Reno, America’s “Biggest Little City,” has experienced a steep rise in property prices in the last few years according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. The volatility of the housing market has brought potential buyers to a point where they regard buying or building properties in the city, ironically, as a gamble. Buyers should always study their decisions carefully, especially in choosing the builder of their dream homes, but especially in Reno.
Reno’s best custom home builders are capable of building quality, aesthetically pleasing, and budget-specific homes. They are experts in building homes that do not disrupt Nevada’s unique natural landscape, while also incorporating their clients’ diverse tastes. These top 15 custom home builders were evaluated based on the quality of their portfolio, the number of their awards, their press features, and their active memberships in prestigious builders associations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT), and Builders Association of Northern Nevada (BANN).
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. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Reno, check out our cost guide article.
15) Altmann Builders
9210 Prototype Dr. 200, Reno, NV 89521
Altmann Builders is one of the leading design-build contractors in Washoe County. Its principal, Fred Altmann, has over 30 years of building experience in Northern Nevada, which is evident in the consistent quality that his firm delivers to clients. Under his leadership, the company has also become one of the go-to green builders in the city, having won awards for green and sustainable building from BANN.
Among its best work is a tri-level craftsman home in Autumn Court. The 2016 project is representative of the firm’s expertise in combining sustainable building with luxurious design. The home features a great room with a fireplace, a chef’s kitchen, and a master bedroom with an ensuite. Altmann Builders also designed the modern home with a wrap-around deck and patio to complement the homeowner’s outdoorsy lifestyle.
14) York Reynen Custom Homes
5301 Longley Ln. Suite D #155, Reno, NV 89511
Established in 2009, York Reynen Custom Homes differentiates itself from its competitors by offering a fresh, exceptional approach to traditional building methods. The firm is led by Chris York, who has been certified by the American Society for Quality Building since 1997. His 20 years of homebuilding experience has helped the company gain recognition from BANN.
The firm’s portfolio is rich with traditionally styled homes that are built in some of Reno’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The De Chardin residence in Montreaux stands out because of the firm’s integration of modern amenities. Homeowners can control the home’s functionalities through an iPad or smart WiFi-based technologies. The luxury home is accented with ornate walnut, granite, and stainless steel finishes.
13) Dianda Construction
5485 Reno Corporate Dr. Suite #400, Reno, NV 89511
Dianda Construction is a custom home building contractor founded in 2011. It is currently run and managed by Scott Higgins, who brings 24 years of experience in the construction industry to the firm. Previously he was a project engineer and a general superintendent at a large builder that earned close to $300 million per annum. Higgins also worked on iconic Reno-Tahoe projects like the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center at the University of Nevada-Reno, and the Tranquility Estate at Lake Tahoe.
The firm is an expert in building modern and contemporary homes. One of its projects is a 6,000-square-feet ultra-contemporary home that features sophisticated details and green utilities. Dianda Construction built the home with solar panels installed to allow the homeowners to generate the majority of the property’s power demands. Its owners and their guests will find the home sleek with wide-plank rift oak flooring, steel finishes, and western red cedar sidings.
12) GreenWood Homes
940 Southwood Blvd. Suite #101, Incline Village, NV 89451
GreenWood Homes considers building a home an artform. The firm was founded by Kevin Hanna, who directs the company to exercise quality craftsmanship, provide excellent customer service, and maintain honest client relationships. Licensed in California, Nevada, and Hawaii, the company serves a wide clientele with discerning tastes. A proud member of the CATT, Sierra Green Builders Association, and NAHB, it has received multiple accolades from the industry.
Among its award-winning work is a contemporary lodge that was built along the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. GreenWood Homes incorporated expansive windows that invite natural light into the home. The home also features vaulted ceilings and exposed timber, which is complemented by natural stone finishes.
11) Brink Custom Homes
1760 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145
Brink Custom Homes is a service-oriented custom home contractor that specializes in building bespoke homes across Nevada. Founded by John Brink, it has been crafting luxurious custom homes in the Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Truckee areas. The firm is active in the building industry, being a member of BANN and NAHB.
The company won a Pacesetter Award from the Custom Home Builder Magazine and was featured on Reno’s online news source, This is Reno. Among its lauded projects is this warm, rustic lakeside home. It features an outdoor social area with a conversation fire-pit and a patio with a cozy dining nook. The home reflects the mountain landscape that inspired it through the natural stone, iron, and reclaimed wood finishes.
10) Griggs Custom Homes
8581 N Lake Blvd. #1 Kings Beach, CA 96143
Griggs Custom Homes specializes in building single-family custom homes in Nevada and California. Founded three decades ago, the company has grown into one of the best builders of Tahoe style homes in Nevada. Under Paul Griggs’s leadership, the company has won awards from CATT and builder’s magazines, such as Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine.
Among the company’s decorated homes is this “Project of the Year” award winner that was built in 2008. The Olympic Residence was built as the owner’s refuge, a place of tranquility and relaxation. To achieve this effect, Griggs Custom Homes worked closely with the owners, who were also developers. The home features batten cedar sidings, local granite, and a built-in masonry barbecue area which suits the owner’s mountainside lifestyle.
9) NSM Construction
11209 Brockway Rd. Suite #102, Truckee, CA 96161
Mark Neave began honing his construction skills at the age of 17 while working on exclusive Sydney Harbor properties in Australia. He moved to the United States to expand his skills and eventually opened NSM Construction, which currently has offices in Mammoth Lakes and Truckee, California. His firm specializes in building custom homes in the Truckee, Tahoe, and Reno areas, where it builds modern, ranch, and Tahoe-style homes.
The company has multiple Best in American Living Awards for its unique custom home projects. One of its award-winning homes is a modern Tahoe-style home that has a wood siding exterior blended with natural stone masonry. It features polished wooden plank flooring and expansive windows that offer a wonderful view of the lake, and an entertainment area with a rustic fireplace.
8) Kirby Construction Co.
124 Ridge Suite D, Reno, NV 89501
Kirby Construction has been building amazing homes in Reno since the advent of the Great Recession. Founded by Lance Kirby, the company finds itself among longer established contractors in Nevada. They have a team of highly skilled professionals that routinely completes home projects that are only limited by their clients’ dreams. The firm is proud of their consistently recognized successes beginning with Best Homebuilder award in the 2010 and Bronze level award in the Best of Reno, running through three top awards from the independent judges of the Builders Association of Northern Nevada at the end of 2018 as well as being listed in General Contractors Magazine as one of the best general contractors in Nevada. It is also a member of BANN and NAHB.
The company is the custom home builder behind this six-thousand square foot contemporary home in Franktown. The expansive residence features an impressive chef’s kitchen, a natural rock feature that leads into a wine room, and a mini bar. Guests are welcomed with a stunning custom built pivot steel door with steel gratings in between glass panels. The home also has a spa, a lanai, and a landscaped pool.
7) Tanamera Custom Homes
5560 Longley Ln. Suite #200, Reno, NV 89511
Tanamera Custom Homes is a full-service design-build contractor that focuses on building luxury homes in upscale communities in Northern Nevada. The company is managed by founder and managing partner Kreg Rowe, who has over 40-years of experience in the construction industry. Throughout those years, he has worked on 3,000 apartment units and residential projects in California and Nevada.
In 2018, the company won a Summit Award for a multifamily residential development. It was also featured on HGTV’s “Dream Home,” in the Reno Gazette-Journal, and the Northern Nevada Business View. The company is behind a contemporary custom home that offers an unobstructed view of downtown Reno. It features an expansive great room, an office, a modern workout studio, as well as a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.
6) Loverde Builders
705 N Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 96145
Loverde Builders is a Nevada and California-licensed general contractor that was established over two decades ago. Over the past twenty years the company has managed to build over a hundred homes under Rich Loverde’s guidance. By limiting the number of projects the company does per year, Loverde builds homes of exceptional quality.
The company benefits from Rich Loverde’s reputation in the industry. He was a founding board member of CATT, where he also served as Board President in 2009. In 2018, he and his company won the Tahoe Quarterly “Lakefront” Award for an East & West Coast style home that blends nicely into the pine-clad landscape of Nevada.
5) Realm Constructors
405 Marsh Ave. Suite #309, Reno, NV 89509
Realm Contractors is led by president Kurt Stitser, a LEED Accredited Professional. Under his management, the company builds green homes that follow the US Green Building Council’s standards. He combines these green building practices with his 5th-generation knowledge of the Nevada landscape. That fusion of national standards and local knowledge allows the company to create unique, environmentally-friendly houses for each of its homeowners.
The firm’s projects have caught the eyes of local publications such as the Reno Gazette-Journal and Northern Nevada Business View. Potential clients will be impressed by Realm Constructor’s portfolio, which is rich with modern and contemporary Nevada homes, like the Aspen Home. This home won the 2017 Northern Nevada Custom Home of the Year award from BANN for its successful fusion of functionality and comfort. It features a back porch with an entertainment area, a pool, and a chef’s kitchen.
4) TRC Homes
1100 California Ave. Reno, NV 89509
Recognized as one of the most respected custom home builders in Northern Nevada, TRC Homes is a family-owned and operated company that mainly caters to Reno residents. The company was founded by Steve, Lynn, Justin, and Kyle Ryckebosch, who together have organized an outstanding team of skilled local craftspeople who share their vision of building only the highest quality homes for the company’s clients.
TRC Homes is a recipient of several accolades from BANN’s annual awards show. Most recently, it won three BANN-ER awards: Best in Show, Best Custom Home for in the $700k to $1 million category, and Best Custom Home in the $1 million to $1.5 million bracket. One of its best projects is a modern ranch home at Pecetti Ranch Estates. Completed within the $1.5 million to $2 million range, the home has a spacious open layout setup, with a hospitality area leading gracefully into a chef’s kitchen. The house also features a master bath with a freestanding bathtub, a wine cellar, and a patio with wonderful views of the Nevada landscape.
3) Homecrafters
10591 Double R Blvd., Reno, NV 89521
Founded in 1966 by brothers Troy and Travis Means, Homecrafters has been building quality single-family homes in Reno for over two decades now. The firm is guided by its founders’ motto: “Home, like life, is in the details.” Homecrafters specializes in building custom homes in traditional architectural styles while paying special attention to small details that make every home unique for its clients.
The firm is a proud member of NAHB and BANN, where Troy Means previously served as president. Through the leadership of the Means Brothers, the company won multiple BANN-ER awards. In 2017, it won: Best Floor Plan/Home Design, Best Landscaping/ Outdoor Living, and Best Interior Design.
The firm is behind one of Reno’s best Mediterranean-inspired homes. HomeCrafters worked closely with the client to achieve the elegant look it has today. This unique home possesses classic Mediterranean elements like an arched doorway, red shingle tiles, and a stucco exterior.
2) LakeCrest Builders
16475 Bordeaux Dr., Reno, NV 89511
LakeCrest Builders has been building elegant homes in the Reno-Tahoe area for over thirty years. It was founded by Dave Pearce and Jim Smart in 1984, and has since earned industry-wide recognition for its expert renditions of classic architectural home styles like French Country and Spanish Colonial. It’s a member of NAHB and NAHB.
The firm is capable of building beautiful homes across a variety of budgets. It has received awards from the BANN’s $1.5 million, $1-2 million, and $500k categories in its annual builder awards ceremony. The firm’s expert craftsmanship has also caught the attention of Nevada-wide publications like Northern Nevada Business View, and NAHB’s online media site, NAHBNow.
The Reno-based company has worked on multiple projects in the city, one of which is a French Country and mountain modern-inspired home in Montreux. LakeCrest Builders crafted a unique exterior for the homeowners by creating a contrast between neutral shades and masonry. The home features four bedrooms and four baths and has a garage that can accommodate six cars.
1) Bruce Olson Construction Inc.
1264 US Hwy. 40 W, Verdi, NV 89439
Bruce Olson Construction Inc. is among Nevada’s best builders of custom homes. Established over four decades ago, the company earned this reputation by working and employing some of the best craftspeople in the state. The firm has gained recognition in the industry by combining its collaborations with Bruce Olson’s sophisticated taste for the arts and crafts style, summer lodges, and craftsman architectural elements.
In recent years, the firm earned recognition from the Contractor’s Association of Truckee Tahoe for its outstanding remodeling and new construction projects. It has also been featured in numerous statewide publications like Tahoe Quarterly, Roofing Magazine, and California Home Design. Its projects have also graced the pages of Log Home Design and Luxury Home Magazine.
Among the company’s award-winning projects is a three-story Lake Tahoe home that fuses rustic elements with modern amenities and comforts. The stunning exterior features natural bark and granite. The house includes a private deck, a spa-style bath in the homeowners’ master suite, and a guest area on the lower level. It also features a full bar, a sauna, and a wine cellar complete with a tasting room.
How can I find a home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders across Nevada. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Custom home builder in Las Vegas
Custom home builder in Henderson
Custom home builders in North Las Vegas
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.
