Building your own home comes with several benefits, including being able to create a space that caters to your particular lifestyle while having the opportunity to use the latest building technologies. At the same time, this type of project entails a spectrum of challenging building activities—from the preparation of the site and framing to the installation of fixtures and the final walkthrough. Home construction projects demand the expertise of contractors who approach the complicated process with precision and dedication to fulfilling clients’ goals.
Our team has looked at hundreds of local builders in key areas of the U.S. in order to create a list of the best non-custom home builders. We evaluated and selected them based on a variety of criteria: we considered factors such as experience, trade mastery, and industry accreditations and certifications. We also took into account awards, press features, and other recognitions the firms have received. The result: a list of builders that are more than capable of bringing together vision, innovation, and efficient practices to create comfortable, visually-striking homes.
ABD Development
131 Chadwick Dr. Suite #200, Davenport, FL 33837
Since the 1980s, Central Florida-based builder and community developer ABD Development has been designing and building impeccable homes in the area’s most prestigious neighborhoods. It has consistently set the standards of luxury home development, with awards from the Orlando Parade of Home, Flagler Parade of Homes, and the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Mid-Florida, for itself and its communities. To date, ABD Development has established nine communities and built more than 1,200 new homes.
The company offers move-in ready homes that are available at all stages of construction. It also provides a wide selection of floor plans to use as a starting point for clients when custom building on any choice of lot with views of water, woods, or a golf course. Whether it’s a retirement home, a second home for holidays and vacations, or an investment property in Florida, each residence can be fitted with standard home features, energy efficiency, and smart technology.
Featured here is the exceptionally designed custom Courtyard home in Toscana Palm Coast. It won the Award of Excellence at the 2019 Flagler Parade of Homes. The Mediterranean-style residence includes high-end features such as a luxury pool, an outdoor fireplace, a gourmet kitchen, and a wine fridge.
Ash Creek Homes
408 Ringtail Stream Dr., Lakeway, TX 78738
More than 35 years of homebuilding expertise in Austin and the Texas Hill County makes Ash Creek Homes one of the leading home builders in the area.
With projects named as Best Community by a Developer three years in a row by the HBA of Austin, the company has gained a reputation for exquisitely designed homes
The company’s team of designers extensively research details in exterior and interior design so that every community has an authentic and custom feel. As a home builder in rugged Texas Hill County, the company is also proud of taking extra steps to preserve nature whenever they break ground. According to current president Jenna Edge, they spend time analyzing every tree and the topography and go out of their way to preserve the natural features of a piece of land.
The company has gained success through its superb communities, Serene Hills and Honey Creek. Its upcoming projects include Vista Parke, a community that will feature low-maintenance townhomes.
BDR Companies
11100 Main St. Suite #201, Bellevue, WA 98004
With projects ranging from affordable townhouses and urban contemporary residences to finely crafted luxury homes with gorgeous architectural details, BDR Companies has captured the attention of clients all over Washington looking to find their forever home. The group has finished over 3,000 homes in more than 60 distinctive neighborhoods throughout the Seattle area, including Mercer Island, Bellevue, Medina, Clyde Hill, and Yarrow Point.
The group is captained by founder and chairman Todd Bennett. A recognized leader in home building, Bennett was honored with the Legacy Award by the Builders Council and was inducted into the Master Builders Association Hall of Fame. He leads a team that possesses over 400 years of collective home building experience. BDR Companies is a proud recipient of numerous awards for building excellence, including three-time Builder of the Year in the Seattle area and the 2018 and 2019 425 Magazine “Best Builder” award. In 2019, it added five New Home Council Tribute Awards to its impressive list of accolades.
Pictured here is BDR Companies’ award-winning pre-sold home, the Mercer Island Luxury Farmhouse. It earned the Best Home Design Award from the 2019 New Home Council Tribute Awards. Its luxurious features include a chef’s kitchen and a family room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace.
Blue Heron Design Build
685 Dragon Peak Ct., Henderson, NV 89012
Blue Heron Design Build is a Henderson-based custom home builder and the community developer behind upscale Nevada communities like Sky Terrace, Marquis Seven Hills, Horizon Lights, The Bluffs, and Midtown Modern. The firm is also credited for building two New American Homes for the NAHB International Builders’ Show. These homes showcase the latest in building technology and design. The company has been featured on Builder Magazine, Construction Las Vegas, and The Wall Street Journal, to name just a few. The firm also has an impressive list of awards that include Best in American Living Awards, Dream Home Awards, PCBC Gold Nugget Awards, and Las Vegas Parade of Homes awards.
Homes from Blue Heron are defined by organic and modern design inspired by their location. The company prioritizes infill projects and utilizes existing infrastructure rather than contribute to city sprawl. In line with its modern approach, it has the capability to include energy-efficient features in its homes. The company offers a range of options from passive solar design to environmentally friendly building materials to bring Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED-certified homes to its clients.
Bridgewater Communities
20 Meadow Cir Dr. Suite #204, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
Bridgewater Communities is an award-winning St. Louis, Missouri area home builder; it was established in 2003 by Tim Miller. Tim started by designing three elegant villa floor plans and made it his purpose to build luxury villa homes for Missouri residents. In addition to his role as the company leader, he is also active in the home building community. He served on the Board of Directors of the HBA of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri and was a past president of the HBA Sales and Marketing Council. He is also active in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the national Builder 20 Program.
The company offers personalized, single-family homes without the burden of home maintenance to residents of St. Charles and Franklin counties. Flexible floor plans, an exhaustive array of options, and a knowledgeable staff of Villa Experts are the core of Bridgewater’s success. It has earned numerous Homer Awards from the St. Louis HBA for its homes. Client reviews praise the firm for the fast turnover time, well-maintained communities, and first-class homes.
Bruce Paparone Inc.
702 N White Horse Pike, Stratford, NJ 08084
Veteran home builder, Bruce Paparone Inc, New Homes, has contributed a number of dynamic residential communities to the South Jersey area. Its long history of home building can be traced back to Bruce Paparone’s father, Samuel J. Paparone, who started a real estate company in the 1950s. With his brothers, Samuel built thousands of homes throughout South Jersey. Decades later, his son, Bruce Paparone, continues his legacy of fine homes and communities catered to discerning home buyers.
The company offers many customizable home plans through its personalized buying and building process. The client can start customization as soon as they reserve the lot. A sales manager efficiently guides the future homeowner through various home plans and structural selections for that uniquely tailored home. This high touch process and commitment to customer service and satisfaction are what makes Bruce Paparone one of the area’s most highly regarded home builders. It is a twelve-time winner of the Commitment to Excellence Award from the Builders League of South Jersey.
Bruce Paparone new homes are currently offered at eight different communities throughout Gloucester and Burlington Counties. Two are active adult communities catering to 55+ clients, which provide top-notch homes and amenities for a comfortable and independent lifestyle.
Camelot Homes
6607 N Scottsdale Rd. Suite H-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Scottsdale-based Camelot Homes has thrived through four decades of homebuilding under the leadership of three generations of the Hancock family. From its inception in the 1960s by Maggi and J.W. Hancock to today’s second and third-generation leadership by Mark and Julie Hancock and Cammie Hancock Beckert, Camelot Homes has perfected the formula of adhering to the highest standards of craftsmanship and offering personalized service to each client. It has earned Gold Nugget Awards and Major Achievements in Merchandising Excellence (MAME) awards for its work and services.
Camelot Homes offers production homes ranging from $760,000 to more than $1 million. Clients can choose from a variety of communities, from high-end private enclaves on exclusive lots to lifestyle residences in the newest neighborhoods. One of its most popular developments is the award-winning White Horse community in Scottsdale. It has 50 ranch-style homes designed to embrace Arizona’s desert environment, with expansive outdoor living space and multiple indoor-outdoor connection points. The urban farmhouse-style Cheval plan won Home of the Year in the 2018 Gold Nugget awards. It has the classic typography of a traditional hacienda but with the comforts of modern resort-style living.
Classic Home Building
524 Broadway St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Classic Home Building is one of South Carolina’s premier home builders. The company is led by the mother and son team Susan White and Berkeley White. Together they have more than half a century of building experience, experience that has contributed to the firm’s continuous growth. Since its founding, the company has successfully built nearly 1,000 homes in the Carolinas. It is a member of NAHB and is also known for being Grand Stand’s only Southern Living Custom Builder.
In 2017, Classic Home Building’s River Run project as the Southern Living Custom Builder Program’s Showcase Home. The project was the first showcase from Georgetown County and was also adapted from an architectural design by Architect John Tee. The interiors were beautifully designed, with a thoughtfully planned gourmet kitchen. It provides an ample work area, professional-grade appliances, and a custom range hood and wine cooler. The home was visited by around 8,000 people during the showcase.
Classica Homes
2215 Ayrsley Town Blvd. Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28273
Founded in 2010, Classica Homes is a home building company with a focus on luxury homes. The firm was founded by Bill and Terri Saint, a husband-and-wife duo with an undeniable passion for homebuilding. Together, they have traveled across the country to find inspiration for their most beautiful homes. Since its founding in 2010, the company was recognized as one of Charlotte’s Best Places to Work annually since 2013. It has also received the prestigious Gold National Housing Quality Award from NAHB in 2017.
Among the firm’s best work is the Napa Model Home which features provisions for up to six bedrooms and baths. With a beautifully designed vaulted ceiling and walls of windows, the home welcomes natural light. Highlights include a seamless flow between the great room and outdoor spaces and a carefully designed kitchen with cabinetry and accent windows.
First Texas Homes
500 Crescent Ct. Suite #350, Dallas, TX 75201
First Texas Homes is a 33-year-old company that specializes in residential home building and development services. It banks on its founders’ 45 years of combined experience in the industry and its commitment to excellent customer service. The company is flexible in its designs to allow clients to incorporate their visions into the floor plans. That flexibility has brought First Texas Homes a high number of stellar reviews from customers. Its success has helped it build homes in prime areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Arlington.
In Dallas, the company built this four-bedroom home. Its future homeowners will enjoy its wide front porch and the covered back patio. It also has a study, a powder bath, and a nook area in the dining room. Aside from the bedrooms, the home also has a media room that doubles as a game room.
Goodall Homes
393 Maple St. Suite #100, Gallatin, TN 37066
Goodall Homes has been in the business of building residences since 1983. The firm was founded by Bob Goodall Jr., who is committed to excellent service and quality building. The company maintains that focus, building single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums throughout Alabama and Tennessee. In 2015, it ranked #2 in Market Graphic Research Group’s Top 50 Builders Report in Nashville, and as one of the Top 5 fastest-growing companies in the city. The firm recently received a silver award from the NAHB for its National Housing Quality Award in 2018.
Goodall Homes offers clients homes that range in pricing—from affordable to luxury. The featured home, built on The Preserve of the Flint neighborhood, has been offered at $407,255. It offers two stories of home space, with provisions for a porch and a two-car garage. The home is designed for family living with a 4-bedroom and 4-bath configuration. The home also features finishes like granite, tile, and coffered ceilings.
Heritage Builders
1800 2nd St. Suite #747, Sarasota, FL 34236
Heritage Builders is known as one of the most innovative and reputable home builders in Southwest Florida. The company is a developer, designer, and builder of both small communities and custom single-family homes on clients’ lots in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Heritage was established in 2012 as a wholly-owned affiliate of U.S. Assets Group and is currently led by the father-and-son team of Tom and Steve Brown.
The company prides itself on high-quality finishes even in the basic models. These include custom cabinets built locally with solid wood, granite and quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, pocketing sliding glass doors, eight-foot interior doors, tray and tented ceilings, and crown molding. By offering higher quality finishes, Heritage Builders has differentiated itself from the competition and has earned recognition and awards from the Sarasota-Manatee Parade of Homes over the years.
To date, Heritage has built more than a hundred homes in a variety of settings, from country club neighborhoods to private enclaves. Its high-end homes range from $500k to upwards of $2 million.
Hulbert Homes, Inc.
464 W Pipkin Rd., Lakeland, FL 33813
For over 20 years, Hulbert Homes has provided residential and commercial clients with high-quality custom homes and green building services. As a member of the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) and the Polk County Builders Association Green Building Council, the company has built a reputation for its sustainable, eco-friendly building practices. Hulbert Homes puts a premium on incorporating green products in its custom homes and even provides clients an FGBC green-certified home option.
What sets the company apart from others is that Hulbert Homes not only strives for top-quality results but also for energy-efficiency and sustainability in each project. With its team of highly skilled contractors, the company has completed numerous projects of various home styles, from traditional and Mediterranean to contemporary. For the past 15 years, the company has received 175 Polk County Builders Association awards and has received the prestigious Home of the Year award 35 times and the Best Overall Quality award annually since 1998.
One of its impressive projects is The Jarama. This home features a beautiful exterior with brick siding accents, gorgeous hardwood flooring throughout, exposed ceiling beams in the living room, a grand staircase, and a timeless brick fireplace. This luxurious home also features an indoor swimming pool, a home office, an eat-in kitchen, and a formal dining area. This home is the Fall 2019 Parade of Homes winner.
Ivory Homes
978 Woodoak Ln., Salt Lake City, UT 84117
In business for over three decades, Ivory Homes is one of Utah’s leading home builders with over 20,000 new homes completed in over 70 communities. Clark Ivory, the CEO of Ivory Homes, leads the company and puts an emphasis on providing residents with affordable housing opportunities. As part of the company’s green building initiative the firm, in conjunction with the Clark ad Christine Ivory Foundation, partnered with TreeUtah and UCAIR to plant 30,000 trees across the state of Utah. Ivory Homes has also dedicated itself to the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) for energy efficiency. Today, the average Ivory Homes residence has a HERS score of 60, which could help homeowners save up to $1,200 in utility expenses annually.
As Utah’s largest homebuilder, Ivory Homes takes green building a step further by using extra insulation, energy-efficient lighting and furnaces, and high-efficiency water heaters and windows in all of its homes, pushing its average HERS score even higher than what Utah state code requires.
The company offers clients over 100 home designs and 45 model homes to choose from. From traditional and prairie home designs to European and modern styles, the team builds stunning, cost-effective homes.
Jeff Click Design | Build
3825 NW 166th St. Suite B7, Edmond, OK 73012
Creating homes that embody style and exemplify innovation has been Jeff Click Design | Build’s mission since its founding in 1998. Today, the company is one of the most reputable builders serving Oklahoma, Edmond, and Piedmont. Jeff Click, the company owner, has built over 400 homes throughout the area. An Oklahoma State Certified Professional Builder, Click has served as the 2013 President of the Oklahoma State HBA and the 2009 President of the Central Oklahoma HBA. Under his leadership, the company has garnered numerous awards including the 2019 Parade of Homes for Best Overall, Best Floorplan, Best Interior Design, and Best Decorating categories, among many other awards.
One of the floorplans that the company offers is the XXTwo Plan, a fusion of Scandinavian and modern farmhouse. This plan includes a one-car garage, a great room with exposed HVAC ductwork, a spacious kitchen, and a master suite with a full bathroom, dual sinks, shower, toilet room, and a huge walk-in closet.
Joyce Homes
P.O. Box 997, Parker, CO 80134
Established in 1990, Joyce Homes is a locally-owned and operated residential building company that provides Colorado with unique homes. These houses are located in many of Denver’s top master-planned communities: clients have the opportunity to find the perfect location that fits their lifestyle. Among the firm’s latest builds are semi-custom homes on 1.5 acre lots at its Vivant community in Parker.
With more than four decades of experience, company founder Bob Woodley brings a strong foundation of craftsmanship and personal care to every home he builds. This combination of expertise and dedication continues to strengthen Joyce Homes’ impeccable reputation for quality and responsiveness. In every project, the team provides clients with straight answers, solid thinking, significant value, cutting-edge designs, and advanced construction techniques. The Joyce Homes team is repeatedly praised by clients for its excellent customer service.
MBK Homes
4 Park Plaza Suite #850, Irvine, CA 92614
MBK Homes has been in the business of building attached and detached housing for 25 years. It caters to potential homeowners in California, where it has also ventured into the development of high-end communities that are eco-conscious and sustainable. Its portfolio showcases the residential neighborhoods that it has successfully built in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino.
MBK Homes is also among the most well-regarded homebuilders in the state, where customers have reported their satisfaction in the quality of their homes. For its excellence in construction and customer satisfaction, the company received the Eliant Home Buyer’s Choice Award.
The company is also known for its innovative approach to planning and construction. Among its best projects is the featured harbor residence, which was built in the luxurious Ebb Tide community. The home features wall-to-wall carpeting, recessed ceiling lights, and shaker-style cabinetry. It stands out for the beautifully-designed interior spaces, as reflected by the coastal contemporary exterior.
LUXCOM Builders
4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite #610, Coral Gables, FL 33146
For over three decades, LUXCOM Builders has been breaking ground in South Florida’s real estate landscape. Thanks to its innovative designs, attention to detail, and solid construction efforts, the company has built over 10,000 residential units and almost one million square feet of commercial space and touts $2 billion in real estate transactions. LUXCOM’s diverse portfolio includes master-planned communities, multimillion-dollar custom homes, luxurious high-rise condominiums, multi-family dwellings, retail shopping centers, and commercial spaces. As a testament to the firm’s drive towards excellence, the company has received numerous awards and accolades from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Florida BEST Awards, and the Gold Coast Builders Association. Likewise, the company’s principals have been recognized with more than 400 building-related awards, which reflect LUXCOM’s philosophy of “structural integrity built on professional integrity.”
LUXCOM was established by accomplished developer Oscar Barbara. Barbara is widely respected for his numerous contributions to the industry and the community. He was named Builder of the Year by the Builders Association of South Florida (BASF) and dubbed as an Industry Trendsetter by Florida Trend and The Achiever by Miami Today. In 2013, he was inducted into the Florida Atlantic Building Association’s Hall of Fame.
Princeton Classic Homes
10410 Windermere Lakes Blvd., Houston, TX 77065
Premier homebuilder Princeton Classic Homes provides greater Houston with “luxury within reach” in the region’s most desirable neighborhoods. Since 1991, the company has built over 10,000 new homes across Texas and has developed communities that cultivate strong neighborhoods and schools. Residences built by the company embrace timeless architectural traditions, featuring elegant exteriors, wide and flowing interiors, and luxurious details. Prices range from $170,000 to more than $1 million.
Princeton Classic Homes maintains one of the largest inventories of move-in ready homes and construction-ready home sites in Texas. And the firm has its own mortgage and title companies, testaments to the company’s financial strength. What’s more, Princeton Classic Homes offers a Home of Texas Warranty, which provides ten years of structural defect coverage, two years of systems coverage for electrical, mechanical, ventilation, and plumbing, and one-year coverage for defects in workmanship.
Pyatt Builders
168 W Carmel Dr., Carmel, IN 46032
Pyatt Builders was founded in 2009 with the primary goal of building beautiful, spacious homes with unique streetscapes at the lowest possible prices throughout greater Indianapolis. The company offers a variety of floor plans that give each client the freedom to choose the size, price, and design features of their home. Whether a project involves building from the ground up or a quick move-in, Pyatt Builders has the resources and expertise necessary to meet and exceed expectations.
Bringing innovation and energy-efficiency at the forefront has allowed Pyatt Builders to create happier, healthier environments for its clients. The company’s living spaces tout HERS index scores of 74: Pyatt homes use significantly less energy than older, resale homes and standard new homes. Homeowners enjoy lower utility bills while being environmentally friendly.
Among the company’s communities is The Grove in Hamilton County, located on 146th Street between Hazel Dell Parkway and River Road. This walkable neighborhood features over 16 acres of protected wooded areas and trails as well as accessible shopping areas and restaurants in downtown Carmel.
Scott Felder Homes
16103 Via Shavano, San Antonio, TX 78249
For the past decade, Scott Felder Homes has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the largest producers of quality, move-up homes in Texas. The firm builds in more than two dozen communities, from the suburbs north of Austin down into San Antonio. The Scott Felder portfolio features over 1000 homesites carefully crafted homes boasting innovative, energy efficiency designs. Location is another advantage the company offers—building its homes in the best neighborhoods with outstanding amenities and great school districts. Clients can choose from its many floor plans and customize that choice to fit their individual needs.
The Texas Association of Builders, HBA of Greater Austin, and the Greater San Antonio Builders Association has named Scott Felder Homes Volume Builder of the Year 15 times since 2012. In 2019, the firm earned the Production Builder of the Year Award in the Austin Business Journal’s Residential Real Estate Awards ceremony.
From ranch homes and European classic architecture to modern contemporary abodes, Scott Felder Homes offers a wide range of homes for every budget. Its residences range from $200 per square foot up to $500 per square foot. The company’s communities can be found in many coveted areas of Austin and San Antonio such as the Veramendi community of New Braunfels, Madison Heights, and the Arbors at Fair Oaks.
Stone Bridge Homes NW
4230 Galewood St. Suite #100, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Stone Bridge Homes NW is known for its semi-custom, Earth Advantage-certified homes built in more than ten new home communities in Portland and throughout Oregon. The company is led by Kelly Ritz who has an extensive background in environmental law, land acquisition, and development. She has led the firm to produce award-winning homes every year, earning accolades from the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Tour of Homes, NW Show of Homes, and HBA Street of Dreams, among others.
The northwest builder builds uniquely designed homes featuring timeless architecture that comes with modern, energy-efficient assets. From single-story plans to generational plans with extra space for extended families, clients can implement their personal plan changes. One thing that differentiates Stone Bridge Homes is its adherence to the standards of the Earth Advantage Institute to create gold-certified homes for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. It has earned the recognition of building the most gold-certified homes in the past years. And it has the Hall of Fame Green Builder award to its name as well.
Terramor Homes
7208 Falls of Neuse Rd. Suite #201, Raleigh, NC 27615
For over 35 years, Terramor Homes has built a reputation for building quality homes across the North Carolina Triangle. The company exceeds expectations by thoughtfully designing each home with the client in mind. The firm has its own design studio, so clients can be hands-on in customizing their dream homes. Terramor Homes sits comfortably in the $200k to $600k price range and works in exceptional communities in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and other nearby neighborhoods.
In 2019, Terramor Homes’ floor plans and model homes took home bronze, silver, and gold awards from the Raleigh Wake County Parade of Homes, and brought home silver awards from the Johnson County Parade of Homes. The company has won numerous awards for its services and homes since 2008.
Tim Lewis Communities
3500 Douglas Blvd. Suite #270, Roseville, CA 95661
Tim Lewis Communities is a Northern California and Northern Nevada home builder with more than 30 years of experience crafting homes. Tim Lewis started his homebuilding career with two custom lots and grew the company organically, playing multiple roles in the early stages of the company. Lewis formed a team that drove the company to success by continuously building homes with award-winning architecture and providing superior customer satisfaction in great communities in Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lathrop and the Bay Area, as well as in Reno, Nevada.
Tim Lewis Communities now stands as one of the most trusted home builders in California. The company and its communities have earned awards from the North State Building Industry Association (BIA) and the Builders Association of Northern Nevada. Today, its flagship community is Sutter Park. Located in East Sacramento, Sutter Park homes are comprised of three distinct architectural styles that resonate the character reminiscent of the Fabulous Forty’s.
