--- title: "Custom Home Builders in San Jose | New Construction | QA Builders" description: "Custom home builders in San Jose: architects, engineers, permits and every trade coordinated by one licensed general building contractor (CSLB #1073096)." url: "https://qabuilders.com/new-construction/" updated: "2026-10-12" --- Build your dream home # Custom Home Builders in San Jose As custom home builders in San Jose, QA Builders builds new homes from lot to move-in, coordinating architects, structural engineers, permits and every trade as one licensed California general building contractor (CSLB #1073096). Call [(669) 213-8077](tel:+16692138077) to talk through your lot and your plans. We collaborate with top architects and engineers to ensure your custom home is not only beautiful but structurally sound, energy-efficient, and built to last for generations. ## From lot to move-in: how a custom home is built 1. **Vision & Planning.** We start with your vision: lifestyle needs, aesthetic preferences, budget, and timeline goals. At this stage we also check what the lot allows, because zoning sets the size and shape of the house before the architect draws a line. 2. **Architecture & Engineering.** Collaborative design with architects and structural engineers to create detailed construction documents, including the state Title 24 energy calculations. 3. **Permitting & Approvals.** We manage all permits, plan checks, and regulatory approvals required to break ground: planning review first when the house needs a Single-Family House Permit, then building plan review. 4. **Site Work & Foundation.** Professional site preparation, utility connections, and engineered foundation work, with a grading permit or exemption from Public Works when the site needs grading. 5. **Construction & Milestones.** Framing, MEP, insulation, drywall, and finishing with regular updates and milestone inspections. Rigorous quality checks at every construction milestone, exceeding minimum code requirements. 6. **Final Walk-Through & Move-In.** Comprehensive inspection, punch list completion, and certificate of occupancy. Welcome home! ## Building on your lot or replacing a teardown ### An empty lot A vacant lot puts the questions underground first: where water, sewer, gas and electric service connect, what the soil will carry, and whether the lot sits in a flood, geologic hazard or Wildland-Urban Interface zone. Any of these can add a report, a clearance or a design requirement, so we look them up on the City's permit system before design starts. ### A teardown and rebuild Replacing an older house keeps the address, the utilities and often the neighborhood you chose. Demolition needs its own permit. On a separate demolition permit, the City's wording is: "A Special Use Permit is only required if you do not have an approved Single-Family House Permit or you have not obtained a building permit for a replacement house." Lining up the new house's approvals before the old one comes down avoids that extra permit. Check the house's status first. If it is on the City's Historic Resources Inventory, the new house needs a Single-Family House Permit, and a City Landmark needs a Historic Preservation Permit instead. In the Fairglen Additions Eichler historic district, the City's Eichler objective design standards also apply to projects that need historic review. ### Adding an ADU You can build a new house and an ADU at the same time. The new house must pass its final inspection before the ADU's final inspection can take place, and the City sets rules on the distance between them. Our [ADU builders](https://qabuilders.com/adu-builders/) page covers the ADU rules. ## What San Jose allows on a new house A new house on a single-family lot follows the same zoning setbacks, height limits and Single-Family House Permit triggers as an addition: the 30-foot and two-story line, the 0.45 floor area ratio, creek corridors and the Historic Resources Inventory. Our [home additions](https://qabuilders.com/home-additions/) page sets them out with the City's numbers. Three points apply to new houses in particular: - **Impervious surface:** a Single-Family House Permit is also required when the project creates, replaces, alters or reconfigures 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, such as roofs and paved driveways. - **Plans by a licensed professional:** the City's guidance lists new buildings among the plans a registered architect or engineer must prepare. - **Plan review time:** the City's published first round of plan review for a new single-family residence is about 20 working days, and about 10 for each later round, through its Standard Plan Review Service. Once issued, a building permit expires 12 months after issue or 180 days after the last approved inspection, so construction has to keep inspections moving. Sources: City of San Jose [Single-Family House Permit](https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/planning-building-code-enforcement/planning-division/start-a-new-project-or-use/applications-and-appointments/single-family-house-permit) and [Plan Review Time Frames](https://www.sanjoseca.gov/businesses/development-services-permit-center/building-permit-services/standard-plan-review-service/plan-review-time-frames), read October 2026. ## Timeline of a custom home Most custom homes take 10-18 months from groundbreaking to completion, depending on size, complexity, and weather. Design and permitting add 3-6 months before construction begins. A public hearing, a geologic clearance or long plan-check comments extend the front end; ask for long-lead items such as windows and custom cabinetry to be ordered early, so they do not hold up the end of the job. ## What drives the cost to build a house in San Jose Custom home construction in the Bay Area typically costs $300-$600+ per square foot, depending on specifications, materials, and site conditions. Where a house falls in that range depends on these factors, which differ from lot to lot, so we price each home from its plans and its site: - **The site:** demolition of an existing house, grading, soil conditions and the foundation they call for, trees, and the distance to utility connections. - **Size and shape:** floor area, number of stories, and how complex the footprint and roof are. - **Structure:** engineered foundations and the lateral (earthquake and wind) design of the frame. - **Systems:** all-electric or gas, heating and cooling, and smart home wiring. - **Finishes:** windows, cabinetry, counters, flooring, tile and fixtures. - **Design and approvals:** architecture, engineering, reports, permit fees, and a public hearing if the project needs one. Contact us today for a free consultation and detailed estimate for your new construction project; we price from your plans, or help you get plans that fit your budget. ## New construction we have built Our custom home in San Jose is a complete new build: open it on this page for the full photo tour and the video. QA Builders brings 15+ years of construction expertise and a proven track record of delivering beautiful homes on time and on budget. We act as your single point of contact, coordinating architects, engineers, and every trade. New homes come with comprehensive warranties covering structure, systems, and finishes. Smart Home Integration is available from the start: pre-wired for smart home systems including lighting, security, climate control, and entertainment. Not ready to build from scratch? A [whole-house remodel](https://qabuilders.com/full-home-remodeling/) or a [home addition](https://qabuilders.com/home-additions/) may get you most of the way on the house you have, and our guide on [remodeling versus buying](https://qabuilders.com/home-remodeling-vs-buying-a-new-home-experts-advice/) helps you compare. ## Custom home questions ### Do you work with my architect, or do you have one? Yes! We collaborate with top architects in the Bay Area. If you already have an architect, we're happy to work with them. If not, we can recommend trusted partners. ### What does your new construction service include? Site preparation, foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and interior and exterior finishing. We handle all trades, permits, inspections, and project management so you have one team accountable. ### Do you build outside San Jose? Yes. We build in the Santa Clara County, San Mateo County and southern Alameda County cities we serve, from Cupertino and Los Gatos to Redwood City and Fremont; each city has its own zoning and permit office, so the limits on this page are San Jose's. ## Talk to us about your new home Call [(669) 213-8077](tel:+16692138077) or use our [contact page](https://qabuilders.com/contact/) to arrange a free consultation.