Quaint Cottage · Carmel-by-the-Sea
Monterey County · Carmel · Carmel Valley
Custom Home Builder for Carmel, Carmel Valley & the Monterey Peninsula
A family custom home builder led by brothers Michael and Chris Harrod. We build custom homes in Monterey County, from a stone cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea to a custom home we’re building now in the Santa Lucia Preserve.
- LicensedCA License #986950
- Your teamMichael & Chris Harrod
- Now buildingSanta Lucia Preserve, Carmel
- OfficePaso Robles, about two hours from Carmel
Monterey County
An architect on board? Good.
Many of our clients come to us with an architect already on board, and we like it that way: we build the design as drawn and help keep it on budget along the way.
In Monterey County we focus on new custom homes and larger projects. Smaller remodels we keep closer to home in San Luis Obispo County. California Contractor License #986950.
Free lot walk
Call Michael
Tell us where the property is, where you are in design and who your architect is, and we’ll set up a time to walk the site.
805.712.8993
Now buildingNow building · Santa Lucia Preserve · Carmel
A custom home in the Preserve
A new custom home, now under construction. We’re working within the Preserve’s design review alongside Monterey County permitting.
These are progress photos from the build. We’ll add more as construction continues.
Call 805.712.8993
Building here
Local building notes
What shapes a build in each part of the county, and what we plan for from the first site walk.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Small lots, narrow streets and one of the most carefully protected streetscapes in California. 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 are protected, floor-area limits are tight, construction hours are limited, and there’s rarely room on site for staging, so deliveries, parking and dumpsters take real planning. Carmel also sits in the Coastal Zone.
Custom homes in Carmel-by-the-SeaCarmel Valley and the Santa Lucia Preserve
Larger parcels, more sun, different challenges. Many properties rely on wells and septic systems, which Monterey County’s Environmental Health Bureau signs off on. Hillside lots bring grading, drainage and retaining walls, and long private roads affect how materials and crews reach the site.
Much of the valley is in mapped fire hazard severity zones, which means ember-resistant construction under Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and defensible space. Development is guided by the Carmel Valley Master Plan, with permits through Monterey County Housing and Community Development.
Custom homes in Carmel ValleyPebble Beach and the Del Monte Forest
A new home here typically goes through local design review, Monterey County permits, and coastal permitting under the county’s Del Monte Forest Land Use Plan. Removing Monterey pines and cypress is closely regulated.
Across much of the Peninsula, water is a real constraint, so confirm your water situation before design gets far along.
Building in Pebble BeachMonterey and Pacific Grove
Monterey and Pacific Grove each run their own planning and design review, and Pacific Grove adds historic review for many older homes.
Paso Robles is about two hours from Carmel, and we plan for that: every Monterey County job is run by one of our project managers, or by Chris or Michael himself.
Building in Pacific GroveWorking with your architect
Built as drawn
Our job is to build your architect’s design faithfully and to make the design phase easier. While drawings develop, we check them against the budget in stages so there’s no surprise at the end, point out details that will be difficult or expensive to build, and suggest alternatives only when they save real money without changing what the architect intended.
We line up long-lead items such as windows, doors and specialty finishes early, which matters when every delivery has to be scheduled around a narrow street or a gated road.
When you hire Harrod Built, you work with a family company, not a sales team. Michael stays close to you and your architect from the first site walk to the final walkthrough, and your job is led by a Harrod Built project manager, Chris or Michael. You’ll know who to call, and you’ll get a straight answer.
Process
How we run a Monterey County project
Many Peninsula clients split their time between homes, so we keep communication clear and regular whether you’re on site or several time zones away.
- 01
Pre-design and site review
Access, slope, trees, utilities, water and the likely permit path.
- 02
Concept budget
An honest early range before design gets expensive.
- 03
Design collaboration
Budget and constructability input as plans develop.
- 04
Engineering and structural refinement
- 05
Final budget and schedule
Before you commit to construction.
- 06
Construction
Led by a Harrod Built project manager, Chris or Michael.
- 07
Weekly updates
You get an update every week, or more often if you ask, and we usually talk at least daily.
- 08
Walkthrough and warranty
A quality walkthrough at completion, backed by our warranty.
Where we build
Where we build in Monterey County
New custom homes and larger projects across the Peninsula and the valley.
Have you built in Monterey County?
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.
Do you build in the Santa Lucia Preserve?
Yes. We’re building a custom home there now, working within the Preserve’s design review alongside Monterey County permitting.
When should we bring in a builder?
As early as you can, ideally before design is finished, or even before you buy. A site walk with the builder surfaces access, tree, water, septic and permit questions while there’s still time to plan around them.
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.
How do you set a budget for a custom home in Carmel or Monterey?
It depends on scope, site conditions and finishes. Slope, access, trees, water, septic and fire-zone rules can move the number as much as finishes do, so we give you a concept budget after seeing the property and early design, then refine it as plans develop.
Can you help with water, septic or fire-zone requirements?
We plan and build for them every day, and we coordinate with your architect, engineers and the county so they’re addressed in the design and the budget from the start. Water availability on the Peninsula is something to confirm early with your water provider and land-use advisors.
Do you take on remodels in Carmel and Monterey?
In Monterey County we focus on new custom homes and larger projects. Smaller remodels we keep closer to home in San Luis Obispo County.
Start your project
Let’s talk about your Monterey County project
Tell us where the property is, where you are in design, and who your architect is. Michael will set up a time to walk the site.
805.712.8993michael@harrodbuilt.com
1345 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles, CA 93446
CA License #986950
