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The Best Custom Home Builders in Saint Paul

15 Min Read

Saint Paul, Minnesota’s capital, is not only home to big-city attractions such as parks, museums, and sports stadiums; it also offers residents a historic atmosphere, evident in some of the city’s historic architecture. From the State Capitol building to the grand open boulevard of Summit Avenue, Saint Paul’s building design has captivated historians and inhabitants alike.

Homes in the area often mimic the architectural grandeur and historic feel of the city. This list contains the best custom home builders in Saint Paul. These builders have constructed some of the city’s most luxurious custom homes, with styles ranging from traditional to modern. Many of these builders are also recipients of various industry awards and recognized for their high-quality custom homes found in Saint Paul’s fine neighborhoods. All of them have been evaluated on their customer service, craftsmanship, accolades, and memberships in various industry associations. They are all able to craft homes that will meet and exceed their clients’ expectations.

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)  Landmark Custom Homes and Remodeling

350 N Main St. #454 Stillwater, MN 55082

For over three decades, Landmark Custom Homes and Remodeling has provided clients in Saint Paul and Washington County areas with high-quality home building services. Bob McAdam, owner of the firm, started the company 30 years ago when he discovered his passion for building homes. Combining quality and value, this family-owned firm received HGTV’s “Bang for Your Buck” award.

In addition to Landmark’s custom home building services, the company also carries out teardowns and rebuilds, new construction, home additions, and remodeling projects throughout the eastern Minnesota suburbs and western Wisconsin. Typically, the firm’s projects range from $25k to $1 million.


14) Erotas Custom Building

21930 Minnetonka Blvd. Excelsior, MN 55331

For more than 25 years, Erotas Custom Building has constructed homes that are exceptional in quality and architectural detail. Prior to starting the company, Tom Hendrickson worked for a large commercial construction company. In 1997, he and his wife hired Erotas to construct their new home. Greatly impressed with Erotas’s process, Hendrickson began to work for the firm the following year and is now its owner and president. He brings a unique and valuable perspective as a previous client to the firm’s work.

Among the company’s many specialties are custom home building, general contracting, home remodeling, and pool house design and construction. Each home is attentively designed and built to suit its client’s preference and budget, with projects ranging from $500k to over $10 million. The firm and its team of designers and builders construct homes of various styles, ranging from traditional to contemporarysome of which have been featured in Midwest Home Magazine.


13) Zawadski Homes

4614 Churchill St. Shoreview, MN 55126

A third-generation builder, Zawadski Homes has designed and built beautiful custom homes since its founding in 1979. From extensive renovations to custom-built homes, the Zawadski team has helped clients by building dream homes of diverse styles. Steve Zawadski, the owner of Zawadski Homes, took over ownership of the firm from his father-in-law Walter Bauer and has subsequently become a renowned custom home builder in the Twin Cities area.

In 2018, the company received a Reggie Award from the Builder’s Association of the Twin Cities (BATC)-Housing First Minnesota. Some of the firm’s awards also include the 2009 Dream Builder and the 2006 Trillium award for Best Interior. Aside from building custom homes, the firm also provides home remodeling and addition services. The company’s projects range from $500k to $3 million.


12) Oslo Builders

6701 Galway Dr. Edina, MN 55439

Edina-based Oslo Builders serves clients throughout the Twin Cities, Edina, Minnetonka, and Wayzata. Founded by Matt Cooke and Ross Olsen in 2009, the company specializes in building custom homes, remodeling, and addition projects. Before forming the company, both founders had more than a decade of experience in the building industry; Oslo Builders allows them to combine their knowledge and expertise in creating stunning homes. Many of the firm’s projects have been featured in Midwest Home Magazine.

One of Oslo Builders’ featured projects is a Smart Home, featuring an updated home-security system, as well as a cutting-edge personalized connected entertainment system, which allows the homeowners to connect their devices to the home system and stream movies or music on the home’s televisions or speakers. The home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can now also be controlled through a smartphone.


11) Lecy Bros

15012 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55345

Lecy Bros specializes in custom home building in the Twin Cities area. With more than 45 years of experience in home building, remodeling, and real estate, Lecy Bros offers clients superb craftsmanship and a great number of custom designs. The firm is also renowned for its customer service, with clients note that the building experience is rewarding and even enjoyable. A member of the BATC, the company is a recipient of numerous awards including several Reggie Awards, several Trillium awards for exceptional design and quality craftsmanship, and several People’s Choice awards.

The company services the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region, as well as Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, Edina, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Medina, and Chaska.


10) Gonyea Custom Homes

1000 Boone Ave. N Suite #400, Minneapolis, MN 55427

Since 1987, Gonyea has been one of Minneapolis and Saint Paul metro’s trusted custom home builders. Throughout the years, the company has specialized in creating and building unique homes with impressive architectural detail and curb appeal. With the mission of building clients’ dream homes, Gonyea not only offers outstanding custom homes but also ideal locations.

The company’s team of designers, architects, and builders work hard to provide each client with a one-of-a-kind luxurious custom home. To achieve the best result, the team ensures thorough communication and detailed planning. A visionary builder dedicated to beautiful architectural design, quality craftsmanship and outstanding customer service, Gonyea recently received their fourth Reggie Award at the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Gala for their beautiful custom home project in Minnetonka Country Club.


9) Kroiss Development

350 Highway 7 Suite #218, Excelsior, MN 55331

Kroiss Development is one of the premier luxury custom home builders serving the Twin Cities area. The company has partnered with top local architects to create beautiful custom homes for each client for over 30 years. Todd Simning, president of Kroiss Development, has decades of experience in building, development, construction, and real estate. Both he and his business partner Stephen Kroiss have been involved in many real estate ventures, with overall sales exceeding $600 million. Their firm has also won awards from the BATC, including several Reggie and Trillium Awards.

One of the firm’s projects, the Crocus Hill Saint Paul Craftsman Tudor, designed by Colby Mattson of Charlie & Co-Design, won the 2018 BLEND Award. This home features a historic craftsman Tudor look, with modern amenities as well as a three-car attached garage, vintage-looking porcelain tub, and a gorgeous fireplace.


8) Kootenia Homes & Remodeling

1890 Wooddale Suite #400 Woodbury, MN 55125

For 50 years, Kootenia Homes and Remodeling has provided homeowners throughout the Twin Cities, North Oaks, Woodbury, and Eagan with high-quality custom home building services. Kootenia’s owner David Frosch has a background in design, enabling the company to deliver clients award-winning homes. In 2015, Kootenia added a full-service remodeling component to provide clients with top-notch remodeling services as well. Throughout the years, the firm has received 16 Reggie Awards, 23 BATC Awards, and six Trillium Awards, as well as the Builder of the Year Award in 2003.

The company prides itself on its complete customization of the client’s home, ensuring that each design perfectly reflects the preference and lifestyle of the homeowner. In addition to its custom home building and remodeling services, the company also executes tear-downs.


7) Homes by Tradition

16972 Brandtjen Farm Dr., Lakeville, MN 55044

In business since 2005, Homes by Tradition has built numerous innovative and unique custom homes in the Twin Cities area. Dean Nelson, president of the company, grew up in his family’s home building business. He works directly with each client to ensure that the firm successfully builds the client’s dream home. Homes by Tradition has been a recipient of many awards, such as the 2016 Builder of the Year award, multiple Trillium Awards, the BATC Foundation Dream Home Recognition Award, and the 2012 Parade of Homes Green Dream Home Winner.

One of the firm’s completed projects is a 6,053-square-foot six bedroom home with a transitional country-inspired architecture. The home also features a beautiful stone fireplace and a luxurious bathroom with double vanities and marble countertops.


6) Hagstrom Builder

3511 N Lake Elmo Ave., Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Hagstrom Builder builds unique and innovative homes throughout the Twin Cities, as well as the Naples area. This second-generation builder has been in business since 1962. Peter Hagstrom, company owner, is a lifelong Minnesotan. He believes that by maintaining the highest level of integrity and authenticity, communication will be transparent and there will be no hidden agendas. The company has been featured multiple times in Midwest Home Magazine and in Artful Living.

Moreover, Hagstrom Builder also carries out home remodeling and renovation services. The firm is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the BATC-Housing First Minnesota. The firm’s custom home projects start at $900k, and its remodeling projects start at $100k. One of the firm’s projects is a colonial-inspired home featuring a huge bathroom with beautiful wood ceiling planks, a media room, a sunroom, and a spacious living room with a stone fireplace.


5) Anchor Builders

6121 Excelsior Blvd. Suite #209, St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Founded in 2005 by Barak and John Steenlage as a design-build firm, Anchor Builders specializes in complete new builds, remodels, and additions in the Twin Cities area. Putting a premium on the original architectural details when remodeling older homes, Anchor and its team of professionals work hard to preserve original architecture and character. The firm’s excellent results have earned it numerous awards, such as the Best Remodeler of 2018 and the Best Builder of 2018 from City South Magazine, the 2017 NARI CotY Regional Award Winner for Entire House $250k to $500k, and the NARI Minnesota’s 2015 CotY Gold Award.

Anchor serves Saint Paul, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, and Golden Valley areas. A member of the BATC-Housing First Minnesota and the NARI, the firm’s projects range from $150k to $2 million.


4) Vujovich

275 Market St. Suite #521, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Vujovich is one of the longest-standing design-build firms in the Twin Cities area, designing and creating one-of-a-kind living spaces that are both functional and energy-efficient. Owner Ed Roskowinski is the past president of the NARI Minnesota and is the founder and current board chair of NARI Cares, a non-profit organization committed to assisting Minnesota homeowners in need by providing affordable repair and remodeling services.

Throughout its many years of operation, Vujovich has received various industry awards, including six national awards, 14 regional awards, and 43 Minnesota awards. Vujovich is a member of the BATC-Housing First Minnesota and the NARI. Typically, the firm’s projects cost from $50k to $1 million.


3) DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc.

11655 Ridgemount Ave., W Minnetonka, MN 55305

DiGiacomo Homes and Renovation takes pride in its professional design-build services within the Twin Cities. With more than 25 years of experience in the business, DiGiacomo has helped many clients and families create their dream homes. This award-winning firm is regularly honored in the building industry at the national, regional, and state level, with awards from the Contractor of the Year Awards (CotY), Remodeler of Merit Awards (ROMA), Forest Stewardship Council Awards (FSC), and Achievement in Consumer Excellence Awards (ACE). Furthermore, the firm has been featured in The Best General Contractors in Minnesota by the GC Magazine.

The firm’s “Modern Meadow” project is a design-build collaboration with DiGiacomo Homes and Peterssen/Keller Architecture. This 2,600-square-foot home features an open-plan layout, full height windows, and a small meadow. DiGiacomo’s minimum cost is around $2.5k for interior design and $50k for remodeling projects. For the firm’s new custom homes, project costs start at $750k.


2) Hendel Homes

15250 Wayzata Blvd. Suite #108, Wayzata, MN 55391

Hendel Homes has built a reputation for providing excellent quality custom home building services throughout the Twin Cities’ most exclusive areas. Rick Hendel, the company owner, founded the company in 1997.  While Hendel originally pursued a medical degree, he instead devoted his life to studying architecture and home construction after discovering a passion for the industry. Hendel Homes has been a recipient of numerous awards, including the 2014 to 2015 Builder of the Year Award, the 2014 Reggie Award, and the 2017 National Regional Winner for Thermador Kitchen Design Challenge.

One of the firm’s projects is a Modern Tudor Artisan Show House, which features a beautiful pool and cozy modern fire pit, high ceilings with exposed ceiling beams, a classic kitchen with gorgeous subway tiles and farmhouse sink, and hardwood floors throughout the home.


1) John Kraemer & Sons, Inc.

4906 Lincoln Dr., Edina, MN 55436

The state’s only four-time Builder of the Year, John Kraemer & Sons has successfully completed numerous luxury custom homes and remodeling projects in Saint Paul, Deephaven, Minneapolis, Medina, and Stillwater areas since 1978. This Edina-based firm was founded by Gary Kraemer and his late father John. With over four decades of experience in the construction industry, Gary recently earned his fourth Builder of the Year Award from the BATC. He also holds a Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation, a certification that requires builders several hours of course study and has to be renewed every three years.

The firm has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the NARI CotY 2017 Award for Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration Under $250k, 16 CotY awards since 2013, the Best of Show Award for a Historic Saint Paul Renovation, multiple Annual Remodeler of Merit Awards (ROMA), the 2015 RAVE Awards from Mpls. St. Paul Home & Design Magazine, and seven Best Builder & Remodeler Awards from Edina Magazine.


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 Saint Paul. 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.

The Best Custom Home Builders in Minneapolis

The Best Custom Home Builders in Minnesota


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.