Washington may seem like a straight-laced city, with imposing federal and international organizations setting the tone, and somber national monuments everywhere you turn. Yet this seat of the American experiment is home to over 6.1 million residents and boasts numerous internationally-respected museums, historic architecture, professional sports franchises, and an energetic food scene. Those who have tried it know: Washington D.C. is a good place to have a good time.
Walking through Washington’s neighborhoods you’ll notice that the Beaux Arts and Federal home designs are, without a doubt, the most popular. From the borders of Virginia to the borders of Maryland, these home styles are a common sight. But new settlers and even some change-hungry locals are looking to build new homes and they have a lot of options to choose from.
If you live in D.C. or are about to move there, we’ve handpicked the top 11 custom home builders in Washington, DC and surrounding areas to help you make a choice when it comes to building a customized home. We considered the firms that have worked on notable projects, those that have won numerous awards, and we also factored in the experience these firms would bring to your potential project. If you are looking to build the home of your dreams in Washington, DC, you will find a contractor on this list that will suit your needs.
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.
11) Hanlon Design Build
4927 Eskridge Terrace, Washington, DC 20016
Homes should represent the character and lifestyle of its homeowners. That conviction makes Hanlon Design Build (HDB) good at what it does, turning buildings into homes. Chryssa Wolfe and Jake Hanlon run HDB: Chrissa works on home designs and brings an artist’s eye to every project. Jake ensures that projects embody Chryssa’s gorgeous designs and that they are structurally sound.
Since 2001 the firm has put together some of Washington’s best architects, designers, and craftspeople. These professionals bring together diverse ideas and the result is an innovative method of home building. It has kept its membership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) because of its commitment to making beautiful and functional homes across the Washington area.
Among the custom homes in its portfolio is a well-crafted 9000-square foot home in DC. The home features an impressive stone archway at the main entrance, all-inclusive finishes, a 12-foot ceiling housing a charming chandelier in the cabana room, and an expansive flagstone terrace with views of the outdoors.
10) TriCrest Homes
P.O. Box 6052, McLean, VA 22106
Chris Soteropoulos developed his interest in home building as a child. Then Chris learned the process of building multiple luxury homes while working for a national homebuilder for seven years. His eye for detail and his distinct taste made him recognize the need for a unique home style in Northern Virginia. TriCrest Homes offer home styles that clients simply cannot get elsewhere. Chris and his team have been branded as “visionary” and “trendsetters,” yet the team has remained grounded firmly in the practical details of building.
They built this custom home a little more than twenty minutes outside of Washington. TriCrest Homes named the style ‘warm contemporary,’ and they truly combined the characteristics of a contemporary home with a warm, homey feel. This project was completed in 2016, and cost more than $2 million. The home’s aesthetic has been mimicked in surrounding areas for its stylish warmth.
9) De Design / Architecture & Construction
4358 Argyle Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20011
Damian Parsons is a 4th generation architect. He first practiced architecture working for a small firm. After he moved to the U.S. he started working in a prestigious architectural firm. In 2004 he founded De Design/Architecture & Construction to focus on residential architecture and home construction. Because of the firm’s excellent work, its projects have been reviewed and featured in local, national, and even international media. In 2016, De Design reached a $2 million annual gross income, proving that the firm has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
This new home is about 4900-square feet, which includes a spacious living room and an art gallery. The 3rd floor of this home is dedicated to an art studio and an office space that opens to a green terrace facing the woods. De Design/Architecture & Construction built this exquisite home in 2009, and it is a LEED-certified candidate home.
8) Niroo
9300 River Rd., Potomac, MD 20854
Stunning and elegant homes: Niroo is known as a firm that won’t build anything less. For more than 20 years in the business, Niroo has worked with some of the best architects and interior designers in the area to produce high-end homes that are both aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting. David Niroo leads a team of experts in home remodeling, consistently finding new ways to achieve an eco-friendly home development.
Niroo’s outstanding masterpieces have caught the attention of publications such as the Washingtonian Open House blog, Washington Life magazine, Home & Design magazine. The firm’s homes were even featured on an episode of the Travel Channel’s Great Taste. One look at Niroo’s portfolio will give clients an idea of what to expect when they come to Niroo with their home needs.
Take a look at this custom home completed by Niroo in 2014. Located 32 minutes away from Washington, DC, this gorgeous home is valued at over $2 million. Not only is this Victorian home stunning from the outside, but the carefully planned interiors make for an expansive living experience, straight out of a fairytale.
7) Laurence Cafritz Builders
7520 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Building homes with unique designs that transcend generations are what sets Laurence Cafritz Builders apart from other firms. Laurence Cafritz, a 3rd generation Washingtonian, has over 25 years of solid background in home building in the D.C. region. The firm delivers finely crafted custom homes, additions, and even remodeling. They tend to take on projects from $700k to $4 million.
Laurence Cafritz Builders’ success in business does not only show through in its completed projects but in the awards, it has earned. Eight out of 13 awards were given to the firm by the Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA) including the Gold and Silver Awards – Custom Builder Award of Excellence.
Among the many projects in its portfolio is this home in Washington, DC. The 7194-square foot residence is in a great location that will bring homeowners closer to Georgetown’s and Palisades’s coveted neighborhoods and shops.
6) Superior Home Services, Inc.
2164 Wisconsin Ave., NM, Washington, DC 20007
Since its inception in 1989, Superior Home Services has specialized in high-end remodeling, new construction, and custom homes. Headed by Daniel Steinkoler, a graduate of American University, the firm has been recognized by the Peter Johnson National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and named as one of Qualified Remodeler’s BIG 50 nationwide.
The firm works on projects worth $100k to $2.5 million. The firm’s online gallery highlights work from minor home remodels to custom homes. Featured below is an award-winning home located in metro DC. This home was awarded the Metro DC National Association of the Remodeling Industry Grand Prize for projects over $1 million and the National Chrysalis Award for projects over $1 million.
The home features an open floor plan to maximize space use for small gatherings. Superior Home Services also installed solid walnut cabinetry and custom lighting to further enhance the cozy feel of the residence.
5) Landis Construction
7059 Blair Rd., NW Suite #300, Washington, DC 20012
Landis Construction, led by two licensed architects Chris Landis and Ethan Landis, has been serving Washington DC and surrounding areas since 1990. Landis Construction uses the latest imaging technology: clients experience and walk-through their homes via Virtual Reality glasses. The firm works on small scale remodels to custom home houses ranging from $100k to $1 million.
Landis Construction’s portfolio captures the firm’s versatility when it comes to home construction and design. It has also been given Professional Remodeler Design Awards, NARI Metro DC Capitol Contractor of the Year Awards, and citations from publications like the Washington Post and Qualified Remodeler.
This 4500-square feet home in Palisades, DC, just 16 minutes away from Washington, stays true to its craftsman spirit. When Landis met with the homeowners, they had a clear vision of what they wanted: a well-designed home that blends into the local Palisades neighborhood. Landis also incorporated sustainable design principles, energy efficiency, and environmental durability into the home.
4) KohlMark Group
5206-B Rolling Rd., Burke, VA 22015
With over 50 years of excellent craftsmanship and outstanding homes, KohlMark Group has become one of the leading home remodelers and builders in the greater D.C. area. Led by Thomas Flack and Mark Kohler, both knowledgeable in the design/build industry, the team pushes for new ways in home building, with an emphasis on creativity and maximum functionality.
KohlMark Group has kept affiliations with professional associations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA of Virginia, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). The firm’s show-stopper homes have been awarded the 2018 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Award, the 2018 Chrysalis Award, the 2015 Fairfax County Exceptional Design Award, and the 2014 NARI Contractor of the Year Award for its remodeled homes.
The best of two worlds can be experienced in this modern, yet traditionally-inspired home just 38 minutes away from Washington. The main house draws upon traditional home design while the pool house exudes contemporary minimalism. All of these features and more are clearly visible in the simple facade and interiors of the home. Clean lines are completed by a soaring roofline that frames tall glass doors and wide windows. This impeccable piece shows KohlMark’s great design versatility and its exacting attention to detail.
3) O’Neill Development
11 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Since its inception in 1975, O’Neill Development has served the Washington, Maryland, and Virginia areas with unique and functional homes. The firm works on a broad spectrum of projects, from home remodels to custom new homes. O’Neill’s versatility in home designs shows through in its portfolio. O’Neill Development can adapt period styles and European classics into new builds.
O’Neill’s projects have been cited in publications like the Chesapeake Home magazine, Home & Design magazine, Bethesda magazine, Traditional Home magazine, and Traditional Building magazine. The firm has also been awarded the Gaithersburg Mayor and Council Certificate of Recognition, the Montgomery County Award for Historic Preservation, and the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association Environmental Award.
O’Neill Development has built numerous homes in the Washington Area. As a team, they dislike building the same house twice, which is why they offer unique and distinct home designs that will perfectly reflect the homeowner’s unique tastes. Featured is an expansive Colonial-inspired home.
2) Pyramid Builders
2 Womack Dr., Annapolis, MD 21401
Building with a distinct difference: Bret Anderson realized this was his goal at an early age. When Bret founded Pyramid Builders in 1985, he created a work ethic that set a standard for his employees and for his clients. The firm started with less than $1k in the bank, and now it’s one of the premier home builders and contractors in Washington. The firm has worked with top architects and designers in the region to provide luxurious homes both on the waterfront and in urban settings.
Pyramid’s online portfolio highlights the quality of the homes the firm has constructed. These homes exude elegance from their rich exteriors to their homey interiors. The firm has received multiple awards from professional organizations honoring its excellence in home building. Additionally, the firm has been featured countless times in publications such as Home & Design, Chesapeake Views, LUXE Interiors+Design, Luxury Home Quarterly magazine, and more.
An hour drive from Washington will lead you to this stunning custom home situated along the shoreline of Duvall Creek. A beautiful Traditional design with a grand entrance that is as remarkable as its South River waterfront views. Pyramid Builders also custom-crafted a quarter sawn white oak staircase and ironwork railing. Finally, an outdoor entertaining space is adorned with a pool, making this home a masterpiece.
1) BOWA
7900 Westpark Dr. Suite A180, McLean, VA 22102
Larry Weinberg and Josh Baker established BOWA in 1988 with only a $5K investment from them each. By the end of the year, they had earned $300,000 and hired four employees for their team. This fruitful first year urged the founders to make their services more customer-centered, and now they report that 80-90% of their clients are either referrals or repeat customers. After 30 years, the firm has built a solid reputation for providing heroic customer service and superior construction quality on luxury home remodels and condominium renovations throughout the Greater Washington area.
Publications such as Remodeling Magazine, Middleburg Eccentric, the Washington Post, and Home & Design magazine have mentioned BOWA’s astonishing home remodels and custom homes. In 2019, it has already received a number of awards, including Top Vote Getter from Arlington Magazine, three regional and local Contractor of the Year awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. This brings the company to nearly 250 awards for business, design and construction excellence.
Take a look at this home just outside D.C. Taking into consideration the homeowner’s active lifestyle, BOWA made it possible for the family to enjoy all of the fun of the outdoors with the comforts of indoor amenities never more than a few steps away.
How can I find a home builder or contractor near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders and residential contractors in and near Washington DC. 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 builders in Maryland
Custom home builders in Virginia
Residential general contractors in Washington DC
Bathroom remodeling contractors in Washington DC
Kitchen remodeling contractors in Washington DC
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of 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.
