As the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh has so much to offer residents and businesses. The city is known for its universities and scholarly institutions, especially those within the Research Triangle or Triangle Area. If you are planning to renovate your space in Raleigh, this list contains Raleigh’s best design-build firms. These are the people who can help you create your dream home. Our team chose these firms after we reviewed their projects, awards, industry affiliations, and any media coverage they have received.
Wood Wise Design & Remodeling
3121 Glen Royal Road, Suite A, Raleigh, NC 27617
Wood Wise Design & Remodeling is a fully integrated design-build company for discerning people passionate about their homes and spaces. Specializing in bathroom and kitchen remodeling, the firm is dedicated to building client relationships that go beyond the project’s duration. The firm’s 11-month post-construction check-in is designed to help foster these long-term relationships. Since 1990, the firm has been recognized by Qualified Remodeler, Triangle Today, Triangle Business Journal, Professional Remodeler Magazine, and Remodeling Magazine.
The firm is led by Hank Wall who has been in the construction industry for over 30 years. Prior to establishing Wood Wise, Wall taught carpentry and built energy-efficient solar homes in Vermont. Under his guidance, the firm has been accredited by various organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the North Carolina Home Builders Association (NCHBA), and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Eastern Carolinas. With his leadership, the firm received several project awards, including the Best Kitchen $85,000 to $110,000 and Best Bathroom under $20,000 (half bath) during the 2019 HBA Remodeling Awards.
Bold Construction
50051 Governors Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Bold Construction specializes in luxury custom homes and premium renovations. The firm’s fully-integrated, design-build approach has professionals that guide homeowners through every stage of the renovation process, from the initial concept of the project through architecture and construction and beyond. It assists clients in making informed decisions by keeping them updated with the building’s progress.
Established in 1997, Bold Construction has been providing homeowners throughout Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, and Pittsboro with timeless, high-quality homes. Chris Ehrenfeld brings more than 25 years of experience in construction and as a real estate business owner. Ehrenfeld was a recipient of the 40 Under 40 award and is currently serving as a board member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and the Chatham Economic Development Corporation.
Loyd Builders, LLC
2501 Reliance Avenue, Apex, NC 27539
Since 2000, Loyd Builders has inspired homeowners in North Carolina’s Great Triangle. The firm provides design-build, interior design, and business administration services. The firm sees that every project is well-managed and enjoyable for the clients from pre-construction consultations to finalizing the interior design. It specializes in custom design-build homes and uses industry-standard technology to complete houses and spaces on schedule and within budget.
Managing member Tripp Loyd handles all aspects of the firm. He has 25 years of experience in the industry. After establishing Loyd Builders, the firm soon became one of the leading design-build companies in the area. It has been featured in multiple publications, including the Triangle Business Journal, Midtown Magazine, Cary Living Magazine, and The Fayetteville Observer.
Quality Design & Construction
3823 Junction Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27603
Design-build and remodeling are areas of expertise for Quality Design & Construction. The firm primarily handles kitchen and bathroom renovations, home additions, basements, pet-friendly spaces, and whole home remodeling. The firm has a reputation for providing modern design solutions to the Triangle area. With over 150 completed projects, the family-owned firm is considered one of the best in the region.
Owner David Mackowski grew up helping his father in the construction industry; he specializes in home remodeling. He earned his degree in engineering which allows him to produce innovative design and building solutions that are customized to every client. As a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), the company can build and retrofit spaces that can accommodate new needs that come with aging.
Bost Custom Homes
1941 Evans Road, Cary, NC 27513
Bost Custom Homes, founded in 1986, offers services across the North Carolina Triangle. President Rex Bost oversees the qualified professional staff, which is known for assisting clients and responding to all of their needs. Bost owned an artisan masonry company before designing and building his first home construction project as a contractor. With his expertise and experience in the building industry, Bost Custom Homes is considered a pioneer of the North Carolina custom home industry: the firm introduced masonry framing, rainwater harvesting, and Mediterranean-style construction to the area.
After serving more than a hundred satisfied clients, Bost Custom Homes has amassed a number of industry and project-related awards for its excellence. Some of these awards include the Best of the Best Custom Builder, Best Product Design, and Best Innovative Feature from the 2018 Raleigh-Wake Major Achievements in Marketing and Excellence (MAME) Awards.
Blue Ribbon Residential Construction, Inc.
5605-100 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Blue Ribbon Residential Construction provides design-build, home addition, kitchen and bathroom remodels, interior and exterior work, and whole house remodeling. The firm was founded in 1997 by its president, John Sperath, CAPS, and generally serves the Raleigh-Triangle Area. Sperath is committed to giving back to his community through membership and leadership positions in various local organizations.
Prior to establishing Blue Ribbon in Raleigh, Sperath owned and operated a remodeling company in Long Island, New York. Sperath now leads this North Carolina in-house team composed of highly skilled trade specialists who guide the client through the design-build process— from planning to execution.
TrendMark Inc.
PO Box 5712, Cary, NC 27512
TrendMark Inc. has been working in the construction industry for over 25 years. The general contracting firm takes a hands-on approach to custom home building, additions, and remodels across Wake County. The firm is driven to create spaces that are not only timeless and beautiful but also serve a bigger purpose in the community. Some of these projects include the improvement of homes owned by handicapped people, homeless shelters, and a shelter for youth.
Wallace Baker, a North Carolina native, leads the firm as its president. His career began when he became an apprentice; today he holds several licenses in the state as a general contractor, electrical contractor, plumbing contractor, and home inspector. Under his leadership and guidance, TrendMark became one of the leading, award-winning firms in the Apex, Cary, and Raleigh metro areas.
Distinctive Remodeling
1228 United Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
General contracting and remodeling are areas of expertise for Distinctive Remodeling. The full-service firm primarily handles design-build home remodels and has a reputation for providing modern design solutions to spaces in the Triangle area. Aside from kitchens and baths, Distinctive Remodeling also handles projects that tackle aging in place, outdoor spaces, and wine cellars.
Under the leadership of general manager Matt Faro, the firm has been recognized for numerous accolades. In 2022, it topped several categories of the HBA Remodeling Awards, including Best Kitchen Over $130,000, Best Kitchen Facelift, Best Whole House Over $500,000, and Best Room Renovation Over $100,000. The firm was tasked with completing an unfinished attic in Glenwood, which was transformed into a warehouse and industrial loft.
Wake Remodeling
121 N Salem Street, Apex, NC 27502
Wake Remodeling has over 10 years of experience in the building industry. The firm is a family-owned, design-build firm accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern North Carolina and HBA of Raleigh-Wake County. Luke Dobbins established the firm to provide renovating and general contracting services for homes and businesses in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and Fuquay Varina.
Dobbins is a CAPS, a Certified Green Professional (CGP), a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), as well as a member of Pro Remodeler’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2020. Thanks to his leadership, Wake Remodeling was recognized as one of the leading firms in the Wake County area, and it received the title Remodeler of the Year in 2021.
CQC Home
5102 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27707
CQC Home is a fully integrated design-build company for discerning homeowners in Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Cary. Specializing in custom homes and remodeling, CQC is dedicated to building client relationships beyond the duration of the project.
Since 2007, the firm has been consistently recognized within the industry by notable publications such as Qualified Remodeler, Chapelboro, WRAL, and Durham Magazine. In 2014, BBB named the firm its Torch Award Winner, and, in 2017 and 2022, it received the Best of Durham Award. CQC offers remodeling, pre-design, design development, project development, and construction services. Ken Combs leads the firm as its president and CEO.
Freys Building and Remodeling
311 Ashville Avenue, Cary, NC 27518
Freys Building and Remodeling is a family-owned remodeling company known for its award-winning design-build solutions. It serves clients in Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Garner, Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Morrisville. Since it opened its doors in 2010, the firm has strived to become Cary’s premier remodeling company— consistently delivering successful projects customized for every client.
Owner Scott Frey started in the construction industry after earning his degree in civil engineering. He believes that treating their clients’ homes like theirs makes their service truly one of a kind.
Featured here is the firm’s contemporary remodel project in Raleigh. The kitchen’ teal glass tile backsplash extends throughout the wall. The white cabinets, countertops, and island add contrast to the palette and give the space a crisp, clean look.
