Last updated on May 17th, 2024 at 01:16 am

Located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers, the city of Pittsburgh rose to fame and fortune for being a powerhouse in the steel business. For many years, Pittsburgh has had a reputation as a polluted industrial town. Today, the Steel City has become a leader in green architecture and sustainable living, with its suburbs having some of the most beautiful and environmentally friendly homes in the country. Because of its proactive efforts in green building, Pittsburgh now holds the title of being the 30th most livable city in the world and the second most livable in the US.

Pittsburgh is a vibrant, mid-sized city that has the feel of a small town. Homes vary in size and style, from urban high-rise condominiums to luxury mansions in the suburbs. Renovation and remodeling abound in the city, with hundreds of contractors ready to serve the city’s residents. For this list of the top 15 general contractors in Pittsburgh, we searched for firms with the highest quality projects, most awards and press recognition, and highest customer ratings.

15) Tischendorf Contractor Services

4146 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Tischendorf Contractor Services is a Pittsburgh-based, family-owned business focused on remodeling in the South Hills of Pittsburgh for nearly a decade. The firm specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations along with additions like deck and patios. Their complete team comprising of a project manager, in-house designer, and senior level carpenters provide their clients with detailed estimates and introductory designs, ensuring that they give the best quality service.

Principal Todd Tischendorf founded the company in 2009 and has personally overseen its many remodels and renovations over the years. A member of the Building Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, the firm aims to work with progressive ideas such as green remodeling. One such green renovation was a home in Mt. Lebanon for a family of four. Tischendorf worked closely with the owner, who was passionate about green living. They turned the 1984 2,200-foot stone Cape Cod style home into a smart, green home by adding new insulation, using energy efficient lighting and appliances, and even using recycled materials such as glass for the sink backsplash. The whole remodel took green processes into consideration and used mostly recycled or reused materials.

14) Clark Renovations Inc.

3180 Industrial Blvd. Bethel Park, PA 15102

Clark Renovations has more than 45 years of experience in home remodeling and specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels, along with window and door finishing and installations. Founded in 1973 by brothers Ron and Chris Clark with only one full-time and one part-time carpenter, the small remodeling business soon grew to a successful family-run firm.

Along with praise and good reviews by their clients from their projects, Clark Renovations has received of awards and recognitions over the years. They won the prestigious Chrysalis Award for Best Bathroom Remodel of $50,000 in 2002 and was recognized by Qualified Remodeler Magazine as one of the Top 50 Remodelers in the country. In 2013, Professional Remodelers Magazine Top awarded them Top Contractor of the Year.

13) TJ Bush Enterprises Inc.

919 Ridge Road, Bridgeville PA, 15017

TJ Bush Enterprises, Inc. is a locally-owned and operated custom design and build firm that provides home construction services including new construction and home remodeling to homeowners in Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas. They specialize in home remodeling and renovations, additions, interior, and exterior remodeling.

The company is run by husband and wife Todd and Judy Bush. Todd is a Master Carpenter with over 25 years of experience and a background in computer-aided drafting and design, a skill that he has used in making cost-effective and technologically-advanced designs.

In 2016, the firm won Best Multi-Room Renovation under the $300,001-$750,000 category in the Building Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Awards for a home they remodeled in Mt. Lebanon.  This home featured an open concept dining room with custom crown molding to match the rest of the existing house. The expansion gave way to more space, tying all the rooms together and improving flow of movement.

12) Londonbury Homes

432 Jane St. Carnegie, PA 15106

Serving mostly the Robinson Township area and Pittsburgh, Londonbury Homes is a premier luxury home builder specializing in custom built residences and additions such as finished basements and attics. Additionally, the firm has done other various renovation projects in different sized homes.  

Hailed as one of the 25 Largest Pittsburgh-Area Home Builder by The American Registry, the firm has gained wide recognition for its many builds and projects. The company’s principal Dion McMullen, a former president of the Building Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, led the company to several BAMP Housing Excellence Awards, including 2003 Single-family custom home of the year and 2016 Best Single-Family Detached Home of the Year.

The company provides everything from high-end remodeling to new custom home building, even accommodating the wildest requests of their clients. McMullen built a gothic mansion for a North Hills resident, who wanted to live like Barnabas, the vampire in the 1960’s tv show and 2012 film “Dark Shadows.” The imposing structure with its west tower and high roofs mirrored the Carey Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island that was used for the scenes of Barnabas’ home Collinwood Mansion.

11) The Office of Horace Trumbauer

| 121 Larchwood Dr., Butler, PA 16002

Named after a prominent American architect of the Gilded Age, The Office of Horace Trumbauer pays homage to the work and art of the renowned architect, Horace Trumbauer. He was a Philadelphia native famous for building mansions for the wealthy in the early 1900’s. In 1908, William Ott Frank joined the Horace Trumbauer team as their chief engineer and draftsman. For four generations, the Frank family continued the legacy of creating masterpieces now building most of their projects in Pennsylvania.

For over 100 years the Office of Horace Trumbauer has designed, built and restored hundreds of homes across the United States. Their multifaceted expertise has made them a recognized leader in representing the highest standards of excellence in building luxury homes and mansions. The firm specializes in home renovations, historic home restorations, and new home constructions.  Chris Frank now leads the team since his promotion as president in the 1980s.

10) Aspen Valley Contracting

340 Denniston Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

From beautiful historic home renovations to modern updates of condominiums and bungalows, Aspen Valley Contracting covers remodeling in every shape and size. The company has over four decades of experience in renovation and remodeling did by a team of trusted designers and contractors, with specializations on upscale, residential homes.

The firm is led by father-son team Michael and Matt Kelly who personally oversees all projects Their work on the 6,000-square-foot Edgeworth Historic Home “Pulpit Rock” earned them a Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award. Built in 1905, Pulpit Rock is one of the mansions that is found on the Walker estate. They beautifully preserved the house’s sandstone that originally came from a nearby quarry, and updated the home with custom cabinetry, flooring, extensive interior finishes, and a completely restored tile roof.  Two Best Multi-room Renovation Awards in 2010 and a Best Kitchen Renovation Award in 2017 are a few of the recognitions included in their growing list of accomplishments.

9) Pittsburgh Remodeling Company

450 S Main St, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

The Pittsburgh Remodeling Company is a premier name in remodeling in the Steel City. Their work on luxury custom remodels span from kitchen and bathroom renovations to additions, basements, and dens. The firm was founded by Robert Schwerdt, a Pittsburgh native with a degree in engineering from Pittsburgh University. He had formed his own remodeling company in 2006 in Virginia but then moved back to the city three years later. By 2008, he incorporated the Pittsburgh Remodeling Company, doing everything himself from labor to contracts and marketing. His experience in learning every aspect of the business helped him to push the firm to be better both in the technical and marketing side.

Due to the firm’s success in providing quality service to their clients, Remodeler Magazine included them in their 2017 Remodeling 550, a list that features the best remodelers in the country. Additionally, their work on a North Side home kitchen was recognized as 2018 Best of Design—Best in Kitchen Renovation in Pittsburgh Magazine. The sleek and modern kitchen features concrete floors covered with a white epoxy paint and floor-to-ceiling maple cabinets stained a dark grey smoke color to complement the exposed brick walls.

8) John Hobart Miller, Inc.

1344 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

For over 60 years, John Hobart Miller Inc. has provided luxury homes and residential remodeling to Pittsburgh residents. Founded by John H. Miller Jr. in 1956, the firm had its beginnings as a custom home builder in Pittsburgh during the height of the Steel City’s neighborhood development. He and his company are credited with helping build Pittsburgh’s suburbs during these high-growth times. Decades later, John Miller III and Patrick Miller continue their father’s legacy of building excellent quality homes.

Its decorated history includes being named Pittsburgh Builder of the Year five times and Pennsylvania Builder of the Year. The company has won awards from the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh for their new home constructions in 2003, 2012, and 2014.

The firm specializes in finely crafted custom built luxury homes and high end remodels and renovations. A John Miller home can cost anywhere between $800K and $5 M. It also does residential developments all over the Allegheny County and nearby areas.

7) Bachman Builders

600 Commerce Drive, Suite 607, Moon Twp., PA 15108

David Bachman founded Bachman Builders after being a construction project manager in Pittsburgh and Houston, bringing a wealth of architectural knowledge and construction technique to the company. The company now has a diverse portfolio of homes in various styles within a wide price range.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette named them the Best Pittsburgh Homebuilder in the West in 2018. They excel in home remodeling, historic renovation, and lead-based paint remediation. They work in different styles whether colonial or contemporary and are passionate about inclusive ADA Homes (Americans with Disabilities Act), green building, and energy efficient homes. Their progressive move in adopting new ideas and building techniques led them to win awards in those categories, such as the Building Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Awards in 2014 and 2015, the Best Green Energy Efficiency House in 2016 and 2017, and the Best Single Family Home of the Year in 2014 and 2017.

6) Legacy Remodeling

3090 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Legacy Remodeling has been setting the standard in the home remodeling business since 1987. The company was started by Ken Moselein as a window-and-door company known as Swingline Windows. 25 years later, his son Jeff took over as president and the company evolved into a design-build company. They mostly serve Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Peters Township, Dormont and the other neighborhoods in western Pennsylvania.

Now with over 3 decades of experience, Legacy Remodeling has mastered the installation of details and material finishes of homes, making bigger projects like renovations and additions easier and more efficient. Their experience, techniques and high-quality projects were recognized by Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50 List of Remodelers. They are also accredited and rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, which awarded them the 2009 Torch Award for Ethics as well as the Community Service Award.

One of their notable projects was put under the limelight in September 2018 in Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters. The project involved building a two-story luxury treehouse for Antonio Brown, the receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Built across a maple tree and several oak trees, the ‘skybox’ features a wall of windows, sub-level bar, jacuzzi shower, and TV viewing room, all overlooking a basketball court and football field. The dark steelwork holding up the whole structure pays homage to Pittsburgh.

5) Suncrest Homes

3819 Old William Penn Hwy, Suite 400, Murrysville, PA 15668

Another family-owned business that has gained prominence in Pittsburgh is Suncrest Homes. The father-daughter tandem of J. Michael Ruefle and Colleen Ruefle-Haley has become a winning team in the residential building industry of the city. Suncrest Homes specialize in luxury custom and semi-custom homes along with residential developments in the Allegheny, Butler, and Westmoreland counties. They also remodel homes and build additions, continuing the work J. Michael did with his brother in the early days of the company.  

With their expertise and effective teamwork between designers and builders, Suncrest Homes has earned recognition for their projects in the city, both in new home construction and remodeling. They have won several Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Awards such as the 2008 Best Room Addition under $150,000, 2014 Best Outdoor Living Project, and 2016 Best Single-Family Detached Home among others.

4) J Francis Company LLC

410 High Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

John McCloskey began J Francis Company LLC in 1988 while earning a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Management. This multi-awarded firm specializes in remodeling residences and businesses throughout the Pittsburgh area. They won a 2011 Merit Award under the Kitchen Renovation Category from the  Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry recognized their work as the Best in Residential Interior (over $100,00) in the 2005 Contractor of the Year Awards. Additionally, the company holds a 2009 AIA Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects Design—Pittsburgh for their work on the Warhol Reception Desk at the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh. This collaboration with EDGE Studio features a modern, almost futuristic lit wrap-around desk, set against the pop art on the walls.

When it comes to remodeling and renovation, McCloskey says he loves reclaiming space that has been wasted. “We reconfigure those spaces so clients can get the most use out of them. The cheapest space to build is the space you already own.” As a result, their work has merged function and beauty perfectly in homes. A renovation or remodel from J Francis can cost from $50k to $2 M, depending on the project type.

3) Master Remodelers

3630 Elm Avenue, Pittsburgh,  PA 15234

In 1988, Pittsburgh native Regis McQuaide started Regis McQuaide and Company, a remodeling business, after working in real estate. Ten years later, he decided to enter the design-build industry and rename the company as Master Remodelers. He and his expert team of designers and builders constantly aim to perfect their craft to produce top-quality, high-end renovations and remodels. They reveal their process and project details in ‘case studies’ that they share to the public to help others learn the best practices in building a home.  

Master Remodelers has a decorated portfolio of renovations and remodels, with over 1,000 homes built and a staggering 26 awards to date. Some of their best awards include the Best Kitchen Renovation and Best Multi-room Renovation in the 2015 BAMP Housing Excellence Awards and Residential Insurance Restoration at the 2013 Chrysalis Award for Remodeling Excellence.

2) TK Construction Inc.

7180 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071

TK Construction Inc. is one of Pittsburgh’s superior design and build firms specializing in high-end custom remodeling. Its outstanding portfolio includes luxury homes, impressive additions, and major kitchen, bathroom, and whole house renovations—many of which have won recognition by local and national organizations.

Headed by its founder, Todd Klippa, the firm has captured the city’s attention with its impressive residential design and construction. The company has received over 30 awards and accolades. The Building Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh has awarded them Housing Excellence Awards for Best Room Addition and Best Multi-room Renovation in 2017, along with several others in the past years. The organization also recognized the firm as 2012’s “Builder of the Year” while Remodeler Magazine included the company in the prestigious Big 50 list of excellent remodelers for 2015.

The firm does its best not only for its clients but also for charitable causes and outreach programs. In one example, TK Construction renovated the home of a retired Marine Corps staff sergeant and his family in 2012 for free.  Their beautiful addition to the multigenerational home won the Post Gazette’s Renovation Inspiration Contest in 2017.

1) Prime 1 Builders

510 Millers Run Rd, Morgan, PA 15064

Award-winning full-service general contractor Prime 1 Builders has made a name for itself as one of the most sought-after design-build firms in Pittsburgh. It has completed hundreds of exceptional homes across the city, from new custom homes to major renovations.

From its beginnings in 1993, Prime 1 Builders set out to do all kinds of construction work for its clients, working value and quality into its projects. Founder and principal, Dan Meade, has over 30 years of building experience that he has incorporated into the company’s culture and identity. He is also a prominent figure in the city’s building community as the current president of the Building Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh.

Following its mission of providing quality service, the firm has boosted its reputation above its contemporaries with award-winning builds over the years, both at the local and national levels. In the 2015 and 2017 BAMP Housing Excellence Awards, Prime 1 won six different awards for its renovations and additions. In 2014, it won the Chrysalis Award for Remodeling Excellence for a bathroom remodel and the 2010 Grand Design Award / Home of the Year for Best New Custom Home from the Pittsburgh Magazine.

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