The Southern California town of Orange is a pleasant city with an agreeable climate, gorgeous beaches, and green-filled cityscapes. Though small in scale, the locale exhibits an exquisite allure that attracts homeowners to the area. Potential residents and locals require a trustworthy name when it comes to home building and remodeling. This list compiles the top firms serving the Orange County area. The builders in this list were compiled and ranked based on their profiles, proficiency, portfolio, relevance and recency of awards received, accreditations, certifications, and press appearances, among other factors. Existing homes in the area are categorized by either mid-income households or luxury estates. Historically, the architectural designs of the Old Town District homes lean on the Craftsman, Prairie, Mediterranean, and Spanish Colonial styles.
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.
15) J. Kramer Corp
2811 Ridge Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Expertise in custom home building and remodeling makes J. Krame Corp stand out amongst California homeowners and renovation seekers. The firm was established in 1995 and has since become a constant building presence in the Laguna Beach region. Headed by Joe Kramer, the business specializes in classic and transitional designs as well as modern and transitional home styles. Kramer offers self-crafted interior design choices to give clients a wide range of options to explore. The company also does additions, waterproofing, and house moving projects.
Members of third-party client community sites have praised the firm’s design and customer service with testimonials praising the mod aesthetic and beautiful framework of completed structures. The pictured project is a completed home by Kramer. This Summit Way residence in Laguna Beach boasts wide, open windows and a steel canopy entry, its whole exteriors renovated from the skylight to the deck. The common California home style is evident from the house’s design as it radiates a glamorous flair with its blunt corners and minimalist motifs.
14) Austin Construction Inc.
1018 River Ln, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Forty years in the industry has honed family-owned Austin Construction into a home building stalwart in the Santa Ana area. Led by founder Tim Austin, the firm’s strong focus on house and room additions as well as kitchen renovations have turned the business into a trusted name in the field. The company’s secret to its exceptional building is that it treats every home as a personal project, giving each home maximum effort and dedication. This approach has delivered quality output and produced many long-term clients over the years.
This contemporary California craftsman contains elements of a prairie home style. The front door’s roof is supported by two thick craftsman columns that serve as supportive and decorative components. Brick is predominantly present in its exteriors, from the stair walkway leading to the front door to the majority of its outer facade. The material choice gives the property a classic vibe augmented by dark-hued pops of color, which inject a modern aesthetic.
13) Nicolaisen and Sons Construction Company, Inc.
1175 Baker Street, Suite E1934, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Construction and remodeling are services perfected by Nicolaisen and Sons Construction Company. The firm is a family-owned operation that has been in the business for more than twenty-five years. Word of mouth has driven the company to success. The firm’s team of design and building experts is led by Mark Nicolaisen, who has been praised for his crew’s professionalism, workmanship, and commitment to every project.
Featured is a constructed estate by Nicolaisen and Sons. The 5,000 square foot Orange County property displays contemporary exteriors mixed with a classic design. The traditional custom home is filled with glossy windows on both floors, its openness a bold and interesting choice for a luxury home. Neutral-colored hues line its outer walls with thick, steep roofs up top.
12) Opulent Design Build
9471 Irvine Center Drive Suite 150 Irvine, CA 92618
Orange County’s Opulent Design Build is a custom home builder perfectly equipped with the right skills and credentials to construct any potential homeowner’s dream house. With more than 20 years of experience in real estate development, Eddie Hodges is an industry powerhouse with certificates from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and International Code Council. Strengths in ground-up building and remodeling, as well as architecture design and project management, are prominent in the company’s work. The seasoned firm is used to working on both small-scale projects and multi-million building endeavors alike. It is also a favorite among third-party client community sites with clients swooning over Opulent’s outstanding structures.
Project costs range between $20,000 to $10 million. Pictured is a modern coastal property built in Orange County. The project manager for this property is Mark Fowler of Opulent Design Build and the architect is Ed Lohrbach of Lohrbach and Associates. Sharp edges are present at the property’s sides and facade, its trendy mod exteriors exuding expensive, elegant energy. The oceanfront structure is situated close to the sea, so owners will be able to enjoy a full view of the vast surroundings as stunning as the pure white abode.
11) Reuter Homes
1537 Monrovia Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Building homes that last for generations is one of the prime goals of Reuter Homes’ operations. Founded and presided by Mark Reuter, the company’s roster of builders is filled to the brim with passion, talent, and knowledge in terms of constructing remarkable homes. As a Newport Beach local, Mark aims to elevate the area by putting a tremendous effort into every building project and it shows in the company’s body of work. Homeowners have commended the company’s design and service output as seen in its testimonials. To date, 200 custom home projects have been completed by the firm in the Orange Country area and the number continues to grow with every new client.
Shady Canyon is a property proudly displayed in Reuter’s portfolio. The Spanish eclectic home is infused with classical elements and natural design components. Surrounded by plants and rocks, the estate’s natural orbit complements its aesthetic color, a mix of brown-orange walls and faded red roofs that evoke a deep, traditional vibe. Arches are also prominent in the villa as seen in the front doorway and the towering window atop the structure.
10) Mur-Sol Builders, Inc.
119 E. St. Joseph Street, Arcadia, CA 91006
Danny Grohs established Mur-Sol Builders, a business built on the foundation of top-notch craftsmanship and elite project management, in the 1970s. Luxury custom homes are the main trade of the company, excelling in delivering tremendous structures while meeting time and budget standards. Licensed contractors Jasen and Joshua Grohs currently manage the firm with Danny’s pioneer stamp of quality consistently present in every design and construction project today. The reputable enterprise serves Southern California, with San Gabriel Valley as its core area of operations.
Mur-Sol is accredited by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The firm’s diverse catalog of projects includes hundreds of residential and commercial properties within the state. Builders of the firm are savvy to different home styles, from transitional prairie homes to Greek revival structures. A sample of the company’s work is the marvelous Mediterranean mansion featured.
9) Christiano Homes
729 W. 16th Street C-4, Costa Mesa CA 92627
Steve Christiano spearheads Christiano Homes enterprise, a California design-build and contracting firm that serves multiple areas, including Orange County. Steve has a penchant for constructing captivating homes that emanate an everlasting quality, his years of experience sharpening incredible attention to even the minute details of a project. A steady course of communication keeps clients in the loop and fosters seamless collaboration during the home building process. Additionally, clientele reviews have pinpointed the company’s professional and timely construction as a major factor in why Christiano is a must-hire commodity.
Luxe Interior + Design has featured the company’s work in the past. Christiano has also been awarded by several third-party client sites for its building work. Among its projects is the pictured Essex residence in Newport Beach. The California ranch-bungalow has a side garage and craftsman beams on its front porch. It is perfect for single families, due to its spacious estate and modest yet lavish aesthetic.
8) La Placa Construction
2120 Main St, Ste 230, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The family-owned and operated business prides its expertise in building luxury custom homes. Founding owner Gaetano La Place established the firm as a small kitchen and bathroom remodeling company, eventually expanding into a successful residential and commercial construction enterprise. Its reputable status among California home building circles was cultivated by Gaetano, as his unparalleled work ethic, dedication to customer satisfaction, and top-notch craftsmanship proved to be the cornerstone of the firm’s future operations.
The Arcadia property featured displays La Placa at its finest. The modern California home’s contemporary design vibes playfully with classic elements. A blend of materials and colors are present at the house’s exterior; wide windows and flat roofs, as well as gorgeous stone and wooden walls, give the space an ultramodern atmosphere.
7) Hilton Builders Custom Homes
425 31st St, Newport Beach, CA 92663
“We love what we do!” The mantra serves as the driving force behind Hilton Builders Custom Homes’ day-to-day operations, as passion in the industry is what fuels the company’s process and its road to every project completion. Premium custom homes are a staple for owner Patricia Hilton’s firm; first-class design and quality come second to none in its process. Aside from striving to meet the gold standard and delivering within the set timeframe, the firm also practices complete transparency in its project management. Its client-centered approach prioritizes customer satisfaction, as should be the case in the construction industry.
The company has appeared in lifestyle magazines such as H Magazine and Bask Magazine. Hilton’s exceptional work has been praised by former customers, ranging from local homeowners to high profile clients. Principals of elite developers, such as The Stratham Group, K. Hovnanian, and Meritage Homes, consider the firm its go-to builder, earning it the moniker the “Builder’s Builder.”
6) Legacy Custom Homes
1000 Quail Street, Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Efficiency and experience combined elevate Legacy Custom Homes Inc. into a must-hire home builder in the Orange County area. The company is led by brothers Bill Jackson and Blake Rielly, fourth-generation builders with extensive backgrounds in construction and real estate development. The family-owned business puts client service on a high pedestal and sees to it that every potential homeowner’s dream homes are built through a seamless, hassle-free process. Legacy’s diverse portfolio is filled with beautiful craftsman homes and remarkable traditional mansions, its custom home and spec home building services offered to Oceanfront and Hilltop areas.
Clients hone in on the company’s professionalism, organized planning, and quality workmanship as its positive traits. In 2019, the NAHB member has been named the Best Green Luxury Home Builder in South East America by the Build Home Builder Awards body. Legacy also bagged Gold Awards in 2017’s Parade of Homes.
5) Andrew Williams and Associates, Inc.
PO Box 9565, Laguna Beach, CA
Specializing in custom Southern California homes has put Andrew Williams and Associates on the map. Principal Andrew William’s forte lies in building, remodeling, and working hand-in-hand with clients to guarantee the best output possible. A perfect balance of vision and skill produces outstanding work, giving the company numerous satisfied clients thanks to its top-notch handiwork. The enterprise operates in the Coastal Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego regions.
Forty years in the field have fortified Andrew Williams’ field process, evident in the firm’s project portfolio, which includes the featured modern Mediterranean mansion. Its excellent work has gained the attention of industry outlets and mainstream media over the years, its press coverage including spreads in the Wall Street Journal, Elevator World, and Glass Magazine. It was awarded the Residential Project of the Year for its work on Dana Point in 2014 and has received commendation for its design from client community sites.
4) Corbin Reeves Construction
245 Fischer Ave, Suite A1, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
More than three decades in the trade has allowed Corbin Reeves Construction to carve out its own niche within the California home building field. Michael Reeves carries over 30 years of experience in custom residential construction and management, which serves as a substantial advantage for the firm’s arsenal of services. Projects completed by the company span 5,000 to 50,000 square foot structures, all built perfectly from the grand aspects to the minute details. The firm collaborates with a talented pool of specialists and craftspeople, guaranteeing high quality of work in its homes.
Esteemed industry magazines such as Elle Decor and California Homes have repeatedly featured the firm’s gorgeous estates. Its catalog of properties ranges from trendy to traditional homes. Pictured is a transitional Laguna Beach residence constructed with architect Greg Klein from John Malick and Associates. Its exteriors sport all-white walls, elegant edges, and mod wooden furnishes. Its patios and terraces are perfect for social gatherings and the home’s wall-to-wall windows give a great view of the beach and allow natural sunlight during the daytime.
3) Patterson Custom Homes
15 Corporate Plaza, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Deemed the largest independent custom home builder in Orange County, Patterson Custom Homes has completed hundreds of fantastic residential structures for local homeowners. Founder and president Andrew Patterson leads a team of designers and builders in constructing terrific homes for Cali clientele.
The company exclusively builds custom and luxury estates and prides itself on constantly “raising the bar and setting the new standard for custom home construction”, a great sample of its work the featured Corona Del Mar-based home. The 8,964 square foot custom home contains 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and a 2,705 square foot garage.
Magazines that have featured the firm include Home Bunch, Luxe Interior + Design, The Wall Street Journal, Beautiful Kitchens and Baths, Modern Home Builders, and Coast Magazine. Patterson has received recognition from third-party domains, winning design and service awards from client community sites.
2) Sailhouse Custom Homes
170 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Pat Patterson, Sailhouse’s founder, established the firm with the goal of constructing residential and commercial properties for local clients. The company offers design-build, remodeling, and management services, among others. To date, the company is a major player in the Coastal Southern California market, its extensive visual resume displaying a blitz of styles that include sterling Spanish homes and towering contemporary estates. A sample of Sailhouse’s work is the Via Havre, a Newport Beach property that sits on Lido Isle. The two-story California craftsman boasts five pillars on its front porch and displays four windows on its facade that allows natural lighting during the day.
Sailhouse is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and a major proponent of sustainable and environmentally-friendly construction. The company is also a part of the NAHB and the Building Industry Association of Southern California. The firm has appeared in local newspapers and industry-related publications such as Modern Luxury, Lido Living, Orange County Business Journal, and Newport Beach Magazine.
1) Spinnaker Development
428 32nd St Newport Beach, CA 92663
Dream, design, build: words that Spinnaker Development follows as a framework of its enterprise. The award-winning firm is a master builder of luxury custom homes based in the Greater Newport Beach area. Firm president Mike Close stated that “passion fuels dedication, dedication leads to performance, performance drives success” and this mantra is embedded into the core values of Spinnaker. Members of its dedicated and talented team work toward a common goal of bringing clients’ visions to life, turning dreams into realities through a hassle-free construction experience.
The full service general contracting and construction management company is a client community darling, winning service and design awards in third party sites for its remarkable projects. Spinnaker holds membership in the NAHB and the Building Industry Association of Southern California’s Orange County chapter. Media coverage of the company includes appearances in The Orange County Register, Dream Homes Orange County, Los Angeles Times, Blue Door Magazine, Modern Home Builder, and LA Architects.
The “Ocean” residence showcased is a home built atop the cliffs of Corona Del Mar. The huge, mansion-like house boasts five bedroom suites, a gym, and a cutting-edge home theater. The 2-million dollar project has a playful mix of traditional and contemporary design visible in its exterior.
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Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders near Orange. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
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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.
