Custom Home Builders in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Small lots, narrow streets and careful design review. We built the stone cottage pictured here, and we plan every Carmel job around the city’s rules and the neighbors.

Start your project Call 805.712.8993

LicensedCA License #986950
Your teamMichael & Chris Harrod
Built hereQuaint Cottage, 11-month build
OfficePaso Robles, about two hours away

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Detail these lots reward

Harrod Built is a family custom home builder led by brothers Michael and Chris Harrod. Our stone cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea shows the kind of detail these lots reward: about 2,500 square feet of natural stone, handcrafted wood, shutters and an arched wood entry behind a stone garden wall, built in 11 months.

Many of our clients come with an architect already on board. We build the design as drawn and help keep it on budget along the way.

What we build here

New custom homes
Guest houses as part of a larger project
Larger remodels and additions
Outdoor living with Paso Robles Landscaping

Building here

Building in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Design review

New homes and major remodels go through the city’s design review, with close attention to size, materials, and how a house sits among its neighbors and its trees.

Trees and floor area

Trees are protected, and work near them is reviewed carefully. Floor-area limits are tight, so the design has to make every square foot count.

Staging and hours

Construction hours are limited, and there’s rarely room on site for staging, so deliveries, parking and dumpsters take real planning. We order long-lead items early for the same reason.

Coastal Zone

Carmel sits in the Coastal Zone, which brings coastal permit rules into play alongside the city’s own review.

How the job runs

The same way we run every Harrod Built project: a licensed family team and one point of contact from start to finish.

See our full process

01
One licensed family team
Harrod Built is run by brothers Michael and Chris Harrod (CSLB #986950). Michael is the licensed general contractor and stays involved from the first design conversation to the final walkthrough.
02
One point of contact
Chris runs the job day to day: the schedule, the subcontractors and the details. You always know who to call.
03
Permits and pre-construction
Our team handles the permit process, site prep and pre-construction logistics, and keeps you informed before ground is broken.
04
Updates, finishes, walkthrough
Regular updates through every phase, help with finish selections, and a final walkthrough before handover, backed by our warranty.

FAQ

Common questions

Something else on your mind? Call Michael at 805.712.8993.

Are there special rules for building in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Yes. New homes and major remodels go through the city’s design review, floor-area limits are enforced, trees are protected, and construction is only allowed during approved hours. Carmel is also in the Coastal Zone.

Have you built in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Yes. We built the stone cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and we’re currently building a custom home in the Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel.

How long does it take?

Design review and permits come first, then construction. From design to move-in, a new home in Carmel can take two years or more. We give you a realistic schedule once we’ve seen the lot.

Can you look at a lot before we buy it?

Yes, and it’s free. We’ll walk the property with you and talk through access, slope, water, septic and the likely permit path while you can still walk away.

Do you take on remodels here?

In Monterey County we focus on new custom homes and larger projects. Smaller remodels we keep closer to home in San Luis Obispo County.

Where we build