The design-build approach provides a wide array of benefits for both clients and contractors. Design-build services keep the entire construction or remodeling process in-house, allowing the firm to handle every facet of a project, from design conception all the way through construction and completion. This eliminates the challenge of having to look for subcontractors and the extra task of coordinating with several bodies on the client’s end. Furthermore, design-build firms often offer the benefit of having their own showrooms and numerous experienced architects and designers on their teams.
This list showcases fifteen of the best design-build firms in Long Beach. These firms were chosen based on merit, experience, and previous projects. Most of these firms have had their work featured in prestigious publications, in addition to having worked with celebrities in Long Beach’s most beautiful neighborhoods.
Creative Innovation Developers, Inc.
812 W. Burbank Blvd. Suite #1032, Burbank, CA 91506
With over a decade of experience, Creative Innovation Developers specializes in new construction and remodeling projects and has worked on several million-dollar, large-scale projects. From luxurious ground-up construction work and kitchen and bathroom remodels to whole house renovations, the firm’s process involves completing the design stage thoroughly. This includes planning and balancing all financial aspects of the project, before beginning on-site construction. Led by Ben Edri, the firm has received five-star reviews from multiple clients across various platforms, and has an excellent portfolio filled with contemporary styles and designs. It works with only the area’s best engineers and architects and incorporates several sustainability efforts into its projects, making it equipped to handle any specific environment-friendly requests a client may have.
The following project showcases one of the firm’s more contemporary works. For this home, its team made use of a neutral color palette and opted for a recurring theme of straight lines to emphasize its modernity. Furthermore, several floor-to-ceiling windows were utilized to enhance this theme.
October 5
932 Palo Verde Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815
October 5 extends its services throughout Southern California and specializes in new home construction projects, entire home remodels, and kitchen remodeling work. Founded in 1986, it has secured a solid reputation for itself through its excellent craftsmanship and unique processes. It offers its clients two kinds of contracts for each of its construction projects: Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and a Time and Materials (T&M) arrangement. With GMP, the firm, manned by a team comprised of experienced design-builders, takes on the risk of meeting actual project costs and deadlines. Through this, there are typically little to no changes because every facet of a project has been reviewed and discussed with clients early in the design phase. Its T&M contracts come in whenever two projects come within a short time frame of each other, or when a project’s scope and issues are not well defined. With this approach, the firm provides a two-week on-site walkthrough to allow subcontractors to better understand a project’s needs and to collect competitive bids for each trade.
The chosen project shows one of the firm’s personal favorites. For this home, its team made use of an open floor plan coupled with several large glass windows, giving the home a rich amount of ambient light. Its openness blends perfectly with the land’s natural environment, allowing for a seamless connection with its indoor and outdoor spaces.
Chelsea Design + Construction
4529 Angeles Crest Hwy. Suite #103, La Canada, CA 91011
Having been in the industry for nearly two decades, Chelsea Design + Construction specializes in Tuscan, Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and craftsman designs. It has built a reputation for itself for its custom residences, large-scale home remodels, and historic renovations in some of the best areas in Pasadena and the Pacific Palisades. The firm’s fine work has been published in Better Homes and Gardens, Arroyo, and Beautiful Kitchens and is often distinguished for its team’s woodwork, stucco details, and elegant trimmings. Its portfolio displays an extensive gallery of several ground-up construction projects and home additions, all of which were crafted with the aid of the firm’s systematic and collaborative approach. Its process emphasizes the importance of staying on budget and delivering projects on time, along with maintaining open lines of communications with each of its clients.
Depicted below is one of the firm’s most notable works. The firm was tasked with an expansive renovation, which involved adding a basement with a media room, and remodeling a master suite, several kitchens, and outdoor living spaces. With an understanding of materials and the construction methods of older homes, the firm was able to craft spaces that perfectly complemented this home’s 1921 Spanish architecture.
Saxony Design Build
120 S. Ave. 64, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Known for its sophisticated and elegant designs, Saxony offers a full range of design and construction services and works as a central coordinator for each of its clients, managing every phase of a project from start to finish. Its skilled design team strives to incorporate its clients’ lifestyles into each of its homes and works in collaboration with some of the area’s most talented professionals. In addition to its residential work, the firm also takes on hospitality projects and has worked on a number of hotels. Its work has been featured in the pages of California Homes, Tuscan Style, and Beautiful Kitchens and Baths. Several of its homes have also been featured on lifestyle television shows like NBC’s Orange County House Design and HGTV’s Pasadena Show House Projects.
The featured project showcases one of the firm’s elegant Italian Villas. Here, the firm’s team opted for curved archways, stucco exteriors, and French country inspired shutters for its windows. The inviting outdoor living space is reminiscent of a classic Italian summer home.
Ultra-Unit Architectural Studio
1327 Loma Ave., Long Beach, CA 90804
Ultra-Unit Architectural Studio is an award-winning boutique design-build firm that specializes in ground-up construction work and extensive residential remodels. It also takes on several commercial and multifamily projects. Headquartered in Long Beach, the firm only accepts a limited number of projects to maintain the quality of its work and to ensure that each project receives the amount of attention it needs. Furthermore, the firm uses only the latest technology and works with state-of-the-art digital construction practices, thus providing its clients with accurate construction costs and drawings. The firm is led by Cameron Crockett, a LEED-certified professional and member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), who has nearly three decades of experience in working with single-family and multifamily residential projects, in addition to restaurant and other retail properties.
The firm is known for its creative solutions and spectacular projects, all of which were crafted on time and within budget. Ultra-Unit is the proud recipient of three awards from the AIA, and has had its work featured in Long Beach Magazine, Global Architecture Magazine, and Brave New Houses.
Morey Remodeling Group
2501 E. 28th St. Suite #120, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Morey Remodeling Group is an award-winning firm that has been in the industry for over 37 years. It is skilled in the design-build approach and displays expertise in a wide variety of designs. Throughout its years in service, it has worked on several chic and elegant European-inspired interiors, in addition to numerous modern, transitional, and eclectic-themed spaces. It is the proud recipient of a Home for Life Award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a Master Design Award from Qualified Remodeler. The firm was also hailed by Remodeling Magazine as one of its annual top 50 builders and remodelers. The firm offers a vast range of designs and is known for its close attention to detail, custom finishes, trimmings, and cabinetry.
Morey Remodeling Group has its very own studio in which clients may work closely with the firm’s design team — from brainstorming and material selection all the way to permit acquisition and plan revisions. The firm has an excellent client satisfaction rate and displays an impressive 95% repeat client rate.
Custom Design & Construction
2001 E. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo, CA 90245
Founded in 1986 by Bill Simone, Custom Design and Construction is comprised of experts in the fields of engineering, architecture, and interior design. With designs ranging from Mediterranean to Tuscan, the firm has won several Chrysalis Awards, including Remodeler of the Year, has been featured multiple times on Qualified Remodeler’s Top 500 list, and has had the honor of being a three-time recipient of the California Remodeler of the Year Award. It is also the recipient of the Master Design Award, the Best Design-Build Project distinction, and the recipient of the Industry Icon Award from the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Southern California. Founder and president Bill Simone has also served as president of the NAHB Los Angeles Remodelers Council and Vice President of BIA Southern California. His work has been featured in several prestigious publications, including TIME and the Los Angeles Times.
The following project best embodies the firm’s work. Here, its team was tasked with the construction of this Spanish colonial-inspired home. It features classic terracotta roof tiles and stucco exteriors. It also displays matching curved windows and archways and several hints of earthy tones, giving the home an inviting appeal.
SeaPointe Construction
576 Wald, Irvine, CA 92618
Extending its services throughout Southern California, Seapointe Construction has been in the industry since 1986 and is known for its custom home building and entire house remodeling work. Utilizing the best technology available, its skilled team guides each of the firm’s clients through every project from start to finish. Through its efficient design-build approach, the team embraces a full integration of architecture and engineering, which results in high-quality outcomes. SeaPointe’s designs often consist of unique twists on classic themes, with some of their remodeling projects featuring classic white cabinetry complimented with bright blue splashes. Its portfolio provides insight into a gallery of beautiful farmhouse, transitional, and contemporary-inspired homes. Its outstanding work has caught the media’s attention, as Sea Pointe Construction was selected to appear in ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The firm has also been recognized by Qualified Remodeler Magazine and Remodeling Magazine.
The depicted project displays the firm’s extensive remodeling work on this 1979 Spanish-style home. It features warm tones and several linear finishes to accommodate its modern design. Inside, its main living spaces showcase large format limestone tile flooring, along with panoramic views of the ocean, a series of Pella multi-slide door systems, and several other unique rooms created specifically for this client.
Masterworks Construction Services
1376-B Coronado Ave., Long Beach, CA 90804
With nearly three decades of experience, Masterworks Construction is led by Bill Leisy, a Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist, and a Certified Green Professional who brings over 30 years of design and construction experience to the table. He maintains a hands-on approach and makes sure to be the first point of contact for each project the firm takes on. Together with his team, Leisy provides comprehensive general contracting services, which include architectural design, construction, and landscape design. Since its inception, the firm has worked on over 200 remodels and has been honored with a Guildmaster Award for its excellent service, in addition to receiving several distinctions from organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Its work has also been on the pages of publications such as Long Beach/South Bay Home Improvement Magazine.
With a specialization in new home construction projects, home additions, historical restorations, and kitchen and bathroom work, Masterworks also constructs a wide variety of home styles. Its portfolio displays several coastal and Spanish colonial-inspired homes. Additionally, it has worked on numerous bungalows, craftsman, and contemporary-themed spaces.
C&C Partners Design Build
508 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
C&C Partners was established in 1987 by brothers Patrick and Michael Cunningham and has since grown into one of Southern California’s premier design-build firms. With a specialization in ground-up construction work and entire home remodels, it prides itself on having several celebrities on its clientele list, and numerous awards received throughout its years in service. It maintains affiliations with several industry organizations, including the NAHB and its prestigious Builder20 Club, the AIA, and its local BIA. In terms of design, the firm’s portfolio showcases an extensive gallery of Spanish revivals, modern, French, and Mediterranean-inspired homes. Through its highly efficient management systems, it is able to produce high-quality work that is unique and perfectly tailored to each of its clients.
The chosen project best displays and embodies the firm’s style and expertise. This home showcases the firm’s expertise in Spanish revivals and Mediterranean architecture. It made use of several stucco exteriors to supplement the chosen earthy and neutral color palette and several metallic elements.
Zieba Builders, Inc.
400 E. 3rd St., Long Beach, CA 90802
Established in 1988, Zieba Builders is a design-build general contractor that extends its services throughout Southern California. It works on new home construction projects and entire house remodels and is known for its master suite additions, bathroom remodels, and kitchen remodels. It is led by its founder and namesake Joe Zieba, a civil engineer who first worked in the government prior to his founding of the firm. He has a background in both construction and architecture and still maintains a hands-on approach by working with the firm’s carpentry team. Under his leadership, the company has been honored with several GuildMaster and NKBA awards, along with a Chrysalis Award for its interiors. It was also recognized with an Industry Icon Award from the BIA of Southern California’s Remodelers Council. In addition to all of these, the firm was also once featured on Professional Remodeler, which named the firm as among the “Best of the Best.” The firm’s design-build process highly emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication. A project manager is assigned to each of its on-going projects, tasked with answering every question or concern a client may have throughout the entire process.
Additionally, its team utilizes only the latest technology, with its designers offering 3D-renderings early on in the process. The chosen project best displays the firm’s craftsmanship and handiwork. For this mid-century modern home, the firm used stucco exteriors and incorporated several wooden elements to give the project a rustic effect. It also opted for unique placement of its fixtures and inside, a black-and-white palette.
SweisKloss
1424 4th St., Suite #501, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Headquartered in Santa Monica, Sweiskloss is a full-service boutique firm that offers a holistic approach that seamlessly marries the concept of functionality and style into each home it crafts. It extends its services throughout the Westside and several other prominent communities in the Los Angeles Area. Further, it is an expert in design and construction and has had its work featured by several noteworthy publications and media outlets such as the LA Times, USA Today, and NBC. It was founded and led by Abeer Sweis, an experienced architect who established a design firm of her own in 1998 before partnering with her husband Jeff in 2006 to establish her company’s construction department, fulfilling her dream of starting a design-build firm. Under her leadership, the firm has developed a signature theme of harmonious environments that effortlessly blend indoor and outdoor. Its team infuses several sustainability efforts into all of its work with the aid of the latest technology.
Originally built in 1960, the featured project showcases some of the firm’s best work. It is a 2,200 square foot home with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, on which the firm was tasked with a large-scale renovation in 2014. Located on a severe hillside slope, some of the firm’s best elements include several blended outdoor/indoor spaces, an open floor plan, and numerous modern elements that fit perfectly with its original ‘60s style. This home was featured in Dwell, the LA Times, and US Today.
Treeium
5352 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Suite #200, Valley Village, CA 91607
Hailed by several publications as one of the country’s fastest-growing companies, Treeium is a multi-award-winning remodeling and new home construction firm best known for its green building and sustainability efforts. For the past six years, it has been recognized by Qualified Remodeler as among its Top 500 firms from across the nation. Additionally, it has also been distinguished as a part of Remodeling Magazine’s annual Top 550 and has had its work featured in Forbes. Its services and specializations include ground-up construction work, kitchens and bathrooms, sunrooms, interior, and exterior remodels, flooring, and roofing. Treeium’s sustainability and green building services standout because of the range of its skill and expertise. From solar panels and double-glazed windows to unique HVAC systems and state-of-the-art insulation, the firm provides extensive options that can cater to any sustainability requests.
The featured project depicts one of the firm’s Spanish colonial estates. For this project, it made use of classic Mediterranean-inspired stucco exteriors coupled with arched doorways and stone-lined windows. It also opted for terracotta roofs and several elegant wood and metal railings for the home’s balconies.
Addition Building & Design, Inc.
4335 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite #354, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Addition Building & Design, Inc. primarily emphasizes three elements during each project it handles: comfort, functionality, and low energy usage. They provide their clients with structural rendering, interior design, new construction, and entire house remodeling services and is noted for its expertise in working with hillside lots. ABD provides free installations of water purification systems into kitchens, electric car chargers in garages, and solar panel lines to roofs, all with the goal of lowering energy usage for each ground-up construction and remodeling project it takes on.
The company is led by Mike Ross, an experienced residential contractor with over three decades of experience. Under his watchful eye, the firm has gained expertise for high-end residential projects and has found its way into Qualified Remodeling Magazine’s prestigious Top 500 list of leading firms in the country for six consecutive years. They have also been featured in Better Homes & Gardens and has established a stellar reputation for its luxury homes, seamless outdoor/indoor spaces, and state-of-the-art kitchens.
Affiliated with several prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers, the AIA, and the NAHB, the firm has had the privilege of being on the cover of Architect Builder Magazine and of having worked with several celebrity clients. Most recently, Mike had the honor to work in collaboration with actress Mila Kunis on a surprise condominium remodel for her parents.
