The Best General Contractors in Seattle

Last updated on November 13th, 2024 at 07:53 am

Seattle, the home of the tech boom, is where the remodeling industry is well-versed in high-tech conveniences that make a great home design even better. From devices that remotely control your lighting, your thermostat, cameras, and even your crockpot, Seattle’s landscape of residential design and remodeling is innovative, smart, and savvy.

This article lists the 15 best general contractors in Seattle. These contractors stood out to our editorial team because they have won awards from respected associations and their stunning works have been featured by design magazines. We’ve featured some of their best projects to give you an idea of what these contractors are capable of. 

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Chermak Construction

655 Edmonds Way, Edmonds, WA 98020

Located in Edmonds, Chermak Construction provides home remodeling services. The firm has been serving North King and South Snohomish Counties since 1980. Chermak is known for being an active presence in the community, and the seasoned firm has partnered with many organizations that develop public projects in Edmonds. 

In its 40 years of service, the firm has received local and national recognition for its stunning remodeling and new construction projects. This includes a 2017 National Chrysalis Award for Bath Remodel and a 2015 Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) Excellence Award for Entire House Remodel. The BIAW award-winning home was built in the 1930s and remodeled with a southern coastal beach home design. An open layout was employed to showcase the home’s breathtaking location. Its simple brick exterior features covered porches at the front and back. The backyard sports a masonry barbecue station and a large red-brick patio with a gorgeous view of the ocean.

Dyna Contracting

1537 NW Ballard Way, Seattle, WA 98107

Award-winning Dyna Contracting was founded in 1999 by Ren Chandler. The firm is a member of several building organizations that promote environment-friendly building practices. It is a certified Passive House Builder and a Seattle Area Built Green Member. Both certifications are granted to firms that construct energy-efficient homes built with sustainable materials.

Besides its sustainable practices, the firm customizes many of its projects’ furnishings. The firm has its own custom fabrication shop, Dyna Metal. It designs and engineers railings, stairs, fireplaces, furniture, and other one-of-a-kind pieces that give individuality to each project. 

From the outside, this Broadmoor remodel has a classic Tudor Revival look. But its interior has a modern Victorian design with a cream finish and gold leaf accents. A brick fireplace serves as the focal point of the luxurious living room. The fireplace is a rustic contrast to the Victorian living room and it gives a modern edge to the sophisticated space. Though Dyna does the majority of its work with outside architects and designers, they do have an interior design and architecture department.  

Gaspar’s Construction

300 S. Lucile, Seattle, WA 98108

In business since 1973, Gaspar’s Construction is one of the longest-running construction companies in Seattle. The firm continues to expand and today it has a large team comprised of design professionals and handymen. Second-generation owner Sarah Henry is proactive in daily operations because she believes that healthy communication will drive productivity. Her open communication belief also extends to her clients. In 2005, she decided to focus on smaller projects which led to Gaspar’s handyman division. Clients appreciate having their home maintenance provided by the same team that remodeled their house.

Its extensive services are not the only things that make Gaspar’s one of the best firms in Seattle. The firm has been winning awards since 1998 and some of its latest accolades include three 2019 Remodelling Excellence (REX) awards. A memorable award-winning project is this historic Farmhouse renovation which placed second at the REX Awards for Additions $250K-$500K. The historically registered home was built in the late 1800s: giving it a contemporary look while preserving its vintage feel was a welcome challenge. The result was a classic Farmhouse home approved by the historic review board. The homeowners’ favorite part of the home is the modern kitchen. The firm constructed a large kitchen built to accommodate multiple people and provide ample storage space for the clients’ collection of vintage cast iron cookware. 

Hammer and Hand

2450 6th Ave. S #100, Seattle, WA 98134

Hammer & Hand is a general contracting company established by Sam Hagerman in 1995. Among their many awards and accolades, the firm was a recipient of the 2014 and 2016 Green Home of the Year Award from Green Builder Magazine for “Best Energy Efficiency.” The firm received the 2016 PHIUS Passive House Projects Honorable Mention and the 2015 Housing Innovation Award from the U.S. Department of Energy.  It was also honored with the First Place Award in the Single Family category, PHIUS Passive Projects Competition; and the 2014 Beyond Green Merit Award, National Institute of Building Sciences; among many other awards and accolades.  

One of the firm’s most famous projects a passive house built for Microsoft’s first program manager, Jabe Blumenthal. The Madrona passive house, made in collaboration with Shed Architecture, was built to have efficient insulation. Its rectangular facade is made of tightly sealed insulated walls and strategically placed windows that employ thermal control. The creative façade was designed to provide a 180-degree view of Lake Washington. 

J.A.S Design Build

3600 N Wallingford Ave., Seattle, WA 98103

J.A.S. Design Build was established by husband-and-wife Joe Schneider and Kim Clements to be a group of craftsmen specializing in residential home remodels, new homes, cabinet making and recently interior design as well. Founders Schneider and Clements have 28 years of design-build experience – whereby they design what they build. The firm’s stunning works are often found in the pages of design magazines like Seattle Time’s Pacific Northwest Magazine, Seattle Magazine, and This Old House Magazine. 

J.A.S. Design Build was also featured in Seattle Time’s Pacific Northwest Magazine for its remodel of a new home purchased by twin sisters looking to downsize and live together comfortably. The company created an open floor plan with a kitchen island that served as the focal point of the kitchen, living, and dining space. This modern living concept accommodates and highlights their love of cooking and entertaining. The open space also includes exposed beams and an asymmetrical wood stove pipe that adds charm and character to a cozy design that benefits from a neutral pallet of organic materials. For more information on J.A.S. Design Build, you can check out their website here.

Joseph McKinstry Construction Company

3304 Beacon Ave., South Seattle, WA 98144

Respected builder Joseph McKinstry has been constructing and remodeling homes in the Pacific Northwest since 1977. His firm, Joseph McKinstry Construction Company (JMCC), put his name on the map. In fact, the Washington Post regularly consults with McKinstry regarding housing issues. Like its founder, JMCC’s works are often featured in design magazines such as Gray Magazine, Luxe Interiors and Design Magazine, and Seattle Magazine.

The firm’s projects are found in Seattle’s richest neighborhoods: Bellevue, Laurelhurst, and Mercer Island. JMCC’s portfolio features a variety of home styles with a modern interpretation. One of them is this Magnolia Residence. The home has a simple white wood complemented by a contemporary angled roof. The interior also has a contemporary touch that’s accentuated by rustic furnishings. Windows are also found in every corner of the home which helps open up the space.

McAdams Remodeling & Design

13003 NE 85th St., Kirkland, WA 98033

For more than 40 years, McAdams Remodeling & Design has remained one of the Eastside’s leading residential remodelers. Specializing as a design-build general contractor, McAdams Remodeling & Design prioritizes quality, superior craftsmanship and excellent customer service and strives to build long-lasting relationships with clients.

Dale Sahr serves as the president of the firm; under his leadership the firm has won a number of distinguished industry accolades. Some of these include a REX award for an Italian-style kitchen remodel and Best of Houzz for customer service, several years running.

This Redmond Whole House Remodel shows how McAdams Remodeling & Design can remodel a home for a family with a modern lifestyle. Joe and Andrea Basel wanted a trusted remodeler who could work on their home without supervision. McAdams designed a colorful, functional home that optimizes every space of the home. For more information on McAdams Remodeling & Design, you can visit their website here.

Model Remodel

1111 W Nickerson St., Seattle, WA 98119

Award-winning Model Remodel is headed by Jason Legat, a green builder who has been in the industry for 16 years. The firm employs a careful building process that minimizes wasted resources and energy consumption. Using sustainable methods, Model Remodel creates eco-friendly homes that are certified by Built Green and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). One of the firm’s LEED for home projects achieved a Platinum certification that had the second-highest points in the country. The firm also received accolades for its eco-friendly creations like a 2017 BIAW Honorable Mention for a bath and 2016 Built Green Hammer Judges Choice Award for Columbia City Backyard Cottage.

A Contemporary Whole House Remodel was completed in 2017 and received a Built Green 3-Star certification. Designed with CAST Architecture, the home took down its foundation and rebuilt it as a contemporary dwelling. The goal: increase the amount of natural light and create a separate dwelling area in the basement. Pops of color inside and out reflects the personalities of the couple that lives there. The home is a good example of the craftsmanship necessary to pull off a clean modern design.

Neil Kelly Company

5959 Corson Ave. Ste. B, Seattle, WA 98108

Neil Kelly Company is a nationally recognized firm that has been serving the Northwest United States, specifically the greater Seattle area, since 1947. Founder Neil Kelly opened the company with only $100 to his name. He vowed a commitment to quality and client satisfaction, a promise he kept for four decades. He built a nationally recognized business with a solid reputation for award-winning design, cutting edge practices, excellent craftsmanship, and community engagement.

Now, after 70 years, the company is still inspired by Neil’s vision, and they continue to carry out his dream one project at a time. The firm’s work has won an award from the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) for Universal Design in 2017, and awards in five categories of National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) 2016 Contractor Of The Year Design Competition. 

Entrepreneur Susie Gress enlisted the help of Neil Kelly to remodel one of her houseboats. She requested the help of Interior Designer Anne Bauer and this project was Bauer’s first design-build. The original foundation of the home was retained, but Bauer gave it a more open layout. The division between the kitchen and living room was removed to provide more space for the dining area and the bar. Wood elements were heavily used for remodeling and provided a rustic feel to the modern home.

Nip Tuck Remodeling

14422 Old High Bridge Rd., Monroe, WA 98272

Nip Tuck Remodeling is the product of April Bettinger’s 25 years of hard work in the construction industry. Before establishing her own firm, Bettinger worked in various sectors of construction. She was not only experienced in design but she’s also worked on finance, customer service, and sales management. Bettinger has led her firm to dozens of accolades like numerous Remodeling in Excellence awards from NKBA  and Master Builders Association and two National Chrysalis. Nip Tuck Remodeling was inducted into the  2019 Remodeling Magazine Big 50 and recognized as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Puget Sound in 2018 & 2019.

The Woodinville Classic Country Kitchen is one of the firm’s latest creations. The firm renovated the 1980s home to adapt to the homeowner’s modern lifestyle. The kitchen was expanded into the formal dining room. While the dining room was relocated to the more spacious formal living room. Herringbone tiles and quartz were used for the countertops and a family favorite cobbler block from the 1800s was used for double island design.

Pathway Design and Construction

2450 6th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98134

Seattle-based Pathway Design & Construction offers full-service remodeling that specializes in Better Living Design and Aging in Place. Led by President Paul Kocharhook the company has been providing hands-on services for 11 years. Paul is a Master Certified Green Professional with a Healthy Homes for Building Professionals Certification, who often speaks at conferences across the country. Paul also remains active with the Master Builders Association and the American Lung Association Master Home Environmentalist (MHE), where he serves as a volunteer. The firm’s personalized customer service has been recognized with multiple Awards for Service Excellence from Guild Quality. Pathway is also a recipient of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 REX Awards and the Big50 Award from Remodeling Magazine for exceptional service.

This Ravenna Craftsman-style home is an example of how Pathway closely works with clients to solve modern problems. The reallocation of existing space, reuse of the windows and floors, low maintenance materials made this project green.

Clients were also able to live onsite during the renovation due to the low-VOC and water-based finishes (and the dust control technology), keeping their health while updating, and improving, the health of their home.

Prestige Residential Construction

1200 S Angelo St. Ste. A, Seattle, WA 98108

Prestige Residential Construction is the go-to remodeler of Seattle’s finest neighborhoods. Established in 1981, the firm is known for working with creative architects that can envision sophisticated designs for discerning clients. Founder Jeff Santerre collaborates with his clients to create the best living environment for them. He inspires his team to uphold the standards that Prestige Residential Construction has set for the King and Snohomish Counties. The firm has won many distinguished accolades including a 2016 President’s Award from NKBA and a Remodel of the Year award from Best in American Living. 

This custom contemporary waterfront home in Laurelhurst was constructed with a smart balance of organic materials. These materials include colored board-formed concrete, blackened structural-architectural steel, Marley limestone, and a varied palette of white oak and walnut woods. The residence was specifically engineered to create generous spaces that open up the lake perspective and blur the distinction between inside and outside.

Rainier Custom Homes

East Side, Bellevue, Mercer Island, WA 98040 

Rainier Custom Home has been providing remodeling and home building services to the Eastside, Bellevue, Mercer Island, and South Sound Gig Harbor communities since 1994. Founder Jason Jarman is a Seattle local who came from a family of contractors. After receiving a degree in Architecture and a Masters Degree in Construction Management from the University of Washington, Jarman got his start as a carpenter and a purchasing agent. He eventually rose through the ranks of the customer service department and started assisting with the operations of a local builder, The Dwelling Company. Before establishing his own firm, Jarman handled multimillion-dollar projects and developed relationships with some of the city’s best industry professionals. 

Sophisticated projects with a familiar aesthetic can be found in the firm’s portfolio. This Redmond Renovation is a classic example of a Rainier remodel. The dark wood gives the kitchen a refined look perfect for a mature home. Rich textures of granite and wood give more character to the traditional design. Each room was given unique lighting fixtures: in the kitchen, the firm installed bronze hanging lights to highlight the marble island.

Schultz Miller 

1015 NE 113th St., Seattle, WA 98125

Since 1981, Schultz Miller has built some of the best high-end homes in Seattle. Many clients praise the firm for its dedication and craftsmanship. Despite being known as luxury home builders,  Schultz Miller provides simple maintenance repairs and full remodels. Both its remodels and new homes have graced the pages of design magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, Portrait of Seattle, and Luxe Interiors and Design.

The firm is known for constructing some of the most expensive residences in Seattle. Curbed Seattle listed the firm’s Washington Park Lakefront Estate as the third most expensive home in the city. The luxurious residence was listed at a whopping $12.8 million.

Another impressive project is the Madison Valley Remodel, a contemporary home overlooking Lake Washington and Mount Rainier. In collaboration with architect Geoff Prentiss, Schultz Miller created a home that feels like its floating above the lake. The best view of Lake Washington is found in the living room. The sitting area is surrounded by large panoramic windows and leads to a deck that provides a stunning view.

Ventana Construction

5958 SW California Ave., Seattle, WA 98136

Ventana Construction is an award-winning Seattle general contractor that has served the area for over a decade. It is the recipient of four REX awards and a design award from Professional Remodeler magazine. It was also named on Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50 list.  The Certified Graduate Remodeler and Certified Aging-in-Place specialists have been featured in the Seattle Times, the West Seattle Herald, and Seattle Homes and Lifestyles, among other publications.

Ventana Construction built a beautiful custom home on the water in West Seattle, complete with 4,100 square feet of spacious living. The home includes a beautiful mid-century modern kitchen, tall ceilings with recessed lighting, a gorgeous white tile fireplace, and an open floor plan with radiant heat and solar panels. It is a designer’s dream. For the main floor remodel, they chose a moody, dark color scheme with black and wood beam accents that give the space an elegant and timeless feel.

How can I find a general contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best general contractors in and near Seattle. 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.

Best General Contractors in Washington

The Best Kitchen Remodeling Contractors in Washington

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.