Summer urban nightlife, quaint and peaceful villages, and endless beaches: when it comes to road trips, you can’t beat the American East Coast in the summer.  And a place like Virginia Beach proves the old cliché wrong: it’s a great place to visit and an even better place to build a life. The town has long been known for having the longest recreational beach in the world, and in 2017 it was named one of the best cities to live in. A reasonable cost of living, plenty of health care options, and a great school system deservedly brought the community this coveted distinction. Apart from all those perks, who doesn’t want to live by the beach?

But first, you have to decide who will be the perfect builder for your new dream home. This list is a good place to start: it covers 15 of the best general contractors in Virginia Beach, Virginia. You’re already a step away from the home of your dreams. Whether it’s a remodeling of your previous home or a ground-up construction, all of the builders are qualified to do both, and they do so with quality service. As we constructed this list, we took into consideration all of the builders’ projects, awards, and certifications to determine who stands out from the rest.

So get ready to build during the day, and relax in the sand in the evening.

15) K&B Construction

3324 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 101 Virginia Beach, VA 23452

In 1985 Scott Dickey assembled a crack team of superior craftsman and named them K&B Construction.  Since then K&B Construction has earned a reputation for crafting homes with quality materials. A 2011 article from Remodeling Magazine emphasizes that K&B ’s clients were impressed by the company ’s business philosophy and Scott’s warm and welcoming attitude. A client said she hired K&B Construction because they are completely present, they show respect for the home, and there is always open communication.

K&B Construction has accumulated a number of solid business connections throughout the years including Tidewater Insulators, P.M. Electric, ABC Supply Company, Superior Interior, and many more. The firm fiercely protects its hometown reputation: they have carefully selected all of the firms they have worked with that reputation in mind. Rest assured that the home of your dreams will be in good hands.

14) Oceanside Building LLC

588 Central Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Oceanside Building does it right the first time. And Oceanside Building does it right the first time by focusing on the relationship with the client first, which allows the company to construct homes that go beyond expectations by fitting the customer with a home that fits their unique lifestyles. They’ve developed over twenty communities throughout Hampton Roads so there will be a variety of floor plans to choose from, but the client can request a  customized version.

The firm has over twenty years of experience so expect no less than dedication and professionalism. That experience always means focused, personal quality: Oceanside Building’s founder, Bill Terry, promises he will personally walk you through your finished home. Their designs feel simple and homey because they’re all made to be perfect for the distinctive needs of every individual family. In fact, their Chadwick Coastal home was featured in the 2016 Homearama at Hanbury Woods, Chesapeake.

13) Stafford and Son Builders

2251 W. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

After servicing Northern Virginia for 10 years as a builder, Tom Stafford decided to move to the Tidewater area to expand his horizons and establish his own firm.  Ever since, Stafford and Son Builders have been building and remodeling homes in Virginia Beach’s most impressive communities such as Broad Bay Point Greens, Church Point, Alanton, Old Donation Farms, Little Neck, Chesapeake Beach, Croatan, High court, Witchduck Point, Lagomar, and Kings Grant. Besides residential construction, Stafford and Son Builders recently ventured into commercial renovations in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Area.

The firm designs sophisticated, yet traditional homes that evoke a warm, familiar atmosphere. During the past 30 years, they have won the trust of their community.  Four awards in four separate categories from the 1995 Homerama attest to their ability and to the strength of their business relationships.

12) J.M. Froehler Construction

2251 W. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

One of the leading construction firms in Virginia Beach, J.M. Froehler has been in the business for over 30 years because of the hard work and principles of its founder, John Froehler. Under John’s instruction, the company is now under the stewardship of his sons, the brothers  Matt and Michael Froehler. Matt became the construction superintendent for J.M. Froehler in 2001 while Michael was partner and head project supervisor. Both of them have been building homes for many years and they’ve both earned their bona fides: a Class A Builders License, an Earth Craft Green Builders Certification, and an Aging in Place Specialist from the National Home Builders Association (NHBA). Matt is also the current Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV) Director for the Tidewater Builder Association (TBA) Board.

The brothers are modernizing their firm:  they’ve designed an online platform and a mobile app that will make the project more accessible to the clients in real time. A supervisor can now keep the client continuously informed on the daily tasks on the site; that information is complemented by a schedule that contains all the deadlines, approvals, and client requested meetings.

This cutting-edge approach means that the client can have a hands-on approach to their project even when time, distance, or other obstacles prevent them from visiting the physical site.

11) Ainslie Group

389 Edwin Dr. Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

25 years ago brothers John and Jeff Ainslie founded Ainslie Group, bringing their formidable experience to their new company. John was a former president of the Tidewater Builders Association (TBA) and is a Class A Contractor license holder; he has been in the industry since 1981. Jeff Ainslie is also a past president of the TBA and the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV); he’s also an instructor at several homebuilding educational programs. These two magnates rooted Ainslie Group in three principles: passion, integrity, and a commitment to homebuilding. Because of the success of the firm and their founders, Jeff Ainslie has appeared on television in the role of expert on the Hampton Roads community.

The company is affiliated with other premier firms such as Cohen Homes, Crestline Homes, and Wendell Homes. Together, they practice green building and conscientious construction principles.  Ainslie Group’s impressive homes have been featured in Homearama 2011 and 2017. The firm delivers only the best to their clients.

10) Strickland Homes

7360 Chevy Circle Norfolk, Virginia United States 23505

Scott Strickland has been building homes for the Tidewater and Coastal Virginia area for over 30 years, and his children have inherited his dedication.  His son, Allan, started building homes at a very young age and his daughter, Michelle, worked as an estimator for one of the best contracting firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2010, the inevitable: they came together and opened their own firm.

Strickland Homes uses green products to make gorgeous environment-friendly homes. They assure every customer that they finish all of their projects on time, within budget, while maintaining the highest standards. They cater to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk and the area surrounding Hampton Roads.

Their traditional homes have polished exteriors, colorful interiors, and the result is a modern building that retains a feeling of home. Their charming houses have been featured in Homearama Fall 2012 and 2013. They were also named a brand leader by Builder Magazine last 2015.

A family of builders, the Stricklands have mastered a wide variety of skills, techniques, and approaches.

9) Viridian Homes

1805 Kempsville Road Virginia Beach, VA 23464

The hip, cool new kids on the  Hampton Roads block, Viridian Homes aims to build green homes throughout Virginia that are stylish, functional,  but most of all sustainable. Viridian Homes wants to challenge and provoke the construction industry in Virginia by using a “whole-house approach.” Your home’s amazing energy efficiency, air quality, and sustainable durability will come from their insistence on using the greenest materials: your utility bills will come as a pleasant surprise, and your resale value is sure to grow as the practices of these green trend-setters become the industry standard. The firm’s green building system was certified by the Energy Star Program, the EarthCraft House of Virginia program, and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Programs.

The firm’s aesthetically pleasing green homes have been featured in the Fall 2010 Homearama in East Beach, the 2012 Spring Homearama in Culpepper Landing at Chesapeake, and then again in the 2012 Fall Homearama back in East Beach.

8) Schneider Custom Builders

350 W 22nd Street, Suite 101A Norfolk, VA 23517

A New Jersey native with a family pedigree of building, Jim Schneider founded Schneider Custom Builders in 1985.  Jim worked closely with his father and uncle when he was young so when he established his own firm, he knew that he needed to value work ethic and craftsmanship above all else. Through the years Jim developed a process that goes beyond the normal criteria of home building, a personal process that satisfies his need for excellence.

Schneider Custom Builders can design any kind of home and bring that home into existence. Whether it be a modern family neighborhood residence or a traditional beachfront home, they will build it for you; their extensive experience caters to every homeowner. Their expertise in the business has landed them a spot in the exclusive Builder 20 Club. The Builder 20 Club is a group of 20 firms from all over the country that gather twice a year to critique and analyze everything that concerns the building industry; the state of Virginia only boasts two firms as current members. Their most recent accolades are the Reader’s Digest bronze southside winner of Best Home Builder 2018 and their Captain Orris Browne House won 2016 Ideal Home from Ideal Living Magazine. They are also a Graduate Master Builder, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Master Certified Green Builder, and a Certified Luxury Builder.

7) Sasser Construction

3200 Tyre Neck Road Portsmouth, Virginia 23703

The client’s story is the foundation of any home. Sasser Construction understands that fundamental truth, and they have survived a competitive market since 1992 because they keep that truth as a central precept of all their practices. Prior to building, the firm wants to get to know their client better through a survey aptly named “Start Dreaming”. The survey determines everything that the client is looking for in their dream home, and translates those needs and desires into building specifications.  It will be up to the client if they want to choose from the firm’s custom floor plans or if they want to customize their own with the firm’s president, Eric Sasser. Eric will get to know the client’s background; he wants to integrate your personality and heritage into the home into the home, and whether it’s a Mediterranean tile roof or a simple French-style country kitchen, Sasser Construction will always go to the extra mile for its clients to make you feel truly at home.

Their customer-centered operations have garnered them the honor of being a Southern Living Custom Home Program builder. Southern Living Magazine also dubbed them the 2010 Custom Home Builder of the Year and they’ve also participated in the 2018 Homearama. For a home that reflects you, consider Sasser Construction.

6) L.R. Hill Custom Home Builders

560 Central Drive, Virginia Beach VA 23454

The award winners at L.R. Hill Custom Home have been focusing on old-fashioned craftsmanship since 1989. The company employs the best craftsmen to build your dream home with the finest materials. Their superior quality homes are scattered throughout the most prestigious communities in Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay. Larry Hill said that he never expected to have such an intense passion for home building, but after an impressive 1000 homes built in three decades, he still enjoys every aspect of it. He boasts that most of his staff have been with the firm for more than 10 years, and some have even been with him the entire time. L.R. Hill Custom Home Builders’ long relationship with its staff reflects its loyalty to their clients as well.

L.R. Hill specializes in making traditional homes with contemporary details: the result is an updated take on gracious, timeless designs. L.R. Hill Custom Hill Builders dominates the yearly Homearama: they’ve won 70 People’s Choice Awards and they’ve received “Best Craftsmanship” for nine years and “Best in Show” five times. They were named as one of America’s Top 10 best home builders last 2014 and voted “Best Builder of Chesapeake by the Virginia-Pilot Magazine Readers last 2005.

Larry wakes up every day, proud to see beautiful homes all across the Tidewater community that he and his committed team have lovingly crafted: hire him to build one more beautiful space for you.

5) ABT Custom Homes

3345 Bridge Road Suite 924 Suffolk, Virginia 23435

With more than 500 custom homes under their belt, ABT Custom Homes is one of the most trusted and prolific builders in the Hampton Roads. They’ve been in the business since 1982 which means they’ve built a majority of the homes found in the finest neighborhoods of Carrollton, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

Their founder, Chip Iuliano, made his way into the industry through his hardware store. He acquired contacts from everyone in the industry through his small business and he became a jack of all trades. His growing experience and a wide repertoire of skills encouraged him to start his own firm. In  1992, he participated in his first Homearama and he won Critics’ Choice Best House in Show, Sales & Marketing Council Favorite, as well as the  People’s Choice Favorite Home. Since then, he’s the only builder in Virginia to participate in more than 20 Homeramas and win over 100 awards. Chip is still hands-on with the daily operations of his firm, and he was the former president of the Tidewater Builders Association.

ABT Custom Homes typically designs traditional style homes, but they have the full capacity to construct grander homes with a more modern feel. They’ve also expanded their product line to townhomes and remodeling projects. Their price range starts at $25K and could go up to $1 million.

4) VB Homes Living

1209 Laskin Rd. Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

There is no project too small or too big for Certified Graduate Builder, VB Homes Living. They have licensed Class A Contractors, and they will give their full attention to every to detail even if it’s just a simple bathroom remodel or an upscale custom home build. Upon completion, the builders make follow-up house-calls to make sure that the customer is thoroughly satisfied in every way.

Founded by Chris Ettel in 1988, the firm is a full-service design-build firm servicing the Hampton Roads area. VB Homes Living became a household name when Southern Living Magazine invited them to become a Southern Living Custom Home Program builder and their founder was invited to be a member of the advisory board of the custom home program. In 2000, they built their first design center and sparked the interest of Virginia-Pilot Magazine; the innovative approach guided the client through a “one-stop shopping experience” in crafting the design for a residential home. The company has been featured by a number of publications but their most memorable features were being the 18th “Best Builder to Work for” given by Professional Builder Magazine in 2005 and one of the top 50 “Best Remodeling Companies in the Country” by Remodeling Magazine last 2006.

Besides their accolades, VB Homes Living is also a certified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) field staff, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) member, and a Tidewater Building Association member. VB Homes Living wants to make each client-homeowner a customer for life.

3) Crumley Group Inc.

1728-106 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Crumley Group constructs luxury homes that are a direct reflection of the customer. They have the awards to prove it, and they’ve been doing it since 1985. The company’s president, Scott Crumley, personally handpicked all of the people on his team so he can confidently assure his clients that his workers are all the best in the industry. Scott wants the client to see that excellence and dedication are apparent in every home they build; the builder’s expertise and the client’s vision combine to satisfy his emphasis on quality.

The designs are grand, yet simple, and show off a luxurious, classic elegance. The firm has been winning awards since 1993 but their most recent awards are the Critics’ Choice Gold Award for Best Outdoor Living Area and the People’s Choice Silver Award for Favorite House from the 2010 Tidewater Builders Association (TBA) Homearama. When the home they submitted to the 2010 Homearama was sold, proceeds went to St. Mary’s Home, a charity that’s been caring for the children of Virginia for 65 years. Aside from their Homearama awards, they’ve also won a 2009 Best Design for an Attached Community from the National Sales and Marketing awards and four awards from 2007 TBA Stanley awards. Crumley Group is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), TBA, and the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV).

2)  Stephen Alexander Homes

820 Greenbrier Circle Suite 3 Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

Stephen Quick IV firmly believes that his firm is the best if you want to build a family home. Founded in 1998, Stephen Alexander Homes is a Chesapeake-based firm that specializes in building historically inspired homes and neighborhoods. The firm has been passed down across two generations, yet their unique design and quality craftsmanship have never changed. As a multigenerational family business, Stephen Alexander understands families. He knows that the homes his company builds will make lives better, more convenient, and more beautiful. The firm has a keen eye for classic design: expect simple homes elevated by gracious, modern, yet functional interiors.

And with those simple designs, Stephen Alexander Homes has earned award after award. Pilot Media and Homearama distinctions, as well as the Tidewater Builders Association (TBA) Stanley Awards, attest to the power of emphasizing simplicity. The company received a gold Critics Choice award from Homearama from 2009 to 2011 and they’ve received one from Pilot Media as well. Their award-winning designs range from $350k to $1 million.

Aside from home building, Stephen Alexander Homes is an important and impressive player when it comes to the development of the community as a whole. The firm is the St. Jude Dream Home Builder for Coastal Virginia, and they have raised over $7 million for local hospitals.

1) J.F. Schoch Building Corp.

504 Viking Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23452

J.F. Schoch Building Corp. is Virginia Beach’s leading luxury home builder.  Their homes are all priced between $300K to more than $4 million, and they’ve built more than 300 of these impressive homes in Hampton Roads. The firm was founded by partners Margaret and Jack Schoch. Jack’s award-winning craftsmanship and Margaret’s keen eye for design made J.F. Schoch Building Corp. a formidable firm that builds quality homes with a tasteful sense of design.

Besides custom homes, J.F. Schoch Building is also an award-winning remodeler, and the resulting experience explains why their whole home construction is a luxurious splurge for any new home builder. They’ve worked on 15 previous Homearamas. Their clientele list boasts household names, including rap-star Missy Elliott, whose elegant, custom built home was featured on MTV Cribs. The firm has received a number of gold awards from Homearama including Critics Choice for Most Creative and Best Interior Merchandising. They were also the Virginia-Pilot Magazine Reader’s Choice for Best Kitchen & Best Foyer and its founder, Jack Schoch, won a silver award for Best Craftsmanship. The luxury home builder makes very prestigious homes catered for exclusive communities with prices that range from $50k to $10 million.

How can I find a contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best contractors in and near Virginia Beach. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

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