Hiring a builder or remodeler in Naples is a high-stakes decision in a market full of marketing. So here’s a list built the way we build everything: every firm below was verified as currently operating in June 2026, every credential traces to a source, self-reported claims are labeled as such, and nobody paid to be here. Fourteen firms, organized by what they’re actually best at — plus the license checks that protect you no matter who you hire.
Key takeaways
- All 14 firms verified operating as of June 2026; credentials sourced and self-reported claims labeled. No firm paid for placement.
- Verify any Florida contractor license free at MyFloridaLicense.com (DBPR); Collier County adds its own competency licensing, searchable via the county portal.
- The CBIA Sand Dollar Awards, run by the Collier Building Industry Association, are the region’s main industry honors — a useful (not sufficient) quality signal.
- Match the firm to the job: estate builders, design-build remodelers, and kitchen-bath specialists are different trades wearing the same ‘contractor’ label.
How we built this list
We verified each firm’s website, current operation, and stated history in June 2026, and cross-checked award claims against the awarding body where possible. Founding years and award counts come from the firms themselves unless otherwise sourced — standard for company facts, but worth labeling. Inclusion is editorial judgment, not a ranking, and never paid. Know a firm that belongs here, or run one? Request a listing — we verify before we add.
Before you sign anything: Florida issues Certified General Contractor (CGC), Certified Building Contractor (CBC), and Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) licenses through the DBPR. Verify any license free by name or number at MyFloridaLicense.com. Collier County additionally requires a county certificate of competency or state certification — check it via the county’s CityView portal or Contractor Licensing at (239) 252-2431 (Collier County). Ask for the license number in the first conversation; a real pro offers it before you ask.
Custom estate builders
BCB Homes
Building in Naples, Collier, and Lee counties since 1993, founded by second-generation builders, and profiled by Builder magazine at its 25-year mark. A fixture of the Naples estate tier (bcbhomes.com).
London Bay Homes
Founded in 1990 by Mark and Gemma Wilson; named America’s Best Builder by Builder magazine and claiming 475+ industry awards. Known for design-led estates and its own interiors arm (londonbay.com).
Stock Custom Homes
The custom division of Stock Development, active in Southwest Florida for roughly 25 years, led by president Matt Sellick. Strong presence in the gated golf communities (stockcustomhomes.com).
Knauf-Koenig Group
Formed in 2006 by Matt and Gisela Knauf; a licensed Florida general contractor focused on high-end residential work in Naples’ premier neighborhoods (kkgbuild.com).
Borelli Construction of Naples
A three-generation Naples builder working in Park Shore, The Moorings, Pine Ridge Estates, Grey Oaks, and Pelican Bay — both new builds and major renovations (borelliconstructionofnaples.com).
Gulfshore Homes
More than 30 years building custom homes across Southwest Florida, with a portfolio leaning Mediterranean-to-transitional estate work (gulfshorehomes.com).
Harwick Homes
35+ years of estates and serious remodels across Naples and Bonita Springs, including long-running work in Bonita Bay (harwickhomes.com).
McGarvey Custom Homes
Founded in 2001 by John McGarvey; luxury residential and commercial work across Naples and Fort Myers (mcgarveycustomhomes.com).
Diamond Custom Homes
25 years’ experience in custom builds and renovations across Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota (diamondcustomhomesfl.com).
Remodelers and design-build specialists
PBS Contractors
Founded 1986; custom homes plus a dedicated condominium renovation practice — rare and valuable in a tower market like Naples. Reports multiple CBIA Sand Dollar Awards, including three in a single year (self-reported) (pbscontractors.com).
KGT Remodeling
Launched 2005 by Greg and Theresa Ulrich, now also branding as KGT Builders; whole-home and kitchen-bath remodeling with two reported CBIA Sand Dollar Awards (self-reported) (kgtremodeling.com).
Progressive Design Build
Design-build remodeling since 1989, serving Lee and Collier counties — one firm carrying a project from drawings through construction (progressivedesignbuild.com).
Waterside Builders, Inc.
Run by Naples native Mike Assaad, building and renovating in the city’s premier neighborhoods, with a 5.0 rating on Houzz (Houzz).
Naples Kitchen and Bath
Kitchen, bath, wine room, home theater, and outdoor-living remodeling with in-house design — the specialist lane for the projects that make or break resale (napleskb.com).
How to choose between them
- Match the firm to the project. An estate builder on a hall-bath remodel is overkill that shows up in the bid; a kitchen specialist on a gut renovation is the opposite problem.
- Check the license and insurance first. DBPR state license, Collier competency, liability and workers’ comp certificates. Two minutes online, non-negotiable.
- Condo work is its own résumé. Towers mean board approvals, service elevators, and noise windows — ask specifically for high-rise references. Our condo remodeling guide explains why.
- Industry signals help. CBIA membership and Sand Dollar Awards — the Collier Building Industry Association’s annual program is the region’s largest (cbia.net) — don’t guarantee fit, but they show a firm invests in its local reputation.
- Decisions on paper beat decisions on site. Complete drawings and finish selections before demo are what keep bids honest — the through-line of our kitchen and bathroom cost guides.
- Time it around season. The best firms book months out, and many condo buildings prohibit noisy work November through April. Start conversations in spring for a fall build.
FAQ
How do I verify a contractor’s license in Florida?
Search free at MyFloridaLicense.com (Florida DBPR) by name or license number — look for CGC, CBC, or CRC prefixes. In Collier County, also confirm county competency licensing through the county portal or Contractor Licensing at (239) 252-2431.
What’s the difference between CGC, CBC, and CRC licenses?
All are state certifications: a Certified General Contractor (CGC) can build any structure, a Certified Building Contractor (CBC) handles commercial and residential buildings under certain heights, and a Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) is limited to homes. For custom homes and remodels, CGC and CRC are the common credentials.
Do I need a designer and a contractor?
For anything beyond a cosmetic refresh, usually yes — and the designer comes first. Complete drawings and selections before bidding keep contractor pricing honest. Design-build firms bundle both under one roof; the trade-off is less independent oversight.
Were these firms paid to be listed?
No. Inclusion is editorial, based on verification of operation and credentials in June 2026. Self-reported facts are labeled. Firms can request a listing or a correction through our contact page, and we verify before changing anything.
Related reading: kitchen remodel costs, the condo renovation rulebook, and how to hire an interior designer in Naples. Facts verified June 2026; sources linked inline.