The Best Home Builders
We graded 46 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 3,293 Google reviews of 46 top-rated home builders nationwide. Updated November 6, 2026.
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Best home builders for custom home design
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Tresidio HomesHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom home design”:Stars on this job 55%4.95★Number of such jobs 25%20Overall Experts Score 20%90Job match= 91Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.83★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.91
Nexstar HomesHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom home design”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%82Job match= 76Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.83★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.76
Abstract Residential Design + BuildHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom home design”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%93Job match= 75Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.83★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.75
VIP HomesHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom home design”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%63Job match= 72Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.83★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.72
Fischer Homes | Louisville Office and Design StudioHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom home design”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%50Job match= 69Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.83★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.69
Sherburne-MarrsHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom home design”:Stars on this job 55%4.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%68Job match= 47Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.83★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.47Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Custom home design” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about custom home design
Tresidio HomesGreat experience working with Project Manager Sione with Tresido. He is proactive, friendly and his follow up is fantastic. Tresido builds a beautiful homes and provides excellent customer service.
Our home is spectacular! It was above and beyond all we expected. The entire staff was supportive, experts in their fields, efficient and hardworking. It's so difficult to know if you are making the right choice when building a custom home. We did and are so grateful. We are looking forward to making many memories and enjoying our beautiful space!
Sherburne-MarrsWe just met with the team about having them build another property for us. #3 I will only consider building with this exceptional and amazing team. The quality will remain long after the Price has been forgotten Thank you Sherburne-Marrs team! If you are considering building a Custom Home in the Boise area there is…
VIP HomesWe went through the whole process of building our home through VIP Homes, and it was a pleasure working with Deborah and Evelyn, the owner. They were very hands-on throughout the entire process. Our experience was smooth and amazing, and we were guided in a professional manner with patience when choosing everything appropriately to meet our needs.
Abstract Residential Design + Bui…As both a Realtor and someone who has personally built several homes, I can confidently say Brad at Abstract Residential Design is exceptional. He is incredibly knowledgeable, honest, loyal, and humble—qualities that are hard to find in this industry. His craftsmanship, attention to detail, and integrity set him…
Fischer Homes | Louisville Office…Could not have had a better experience with Fischer Homes so far, from the very first email response from the sales team with KaDee, the first stage of selecting a floor plan and lot with Alex, to the loan application with Victory, my Client Experience Mgr. Aiden, and then working with the incredibly kind and…
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of home builders).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Solid State Construction AZGilbert, AZ | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  North Shore Home BuildersBoston, MA | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%99+68.5Reliability 31%95+29.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Boston Dream GroupBoston, MA | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 4 |  Superstar BuildersBoston, MA | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%94+14.3Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.98 | — |
| 5 |  Boston Construction Inc.Boston, MA | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%98+67.8Reliability 31%95+29.2Experts Score= 97Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 6 |  Bailey Design + BuildLouisville, KY | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.96 | — |
| 7 |  OCA Builders | Construction Company & ADU ContractorSanta Cruz, CA | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%98+67.8Reliability 31%94+28.9Experts Score= 97Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 8 |  Walsh Brothers BuildersBoston, MA | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%97+67.2Reliability 31%94+28.9Experts Score= 96Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 9 |  Alair Homes ChandlerGilbert, AZ | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%94+14.3Craft & service penalty94−0.6Experts Score= 95Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 10 |  AbacusBoston, MA | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%94+51.3Reliability 24%95+23Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 95Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.93 | — |
| 11 |  NS BuildersBoston, MA | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%91+13.8Craft & service penalty95−0.5Experts Score= 95Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 12 | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%93+24.3Value 15%92+14Craft & service penalty94−0.6Experts Score= 95Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Home Builders at a glance
How the 46 home builders we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A2963%
- Grade B1124%
- Grade C613%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up2146%
- 4.80–4.89★1022%
- 4.60–4.79★1022%
- Below 4.60★511%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality63123%
- Professionalism62823%
- Responsiveness56921%
- Punctuality42316%
- Value45717%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price11041%
- Reasonable14454%
- Overpriced42%
- Not sure83%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.