Formerly known as “El Toro,” Lake Forest derives its name from two human-made lakes and a forest near the area consisting of Eucalyptus trees. The town provides residents an extensive range of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. It is an ideal place to start a family, with a population primarily composed of young professionals.
Our editorial team has compiled a list of ten of the best general contractors in the area perfectly equipped to take on remodels or any custom home construction needs. They were chosen based on experience, merit, and their portfolios.
Sea Pointe Construction
576 Wald, Irvine, CA 92618
Established in 1986, Sea Pointe Construction employs a design-build approach that allows it to keep its entire process in-house, lessening the challenge of looking for additional subcontractors. The firm extends its services throughout Orange County and other surrounding areas and specializes in additions, kitchens, and bathrooms. The firm is fully licensed and insured and assists its clients throughout the entire process. The firm is a family-owned business and emphasizes the importance of communication with its clients, ensuring that their lifestyles and needs are infused into their new homes. As for its designs, the firm’s portfolio showcases a variety of modern, transitional, and beach themes. The firm’s projects are often distinguished for their excellent woodwork, custom finishes, and incredible attention to detail.
The project above features a large-scale remodel of a home in Irvine. It features stunning colors and materials, further highlighted with excellent statement pieces. The firm’s team opted for beautiful accents, quartz countertops, and several unique fixtures for this home.
Epic Interiors & Construction
22822 Granite Way, Suite C, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Epic Interiors & Construction has been in business since 2008 and provides a full and comprehensive range of new construction and remodeling services. The firm specializes in room additions, kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, flooring installation, and water damage repair and provides that work throughout Orange County. The firm is known for its transparent bids and takes great pride in its stellar reviews and it has been distinguished with several industry distinctions. The firm maintains affiliations with important organizations like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and showcases expertise for an extensive range of themes.
Located in Dana Point, the project featured here is the firm’s second project with this client. This home primarily adheres to a craftsman theme, and the firm was tasked with its revamping. As you can see in the feature, the home features new framing, custom glaze-colored cabinets, a modern kitchen island, white subway tile backsplashes, wood tile flooring throughout, and LEED lighting.
Inspired Remodels
21098 Bake Parkway Suite #100, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Based in Orange County, Inspired Remodels uses a design-build approach and can take any home improvement or remodeling project. It specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels, as well as full interior remodeling and custom carpentry. The firm is also noted for its excellent flooring, interior, painting, exterior painting, fireplaces, lighting, and custom built-ins. Licensed to operate throughout California, Inspired has also secured relationships with some of the area’s best subcontractors. Inspired Remodels is also a proud distributor of numerous noteworthy brands. Some of these include Marazzi, Cosentino, Kohler, and Elysium.
The project above features an open concept design. The firm is no stranger to redesigning an interior to connect the kitchen to the rest of the living space. The Inspired Remodels team opted to make the space more inviting by giving it a more transitional appeal and several modern, chic elements.
Builderwell
9630 Research Dr, Irvine, CA 92618
Builderwell draws inspiration from over two decades of experience and takes great pride in having an extensive clientele list built on referrals and repeat customers. It extends its services throughout Orange County and is a licensed and bonded contractor. The firm offers its work at competitive pricing and also provides accurate estimates and schedules, ensuring that all of its projects are finished on-time and within the plan. The firm also takes on residential projects and showcases expertise for a wide range of commercial spaces. Builderwell’s processes emphasize the importance of a hands-on approach and the incorporation of its client’s output. Homeowners can then expect the firm’s team to be in close contact throughout the entire process.
Showcased here is one of the firm’s best bathroom remodels. The Buiderwell team borrowed farmhouse elements, as seen in the space’s door, then added several transitional and art deco touches. Unique fixtures and touches of gold complete the effect.
Restotech Remodeling
3 Oldfield Unit #200, Irvine, CA 92618
Operating out of its office in Irvine, Restotech extends its services throughout Orange County and specializes in commercial and residential projects. The firm includes a talented team of builders, general contractors, electricians, plumbers, and painters, all working together and capable of taking on any project regardless of size or complexity. The firm describes itself as a “one-stop-shop” for any remodeling or construction needs, as it also offers an excellent line of products. Restotech Remodeling has also been noted for its superb damage restoration services. The firm uses the latest technology and has been restoring Southern California homes and businesses following natural calamities and disasters since the 1980s.
The project above best showcases the firm’s work. This dining space blends with this project’s living area and features warm wood-paneled flooring, custom cabinetry, and other delicate accents.
Dad’s Construction
25422 Trabuco Rd. Suite 105-220, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Dad’s Construction has been servicing the entirety of Orange County for the past four decades. Since its inception, the firm has collaborated with over a hundred clients with their spaces and has become well-known for its excellent kitchen and bathroom remodels. The firm comprises a talented team of licensed professionals, artisans, designers, and project managers. Together, they assist all of the firm’s clients from inception through completion and assist with design, permits, association approvals, and other custom services like cabinetry, fixtures, and labor. Additionally, the firm maintains affiliations with various essential organizations like the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and the US Green Building Council. Clients will find that their new spaces have been crafted with highly sustainable materials.
The firm is noted for its excellent estimates. Their method means no surprise expenses or hidden costs during the entire process. Dad’s construction commits itself to the highest standards and is a family-owned and operated company that keeps a close eye during design and construction.
Project Build Construction Group
23046 Avenida de la Carlota Suite 600, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Project Build Construction Group specializes in both residential and commercial services. The firm extends its services throughout Orange County and the areas surrounding it. Project Build is regarded as one of the area’s leading general contractors, remodelers, and aging-in-place specialists. It’s especially well known for its excellent kitchen and bathroom remodels, roofing, home additions, and flooring. It’s a proud woman-led firm, with Maria Nicholson, a talented and experienced professional, at the helm. She got her first glimpse into the industry after having enrolled in architecture classes at the University of Santo Tomas back in the Philippines while simultaneously visiting the construction of their own home back in the suburbs. Nicholson oversees each of the firm’s projects and maintains a highly hands-on approach to all aspects of the process. She advocates for safe environments for the elderly, which is reflected in the firm’s superb aging-in-place services.
Showcased above is one of the firm’s best kitchen projects. As one of the area’s best-rated kitchen remodelers the firm adheres to strict scheduling and budget analyses. It can handle the smallest updates like backsplashes and plumbing as well as a large-scale renovation of a kitchen. Project Build has the experience and talent and the firm ensures that everything it crafts and designs lives up to the latest codes and client expectations.
Grant Maury Construction
1443 N El Camino Real, Suite A, San Clemente, CA 92672
Grant Maury Construction is the brainchild of John Grant and Benoist Maury, two third-generation builders. Under their leadership, the firm specializes in gourmet kitchens, high-end bathrooms, room additions, custom decks, and premium outdoor living upgrades. Jon and Benoist emphasize the importance of working together with clients, communicating clearly and consistently so that client needs and expectations are met. The firm maintains a clean atmosphere during construction and comprises a fully licensed, bonded, and insured team of professionals. The firm’s projects have been noted for their excellent quality and adherence to the highest standards. The Grant Maury portfolio includes a variety of spaces ranging from traditional to modern architecture.
The project above encapsulates the firm’s expertise. It features exposed wooden beams, wood-paneled floors, and custom cabinetry. The firm’s team also installed a large kitchen island to serve as a mini breakfast bar and a custom stove hood.
Varkel Construction
23141 La Cadena Drive, Suite L Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Now on its fifth generation of builders, Varkel Construction extends its services throughout Southern California. The firm specializes in both commercial and residential projects and offers a complete and comprehensive range of new and remodel construction. Since its inception, Varkel has taken on over 500 entire home remodeling projects and has secured a solid reputation for its luxurious designs and services. All of its projects come with a two-year warranty that encompasses all labor and materials. Interested clients may also avail of the firm’s free in-home consultations where they can also take advantage of the firm’s warranty expansion promo that lengthens its usual two-year warranty to a five-year guarantee with no additional cost.
The project above is an exquisite showcase of the firm’s work. Located in Costa Mesa, this home was completed in collaboration with John Henry Designs. It features paneled walls, an open floor plan, large windows, and doors made of glass.
Lake Forest Handyman
Lake Forest, CA
Lake Forest Handyman services the entirety of Loake Forest and the areas surrounding it, including Aliso Viejo, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, and Laguna Hills. The firm offers a full range of remodeling services and has been noted for its excellent interiors. The firm is best known for its cabinetry, carpentry, and gazebos. Lake Forest Handyman is known for its outstanding attention to detail, which manifests itself in its fine expertise for mouldings, personalized built-ins, and other pieces of fine custom work. Principal Will personally leads and manages all aspects of the remodeling and construction process. Under his supervision, the company has become an expert in an extensive range of designs.
Our editorial team was particularly taken with this piece. Using a black and white palette, the clean, minimalist space features a quaint yet inviting living-dining area. The custom mouldings give it a personalized touch. A fireplace at the very center invites residents and guests alike to gather at the hearth, the heart of the home.
