The Best Custom Home Builders in Monterey County, California

The pacific coast of Monterey County is known for its sublime, rocky seaside cliffs. The rural magnificence is complemented by its sunny California climate. Homes in Monterey County are often idyllic, with a summer vacation vibe, yet they are also as grand as you might expect given the surroundings. Craftsman homes and contemporary estates are notable throughout the region and are abundant in suburban areas as well as in remote city groves.

This catalog of custom home builders was collated based on a number of factors. We researched the companies and rated them meticulously based on our research. Factors include company background, building proficiency, firm history, project portfolio, and awards received. All of the firms on this list are must-have partners in building homes: each produces excellent work and does while providing excellent customer service.

If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Bakker Construction

40 Clark St. Suite J, Salinas, CA 93901

“Service above self.” This mantra serves as the core of Bakker Construction’s enterprise, augmented by values of quality, integrity, and teamwork. The company’s business model achieves consistent success by making client satisfaction an absolute priority, allowing the firm to operate in an efficient manner that delivers flawless output through quality work. That dedication is one of the main reasons Bakker is top-rated amongst third-party domains as voted by former clients.

Shawn Bakker has led the company for more than a decade and uses his field expertise to constantly keep the firm’s services optimal and up-to-date. Residential remodeling and construction are the primary offerings of the firm. Its design and build methods are accomplished through seamless collaboration with construction specialists who augment the in-house capabilities of the firm and thus bring homeowner’s ideas to vivid, breathing life.

Aside from construction duties, Bakker Construction is also locally active, participating in charity drives and luncheons that benefit the community. The company serves Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula as well as their surrounding areas.

Carmel Building & Design

26350 Carmel Rancho Ln. Suite #105, Carmel, CA 93923

With a strong dedication to sustainable construction, Carmel Building & Design applies environmentally-efficient methods to produce smart, quality homes on environmentally developed properties. The company not only builds exquisite homes, but it also does its part in aiding the planet through its green building methods. This Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified firm expertly constructs Zero Net Energy (ZNE) homes, as you can see in its portfolio. The passive house—an energy-saving model that systematically reduces the energy consumed in a household—is a building standard mastered by the company.

The company’s offerings include custom home building and remodeling as well as design/build services. Historical renovation and restoration is also a huge aspect of Carmel’s operations. Overall, its progressive building services and personalized designs guarantee that every client receives exclusive service.

In 2015, Carmel’s work on the Passive House project earned recognition from the California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP) as “Project of the Quarter.” Bakker Construction is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI) Monterey County Chapter and boasts accreditations from the US Green Building Council’s Northern California Chapter and Monterey Bay Branch. The firm has appeared in a number of publications including Home Energy Magazine and Fine Homebuilding Magazine. The latter named the firm “Best New Home.”

Doble & Son Custom Homes

4161 Sunridge Rd., Pebble Beach, CA 93953

Doble & Son Custom Homes are among the cream of the crop, with owner Paul Doble counting his extensive experience as a big advantage in this competitive industry. Excellent customer service, longstanding integrity, and prompt delivery are all at the top of the company’s priorities. Doble & Son’s trademark style and design come together to match a client’s vision, and the result is always outstanding work. The firm’s solid commitment, from laying out the blueprint to a home’s completion, is what makes the firm a must-have partner in custom home building.

40 years in the business has fortified the enterprise’s construction prowess and made the firm a preferred builder in homeowner circles. Client testimonials cite the honest, efficient staff as well as the work quality as the firm’s strongest suits. The company’s work in the Blackhawk Tour D’Elegance program earned the company national acclaim. Doble & Son Custom Homes serves the San Francisco Bay and San Jose Metro areas.

Emerson Development Group

26306 Monte Verde St., Carmel, CA 93923

Chris Adamski established Emerson Development Group to consummate his passion for construction and architecture. Shortly after he founded the company, he was joined by his wife and real estate business expert Courtney Adamski to run a company now considered one of the best. A consistent place in the top 30% of Salinas’ general contractors stands as a testament to the firm’s quality of work, not only in building but in the all-around aspects of the job. Services offered by the firm include custom home construction, remodels, additions, and design services. The company also provides finish carpentry and plumbing.

Emerson’s magnificent portfolio of projects features a variety of styles from traditional craftsmen homes to countryside coastal estates. These properties are built by a talented, professional crew of craftspeople who work not only to complete a structure smoothly and efficiently but also provide a hassle-free workspace for both the client and the team.

Groza Construction

883 Abrego St., Monterey, CA 93940

Creative and innovative custom homes lie at the core of Groza Construction’s operations. Firm president Cody West makes the realization of that mission statement possible via his 20 years of industry experience. Delivering great custom homes at an exceptional value is integral to West’s firm, which employs its skilled crew of builders and specialists to produce homes that are as structurally sound as they are stunning. A number of award-winning homes fill Groza’s catalog. The Caterpillar House received six design and architecture awards, and the Ocho House has earned energy-efficiency recognition.

In the previous decade, the firm’s quality work has received numerous architecture and design-related awards from industry bodies such as AIA’s San Francisco chapter and the USGBC. Publications that have featured the firm’s work include Dwell Magazine, California Homes + Design, and Builder Magazine.

The company holds certifications from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Build It Green. In 2013, Emerson’s Butterfly House project won the Excellence in Design Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Hattersley Construction

53 Chestnut St, Salinas, California 93901

As an elite custom home builder in the area, Hattersley Construction strives to build homes that meet the highest standards. Principal Steve Hattersley is a skilled field veteran in the industry, as his solid reputation as a meticulous builder attests. Hattersley’s construction expertise turns every project into a success, consistently resulting in satisfied homeowners and long-term business partners. The firm’s services include new construction, renovations, and outdoor living spaces. Interior design work for the firm is handled by Cindy Hattersley Design.

Grandiose luxury mansions and quaint summer homes fill the company’s portfolio. Some of these projects have been featured in magazines like Home Design Magazine and Coastal Grower Magazine. The company often constructs homes on the California Central Coast.

PH Winters Construction

7160 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA 93923

Cost, schedule, and quality are the main focal points of PH Winters Construction’s approach when it comes to building custom homes. The company’s formula has proven successful over the long-term. Owner and president Peter Winters has been a licensed general contractor in California for more than four decades. Starting as a tradesman, he eventually worked his way towards the CEO position in another firm. He branched out and established PH Winters Construction in 2005, building his own name and becoming one of the most reputable custom home building firms in the Carmel area.

PH Winters Construction has appeared in the pages of Architectural Digest and Western Interiors Magazine. Pictured below is the Borman Residence, a contemporary home with a non-traditional structure. Its nonlinear appearance provides a fun futuristic vibe thanks to sharp corners and an asymmetrical roof. The minimalist, one-palette color of its exterior is complemented by metal and glass fixtures that pop against the green of the surrounding property.

Steven Ankeny Construction

3771 Rio Rd Ste 202, Carmel, CA 93923

Steven Ankeny Construction is the brainchild of its eponymous principal. Ankeny is an architectural savant inspired by architectural icons Frank Lloyd Wright and Greene & Greene. He uses his building prowess to add depth to his firm’s services while his team’s seamless collaboration guarantee flawless results. The company accepts only one project at a time, which allows it to fully focus on the structure and dedicate the full strength of its manpower and creative labor into each unique home.

The enterprise excels not only in the large scale aspects of the job but also in the minute details of a project. From the trimmings to the millwork to the HVAC components of a home, the firm strives to give clients the best service.

Stocker & Allaire

21 Mandeville Court, Monterey, CA 93940

Redesigning, rebuilding, and restorations are the fortes of Stocker and Allaire, a firm based in Monterey. Established almost 40 years ago, a passion for construction drives this firm. David Stocker and Dave Allaire, the firm’s owner and CFO, respectively, helm the firm. A thoughtful work process and an emphasis on excellent structure quality, provided by a roster of high-level professional construction specialists, sums up Stocker and Allaire’s approach to homebuilding.

The range of the company’s services encompasses restoring old homes and constructing new custom homes from the ground up. That versatility shows in its project portfolio, which displays a diverse palette of styles including traditional ranch, old Victorian, and contemporary homes.

Stocker & Allaire is certified by the Green Building Council; it implements environmentally-friendly methods in its work. It has appeared in a 2018 issue of Dwell Magazine as well as Luxe online. The company’s services are offered in Monterey as well as adjacent areas.

Test of Tyme

2074 Sunset Dr., Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Expertise in full service general contracting has propelled Test of Tyme into the top circle of custom home contractors of the Monterey County region and beyond. The firm’s well-known artisans have a strong reputation for building luxury estates. Test of Tyme has a furniture, cabinetry, and custom millwork shop in Pacific Grove. Test of Tyme Co-founder Don Whitaker has earned local, state-wide and international awards for his carpentry work and has over 40 years of experience, primarily on the largest homes in the Carmel and Pebble Beach area. Whitaker’s talented roster of craftspeople is more than capable of building and furnishing homes fit for a magazine spread. The company’s collaboration with industry experts, subcontractors, and specialists continue to fortify its standing as a premier builder in the region.

Test of Tyme has been featured in publications like Carmel Magazine, Monterey County Herald, Cedar Street Times, and The Californian. The company was featured in Perspectives on Design California, a design book that includes the finest architectural and construction projects. Test of Tyme serves Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, and their surrounding areas. Aside from home building, the firm also provides remodeling and restoration work and expert consulting on any home project.

How can I find a home builder near me?

Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders near Monterey County. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

The Best Custom Home Builders in California

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.