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4.9

200 Google Reviews

Luxury Custom Home Builder in California

Finding the best Luxury Custom Home Builder in California starts with comparing builders based on design-build capability, experience with complex residential projects, knowledge of California building codes and seismic requirements, service area coverage, budgeting approach, communication standards, and project management practices. A skilled California custom home builder should be able to

  • explain how a project moves from initial consultation through design, permitting, and construction to final completion, and reviewing credentials, past projects, and specializations is essential when selecting the right custom home builder in California. Schenkar Construction is a notable design-build firm with 20 years of experience, specializing in luxury custom home building, home remodeling, home additions, accessory dwelling units, universal design, and basement remodeling. As a design-build firm, it manages both the design and construction phases under one team, with services structured around each homeowner’s property, lifestyle goals, and design requirements rather than a fixed set of plans. Each custom home building project begins when the homeowner submits the property address, lot or site characteristics, existing conditions, desired project type, design preferences, approximate square footage, budget considerations, and preferred timeline, along with supporting documents such as surveys, architectural plans, engineering reports, or HOA guidelines. We review these details to determine fit — whether the property, project type, and scope align with our capabilities and service area — then evaluate site access, soil and geotechnical conditions, seismic design requirements, Title 24 energy standards, wildfire hazard zone designations, hillside grading demands, and the level of customization involved before defining the expected scope of work and developing a proposal. The homeowner reviews the proposed scope, approach, estimated costs, and terms with no obligation to proceed. Common home building projects handled by a luxury custom home builder in California include ground-up residences on purchased lots, teardown-and-rebuild projects, hillside and coastal homes, multigenerational homes with ADUs, universal design homes for aging in place, major additions, and whole-home remodels. Unlike purchasing a production or spec home, custom building offers flexibility in floor plan design, lot selection, structural options, energy and fire-resilience features, and finish-level detail, while the builder coordinates design, engineering, permitting, material procurement, and consultant management according to the approved scope and the homeowner participates in key decisions throughout. Exact feasibility, cost, permitting path, and schedule depend on the property location, site conditions, jurisdiction, complexity, regulatory requirements, material availability, requested options, and overall scope, so an initial consultation establishes feasibility, scope, budget range, and next steps rather than a guaranteed timeline, cost, or approval outcome.

    The benefits of hiring a Luxury Custom Home Builder in California are listed below.

    • Site-Specific Property Evaluation: The builder reviews the lot, access, soil and geotechnical conditions, and setbacks before planning advances, so the design reflects what the property can support.
    • Design-Build Project Delivery: Design and construction run under one team, reducing coordination gaps between separate architects, consultants, and contractors.
    • California Code and Seismic Coordination: Projects are designed to seismic requirements, Title 24 energy standards, wildfire-resistant construction provisions, and jurisdiction-specific regulations.
    • Hillside and Coastal Planning: Steep-lot grading, retaining requirements, coastal zone approvals, and environmental considerations are identified early, before the design is finalized.
    • Custom Design Control: Homeowners decide floor plans, exterior architecture, materials, energy features, and indoor-outdoor living spaces rather than choosing from fixed production plans.
    • Accessory Dwelling Unit Capability An ADU for multigenerational living, guests, or rental use can be designed and permitted alongside the main residence under California’s ADU provisions.
    • Universal Design Expertise: Homes are planned for accessibility and aging in place — step-free entries, wider circulation, adaptable layouts — without compromising luxury character.
    • Addition and Remodeling Integration: Specializations in home additions, whole-home remodeling, and basement remodeling allow expanding or reconfiguring an existing property where a full rebuild isn’t required.
    • Permitting and Consultant Coordination: The builder manages drawings, engineering documents, revisions, and permit submissions with the reviewing authorities.
    • Project-Specific Budget and Timeline Planning: Cost and duration are evaluated from the property, complexity, permitting, and selected finishes rather than a generic estimate.
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California Luxury Custom Home Builder Reviews

Schenkar Construction has earned positive client feedback for delivering luxury custom homes with strong craftsmanship, thoughtful design, clear communication, and dependable project management. California homeowners consistently value the team’s attention to detail, construction quality, responsiveness, and ability to guide complex custom home projects from planning and design through construction and final completion.
Our experience with Schenkar Construction LLC was exceptional from the initial land selection to the finishing touches, with a seamless process that transformed our vision into a beautiful new home. The team’s dedication to quality, attention to detail, and commitment to outstanding customer service made what is a complex undertaking with multiple steps, an exceptional experience from start to finish. Highly recommend Schenkar Construction to anyone looking to build their dream home!
Samuel Bradley
CLIENT
Alex and Andres were exceptional in engineering and executing an ambitious 80m lakeside retention wall in Guatape, Colombia. Since the first meeting with them, they gave me the confidence that I needed to hear to move this project forward with them. Through videos and photos, every step of the way was documented and they kept me apprised of the progress to the point that I never had to worry or make a trip to see the project going up. The communication and engineering was great and they have now given me a structurally sound lot to build on as I please. Thank you guys for everything! Let’s get phase two going!
Hudson
CLIENT
The team at Schenkar Construction LLC exceeded all expectations, delivering exceptional services throughout the new home construction process, from custom design homes to final finishing touches. Every stage, from architectural design services to construction and service lift home installation, was expertly handled with precision and professionalism. Alex listened, managed my concerns, and had creative solutions for them. Pleasure to work with and recommend highly!
Liam Tonner
CLIENT
We were thoroughly impressed with Schenkar Construction LLC’s exceptional quality of work, thorough communication, flexibility in accommodating our needs, and innovative designs that exceeded our expectations in our new custom home construction project. The entire process, from start to finish, was executed with precision and professionalism, exceeding our expectations in every aspect, from architectural design services to final completion.
Paul Brown
CLIENT
The team at Schenkar Construction LLC delivers exceptional reliability, exceptional communication, focused attention to detail, and impressive flexibility throughout the entire process of building a new custom design home, making the experience truly seamless. From architectural design services to project completion, I’m thoroughly impressed by the quality of their work, expertise, and professionalism.
Kristy Nalder
CLIENT
Not just a builder a true partner. We felt like we had an ally from the moment we signed the contract. Professional communication, trades that showed up on time, and craftsmanship that made our friends jealous.
K. Uma Kanth Goud
CLIENT
Our experience with Schenkar Construction LLC’s new home construction was top-notch, with exceptional professionalism, clear communication, exceptional quality, impressive flexibility, and unwavering trust throughout the entire process of building our custom design home with architectural design services. We were thoroughly impressed with the dedication to detail and commitment to exceeding our expectations from start to finish, making our new home a true reflection of our dreams.
57 MAX
CLIENT
Our experience with Schenkar Construction LLC was exceptional, as they led us every step of the way from the initial Custom design to the final Finishing Touches, showcasing their expertise in New home construction and Custom design homes. From groundbreaking to key handover, every moment was meticulously planned and executed, resulting in a truly stunning and structurally sound living space.
Jennifer Freedman
CLIENT
Schenkar Construction LLC delivered exceptional quality in their new home construction project, showcasing attention to detail and a genuine commitment to excellence in every aspect of their work. From foundation to finish, it’s clear that the company’s focus on quality shines through in their custom design homes, a testament to their reputation as a trusted Seattle custom home builder.
Craig Szela
CLIENT
I am impressed by the exceptional quality of work, impressive communication, and professional discretion exhibited by Schenkar Construction LLC during the construction of custom designed homes, particularly during the new home construction phase. Their reliability and ability to seamlessly overcome the inevitable hiccups ensured that their homes are completed on time and within budget, a true reflection of their remarkable craftsmanship.
Briana Benton
CLIENT
As a preferred supplier, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Schenkar Construction on numerous projects over the past 15 years. Working with them has always been a pleasure, thanks to their professionalism and unwavering commitment to excellence. Schenkar consistently prioritizes their clients’ best interests, excelling in every aspect of the process — whether it’s design, product selection, budgeting, communication, or creating an exceptional customer experience. If you’re considering building a new home, I highly recommend Schenkar Construction. Your investment will be in the best possible hands.
Jeremy Lind
CLIENT
Alex and his team did a fabulous job. I was confident when project was started, but as work was being completed and pictures of progress were provided it only helped to make feel even more confident I hired a professional!
Jhimmy
CLIENT
Alex and company were great to work with. He provided great bid details and always kept us advised on changes to our project. Our’s was a very “technical” project as it involved a 100+ year home which presented many surprises.
Randy Gardiner
CLIENT
Alex and the team went above and beyond to help us with our new home build from start to finish. He kept us updated throughout the entire process and everything turned out better than we could have ever expected. I highly recommend Schenkar Construction to anyone looking for a custom home builder that really listens to your needs and will exceed your expectations.
John M.
CLIENT
    Home Designs

    Luxury Custom Home Styles We Build in California

    Schenkar Construction builds five architectural styles — modern, contemporary desert, Mediterranean, transitional and ranch-style — alongside multi-generational and vacation residences. A custom luxury home should reflect more than an architectural preference. The right design also depends on the property, site conditions, views, climate, zoning and approval requirements, household needs, and the way the home will be used over time. Schenkar Construction designs and builds luxury custom homes around those factors, developing each residence specifically for the client, the lot, and the intended lifestyle from modern homes with expansive glazing to multigenerational estates with independent living spaces. Each home can be customized through its floor plan, materials, structural systems, indoor-outdoor connections, amenities, finishes, and architectural details.

    Modern Luxury Custom Homes

    Modern luxury custom homes combine clean architectural lines, expansive glazing, open floor plans, and a disciplined material palette organized around natural light, views, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Large-format windows, floor-to-ceiling glass, steel, concrete, stone, and natural wood can be incorporated according to the property and architectural concept, while structural and mechanical systems are carefully coordinated to preserve the home’s refined appearance and support its performance requirements.

    Contemporary Desert Homes

    Contemporary desert homes are designed around intense sun exposure, heat, landscape, orientation, and significant day-to-night temperature changes, using low horizontal massing, deep overhangs, shaded outdoor areas, thermal mass, and high-performance glazing to respond naturally to the environment. Floor plans can be positioned to capture desirable views while limiting unnecessary solar heat gain, with courtyards, covered terraces, native landscaping, and durable exterior materials strengthening the connection between the residence and its desert setting.

    Mediterranean Custom Estates

    Mediterranean custom estates emphasize courtyards, loggias, terraces, arches, stucco, clay tile, stone detailing, and indoor-outdoor living, with floor plans often organized around outdoor rooms and landscaped courtyards rather than conventional interior corridors alone. Each estate can be customized in scale, layout, materials, and architectural detailing, ranging from a restrained Mediterranean-inspired residence to a larger luxury estate with formal entries, guest accommodations, outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, terraces, and multiple entertaining spaces.

    Transitional Custom Homes

    Transitional custom homes combine the proportion and character of traditional architecture with the openness and functionality of contemporary living, allowing a residence to maintain a formal street-facing elevation while opening at the rear to expansive kitchens, great rooms, terraces, and outdoor entertaining areas. Traditional millwork, natural materials, balanced facades, and refined detailing can be paired with modern glazing, open circulation, smart-home technology, and flexible living spaces to create a custom home that feels established while supporting a modern lifestyle.

    Ranch-Style Custom Homes

    Luxury ranch-style homes provide single-level living across a generous footprint, making them well suited to acreage, larger lots, and homeowners seeking long-term accessibility and convenient everyday living. Custom floor plans can incorporate spacious great rooms, large kitchens, separated bedroom wings, covered patios, attached garages, workshops, and direct connections to outdoor areas, while step-free circulation, wider passages, and other aging-in-place features can be integrated for homeowners planning to remain in the residence for many years.

    Multi-Generational Custom Homes

    Multi-generational custom homes are designed to allow several generations to share one property while maintaining privacy, independence, and comfortable shared family spaces. Depending on the household, the residence can include separate suites, private entrances, secondary kitchens or kitchenettes, multiple primary suites, attached or detached casitas, accessible bathrooms, and independent living areas, while shared kitchens, great rooms, courtyards, and outdoor spaces create opportunities for the household to come together without requiring every generation to share the same daily routine.

    Custom Vacation & Second Homes

    Custom vacation and second homes are designed differently from primary residences because the property may remain unoccupied for extended periods, making durability, low-maintenance materials, resilient building envelopes, security, smart-home technology, and remote property monitoring especially important. Automated climate control, lighting, surveillance, leak detection, access management, and other remote systems can help owners oversee the property while away, while the floor plan can be customized around seasonal entertaining, guest accommodations, recreational amenities, and the specific climate and environmental conditions of the property’s location.
    Explore Customizable Plans
    What We Do

    Luxury Custom Home Building & Remodeling Services in California

    Schenkar Construction provides custom home building and residential remodeling services across California, helping homeowners plan and execute high-end residential projects around their property, architectural goals, lifestyle requirements, and construction needs. We work on both ground-up custom homes and large-scale renovations, coordinating the design and construction process from early planning through project completion.
    View Our Work
    Our Difference

    Why Schenkar Is One of the Best Luxury Custom Home Builders in California

    Schenkar Construction delivers luxury custom homes through a site-specific, owner-led design-build approach that brings architecture, structural engineering, budgeting, permitting, and construction under one coordinated process. Each project is shaped around the homeowner’s vision, property conditions, technical requirements, and budget, with senior oversight, transparent pricing, complex engineering expertise, and detailed planning guiding the home from early design through final construction.
    Owner-Led Custom Home Oversight
    The owner and a senior project manager oversee your custom home build directly, providing a clear line of communication and accountability throughout construction. Instead of passing decisions through layers of rotating superintendents, Schenkar Construction keeps senior leadership involved in project planning, trade coordination, quality control, scheduling, and construction decisions.
    Complex Engineering & Construction Expertise
    Schenkar Construction is equipped to manage technically complex custom home projects, including steep-slope construction, geotechnical coordination, piling systems, structural steel, and challenging site conditions. This technical depth allows the team to coordinate engineering requirements and specialized construction work that many residential builders outsource or choose not to pursue.
    Transparent Custom Home Pricing
    Homeowners receive step-by-step budget visibility throughout design and construction. Rather than presenting a single preliminary number followed by adjustments at the end of the project, Schenkar Construction provides ongoing budget updates as plans, materials, engineering requirements, and construction scopes are developed.
    In-House Custom Home Design & Build
    Architecture, structural engineering, permit facilitation, and construction are coordinated within one integrated custom home design-build process. Keeping these disciplines closely aligned creates a single point of accountability and helps reduce communication gaps between design, engineering, permitting, and field construction.
    Where We Build

    Where We Build Custom Luxury Homes in California

    Schenkar Construction builds custom homes across California, serving luxury residential projects throughout Southern California, Northern California, the Bay Area, and the Central Coast. Our team designs and builds residences for coastal properties, hillside lots, urban sites, suburban communities, and large estates, adapting each home to its location, terrain, architectural requirements, and the homeowner’s vision.

    California

    Roosevelt home

    Los Angeles

    Beverly Hills

    Malibu

    Newport Beach

    Three story red custom design build on lake washington.

    San Diego

    La Jolla

    San Francisco

    Marin

    Santa Barbara

    Montecito

    Napa

    Lake Tahoe

      Building Beyond California? Schenkar Construction Builds Bespoke Homes Worldwide

      Schenkar Construction also delivers luxury custom home projects across the United States and internationally, combining design, engineering, project management, and construction expertise for complex residential builds beyond California.

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      How We Build

      Our Luxury Custom Home Building Process in California

      Schenkar Construction brings each custom luxury home in California from initial vision to final completion through a coordinated design-build process. Our team aligns the homeowner’s goals, site conditions, architectural design, structural engineering, construction requirements, materials, and finishes through every phase.
      1
      Custom Home Consultation & Vision
      The process begins with understanding your goals, lifestyle needs, architectural preferences, desired square footage, functional requirements, budget considerations, and construction timeline while assessing the property for lot size, terrain, access, grading, utilities, orientation, drainage, and other site conditions that can influence the design and construction approach.
      2
      Custom Home Design & Engineering
      Schenkar Construction’s in-house team translates your vision into tailored floor plans, architectural concepts, renderings, construction details, and engineering solutions while coordinating room layouts, structural spans, ceiling heights, windows and doors, foundations, load-bearing systems, mechanical requirements, materials, site conditions, and building performance so the design remains accurate, buildable, and aligned with the project specifications.
      3
      Site Prep & Foundations
      Schenkar Construction prepares the building site through excavation, clearing, grading, soil preparation, drainage planning, utility coordination, and access preparation before completing engineered foundation work that may include footings, reinforced concrete, slabs, foundation walls, retaining structures, waterproofing, and reinforcement systems designed around the property conditions, structural loads, and architectural plans.
      4
      Structural Build
      The structural build creates the framework of the custom home through wood framing, steel erection, concrete pours, beams, columns, floor systems, roof framing, load-bearing walls, and other engineered assemblies, with Schenkar Construction coordinating each component to support architectural features such as open floor plans, large spans, elevated ceilings, expansive windows, cantilevers, and complex roof forms while maintaining structural integrity.
      5
      Interior & Exterior Finishes
      Schenkar Construction completes the home with custom interior and exterior finishes that can include cabinetry, millwork, flooring, countertops, lighting, plumbing fixtures, doors, hardware, appliances, stone, stucco, wood, metal elements, roofing, windows, patios, outdoor living spaces, smart-home technology, energy-efficient systems, high-performance materials, and sustainable design elements selected to reflect the homeowner’s functional needs and architectural vision.
      6
      Walkthrough & Handover
      Before move-in, Schenkar Construction conducts a comprehensive walkthrough to review interior finishes, exterior elements, cabinetry, fixtures, doors, windows, lighting, building systems, architectural details, and other completed components against the project plans, specifications, selections, and quality standards, addressing any final items before handing over a completed custom home built around the homeowner’s property, lifestyle, design preferences, and original vision.

      Luxury Custom Homes We’ve Built in California

      Schenkar Construction builds custom luxury homes across California around each client’s property, architectural vision, lifestyle, and design preferences. Our recent projects include modern residences, estate homes, waterfront properties, and other highly customized homes with premium materials, personalized layouts, custom cabinetry, luxury kitchens, expansive living spaces, and indoor-outdoor features.
      View the full portfolio

      Inside Our Luxury Custom Homes in California

      Schenkar homes pair open plans and large glazing with natural material palettes. The frames below show rooms, elevations and sites from completed residences, and each one is captioned with where it was built.
      See Every Project

      Cost to Build a Luxury Custom Home in California

      The cost to build a luxury custom home in California depends on the home’s size, property location, architectural complexity, site conditions, structural requirements, materials, finishes, amenities, and overall construction scope. Because every residence is designed and engineered for a specific property and homeowner, Schenkar Construction develops project budgets around the actual design, site, and level of customization rather than relying on a generalized cost-per-square-foot estimate.

      A complete custom home budget may include architecture, structural engineering, permitting, grading and excavation, foundations, utility connections, structural construction, premium materials, custom cabinetry, windows and doors, interior finishes, landscaping, pools, outdoor living areas, and smart-home systems. Hillside lots, difficult access, retaining structures, specialized foundations, and complex engineering can further affect the total investment.

      During pre-construction planning, Schenkar Construction evaluates the property, proposed square footage, architectural plans, desired amenities, finish level, construction requirements, timeline, and target budget to establish a realistic preliminary cost framework. A contingency should also be considered for unforeseen site conditions, design modifications, and material or scope changes.

      Financing your build? Review our custom home financing options.

      Luxury Custom Home Builder FAQs in California

      Get answers to common questions about building a luxury custom home in California, including costs, timelines, design and engineering, permits, site requirements, construction, and working with Schenkar Construction.
      • How much does it cost to build a luxury custom home in California?
        There is no single fixed cost for a luxury custom home in California. The total investment depends on the home’s square footage, location, architectural complexity, site conditions, structural engineering, materials, finishes, amenities, permitting requirements, and level of customization. Hillside, coastal, and technically complex properties may require additional grading, foundations, retaining systems, access planning, or engineering that increases the overall project budget.
      • How long does it take to build a custom home in California?
        Most Schenkar Construction luxury custom home projects take approximately 14 to 24 months from initial design through final walkthrough, although California projects can take longer when permitting, entitlement, site engineering, or complex construction is involved. The final schedule depends on the jurisdiction, property conditions, home size, design complexity, approval process, and construction scope.
      • Why does entitlement take so long in California?
        California entitlement timelines vary because some custom homes require planning approval, zoning review, design review, grading approval, environmental review, coastal approvals, or other discretionary permits before a building permit can be issued. Review procedures and processing times differ by city, county, zoning district, and project type, and revisions or additional agency review can extend the schedule.
      • What is a coastal development permit and will I need one?
        A Coastal Development Permit (CDP) regulates development within California’s designated Coastal Zone. Most development in the Coastal Zone requires a CDP from the applicable local government or the California Coastal Commission, although certain projects may qualify for an exemption. Schenkar Construction can identify coastal-zone status and permitting requirements during early site and project feasibility review.
      • What does building in a wildfire hazard zone involve?
        Building in a California wildfire-prone area can affect the home’s materials, exterior assemblies, vents, roofing, glazing, decks, landscaping, and site planning. Where applicable, California’s Wildland-Urban Interface standards include Chapter 7A requirements for reducing exterior wildfire exposure, while defensible-space requirements address vegetation and fuel around the structure. Exact requirements depend on the property’s mapped hazard designation and local jurisdiction.
      • Can you build on a steep hillside lot?
        Yes. Steep-slope and technically challenging construction is a core Schenkar Construction capability. Hillside custom homes may require geotechnical investigation, specialized foundations or piling, retaining structures, structural steel, grading, drainage engineering, and detailed access planning. California hillside requirements vary by jurisdiction, so the lot is evaluated for buildability, engineering demands, permitting constraints, and construction logistics before the design is finalized.
      • Do I need to own land before I contact you?
        No. You can contact Schenkar Construction before purchasing a lot or after you already own property. Early site evaluation can be especially valuable for hillside, coastal, or other complex California properties because zoning, access, topography, geotechnical conditions, coastal-zone status, wildfire requirements, and development constraints can affect what can realistically be designed and built on the site.
      • Do you actually build in California, or only Washington?
        Schenkar Construction is headquartered in Seattle but works on select luxury custom home projects beyond Washington, including projects across the United States. For California projects, the company provides coordinated architecture, structural engineering, permit facilitation, and project oversight while working with appropriately licensed local trade partners where required. Its existing built portfolio remains concentrated primarily in the Pacific Northwest, with additional work outside the region.
      • Who supervises the work if you are not local?
        Schenkar Construction maintains owner-led and senior project-management oversight for projects outside its home market. Local licensed trades perform jurisdiction-specific fieldwork while the Schenkar team coordinates the design intent, specifications, schedule, construction standards, quality-control checkpoints, and project communication. This structure keeps accountability with the project team while providing the local expertise required to execute the work on site.

      Start Building Your Luxury Custom Home in California

      Share your property details, architectural vision, lifestyle needs, budget, and preferred timeline with Schenkar Construction. Our team will review your site and project requirements, discuss design and construction feasibility, and outline the next steps for building your custom home in California.
      Schedule a Consultation
      Call 206-569-5272
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