Located in Middlesex County and just a few miles away from downtown Boston, Newton is a suburban city regarded by many as one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. With all of the appeal of a small town and some of the best public schools in the state, it isn’t surprising that it has earned high rankings as one of the best communities in which to raise a family. Many are also drawn to its beautiful residential community. Newton has over 13 unique villages and is known for its beautiful historic homes and picturesque Cape Cod homes.
This list compiles ten of the best custom home builders behind some of these beautiful Newton homes. These firms were chosen after we considered their work history, their professional affiliations, their press features, and the overall merit of their portfolios.
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.
Atlas Contracting
624 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02459
Established in 1995, Atlas Contracting is a family-owned and operated business that offers ground-up construction, home addition, and large-scale renovation services. It has also worked on numerous restoration projects and extends its services throughout New England. Now on its second generation of builders, the firm is led by Ohan Ozcan. He first learned the trade from his father, who worked with him for several decades. Under Ozcan’s leadership, the firm has secured a reputation for expertise in both modern and traditional designs. The firm handles every facet of a project from start to finish and provides property maintenance work as well.
The firm is affiliated with several vital industry organizations, like the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Its work has also been published in magazines like the Boston Design Guide on more than one occasion. The featured project showcases some of the firm’s best work. For this home, the Atlas team opted for a classic Cape Cod design coupled with a cool color palette, and finished with a subtle new England round stone with a Board and Batten accent exterior.
Auburndale Builders
151R Adams St., Newton, MA 02458
Servicing the Greater Boston Area, Auburndale Builders takes on home remodeling, addition, and ground-up construction projects. It specializes in incorporating high-performance standards into its homes and is noted to have been the firm behind the Wayland House—the first certified Passive House in Wayland, Massachusetts. Comprised of a team of experienced professionals, carpenters, and project managers, the firm combines its knowledge of historic homes with its expertise using the latest industry technology to produce high-quality results. The firm is led by its owner Nick Falkoff, a builder with nearly two decades of commercial and residential experience. He served as a board member of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston and is currently the Vice President of the Passive House chapter of Massachusetts. Through his leadership, the firm has garnered several awards and reached multiple milestones.
Photo by Damianos Photography
The firm’s portfolio showcases an extensive range of designs, from Net-Zero homes to historic renovations of Victorian homes. The featured project depicts one of its more traditional homes. For this project, the team made use of a blue and white color palette, several classic columns, and English cottage-inspired shutter windows.
Bertola Custom Homes and Remodeling
Waltham, MA 02453
As its name implies, Bertola specializes in custom home and extensive remodeling projects. The firm is manned by a group of talented architects, engineers, and designers and has established a solid reputation for its excellent work. It is particularly respected for excellent kitchens complete with custom millwork, decks, elegant bathrooms, and room additions. Its work has been featured in publications like Design New England and New England Home. Bertola also loves to incorporate several sustainability efforts into each of its projects.
As for its designs, the firm’s portfolio shows expertise for contemporary and transitional designs, which you can see in the chosen project. As best exhibited by this kitchen, the firm’s team excels in working with modern design.
Carpenter & MacNeille Architects and Builders
106 Western Ave Essex, MA 01929
Carpenter & MacNeille creates enduring architecture for homeowners across New England via five core services: architectural design, interior design, construction, custom woodworking, and property services. Given this multi-faceted approach, the firm is able to handle every phase of a new or renovated home from initial design through final finishes, as well as ongoing, concierge-level property services beyond the completion of the project. The firm maintains affiliations with a variety of notable and vital industry organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The firm has also been recognized multiple times for its excellent work. Most Notably, it has been named by Best of Boston Home as the region’s best builder for the past five years. Additionally, C&M is a proud recipient of several Contractor of the Year Awards from its local NARI chapter and has had its work published in magazines like House Beautiful, New England Home, and The Boston Globe.
The firm’s portfolio provides insight into the firm’s traditional and modern designs. From breathtaking equestrian estates to contemporary homes, the firm’s work can be recognized through its trademark finishes and custom architectural details.
Fallon Custom Homes
171 Reservoir St., Needham, MA 02494
Since its inception in 1976, Fallon Custom Homes has been providing expert construction management, new home construction, and large-scale renovation services. It also has its own woodworking shop manned by a team of in-house artisans and craftspeople. This shop plays a vital role in the firm’s customization process and is often credited for the firm’s excellent finishes. Fallon’s portfolio depicts a wide range of craftsman, colonial, and Cape Cod inspired homes, often marked by the firm’s woodwork and fine attention to detail.
Aside from its custom home projects, the firm’s work also brandishes an array of Colonial homes remodeled to keep up with the times, while still managing to maintain its rich and authentic historic look. The firm’s work has been recognized both in print and in the media throughout the years. The firm has been in the pages of Remodeled Homes Magazine, Wellesley Weston Magazine, and Builder/Architect, and the Fallon team was profiled on local Boston TV Channel 5’s Chronicle.
Hampden Design+Construction
PO Box 180, Newton, MA 02468
Hampden Design+Construction limits itself to constructing only one to two homes each year to ensure the focus of its team and the quality of its work. It also provides home addition and remodeling services and is noted for its ability to blend existing footprints with a home’s new design. At its helm is experienced contractor and principal David Cohen, whose supervision has allowed the firm to be distinguished with several notable achievements. Some of these include features in publications like Boston Magazine and Newton Magazine. The firm was also featured in an episode of This Old House.
The featured project depicts one of the firm’s more modern projects. Here the firm used rich woods to give the home a transitional touch. The team also emphasized straight lines throughout the entire project and opted for large windows and entrances. These simple elements combine for a striking, inviting home.
Kistler & Knapp Builders
916 Main St., Acton, MA 01720
Having been in the industry for over four decades, Kistler & Knapp has established itself as one of the Greater Boston area’s leading construction firms. It has worked on numerous architecturally demanding projects and is known for its fine craftsmanship. In addition to custom homes, the firm takes on extensive renovations, home additions, and historic restorations. Its process emphasizes the importance of effective communication, and its team uses a highly streamlined approach. For all of these reasons, the firm has gained the attention of several well-known publications like Architectural Digest, Builder + Architect, and the US Builder’s Review.
Focusing on the firm’s designs, its portfolio features a number of classic Cape Cod and Craftsman-inspired homes in addition to several other traditional and modern themes. The featured project, however, gives you a glimpse into one of the firm’s more contemporary designs. With the use of large floor-to-ceiling entrances and windows, the firm was able to emphasize the recurring theme of straight lines, which give the home a spacious feel.
Merz Construction
168 Bingham Rd., Carlisle, MA 01741
Founded in 1986, Merz Construction is an award-winning custom home builder established by Jonathan Merz, a master craftsman with over three decades of industry experience. Prior to founding the firm, Jonathan was a professional boatbuilder. That experience gave him his now extensive knowledge in architectural millwork and finish carpentry, both of which the firm is known for today. He actively takes part in every Merz Construction project and is well-versed in New England’s acclaimed vernacular architecture. You’ll see all of this in the firm’s portfolio, which showcases a number of traditionally inspired homes alongside its more modern and contemporary work.
With features in publications like Globe Magazine and New England Home, the firm has secured a reputation for its high-end residential construction work. The firm also works on home additions and renovations and provides maintenance services after each project.
Sanford Custom Builders
310 Washington St. Suite #202, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
Specializing in custom homes, additions, and renovations, Sanford Custom Builders is an award-winning firm that extends its services throughout the Metrowestern Boston area. It is led by owner Marc Kaplan, who ensures that each project receives the benefit of his experience. He personally conducts inspections and provides close overviews of all of the firm’s projects. Sanford Custom Builders commits itself to each home it constructs, and that includes even after the firm has completed its customized Home Management Services. Homeowners are able to reach out to the firm 24/7 for any issues that might arise with their homes. This constant service has proven to be effective for growing families who are in constant need of changes around their houses.
The firm’s portfolio is a gallery of luxurious Cape Cod estates, traditionally inspired homes, and classic European themed residences. In the featured project pictured below, the firm showcased its excellent skills for stucco exteriors and unique curved finishes.
Sea-Dar
580 Harrison Ave. Suite #4W, Boston, MA 02118
From luxury urban residences to exquisite custom homes, Sea-Dar offers new construction, conversion, and renovation services. For nearly three decades, the firm has been collaborating with some of the area’s best architects and talented subcontractors. The result of these efforts is any number of breathtaking projects. In addition to its custom residences, the firm takes on multifamily and commercial work and has been decorated with multiple awards for those efforts. The firm was distinguished with the Best in American Living Award from the NAHB along with several PRISM accolades from BRAGB and BRICC awards from HBRACC. Sea-Dar projects have also been featured in numerous publications. Their City House project was awarded the 2018 Best of year Winner by Interior Design.
The firm’s portfolio showcases a wide range of modern and contemporary homes as well as traditional, European themed spaces. In the transitional home we’ve chosen to highlight, the team incorporated floor to ceiling glass walls, unique fixtures, and a warm yet vibrant color palette. An inviting outdoor living area with a full outdoor kitchen and fireplace was also built and sits between the property’s new infinity pool and pool house.
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 Newton. 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 Boston
Custom home builders in Massachusetts
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.
