Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 06:28 am

Living in an earthquake-prone city, residents of Brea built outward to every nook of open level land available instead of building upwards. Because of this, contractors serving this area are challenged to develop houses that comply with the building codes appropriate to a challenging site.

To help people in the area find the best general contracts in Brea, California, our editorial team featured firms who have built houses that highlight both distinct style and durability. We researched how each of the firms follows a consistent process in building, remodeling, and renovating homes.


All Pro Builders

1400 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833

In remodeling this old kitchen, All Pro Builders started by removing the walls separating the kitchen from the family room to enable a clear space. It also customized the raised panel cabinets and made the Thermador appliances and the Brazilian titanium granite island counter as the kitchen’s core features. Walls of Noce split-face tile and travertine tile arranged in a Versailles pattern added character to the Ranch-style of the home. With a fine design and use of quality materials, this project proves that All Pro Builders is deserving to be one of the leaders in the building industry. 

In 1989, Joseph Paniagua obtained his contractor’s license and commenced his own business. Considering his innate talent and early calling as a gift, Paniagua stood on the principles of honesty and integrity. His persistence allowed him and his firm to acquire an outstanding reputation in Orange and Los Angeles County. Understanding that communication is a necessity between parties, the firm completes successful projects and creates a long list of satisfied clients. 


Horizon Construction & Remodeling Inc

614 South Euclid St., Fullerton, CA 92832

Through holding extensive knowledge in building, Horizon Construction and Remodeling provides a substantial range of services for every construction and renovation need. It manages the entire process and succeeds in doing so by applying modern construction technologies and commitment to a steadfast work ethic. Staying in the industry for more than two decades, Horizon has been serving customers in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Bernardino, creating elegant homes that meet a client’s needs.

In one of its projects in Fullerton, Horizon removed the wall interiors to create an open space. This removal enabled each room in the house to become more visible and connected to each other. With offset patterned light wooden floors, marble island counters and dining table, clean white interiors, and contrast of blue-toned furniture and fixtures, this home achieved a modern, cozy, stylish look.


Progressive Builders

371 Oak Place Ste. J, Brea, CA 92821

Progressive Builders helps its clients enjoy their existing homes and increase the value of their property by adding rooms, remodeling kitchen and bathrooms, and creating an outdoor living space. While the firm specializes in these fields, it also provides other home improvement services, including drywall, electrical, flooring, plumbing, painting to window and door installation. An example of their work is this remodeled house in Yorba Linda, CA. To achieve its contemporary style, the firm went with white pristine walls and cabinets and contrasted them with wood and stone textures throughout the home.

For more than 20 years, Progressive Builders proved that personal service and excellent work are a few of the best ways to maintain its longevity in the industry. Founders Tom and Nikki Ware believe that this approach is feasible through having genuine conversations with clients to form a vision and make it a reality. 


SNC Construction & Home Improvements INC

417 Associated Rd. #156, Brea, CA 92835

Shaun Schumacher stays hands-on with every project SNC Construction and Home Improvements undertakes. He works with a keen eye for detail and couples this with quality craftsmanship. This focus roots back from his over 20 years of experience in the construction industry that consists of managing a tile and marble company and supervising comprehensive track home developments for a premier home builder in CA. Since establishing SNC in 2009, Shaun has led projects of different scopes serving residents of Brea, the Orange County, and Inland Empire areas. 

Photo by Lauren Hillary

The teen boy owner of this room in Orange County wanted to get a sport-themed room makeover. SCHI made this happen by making two identical cabinets placed on the corners with wall racks in between to accommodate some personal items. With symmetrical interiors, this room reflects the team balance and unity needed in every sport or game.


McGee Construction

639 Maple Ave., Brea, CA 92821

This grand home in Anaheim Hills features classic elegant features inside and a resort-like experience outside. The use of white paint is prominent on every wall, ceiling, furniture, and even the baluster. One of the highlights of this home is the fireplaces located in the expansive living area, at the wall corner near the main entrance, and one outside facing the pool. Fireplaces have been one of the specialties of McGee Construction since it started serving in the construction industry in 1990.  

McGee Construction’s list of services also includes remodeling, new custom home construction, multifamily housing, tenant improvements, commercial and industrial office buildings. Leading the firm in providing these services is Larry McGee, managing a hand-picked team of professionals. He stays actively involved in every building stage and oversees every step of the way. David Burch supervises projects along with McGee and brings into the firm an extensive building experience that started at the early age of 14.


Cutler Construction Services

8502 E. Chapman Ave. Ste 348, Orange, CA 92869

Cutler Construction Services (CCS) starts the building process by establishing the work scope, discussing the budget, and planning the timeline. Its designers and licensed professionals eventually finalize this plan, together with the finishing materials needed in the project. During the project management, the firm submits permits, meets with the inspectors, and provides weekly and daily customer service schedules. Finally, CCS implements the plans, monitors the project’s progress daily, and schedules the materials’ delivery.

Throughout this process, one thing that remains the same is the open and honest communication of the firm with its clients. This is how it has developed and preserved long-term relationships with homeowners and maintains an excellent reputation for providing quality and relevant solutions. Since being founded in 1996, CCS has established itself as one of the top remodeling companies in Orange County. It has created a strong portfolio comprising modern, traditional, and contemporary homes completed in Orange County. This portfolio consists of this complete remodel and addition project located in Laguna Niguel. One of its striking features is the serenity felt through maintaining bright interiors and areas of the home that overlooks the views of the surrounding trees, such as the dining area and bathroom.


Built By Newkirk

417 East Wilshire Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832

Built By Newkirk maximized the scenery of the ocean and island beyond by allowing only few distractions and opening up the windows of the home. It installed an automated shading system programmed to follow the sun and decrease solar heat gain using Lutron’s dual-sided performance sheer fabrics. The entire house also features lighting controls and an entertainment system. By working directly with clients, the firm made the island bar and  the adjoining sitting areas of this kitchen a perfect place to entertain guests.

This Rolling Hills kitchen proves the firm’s application of timeless expertise and modern expert solutions. With its traditional techniques and a pioneering spirit that understands the demands of 21st-century living, Built By Newkirk creates comfortable and sustainable homes. It provides design services, general contracting, and consulting for residential and light commercial construction and remodeling to Orange County and most cities of Los Angeles County. 


John Padgett Design & Construction

1527 Virginia Rd., Fullerton, CA 92831

Since 2005, John Padgett Design (JPD) has obtained broad experience in remodels, additions, property rehab, and new construction. As a full-service construction and remodeling firm of SoCal residents, the firm manages every project from design, permits, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall to flooring and cabinet installation. It constructs quality, unique, and functional homes within the limitations of the client’s budget. Cost and schedule are JPD’s major influences, and the firm brings relevant experience and knowledge in addressing these factors early. 

Founder John Padgett stays involved in the entire process from the project’s commencement and works collaboratively with the clients to achieve their goal for a project. For this Fullerton project, the firm attained the homeowner’s goals of having a mid-century styled kitchen by incorporating a mid-sized 1950s porcelain tile with a drop-in sink, white shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored mosaic tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. It also utilized seats of striking colors such as bright yellow and teal blue, which added to the character and visual appeal of the home.


Richard Louis Construction

144 Country Club Dr., Brea, CA 92821

Richard L. Steigner, the owner of Richard Louis Construction (RLC), started building with his father at the age of 18. Through this early exposure, Steigner currently holds more than three decades of construction experience, integrity, and fine craftsmanship. Today, he leads RLC as one of the premier Orange County and Los Angeles general contractors remodeling elegant kitchens, adding functional bathrooms, creating modern master suites, and building custom homes.

One of its projects is this bathroom that underwent a renovation located in Corona Del Mar. RLC turned it into a spa bath and maintained a neat modern design. It also features an ample-sized shower enclosed in clear glass, a counter with a lighted mirror, and a bathtub sitting beside the windows. To achieve this, RLC coordinated all the phases and maintained a close working relationship with all subcontractors and suppliers. The firm also applied its complete understanding of the local building requirements and obtained permits for this and every project it completes. 


Randy Leggitt Construction

185 Viking Ave., Brea, CA 92825

Highlighting a stylish gray floor, this contemporary home in Orange County features a kitchen with white island countertops and medium-toned wood flat-panel cabinets. It faces the outdoor living area comprising a pool, vertical garden, tables, and seats, perfectly placed to accommodate the homeowners and guests. Beside the kitchen is the living room consisting of a triple bubble lamp, complementing wood and white walls, cozy statement furniture pieces, and a ribbon fireplace. Through the outcome of this project, Randy Leggitt Construction once again proved its capability of building excellent and satisfying homes. 

Serving Orange County since 1985, Randy Leggitt Construction builds new homes, remodels, and performs period-correct restorations and additions. It specializes in customized projects understanding that every home and homeowner is unique. Randy Leggitt, the owner himself, contracts, schedules, and supervises everything from foundations to landscaping, including all other trades on the job. His knowledge and expertise roots back from his over 25 years of contracting experience. Aside from constructing and remodeling custom homes on the waterfront Orange County cities, Leggitt was also part of the construction of the floating condos in San Francisco Bay, commercial shopping centers, and numerous chapels in the neighborhood.


Craig Beinlich Construction

P.O. Box 5383 Orange, CA 92863

Craig Beinlich Construction (CBC) possesses more than four decades of experience designing, building, and remodeling homes. As a second-generation contractor, the firm specializes in additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, outdoor areas, renovations, and custom home building. It serves the residents of northern Orange County and surrounding areas and performs in compliance with the relevant building codes. Ensuring every aspect gets properly done, CBC has established an excellent reputation, impressive portfolio, and stable client relationships.

Over the decades, owner Craig Beinlich has developed hundreds of remodeling projects. He handles every phase of a project, from the initial concept to the final walkthrough. Through his extensive knowledge and experience, Beinlich serves as a good guide in making financial decisions and selecting suitable vendors and subcontractors. This ability is evident through this featured remodeling project located in Villa Park. The combination of black cabinets, white walls, and quartz countertops altogether gave this kitchen the sleek and modern touch needed for a contemporary home.

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