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The Best Custom Home Builders in New Mexico

16 Min Read

Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 11:11 am

Surrounded by astonishing forest and mountain views, it’s no surprise that New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. With the state’s snowy peaks, white dunes, river gorges, and breathtaking landscape, New Mexico offers one-of-a-kind scenery, which residents enjoy throughout the year.  These magnificent views have inspired a range of home styles in the area, from the traditional Pueblo Revival style to contemporary green homes. These homes are built by high-end builders who have been recognized for their high-quality projects and green building practices.

Featured in this list are the best custom home builders in New Mexico. Our team evaluated them based on the awards and recognition they have received, the overall quality of their projects, their industry affiliations, customer reviews, and years in business. Many of these builders have constructed award-winning projects that boast both beauty and sustainability. Many of the firms have also been recognized for their commitment to sustainable building practices.

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.


Liessmann Construction

421 Canyon View Dr., Farmington, NM 87401

Farmington-based Liessmann Construction has been serving the Four Corners region for more than 25 years. Specializing in custom home building services throughout Farmington, Bloomfield, Kirtland, and Flora Vista, the firm has delivered beautiful projects that perfectly complement New Mexico’s distinct terrain. The firm offers clients with a variety of home designs they can choose from as well as an option to request for a custom home design.

One of the firm’s projects is a Pueblo Revival home featuring an earth-tone stucco exterior and square windows. The home also features an interesting round porch and balcony, which soften the exterior’s hard and angular edges.


RayLee Luxury Homes

4131 Barbara Loop, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Founded by Scott and Laura Grady, RayLee Homes has been locally owned and operated since 1976. In 2009, Scott and Laura’s children took over the firm and continued its legacy of building innovative homes with a focus on cost-effective value engineering and quality-controlled construction. Today, the RayLee brand has a RayLee Luxury division, which is solely dedicated to luxury custom homes. RayLee Luxury Homes provides clients the option to buy a lot or build on their own lot, as well as the option to choose from the company’s floor plans or to build from scratch. Moreover, RayLee provides green building services, too.

The firm currently builds in Las Campanas and Prado communities, Albuquerque, Corrales, Rio Rancho, Placitas, and Santa Fe. RayLee Luxury Homes also partnered with Frost Mortgage Lending Group to help clients finance their dream home.


J.G. Madueña Homes

104 Llanito Lindo, Placitas, NM 87043

As one of the Southwest’s leading custom home builders, J.G. Madueña provides clients with high-quality design and construction services and materials. The firm prides itself on the design expertise that enables it to deliver a wide range of home styles from classic Southwestern adobe and contemporary to modern home designs. The company also provides universal design and aging-in-place services. Jim Madueña, the firm’s owner, is a Certified Green Professional through the National Association of Home Builders, making green-building practices and standards an important aspect of J.G. Madueña’s services.

Jim also sees to it that every need of the client will be accommodated in the new home. As a past chair of the Green Build Council of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico and with his extensive background in construction and green building practices, Jim has built a reputation as one of the most respected designer-builders in the area.


Villa Custom Homes

P.O Box 16097 Las Cruces, NM 88004

For over two decades, Villa Custom Homes has delivered distinctive residences throughout the Southwest. From single-family homes to large luxurious builds, Villa Custom Homes’ projects are inspired by the landscape and culture of the Southwest. The company specializes in custom home construction and remodeling services as well as rammed Earth homes. As specialists in rammed Earth material, the team provides unique designs that are not just beautiful, but functional and sustainable as well.

To serve clients even better, the firm provides a one-year and ten-year warranty. Its one-year warranty covers everything in the house, while the ten-year warranty covers the structural warranty that protects the home’s foundation. Moreover, Villa Custom Homes is a cost-plus and fixed fee builder and has an in-house team of masons, carpenters, woodworkers, and contractors.


Vineyard Homes

5820 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107

A recipient of numerous awards, Vineyard Homes continues to deliver top-notch custom home building services in many areas of New Mexico. This design-build firm is owned by Deborah Short, a consistent award-winning general contractor. With Short’s knowledge in innovative building solutions, the firm is able to incorporate high-technology equipment in each project. Over the years, Vineyard Homes has won numerous awards from the Parade of Homes for the categories of Buyers Choice Award, Best Home in $350,000 to $450,000 range, and Buyers Choice Award, among many others.

Among its projects is a Pueblo Revival home, which is a popular style in New Mexico. The home featured different sizes of windows, as well as a rounded front yard that adds interest to the sharp structure of the home. It also consisted of a huge master bedroom with an open-concept bathroom and a cozy fire pit and seating area in the backyard.


Koinonia Architects & Builders

11508 Zinfandel Ave., Albuquerque, NM 87122

For many years, Koinonia Architects and Builders has been recognized as one of Albuquerque’s premier custom home builders. Winning multiple New Mexico Home Builders Association Parade of Homes awards, the firm’s projects have stood out in different price categories for its unique Old World architecture which is a passion of company owner Paul R. Mcdonald. His signature design is a perfect blend of timeless elements and state-of-the-art green building and energy-efficient technology. In addition to numerous awards, the firm has been featured in several publications including Su Casa Magazine, Albuquerque Journal, and Albuquerque The Magazine.

Specializing in Old World and Southwestern style homes, one of Koinonia’s impressive projects features a Tuscan inspired home with iron scrollwork, aged finishes, wood beams, terracotta exterior, arched doorways, and roof tiles. The home also features a pool in the courtyard.


Joseph Custom Homes

18 Manzano Rd., Corrales, NM 87048

Joseph Custom Homes is a design-build firm that has been serving Albuquerque and the Southwest for more than 25 years. Co-owner Greg Joseph has been constructing homes for almost three decades, and has designed and built homes throughout Alaska, New York, and the Southwest. Miriam Joseph is a licensed professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Their knowledge in the building and design industries enables the firm to produce seamless results from the design phase to completion. The firm is an advocate for green building initiatives, so each Joseph Custom home features green materials such as low-flow toilets, engineered lumber, and more. The firm also offers home repairs and maintenance, remodeling services, home inspections, interior design services, and aging-in-place renovations. In its many years in business, the firm has amassed numerous awards and recognition from various publications including the Albuquerque Journal and Professional Builder Magazine.

Among Joseph Custom Homes’ projects is a Mediterranean home featuring a beautiful arched entryway with bricks, rafter tail details, arched windows, and roof tiles.  


Lee Michael Homes

7910 Rancho de Roberto Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Serving clients in and around Albuquerque, Lee Michael Homes specializes in designing and building custom green homes since 2002. The locally-owned and family-operated business was founded by Mike and Alexa Knight who both have worked in the community for more than three decades. Today, the Lee Michael team offers over 100 years of combined experience in the real estate and construction industry, providing clients with award-winning custom homes and remodels in the area. The firm is also committed to employing the latest engineered designs and technology as well as green home building practices. The firm currently builds on its developed subdivisions and communities, but also builds on individual lots owned by the clients. Lee Michael Homes can also help clients find the perfect lot for their home.

One of the firm’s notable projects is its entry for the Land of Enchantment Parade of Homes in 2018. The custom home in Albuquerque is a transitional home featuring craftsman, mid-century modern, and contemporary elements. This home received eight total awards:  the Premier Kitchen, Best Kitchen, Best Bath, Best Outdoor Living Space, Most Innovative, Best Interior Decorating, Beam Award, and Buyers Choice Award.


Lowe-Bo Homes

11821 Del Rey Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122

With over three decades of building experience, Lowe-Bo Homes has earned the trust of many homeowners throughout Albuquerque by providing them with top quality design-build projects. Ted Lowe, the firm’s owner, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and worked for a national homebuilder prior to founding the firm. After 20 years with National Builder Homes, Lowe has built and inspected more than 1,000 homes, gaining expertise in the construction and land development industry. In 2009, Lowe decided to start his own company, and Lowe-Bo Homes was born. This locally-owned and operated firm is a member of the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association.

Among Lowe-Bo’s projects is a craftsman style home with beam trusses and stone accents carried throughout the interior and the exterior of the property. Its interior also features a timeless brick fireplace, vaulted ceiling, king post truss, and multi-toned hardwood flooring. Huge windows also illuminate the living area and provide access to picturesque views facing the back of the home. This project received the Buyer’s Choice Award in the Parade of Homes Fall 2017.


Diego Handcrafted Homes

8100 Wyoming Blvd. NE Suite #M4-511, Albuquerque, NM 87113

As a Certified Green Professional design-build firm, Diego Handcrafted Homes puts a premium on building high-performance green homes. The firm thrives on its passion to create one of a kind yet functional architecture that is energy-efficient. Diego M. Ruiz, founder of the firm, earned his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the University of New Mexico and worked as an intern architect for Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, and has a background in graphic design and architecture, marketing, and illustration and design. In 2002, Diego started Diego Handcrafted Homes. Since then, the firm has been a recipient of various awards and has been featured in Albuquerque Journal, Su Casa Magazine, Professional Builder Magazine, Professional Remodeler Magazine, and Custom Builder Magazine.

Included in Diego Handcrafted Homes’ collection of noteworthy projects is a residence in Albuquerque. The project features a Mediterranean exterior with arched doorways, roof tiles, rafter tails, and beautiful brick and stonework. It also consisted of a breathtaking infinity pool surrounded by a spacious seating area and a cozy fire pit.


PWKI Design Build

7 Bosque Rd., Algodones, NM 87001 

Founded by Paul W. Kenderdine, PWKI is a team of experienced design and construction specialists specializing in design-build and remodeling services. With Kenderdine’s years of experience from working for a well-known architectural design firm, the firm produces innovative and functional design solutions that harmonize with the home’s overall design. Throughout the years, the firm has built long-standing relationships with recognized architects including Jon Anderson, Antoine Predock, George Pearl, Rick Joy, Berry Langford, and Robert Zachry, garnering multiple awards over the years. Among these are the 2019 AIA New Mexico Distinguished Architecture Award, the 2018 Fall Homes of Enchantment Parade Best Outdoor Living Space award, the 2013 Jeff Harnar Award for Contemporary Architecture, and more.

PWKI’s Anderson-Daby Residence project features a modern bungalow home with stucco, burnished block, and metal fascias to match the patterning of windows and doors of the surrounding buildings as a requirement for new buildings in the neighborhood. Jon Anderson, a reputable architect and owner of the home, wanted a LEED Platinum home, which was another critical aspect of the design. For this, the home also features a solar array on the roof which can power the whole house. It also consists of a game room, a wine cellar, a living room and music room, catwalks, a media room, and an office. This project was featured in Residential Design Magazine.


Woods Builders

302 Catron St., Santa Fe, NM 87501 

Woods Builders is a second-generation design-build firm founded by Sharon Woods in 1977. The firm has a team of architects, designers, and construction experts to guide clients throughout the architectural design and construction process. With its decades of knowledge in the construction industry, Woods has honed its expertise in local building practices and has built a legacy of producing distinct homes. Throughout the years, Woods has completed many award-winning homes and has been featured in several publications including Architectural Digest, This Old House, Su Casa, Santa Fean, and Trend Magazine among many others.

The Las Campanas Contemporary, one of Woods’ impressive projects, features uninterrupted glass windows which capture the magnificent Sangre de Cristo mountain views. The home also consists of exposed steel, steel cabinets, porcelain tile flooring, and clean sharp lines throughout, accentuating the home’s contemporary theme. Additionally, it features an open concept floor plan as well as outdoor seating areas facing the stunning views.


Wolf Corp

1216 Pkwy., Santa Fe, NM 87507

From building ultra-contemporary homes to preserving historic buildings, Wolf Corp has built a reputation for producing extraordinary results. Over the years, the firm has completed 250 projects and has received 50 awards. The company specializes in high-end custom home and commercial construction and has extensive experience in historic renovations and green building practices. John C. Wolf, president and owner of the firm, has years of experience in the industry prior to starting the company. In 1990, Wolf co-hosted the 11th season of This Old House as he renovated a 1930’s adobe home in Santa Fe. Aired on PBS in 1990, this project became a favorite of This Old House viewers and made Wolf one of the leaders in delicate restoration and remodeling projects.

In a joint venture with Specht Architects, Wolf completed this modern home in Santa Fe, featuring board-formed concrete walls. Among the unique features of this home is the narrow skylight which runs the entire length of one of the walls, allowing sunlight to seep inside the home and cast shadows throughout the day. The architects worked together with interior designer Norine Hayes to create an elegant space that will maximize the stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. This outstanding home has been featured in Residential Design Magazine and Contemporist.


Tierra Concepts

1512 Pacheco St. Suite #D206, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Tierra Concepts’ team of custom home builders brings years of design-build expertise in each project. For more than two decades, the firm has provided clients with award-winning custom designs and signature floor plans. The firm has worked with green building design concepts since its founding and continues to incorporate green and high-performance building solutions in its custom home and remodeling projects. Throughout the years, the firm has been recognized by a multitude of publications such as the Home Santa Fe Real Estate Guide, Santa Fean, Western Art & Architecture, Phoenix Home and Garden, Haciendas, Su Casa, and more.

Among the firm’s distinct projects in its collection is a contextual modern home. Inspired by the traditional Santa Fe style and the natural surroundings, this home features local stone and wood materials, blending traditional home elements with modern design. It also consists of a modern kitchen with stone backsplash on one wall, a spacious living room with magnificent views of the mountain, a pool, and indoor-outdoor spaces.


Palo Santo Designs LLC

1300 Rufina Circle, Unit B3, Santa Fe, NM 87507

Palo Santo Designs has been one of Santa Fe’s premier custom home building service providers since 2001. Specializing in custom homes, renovations, and commercial construction, the firm provides architectural design and contracting services under one roof. The firm prides itself on its commitment to high-performance construction by employing green building practices for energy and water efficiency and sustainability. Mark Giorgetti, founder of the firm, has two decades of hands-on experience in the construction business. His deep commitment to environmental stewardship is influenced by his academic background in Environmental Science. With the team’s almost 70 years of combined experience, the firm has garnered multiple awards and recognitions for its achievements in green building and small business development. 

The Jory-Liddel Residence project has been one of the most outstanding projects of the firm. In a joint venture with Vaught Frye Larson Architects, the custom home features a unique three-pod design with contemporary elements. Among the unique features of the home is its grid-tied thin-film photovoltaic array, which supplies 100% of the home’s electricity needs from the sun. It also features wood stoves and passive solar design which contributes to energy-efficient heating. 100 percent of the roof areas catch and store rainwater for landscape irrigation and local and recycled materials in addition to eco-friendly materials are used throughout the home. In 2013, the home was featured in the U.S. Green Building Council-New Mexico Chapter and was granted the Best Sustainable Landscape and Site Award. It also won four prestigious awards in the 2013 Haciendas-Parade of Homes.


How can I find a contractor or home builder near me?

Read our latest articles on the best residential contractors and home builders in and near New Mexico. If you don’t see your city or project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

Custom Home Builders in Albuquerque


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.


Get Bids For Your Build

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.

Author

  • Blaine Comeione

    Blaine has served as Editor at Home Builder Digest for six years, drawing from over ten years of experience in construction and real estate. His comprehensive understanding spans commercial construction, architecture, and home builds, cultivated through diverse roles in the industry. With four years at BuildZoom and a background as a licensed real estate agent, Blaine possesses a unique perspective that enriches his editorial work. His dedication to delivering informative content is underscored by his extensive tenure in the field, ensuring that readers receive valuable insights into the dynamic world of construction and home design. Expertise: Commercial Construction, Commercial Remodeling, Home Design and Build Key Highlights: Over 6 years of experience writing and editing in the construction space, Editor at Home Builder Digest, Previous experience at BuildZoom and Keller Williams Realty Education: Ohio University, Bachelor of Science in Human and Consumer Science - Minor in Business, 120+ Hours of New Jersey Real Estate Education, 120+ Hours of Arizona Real Estate Education