Home to the Chesapeake Bay’s diverse land and seascape, Maryland is a picturesque place to build a home. Its rich culture also offers all sorts of residents, from families to students and retirees, something to enjoy. If you are looking to relocate to this storied state, this list of the best custom home builders in Maryland may be able to help you. The firms on this list have served the area as well as neighboring Virginia and Washington DC for decades and know exactly what it takes to build a home that fits both your lifestyle and this lovely location.
Pyramid Builders
2 Womack Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401
Generous outdoor space and an airy L-shaped floor plan offer water views to all the main spaces in this two-story Cadle Creek home. White French doors and windows open to a pool terrace at the meeting point of the common areas and the screened porch on the first floor, while on the second floor is a family room with a large outdoor deck. The shingle-style exterior rises on a stone-clad base, and a covered walkway connects the main structure to a three-car garage with a guest suite on the second floor.
This country-inspired home was built by Pyramid Builders, a custom home-building firm established by Bret Anderson in 1985. Pyramid has built homes both in waterfront and urban settings across the region with its team of over 70 artisans and building professionals. The firm has received multiple awards in recent years from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chesapeake Bay, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Baltimore Washington Chapter. The firm also has Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for a project in Acton Cove from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Its work has been featured in Annapolis Home, Chesapeake Views, and Home & Design.
Owings Brothers Contracting
5340 Enterprise Street, Sykesville, MD 21784
The Owings brothers inherited their passion and skill for building from their father, a retired steelworker. Their own 200-year-old home was their first project. After almost four decades, they continue to carry on their father’s legacy of putting the customer first as they build and remodel throughout Maryland. Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Michael Gerard Owings provide a supportive creative environment for the team in his role as general manager. Michael has served as president of both the Home Builders Association of Maryland and the Remodelers Council. His brothers Wallace, Chris, and Timothy join him as production supervisors.
Owings Brothers Contracting built this off-the-grid cottage for an environmentalist client. The 2,800-square-foot space is self-sustaining, specifically oriented towards the sun for solar power, harnessing natural light for both the warming and cooling of the interior. Recycled materials are used throughout the single-story home, which also employs a Clivus Multrum composting toilet and grey water system. Eco Timber non-toxic wood bamboo flooring and low-VOC paint are used throughout the interior, which has a simple and functional design. Large windows allow residents to enjoy the park-like landscape of indigenous plants.
Mitchell & Best Homes
1686 E Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
This Tudor home in Manor Park makes the most of its lush location with a simple white exterior peppered with stone-cladding around the entryway and the garage. Tall windows look out to the front lawn, and the landscaping wraps all the way to the rear where stone steps lead into an airy covered back patio that provides a cozy place to relax just by the trees. Window walls keep the interior connected to this little hideaway.
This home was built by Mitchell & Best homes. The firm has been building in prime locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. for over 45 years. Chairman Bob Mitchell has led the luxury home-building firm since he founded it in 1975, establishing a strong reputation throughout the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan corridor. This legacy extends to the next generation, with Marty Mitchell as CEO and Robert L. Mitchell, Jr. as COO. The firm has received plenty of recognition over the years, including Builder of the Year from the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association (MNCBIA).
Meridian Homes
4938 Hampden Lane, #330, Bethesda, MD 20814
Since 1996, founders Jonathan and Michael Learner have been hands-on in ensuring the highest quality in every build by Meridian Homes. This commitment to delivering only the best work is complemented by the firm’s concierge-level client service. The firm provides active brainstorming, attention to detail, and professionalism all throughout the building process and even beyond. This has earned the firm Meridian multiple awards from the MNCBIA, the Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA) Montgomery County, as well as recognition by the readers of Bethesda Magazine.
The white and light neutral tones of this modern farmhouse Meridian built in Bethesda provide a breezy atmosphere throughout the structure. Trimmed openings on the interior allow for a flowing layout while keeping each space distinct. The U-shaped kitchen is spacious, with lots of quartz-top prep spaces beneath shaker cabinets. Elegant coffered ceilings top the living room, which is warmed by a stone-clad fireplace. The double-marble vanity master bath features a freestanding tub fronting a large glass-doored shower. It leads to a roomy walk-in closet with a generous shelf and hanging space.
Chadsworth Homes
1010 Rockville Pike, Suite 601, Rockville, MD 20852
Championing affordable custom-built homes in the Maryland area is Chadsworth Homes, a firm established by Tom Byrne in 1991. Chadsworth aims to give families a practical solution for upgrading from old cramped houses or relocating closer to their place of work or school. Byrne is able to lead his lean team in doing this by bringing his construction management background to partnering with subcontractors to get the best prices without sacrificing quality throughout the turn-key building process. The firm is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and an ENERGY STAR Partner, ensuring all construction debris is recycled and land disturbance is minimized, keeping each project both environmentally sound and economical.
This French Provincial home is an example of Chadsworth Homes’ expertise. Double-shuttered windows flank the arched front door, which opens to a chandeliered foyer. Trimmed openings lead into the interior spaces, most notably partitioning the coffered-ceiling living room and the double-island kitchen. Both spaces carry a traditional design in white and off-white tones, from the fireplace to the range hood. The master bath shifts to more light gray accents in its cabinetry. There is also shower tiling around its freestanding tub, which sits beneath a large window.
F.C. Batton & Son, Inc.
14815 Manor Road, Monkton, MD 21111
This modern farmhouse on Trails End has a space for every member of the family. Colorful accents line the soft pink and blues of the kids’ rooms on the top floor, and a bigger playroom provides plenty of space to frolic. In contrast, the master bed and bath feature elegant gray hues beneath white shiplapped vaulted ceilings. The neutral tones continue in the common spaces, which are arranged in a flowing layout on the main floor. Gray marble lines the kitchen countertops and backsplash, matching the upholstery of the eat-in island chairs. Black couches also provide contrast for the white fireplace-wall living room, which extends to a covered outdoor patio through French doors. A basement rec room is fitted with an indoor putting green and more space to lounge.
The home was built by F.C. Batton & Son, which has seen five generations of homebuilding in over 100 years of serving Maryland. Rick and Kyle Batton now lead the team and continue to build and keep relationships with its clients — even building a retirement home for a gentleman whose first home Rick’s father also built many years ago. Its work has been featured multiple times in Baltimore Magazine.
