Building Bay Area Homes Since 2005
Two decades of custom construction. From high school friends to one of the Bay Area's top-rated builders.
Two Friends. One Standard.
Dan Dang and Derek Vu have been friends since high school. In 2005, they founded Custom Home Design and Build with a simple idea: show homeowners exactly what they're getting before construction starts.
That commitment to transparency turned into the design-first process that defines every Custom Home project today. Two decades later, the principle hasn't changed. Every client sees their finished home in full 3D detail, with every cost itemized, before a single nail is driven.
Purpose-Built for Transparency
Custom Home Design and Build operates under the CLAH Ecosystem, a comprehensive platform in San Jose covering custom home building, interior design, custom furniture, and a startup networking hub. This structure allows Custom Home to focus entirely on what it does best: designing and building custom homes with complete cost transparency.
From sourcing materials globally to managing every detail of the construction process, the team is built around a single goal. Make sure every homeowner knows exactly what they're getting, and exactly what they're paying, before the project starts.
Top 1% of California Contractors
Custom Home holds a BuildZoom score of 154, placing us in the 99th percentile among 336,931 California contractors. BuildZoom independently evaluates contractors based on licensing records, insurance verification, complaint history, and permitted project volume.
With 162+ permitted projects completed since 2005, CSLB License #986048, $2M in general liability coverage, and $3M in workers' compensation coverage, Custom Home meets the highest standards for residential construction in California.
Where Clients Become Neighbors
NCM Cafe is a specialty coffee shop and coworking space at our home base: 2092 Concourse Drive in San Jose. It's where clients can meet the Custom Home team, browse material samples, and talk through their project in a relaxed setting.
It's where projects start: over coffee, with real materials in hand. No high-pressure sales offices. No sterile conference rooms. Just a comfortable space where great homes begin with honest conversations.
Meet the Team
Dan Dang
Co-Founder & CEO
Dan leads the design vision and client experience at Custom Home. His obsession with transparency is why every project starts with a fully priced 3D model before construction begins.
Derek Vu
Co-Founder & Head of Construction
Derek oversees every build from foundation to final walkthrough. With 20+ years in the field, he ensures the finished home matches what the client approved down to the last detail.
Where It All Started
Before NCM Cafe, this was our headquarters on Concourse Drive. Conference rooms, a team lounge, and the reception area where Custom Home grew from a two-person startup into a Top 1% California Contractor. The space has evolved, but the standards haven't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Custom Home Design and Build?
Custom Home was founded in 2005 by Dan Dang and Derek Vu, who have been friends since high school. Dan leads the design vision and client experience, while Derek oversees construction from foundation to final walkthrough.
How long has Custom Home been in business?
Custom Home has been designing and building homes in the Bay Area since 2005. That is over 21 years of custom construction experience.
Where is Custom Home located?
Custom Home is based at 2092 Concourse Drive, Suite 9, San Jose, CA 95131. Clients can visit the NCM Cafe showroom at our location to browse material samples and meet the team in person.
What areas does Custom Home serve?
Custom Home serves 48 cities and neighborhoods across the Bay Area, including San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Cupertino, and the greater South Bay and Peninsula.
Is Custom Home licensed and insured?
Yes. Custom Home Investment Inc. holds California CSLB License #986048 and carries $2M in general liability and $3M in workers' compensation insurance. BuildZoom independently ranks Custom Home in the top 1% of California contractors with a score of 154 out of 336,931 evaluated contractors.
Last updated: February 2026