New Construction · Builder Review
An honest, insider look at price, quality, and where Sims Luxury Builders works across Houston — new construction and historic renovation alike.
Sims Luxury Builders started in 1988 as Christopher Sims Custom Homes, and the firm still carries that founding family's name into a second generation, with Michael Sims now serving as president. The rebrand to "Sims Luxury Builders" came as recognition that this is truly a team effort at this point, not a solo operation, and after more than three decades the firm has built a real specialty in two of Houston's most demanding submarkets: ground-up custom estates and historic luxury renovation, including a widely cited restoration of the historic La Colombe d'Or Mansion in Montrose.
Client reviews are consistently strong across Houzz and Birdeye, with recurring language around craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a collaborative process that clients describe as properly hands-on rather than a hand-off-and-hope experience. One direct quote from a commercial developer who used them for a personal home: "It's been wonderful. It's extremely hands-on." I found no significant pattern of complaints in the available review data, which is itself notable at this price tier, where projects are large and complex enough that something usually goes sideways at some point.
Sims doesn't publish a straightforward price range, and for good reason: their project scope actually spans from roughly 3,500-square-foot garden homes to estates over 20,000 square feet, with at least one documented River Oaks project reaching 32,000 square feet. That range means a meaningful conversation about your specific project's scope and budget has to come before any number gets discussed, not after.
Given their real specialty in historic renovation alongside new builds, worth asking about directly if you're considering an older River Oaks or Tanglewood property: how they scope the unknowns that come with opening up an existing structure, foundation issues, outdated systems, structural surprises behind original walls, since that's where renovation budgets most commonly move from the initial estimate. Their standard 12-to-24-month build timeline is also worth confirming against your specific project's complexity.
Is Sims Luxury Builders a good builder in Houston?
Yes — a family-owned custom luxury builder with over three decades of experience, founded in 1988 as Christopher Sims Custom Homes and now led by second-generation president Michael Sims. They have a strong reputation for River Oaks and Tanglewood work specifically, including a widely cited historic renovation of the La Colombe d'Or Mansion in Montrose, and consistently positive client reviews on Houzz and Birdeye.
How much do Sims Luxury Builders homes cost in Houston?
There's no single published price range, since their projects span an unusually wide scope, from roughly 3,500-square-foot garden homes to 20,000-square-foot-plus estates, with at least one documented River Oaks project reaching 32,000 square feet. Budget conversations start with the lot and scope, not a published price list.
Does Sims Luxury Builders do renovations as well as new construction?
Yes — alongside full custom new builds, they take on significant luxury renovation projects, including historic home restorations in neighborhoods like River Oaks where preserving original character while modernizing systems and layout is the core challenge.
Where does Sims Luxury Builders build in Houston?
They build throughout the Memorial Villages, Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University, Bellaire, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, and Fort Bend County, and will travel one to two hours outside Greater Houston for the right project.
This review reflects a working REALTOR®'s observations across the Houston new-construction market and is not paid, sponsored, or endorsed by Sims Luxury Builders. It isn't a ranking or a guarantee — build quality can vary by project, superintendent, and timing even within the same builder. If you want the fuller, unfiltered version of what I've seen, ask me directly.
I work new construction daily and can walk you through how Sims Luxury Builders stacks up against the other builders active in your target community — before you sign anything.
Talk to Fay