Last updated on May 17th, 2024 at 02:59 am

Long before Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and officially became “Mexico,” Spanish colonizers named the area that is now New Mexico as “Nueva México.” Today, the state boasts a diverse range of ethnicities, from American Indian to Hispanic peoples. The state’s rich history and ethnic and cultural diversity are reflected in New Mexico’s architecture, residential landscape, and the home building industry.

While classic Spanish-style homes remain abundant, some homes feature an innovative blend of Spanish architecture with modern, contemporary, and even Victorian-inspired designs and structures. Though common throughout the Southwestern United States, the Pueblo Revival style is most common in New Mexico. Developed at the turn of the 20th century, buildings constructed in this style feature a traditional Pueblo adobe, flat roofs, projecting wooden roof beams, and stylized beam supports. Pueblo-style houses can be found in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and other areas in New Mexico.

Building and renovating these homes are the best general contractors in New Mexico, who have demonstrated architectural prowess through their award-winning home remodeling and building projects throughout the state. Here, we list the top 12 best general contractors in New Mexico, based on their awards and recognition.

12) Remington Homes

111 Chelsea Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345

Remington Homes is one of the oldest home remodelers and builders in New Mexico’s construction industry. Established in 1977 by Glenn Remington, Remington Homes has been serving Ruidoso, Alto, and its surrounding areas by providing full construction services, including new home construction and home remodeling.

With more than four decades in operation, Remington Homes is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and have received an A+ rating from the BBB. The firm was also hailed as an Energy Star Certified Homes Market Leader in 2018.

Although Remington has completed several remodeling projects in the area, most of the firm’s work features ranch-style interiors with wooden beams and ceilings. Some of the firm’s projects have also included classic Spanish homes with stone and adobe walls and low ceilings.

11) Annex General Contracting + Design

PO Box 25742 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125

Annex General Contracting + Design began remodeling and creating custom homes in 1992. Kevin Evans, the founder of the firm, studied architectural drafting and design at the Phoenix Institute of Technology. He then proceeded to study architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas after working for a commercial drywall contractor.

A Certified Graduate Remodeler and Certified Graduate Builder, Evans’ remodeling projects have been featured on the TV Program Renovation Nation as well as in Su Casa Magazine. The firm has also received an Excellence in Remodeling Award for its excellent service to Albuquerque, South Valley, Rio Rancho, and its surrounding areas.

Annex’s projects often feature ceiling-high glass windows, which bring in ample natural light and create the illusion of a larger space. These windows also allow the occupants of the space to enjoy the outdoor scenery.

10)  TC Building & Realty Inc.

8100 Wyoming Blvd NE #159 Albuquerque, NM 87113

Thomas Cardenas, a second-generation home builder and life-long resident of New Mexico, founded TC Building & Realty Inc. in 1989. The company serves Albuquerque and its surrounding areas by providing excellent home building and home remodeling services.

Throughout its career, TC has won awards in multiple categories from the Home Builders Association (HBA) Central New Mexico in 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2017. TC’s affiliation with HBA Central New Mexico is a testament to the firm’s expertise in home building and remodeling.

The firm has also won six awards from the Homes of Enchantment Parade Spring event. The firm’s outstanding works have also been featured on Style Tours ABQ and Ride Media.

The firm builds and remodels classic and luxury Spanish homes with stone and adobe walls complemented by wooden ceiling beams. Warm colors of brown, red, and beige are also common in the firm’s projects.

9) Lee Michael Homes

7910 Rancho de Roberto Rd, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Lee Michael Homes has been creating and remodeling quality homes in Albuquerque, Corrales, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding areas since its establishment in 2002. Although relatively new, the firm has made a name for itself by earning several awards for its remodeling, design, and green building projects. The firm has also been featured in Su Casa Magazine for its outstanding custom and home remodeling projects.

Over the years, Lee Michael Homes has become affiliated with several prominent organizations, including the Remodelers Council, the National Builders 20 Club, the NAHB, and the HBA Central New Mexico. Each of the firm’s projects is personally designed by the firm’s in-house designers, who have won several design awards.

Mike and Alexa Knight, founder of Lee Michael Homes, continue to expand their services by offering one-stop custom home building and home remodeling solutions.

8) Joseph Custom Homes

P.O. Box 66297 Albuquerque, NM 87193

Joseph Custom Homes has served more than 150 clients since it was established in 1995. The firm provides home remodeling and custom home building to Albuquerque, North Valley, and the surrounding areas. Greg Joseph’s 25-year home building experience and Miriam’s professional license from the American Society of Interior Designs (ASID) shaped the firm’s reputation in home remodeling and building.

From 2001 until 2013, Joseph Custom Homes was part of Albuquerque’s Parade of Homes. It has also been featured in several different publications, including the Albuquerque Journal, Builder Magazine, Wolf-Sub-Zero, and Professional Builder Magazine. The firm’s affiliation with the HBA Central New Mexico, the ASID, and the BBB has strengthened Joseph Custom Homes’ reputation.

7) Tierra Concepts

1512 Pacheco Street, Suite D206 Santa Fe, NM 87505

Serving Santa Fe and its surrounding areas, Tierra Concepts has garnered more than a hundred awards for its custom home building and home remodeling projects. Its award-winning design team has been performing its excellent work for the past 26 years. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified firm, Tierra Concepts has been featured in Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine, Haciendas Magazine, Su Casa Magazine, and Santa Fean.

With 55 years of combined experience in home building and remodeling, Eric Faust, Keith Gorges, and Kurt Faust are the leaders of Tierra Concepts. Eric has an engineering degree, Keith has 25 years of experience in the building industry, and Kurt has been involved in the construction industry for 30 years.

One of Tierra Concepts’ signature stylistic moves is to infuse modern designs into classic Spanish homes. The firm’s projects often feature wooden beams and chairs as well as stone walls.

6) Cornelius Construction

107 G H Stoneman Drive Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345

In 1980, Bill Cornelius founded Cornelius Construction, which now serves Alto, Ruidoso, and Ruidoso Downs by providing custom home building and remodeling. Bill is also an active member of the Lincoln County Home Builders Association and has been on the board of the organization for many years.

Throughout its 38 years in operation, Cornelius Construction has won multiple Builder of the Year awards, Las Casitas Housing Excellence awards, and Best Remodeled Project awards. The firm’s projects have also been featured in Ventanas Magazine and Spirit Magazine.

Cornelius Construction’s projects feature a mix of luxury modern homes with hints of European-inspired interiors. Grand fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and chandeliers appear in most of the firm’s projects.

5) K.M. Skelly Inc. General Contractor

P.O. Box 23086 Santa Fe, NM 87502

For the past 19 years, K.M. Skelly Inc. General Contractor has been serving Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Cerillos, and the surrounding areas by providing outstanding home remodeling and new home construction services.

Kevin Skelly established his company with a strong foundation of 35 years of industry experience. He is now a Certified Green Professional and a Graduate Master Builder.

K.M. Skelly Inc. General Contractor has produced excellent projects that have won NAHB Historic Whole House Remodel awards and NAHB Parade of Homes Best Outdoor Space awards. The firm is also affiliated with the Santa Fe Area Home Builders, the BBB, and the NAHB.

A mix of Spanish and Victorian accents is common in K.M. Skelly’s remodeling projects. The careful combination of the two styles is a testament to the firm’s creativity.

4) Altair Homes

Albuquerque, NM 87114

Serving the Albuquerque area since 1977, Altair Homes is one of the oldest, most experienced, and most respected home remodelers and builders in New Mexico. The firm’s excellent reputation is evidenced by its accolades and recognition. Altair Homes has received awards from the Parade of Homes and Homes of Enchantment as well as recognition from New Mexico Business Weekly, The Albuquerque Journal, Local Business, and Su Casa Magazine.


Most notably, the firm is the first in New Mexico to win the LEED Platinum Homes award for its home building and remodeling projects. The firm has also received an A+ rating from the BBB.

Altair Homes has mostly worked on modern homes with European-inspired interiors. Wide glass windows and marble kitchen tops are common in the firm’s remodeling and building projects.

3) Paul W. Kenderdine Inc. Design Build

07 Bosque Rd Algodones, NM 87001

In the past 30 years, Paul W. Kenderdine Inc. Design Build (PWKI Design Build) has become one of the top home remodelers and builders in the Southwest. Its excellent reputation is manifested in its multiple features in Su Casa Magazine, Design Bureau, American Builders Quarterly, Local IQ, Architectural Digest, Sources Design, Money Magazine, Around 505, Custom Home, Residential Architect, New Mexico Magazine, and Santa Fean.

Outstanding results are common in PWKI Design Build’s projects. From 2013 to now, the firm’s home remodeling and home building work has received numerous awards from the Homes of Enchantment, the Spring Homes of Enchantment Parade, and the American Institute of Architects. PWKI Design Build has also received the Jeff Harnar Award for Contemporary Architecture.

The HBA-affiliated firm continues to remodel and build modern and contemporary homes in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas.

2)  Wolf Corporation

1216 Parkway, Santa Fe, NM 87507

John C. Wolf began his career in the construction industry as a carpenter for high-rise construction projects in Chicago. He first started a company in Chicago in 1971 but later moved to Santa Fe in 1976. He then became licensed in New Mexico and established Wolf Corporation in 1981.

For the past 37 years, Wolf Corporation became well-known in the remodeling industry and received the State of Mexico Heritage Preservation Award, the Santa Fe ‘Muchas Gracias’ Award, the AIA Excellence in Design Award, and the American Concrete Institute Outstanding Concrete Structure Award. The firm has also been recognized by the LEED and has been affiliated with the organization since 2013.

One of the firm’s most notable projects is the renovation of the historic Hinojos House in Santa Fe, which is shown in the photo here. The wooden foundations, fences, and roof were all repaired and replaced, and its interiors were updated with modern furniture while preserving the space’s old-fashioned beauty.

1) Palo Santo Designs LLC

2356 Fox Road, Suite 200 Santa Fe, NM 87507

In just two decades, Palo Santo Designs LLC has garnered several awards in different categories from the Haciendas Parade of Homes, Remodelers Showcase, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Santa Fe Home Builders Association. The firm has also been featured multiple times in Santa Fe New Mexican, Su Casa Magazine, Santa Fe Trend, New Mexico Business Weekly, Natural Timber Frame Homes, and Strawbale Home Plans.

With a reputable portfolio and roster of repeat clients, Palo Santo Designs is a LEED-, Energy Star-, and USGBC-accredited firm and is affiliated with the Santa Fe Area Home Builders.

The firm’s success can largely be attributed to its principals—Mark Giorgetti, Brandon Snoy, and Leslie Gallatin-Giorgetti—whose decades of hands-on experience manifested in excellent remodeling projects and designs. Mark currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Santa Fe Area HBA, while Brandon has served as the Immediate Past Chairman of the Remodelers Council of the Santa Fe Area HBA. Leslie manages the firm’s business development and marketing and works with clients to resolve any real estate-related issues they may face.

Palo Santo Designs LLC serves Santa Fe, Cañada de los Alamos, La Cienega, and the surrounding areas.

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