norman neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina. With the firm’s exceptional work, they have appeared on NBC’s Carolina Today and in numerous local publications.

Southern Cottage is proud to be a part of the prestigious Southern Living Custom Builder Program, a network of some of the South’s finest custom home builders. They are also a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), and other industry-leading organizations.


Grainda Builders, Inc.

17824 Statesville Rd. Suite 121, Cornelius, NC 28031

Joe Grainda founded Grainda Builders, Inc. in 2002 to build luxury homes in prestigious waterfront communities. This firm has the extraordinary ability to combine high-quality materials and ageless design with functional floor plans and optimal home placement. For nearly 20 years, they have earned the trust of their clients through communication and knowledge. They take great pride in being a customer service company dedicated to aligning with the goals of each client. Grainda Builders is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Joe Grainda, the firm’s president and owner, has been in the construction industry for over thirty years. Since his days as a carpenter, Grainda has understood the importance of assembling a team of design and construction professionals.


E.S. Johnson Builders, LLC

455 South Main St. Ste. 320, Davidson, NC 28036

Since 1989, E.S. Johnson Builders has built and designed beautiful luxury homes throughout the Charlotte metropolitan area. Based in Davidson, North Carolina, this company constructs bedroom communities with value, craftsmanship, and integrity. Eric Johnson, president and founder, has constructed homes in the finest neighborhoods in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Lake Norman Region for over 25 years.

Days after graduating, Johnson’s family relocated to Brevard, North Carolina, and he was admitted at the Walker Business College in Economics and Finance. He worked as a framing and landscaping contractor during vacations, where his love for building and design grew. After graduating college, he was employed in the management program for a small local track builder. After working for them and several other small builders, Eric established his custom home building firm.


4G Design Build

488 Pineville Rd. Statesville, NC 28677

4G Design Build, based in Statesville, North Carolina, is a family-owned firm committed to constructing exceptional homes, attaining 100% customer satisfaction, and maintaining an excellent reputation in their community. They take pride in providing excellent customer service and maintaining positive relationships with their business partners, suppliers, and employees.

As experts in the industry, the 4G Design Build team has over 25 years of construction experience and more than 50 custom-built homes in their portfolio. They understand the struggles and potential obstacles in residential construction, from constructing flat lots or mountainous terrain, to dealing with strict HOA standards. The firm goes above and beyond the expectations of a client’s home, and guarantees the use of wise construction practices throughout the process. They are members of the National Association of Home Builders, Home Builders Association, EnergyStar, and are a Certified Green Professional.


Henderson Building Group

P.O. Box 1409, Cornelius, NC 28031

Henderson Building Group is a general contractor in Lake Norman. They specialize in luxury custom home construction and remodeling. Their remodeling services include complete home renovations, kitchen remodeling, room and home modifications, and outdoor living spaces. The team serves clients in Lake Norman, Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Mooresville, and Charlotte.

Henderson Building Group recognizes that a client’s home is their largest investment and their greatest source of pride and happiness. Brooks Henderson, the owner of the firm, has over 25 years of experience in custom home construction and remodeling. After five years of experience with Charlotte’s most prominent luxury home builder, he founded Henderson Building Group, LLC in 2008. Henderson has built over 200 homes in the Charlotte, Lake Norman area.


Chad Goodin Signature Homes, Inc.

915 River Hwy. Mooresville, NC 28117

Chad Goodin Signature Homes, Inc. specializes in the construction of commercial structures as well as new custom homes. Their projects range from 2,500 to 12,000 square feet and are located in the Lake Norman, Mooresville, and Charlotte areas of North Carolina. The firm enjoys working on large renovation projects such as adding a second floor to a house or completely reworking a property from the ground up.

The company is a member of the Home Builders Association, the National Association of Home Builders, and the NAHB Remodelers. Chad Goodin, the company’s owner, is a Georgia College & State University graduate, who had an early exposure to the construction industry. He has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the options and opportunities available when building or remodeling a home.


Fleur de Lis Construction

172 Williamson Rd. #4111, Mooresville, NC  28117

Fleur de Lis Construction is a division of DiPascal Construction & Development, Inc. – a family-owned custom home builder and land developer with two generations of experience. One of the firm’s top priorities is to build structures that reflect a high level of artistry, quality, and luxury that lasts. Their team of experts work diligently to make each client’s vision come to fruition throughout the building process. Their services include new construction, home expansions, and residential remodeling. The company is a member of the Home Builders Association and has Better Business Bureau accreditation.

Fleur de Lis Construction primarily serves clients in the prestigious Lake Norman communities, including the waterfront properties in Cornelius’ Peninsula and Mooresville’s The Point. They have a long history of excellence in construction and are responsive to the specifics of each stage of the building process.


Whelan Homes, Inc.

P.O. Box 4419, Mooresville, NC 28117

Founded in 1999, Whelan Homes, Inc. works with clients in Cornelis, Statesville, Lake Norman, North Charlotte, and beyond. Their services include custom home, build, and remodeling construction. They often design in traditional, farmhouse, and craftsman styles. 

Whelan Homes is owned and led by Tim Whelan who has over 30 years of construction experience. With both his father and his uncles being involved in home construction, Whelan grew up immersed in the industry. He also has 38 years of background and service on the Lake Norman Home Builders Association’s Board of Directors. Together with his wife Ann, this firm embraces the idea that they are not just constructing a home, but also a space where a family can live happily. The Whelan Homes team prides themselves on providing clients ingenuity in design and the flexibility to deliver the perfect floor plan.


JS Testa, LLC

19905 West Catawba Ave. Suite #202, Cornelius, NC 28031  

J.S. Testa, LLC is a well-known custom home builder in and around Lake Norman. They specialize in constructing one-of-a-kind luxury homes with fresh, inventive, and timeless designs. Their functional and visionary plans cater to today’s lifestyles by integrating timeless, classic, traditional, and on occasion, authentic Old World European design and elements.

As a small family business, J.S. Testa sees their size as an advantage because they are able to provide personalized service to each client to customize their home. This firm is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Their principals, Mike and Doug Testa, have over 50 years of combined experience in the home building industry. As hands-on builders who are deeply invested in their work, they are devoted to working with clients to build the home of their dreams.