Midway between the City of Angels and America’s Finest City lies Orange County’s southernmost city of San Clemente. Fondly known as the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” San Clemente boasts of fine weather, ocean, hill, and mountain views, and most of all, beautiful Spanish colonial-style architecture. While many of the homes in this city still carry this architectural influence, you will find that many different architectural styles, from Traditional to Modern, or Farmhouse to Mediterranean, have been adapted in the custom homes of San Clemente today. Behind these marvels of architecture can only be top-caliber builders with the expertise and knowledge to not only get the job done but to exceed expectations as well.
The top architects in this list have been ranked according to the company profile, experience, services offered, customer satisfaction, awards received, and media features and coverage. With these firms’ unique designs and services, and their high levels of quality, clients are sure that their discerning tastes and preferences will be satisfied, whichever firm on the list they choose to work with.
Corbin Reeves Construction
245 Fischer Ave, Suite A1, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
For Corbin Reeves Construction, working with the most esteemed architects, designers and tradesmen is all part of its winning formula for creating homes of timeless beauty and enduring quality. The firm has built some of Orange County’s finest estates and private residences designed by leading architects and designers. As the firm is big on collaboration, the same practice holds true for its clients, with whom the firm shares a discerning nature, exacting standards, and acute attention to detail.
Corbin Reeves builds traditional, transitional, and contemporary projects ranging in size from 5,000 square feet to over 50,000. Whether the project is an oceanfront home or hillside property, the team has the experience to navigate the challenges each location presents. The team approaches every project with precision and professionalism which is how they have built a reputation as Orange County’s premier construction firm for commissioned residences.
Behind this stellar reputation can only be an equally outstanding principal. Michael Reeves launched Corbin Reeves Construction in 2012, but has been making waves at the construction and home building scene for years before the founding of his firm. Michael Reeves has been a top name in the custom home arena. After graduating in 1989 from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance, Real Estate, and Law, Reeves co-founded a successful custom home-building company that was known worldwide. For more than 20 years Reeves constructed the finest residences throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.
With this illustrious background and reputation, it is no wonder that the firm is highly sought after to build clients’ dream homes. And because beauty and quality are exactly what the firm delivers as a finished product, it has been featured on the pages of Elle Decor, California Homes, and Veranda Magazine.
Devco Homes
13 Corporate Plaza Suite 102, Newport Beach, California 92660
In its 36 years of prolific practice, Devco Homes has built over 350 homes across the Orange County area. Behind the productive operations of the firm is principal Jon Deverian. Jon graduated with a business degree from the University of Southern California in 1985. After that, he spent seven years in San Jose, California building tenant improvements in Silicon Valley. He then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he developed several residential housing subdivisions throughout Salt Lake and Utah county. After six years, Jon turned his focus to building custom homes to be more intimately involved with the overall design of each project.
Throughout the build process, Devco Homes walks clients through every step of the way, providing them with a ready supply of support and expertise. Devco’s strategy throughout construction is to master the demands of its homeowners. The firm’s mission is to make the process enjoyable for all while reducing costs, minimizing risk, and inspiring innovation
Gonterman Construction Corp.
2043 Westcliff Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Since opening its doors in 1996, Gonterman Construction Corp. has worked on dozens of projects and built dream homes for clients in the stunning coastal region of Orange County and Los Angeles. From a young age, the firm’s principal, Jason Gonterman started out with a passion for home building and construction. The pursuit of this passion led him to found Gonterman Construction. Today, Jason continues to work as an active project manager on every home on which the firm works.
For the past 20 years, Gonterman Construction has been an industry leader, not only in developing beautiful properties, but also in reinvigorating the standards of practice in custom home building. The firm understands that no two client briefs are alike, which is why it takes great care to afford each and every project with professionalism and attention to detail. At the heart of the firm’s operations is the provision of exceptional customer service. This practice can be felt at all stages of construction, and the fact that the company has grown primarily from referrals demonstrates the high standards it meets with every project.
For its high-quality practice and commitment to client satisfaction, the firm’s work has been featured in several noteworthy publications like Architectural Digest, California Interiors, Ocean Home Magazine, Kitchen Remodeling Magazine, and Modern Luxury. The firm has also appeared on Bravo’s “Flipping Out”.
Hill Construction Co.
4626 Albuquerque St. 2nd Floor, San Diego, California 92109
Hill Construction Company is a premier residential builder specializing in high-end technical construction and meticulously crafted luxury homes. Adept in modern technologies and sophisticated modeling systems, the firm has mastered complexities, from historic preservation to cutting-edge contemporary designs, that are beyond the scope of other builders – all while providing unparalleled craftsmanship and customer service. Hill Construction partners with nationally acclaimed architects to create extraordinary, enduring homes in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Palm Desert and beyond.
For Hill Construction Co., its people are what sets it apart from other builders. The firm employs incredible individuals with the same vision – to build exceptional projects alongside an exceptional team. The company believes in hard work, integrity, and lasting relationships. Throughout its 40+ years of building custom homes, the firm has maintained a culture of collaboration, uncompromised quality, continuous improvement, and a true desire to master its craft. For this dedication to constant improvement, and for upholding a high standard for the homes that it builds, the firm has won many awards, including, most recently, the 2020 Best in American Living Award. Hill Construction Co.’s exceptional work has been featured on the pages of Galerie Magazine, Interiors Magazine, Luxe Magazine, California Homes and Dwell Magazine.
Hulton Development Inc.
PO BOX 675368, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Hulton Development Inc. integrates green building in the construction of homes. The firm is constantly striving to build environmentally and health-conscious home and work environments by using sustainable/green building materials as much as possible. In business for more than 30 years. Hulton Development has built a reputation for excellent construction and highly personalized service.
The firm’s founder and president, Thomas R. Hulton Erickson, was raised in a family of carpenters. He grew up learning the value of tradition from his Norwegian grandfather, his father, and his three brothers. Because the firm is involved in large-scale construction projects for notable clients, Thomas believes that collaboration is imperative, and it is something that he and his team understand and value. Thomas’s experience from other projects and his love for art and architecture enable him to contribute to the creative process. Being a part of this process early on makes it possible for his team to execute the design perfectly, from the transformation of raw land to the renovation of a home to make it something unique.
For the firm’s exactitude and approach to building, they have been the recipient of awards, such as the Regional Winner in the Major Restoration/Renovation category, in the Luxe Red Awards Regional Winners 2018. They have also been featured in the San Diego Home and Garden Magazine, and in Luxe Magazine.
Lee B. Marston Construction Inc.
712 Poppy Ave, Corona del Mar, CA, 92625
Lee B. Marston Construction Inc. has completed over 450 projects focusing on residential new home construction and remodels. The firm has an excellent reputation for quality workmanship and reliable service, with 50 years of business experience behind it. The firm has an outstanding reputation, which highlights its consistency for completing projects on time while sticking to the budget.
When clients choose to work with Lee B. Marston Construction Inc., they are guaranteed guidance in the process and quality in the result. Each subcontractor on the job is experienced as well as verified, licensed and insured, and all phases of the job are professionally managed and supervised from start to finish. Because of the success of this practice, word of mouth from satisfied clients is the main referral source of the firm.
An example of the firm’s outstanding work is this 3 Arch Bay Home in Corona del Mar. This stunning 2500 square foot home features white oak flooring, and tongue and groove ceilings and walls throughout the entire property. A large deck in front of the home spans the entire length of the house, allowing the homeowners to take advantage of the endless views of the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach.
Lucco Builders Inc.
32422 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Lucco Builders Inc. has been in the business for over 25 years. Throughout this time, the firm has been fulfilling its commitment to customer satisfaction and quality. One of the pillars of its practice is to build a reputation for integrity, in order to achieve the firm’s mission of being recognized as a leading general contractor and construction management company.
With the customer as the focus, the firm ensures that it exceeds client expectations throughout the entire build process. Lucco Builders Inc. works collaboratively with its clients in order to attain the highest level of quality and value. Having a reputation for integrity and doing things correctly the first time, allows the firm to continually make a difference in the markets in which it does business. That is why, in the ever-changing construction industry, Lucco Builders Inc. operates on a solid foundation of principles resulting in long-lasting relationships and repeat business with its clients.
Matt White Custom Homes
3090 Pullman Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
For Matt White Custom Homes (MWCH), each and every endeavor is more than a project—it’s a promise to deliver extraordinary homes for modern living that stand the test of time. Under the vision and leadership of the firm’s founder, Matt White, MWCH has grown, over the past two decades, from a leading custom home builder to become a renowned developer of unique, high-quality new home neighborhoods.
In building both the idea of home and its physical structure, MWCH believes in using a blend of art and science. The design of an MWCH custom home takes into account its clients’ passions, traditions, hobbies, professions, entertaining style, and even investment objectives. On the other hand, the development of an MWCH community takes a broader brushstroke to this same approach. The science comes in with how MWCH uses only the highest quality materials, most advanced engineering and building techniques, and craftsmen known for their stellar work and reputation.
Pictured above is the firm’s stellar work on a 6,501 square-foot Mediterranean-style home, with the exterior boasting a magnificent blend of Venetian plaster and architectural stone. The exterior can only be an indication of what beauty lies inside the home.
Mur-Sol Builders Inc.
119 E. St. Joseph Street, Arcadia, CA 91006
With hundreds of projects under its wing, there is no doubt that Mur-Sol Builders Inc. is a company with expertise in all phases of residential and commercial construction. Clients are top-priority for Mur-Sol; the firm enables clients to oversee and control design, costs, schedule, and quality at a high level rarely found today. This model has enabled Mur-Sol to successfully complete projects of luxury single-family and multi-family homes as well as office and industrial product types, and with this stellar performance backing the company’s reputation, Mur-Sol is positioned to continue its already strong track record within a very competitive real estate industry.
Founded in 1976 by Danny Grohs, the firm is now headed by Jasen and Joshua Grohs. Each of them has more than twenty-five years of construction experience. Jasen started in construction in 1989 and was licensed as a general contractor in 1995. Joshua followed in those steps and was licensed in 1999. With these principals’ experience, the firm is able to operate with a full understanding of its clients’ goals.
Mur-Sol applies comprehensive construction and project management capabilities, focusing on delivering each project with the quality and high standards for which the Mur-Sol brand is known. And since the firm considers its reputation to be its biggest asset, its commitment to providing quality homes begins from the time that it starts discussions with a landowner to purchase a property, through its dealings with the local municipalities all the way through delivering its homes to satisfied homeowners.
O’Grady Homes
34212 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite C, Dana Point California 92629
Few builders today can claim to be an NAHB Certified Green Builder, yet for O’Grady Homes, that reputation is all part of a day’s work. The O’Grady Homes team understands how to make the custom home-building process enjoyable and, more importantly, efficient for the homeowner. The firm’s detailed organization and proven processes routinely result in timely completion of custom home projects on-budget and with stunning results. With 25 years of fine custom home building experience, Chris O’Grady and the O’Grady Homes team is able to provide expert guidance through every phase of design, planning, and construction.
O’Grady Homes was founded by Chris O’Grady and stands as an extraordinary example of integrity and success in the local construction industry. Based in Dana Point, California, O’Grady Homes builds beautiful and energy-efficient homes of varying architectural styles, from Mediterranean to Modern, throughout the Orange County coastal region. The firm’s singular vision is oriented towards the construction of premier custom homes in Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and Corona Del Mar.
Opulent Design Build
9471 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618
With hundreds of custom home builds comprising its portfolio, Opulent Design Build has a depth of experience to guide its clients throughout the custom home building process. The firm was established in 2000 by principal Eddie Hodges. Eddie has over 20 years of experience in real estate development and has worked on custom projects of all scales, including smaller one-time projects to larger, phased multi-million dollar custom home design and development projects.
Eddie leads a team of engineers, designers, and contractors who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise. Through their fresh and vital approach, the team is able to exercise their extensive construction experience, as well as their commitment to achieving the best possible result for every custom home they build. Having Eddie and the Opulent Design Build team by the client’s side, from their custom home’s concept to completion, makes all the difference.
Prestige Builders
427 30th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663
For Prestige Builders, pride in its work is something that is reflected in the projects it does. The firm’s principal, Christopher Walton, has a strong interest in the visual and design aesthetics of the homes he is involved in. Part of his creative process is to continually meet with the clients and designers helping to synthesize new ideas into something coherent and aesthetically-pleasing.
As a company of integrity, Prestige Builders is dedicated to fulfilling the individual needs of its clients. The firm considers establishing and maintaining good communications with the owner, designer, consultants, and subcontractors throughout the construction process to be a crucial link in the success of any project. It is a practice that Prestige Builders strongly encourages and continues to implement today. Because of such practices and pride in its work, the firm has been featured in Luxe Magazine, Interiors Magazine, Riviera Magazine, Space OC, Town & Country, Orange Coast, Elle Decor, and In Style.
Sailhouse
170 Newport Center Drive, Suite 260, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Sailhouse has been making waves in the building industry as soon as it arrived on the scene in 2009. The firm only works with industry-leading professionals, specialty contractors, and innovative consultants to deliver timeless architecture. As a member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the firm also strives to enforce energy-efficient design in order to create extraordinary projects.
Behind this powerhouse of a firm is principal Pat Patterson. Pat has been constructing, developing, managing, and marketing real estate in Coastal Southern California for more than two decades. He has developed many residential and commercial properties in Orange County’s premier beach communities.
When it comes to building a home, Sailhouse offers what it calls a “Sailhouse Signature Home.” A Sailhouse Signature Home exemplifies the highest quality of standards with exclusive designs, energy-efficient solutions, luxurious details, and carefully designed floor plans for a home unlike any other. Sailhouse is involved from selecting the location, designing the site plan, constructing the home to creating landscape environments that provide the ultimate in indoor & outdoor living. The same applies to the building of a Sailhouse Custom Home, with the only difference being that Sailhouse assists a client achieve their vision for their home.
For the firm’s beautiful work, it has been featured in Blue Door Magazine, Home Builder Digest, Orange County Business Journal, Newport Beach Magazine, and Modern Luxury.
South Pointe Construction LLC
23 Corporate Plaza, Suite 150 PNB 603, Newport Beach, CA 92660
South Pointe Construction LLC operates with a unique philosophy: that concrete foundations and lumber make for strong homes, but the best homes are homes built with heart. The firm and its skilled team liken the process of building a home with custom finishes to that of building new dreams. South Pointe Construction LLC holds itself to an incredibly high standard to accomplish a product that it can be proud of.
With owner Gavin Sermon, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional, at the helm, the firm delivers homes that are a reflection of its values. Ultimately, this becomes a reflection as well of how the world sees the firm. When it comes to remodeling and additions, South Pointe has spent years renovating old memories from someone else’s yesterday while turning it into a future for a family tomorrow. The team understands that, as much as the construction and remodeling processes are about building a better home, it is also a matter of building a better life for the home’s future occupants. At the end of the build process, the firm will continue to stand by the homeowner as they make the South Pointe house their home. At the end of the day, South Pointe doesn’t just build homes, it builds relationships for life.
Steigerwald-Dougherty, Inc.
427 South Cedros, Suite 202, Solana Beach, CA 92075
When Dave Steigerwald and Pat Dougherty partnered together to form Steigerwald-Dougherty Inc, their vision was to build a construction business on a foundation of integrity, excellent workmanship, hard work, and a natural and heartfelt ongoing commitment to their clients. The firm is fortunate to have an excellent team behind it in all projects it undertakes. Many of its valued employees have been with the firm for over two decades, and some, for the entire thirty-seven years the firm has been serving this clients. The same is true for its subcontractors, with whom the firm also has long term relationships. These subcontractors have been handpicked and trained to meet the expectations and high levels of quality that Steigerwald-Dougherty requires.
One thing that sets Steigerwald-Dougherty apart from the rest is that all the firm’s business is referral-based—a testament to the trust clients have in the firm’s reputation. As a credit to its name, the firm has won awards over the years, such as the San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyles Magazine Home of the Year Award. The firm has also been featured on the pages of publications like San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyles Magazine, Décor & Style Magazine, South Coast Style, LUXE, and Better Homes and Gardens.
