12 vetted luxury builders serving Orono · how we vet & rank
Luxury builders deliver architect-driven design, premium materials, and a higher-touch build process — the tier where craftsmanship details like custom millwork, specialty windows, and integrated smart-home systems are standard rather than upgrades.
Gonyea Custom Homes is a custom home builder founded in 1987, serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area from its Golden Valley office. The firm uses a fully integrated design-build approach in which the architect, designer, and builder are aligned from day one, following a process its site says has been refined over 30+ years, and it offers build-on-your-lot options alongside its available homes.
Parade of Homes 2026
Gordon James is a custom home builder founded by John Quinlivan and based in Maple Plain, with a second location in Pequot Lakes. Since 2005 the firm has helped Minnesotans design, remodel, and construct custom homes, and its site notes Quinlivan served as Housing First Minnesota's 2023 board chair.
Parade of Homes 2020
Mark D. Williams Custom Homes is a third-generation high-end residential builder in the Twin Cities, handling both ground-up custom builds and whole-home remodeling from its Excelsior office. Founder Mark D. Williams has 20+ years of home-building experience, and the company builds wellness into its work as a certified Green Path builder, using organic materials and technologies aimed at air quality, water, and lighting. Its site notes the company was named Minnesota Builder of the Year in 2021.
Parade of Homes 2019, 2020
Stonewood is a Wayzata-based custom home builder whose site traces four generations of handcrafted homes, with the family building since 1947 and the company focused on building and remodeling homes in the west metro suburbs - Edina, Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, and the city lakes area. Clients choose their own architect, with Sven Gustafson participating in the interviews and design meetings, and projects are priced on a cost-plus-fee basis fully disclosed to clients. The company launched its home renovation arm, Revision, in 2013.
Parade of Homes 2019, 2021
Denali Custom Homes builds one-of-a-kind custom homes throughout the Twin Cities from its Wayzata office near Lake Minnetonka, led by husband-and-wife team David and Jodie Bieker. The firm provides professional guidance throughout the entire building process and takes on projects of all sizes, from a 2,200 sq ft cottage to a 12,000 sq ft estate home. For clients interested in green construction, it works through the LEED for Homes certification process.
Parade of Homes 2021
Hartman Homes is a custom home builder established in 1985 by Michael Hartman and now based in Hudson, Wisconsin, building in the Twin Cities metro area, western Wisconsin, and Big Sky, Montana. Its work ranges from single-family mid-level homes up to luxury homes and waterfront teardown properties. The company describes itself as a smaller builder that works one-on-one with clients, offering complimentary interior design services and an in-house showroom for selections.
Parade of Homes 2020
John Kraemer & Sons has been building luxury homes and remodeling fine residences since 1978, when Gary Kraemer founded the firm with his late father John; with Gary's sons John and Jeff in the business, it is now a third-generation company with offices in Edina and Wayzata. Projects span large estate home construction, empty-nest homes, lake cabins, and major renovations, with the firm employing all of its own job superintendents — each client gets one on-site daily — and managing every project on a 100% open-book basis. Per its site, Gary earned his fifth Builder of the Year award from Housing First MN in 2023.
Erotas Custom Building has specialized since 1992 in building architecturally designed residences and completing complex renovations of finely crafted custom homes. The Minnetonka-based firm works as the builder on a collaborative team, prioritizing transparent, reliable, and consistent communication among the client, architect, engineer, and designer throughout all phases of a project. Owner and president Tom Hendrickson has been involved with Erotas since 1995, having experienced the process first as a client, then as a craftsman, and now as a builder.
Hendel Homes is a Minnesota custom home builder and remodeler working on highly detailed residences and renovations, guided by a philosophy of stewardship that Rick and Amy Hendel describe as the foundation of the company. The firm facilitates communication among owners, architects, designers, engineers, and its construction team, and states it has completed more than one hundred highly detailed projects over the last twenty years. Its site lists Builder of the Year, Reggie, and Trillium awards from Housing First Minnesota among its recognition.
Kyle Hunt & Partners is an artisan home builder located in Deephaven near Lake Minnetonka, founded in 1990 by Kyle and Laurie Hunt and specializing in highly crafted, architecturally designed custom homes and renovations. The firm takes a collaborative approach to design, working with architects and interior designers in the field and hand-selecting the core team of craftspeople for each project. It also offers real estate services through Rooted, where Kyle Hunt and Madison Ludowese are licensed real estate agents.
Lecy Bros. Homes & Remodeling is a family company that has built custom homes in Minnesota for nearly four decades, working from its Minnetonka office on new homes, remodeling projects - additions, major renovations, and room remodels - and lake homes. The firm employs over 30 craftsmen and construction professionals and maintains an in-house architectural design team, interior design, and warranty services. Owners Mark Lecy, who coordinates all construction operations, and Roy Lecy, who handles home sales and finance, lead the company, which has been part of BATC since 1983.
Nor-Son Custom Builders is a luxury home builder and whole-house remodeler with its Minnesota headquarters in Baxter and a Twin Cities office in Eden Prairie. The firm helps clients assemble a project team from architects and interior designers across the Midwest, Twin Cities, and lakes area, provides cost projections throughout design, and competitively bids each portion of the work before building begins. Each home undergoes a quality inspection, and the company is led by CEO Andy Anderson and president Matt Holmstrom.
Luxury builds in the metro typically run $450–$700 per square foot before land, and the most exclusive lakefront and estate work reaches $700–$1,000+.
Full local numbers live in the cost to build in Orono guide.
Talking to two or three finalists is the last step. Our free matching shortlists them for you.
Luxury builds in the metro typically run $450–$700 per square foot before land, and the most exclusive lakefront and estate work reaches $700–$1,000+. In Orono specifically, land and site conditions shift the total: lot pricing varies by community and phase. The builders listed below can give you a real number against your specific site and program.
We currently list 12 builders offering luxury construction in Orono. Coverage grows as we verify more builders, and our free matching service can shortlist the best fits for your budget and timeline.
Compare three things. Completed work in or near Orono: local lots, inspectors and subcontractors make recent nearby projects the best predictor of a smooth build, so ask to see them. A Minnesota residential building contractor license (a BC license issued by the Department of Labor and Industry) and insurance: our profiles show license numbers as we verify them. And a contract you understand: fixed-price and cost-plus contracts share risk differently, so have the builder walk you through allowances and change-order pricing. Process and communication matter as much as the portfolio, so the final step is always a conversation with two or three finalists.
Plan on 10–16 months from first design meeting to move-in for a full custom project: roughly 3–5 months of design and pre-construction, then 7–11 months of construction, longer for large or complex builds.
Tell us about your project and we’ll shortlist up to 3 vetted local builders that fit your city, budget, and timeline.
Browse all builders on the Orono home builders page.
