OPAL Design Build
OPaL Design Build is a privately held, founder-controlled design-build firm in Cabin John, Maryland that designs, builds, and sells custom homes, named residential developments, and renovation projects across the Washington DC metro and Delaware beach markets, with units priced from $795K to $4.195M.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersCabin John, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What OPAL Design Build does
OPaL Design Build, LLC is a privately held, founder-controlled design-build firm headquartered in Cabin John, Maryland, operating since 2003 in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company designs, builds, and sells custom homes, named residential developments, and renovations/additions, with active projects spanning Washington DC urban neighborhoods (Shaw, Logan Circle, 14th Street corridor), suburban Maryland (Cabin John, Bethesda), and the Delaware beach market (Rehoboth, Lewes, Bethany). Per-unit pricing ranges from $795,000 for DC condo townhomes (5thirteen) to $4,195,000 for a Rehoboth Beach luxury home (136 Columbia Ave), with the Cabin John custom-home portfolio clustered in the $2.495M-$3.495M band.
The firm operates an integrated design-build model with in-house architecture led by Sr. VP of Architecture Greg Sparhawk (Boston Architectural College) and construction management under Sr. VP of Construction Ken Mergner (30+ years across Craftmark/Craftstar Homes and Classic Homes of Maryland). The core technology is the firm's design philosophy emphasizing natural light optimization, sightlines, reading nooks, and connection to outdoors — execution capabilities rather than software IP. Operations are supported by a small core team (1-10 employees per firmographic data) supplemented by project-based construction labor, a COO (Jason Woodward, former US Army logistics and federal Senior Executive Service), and the founder/President Sean Ruppert.
OPaL generates revenue through two streams: (1) one-time sales of new homes and named developments — six active projects visible across DC, Cabin John, and Rehoboth Beach; and (2) project-based professional services for renovations and additions under the OPaL Custom and "That's So OPaL" sub-brands, running 10-15 concurrent renovation projects. Distribution combines direct website sales, on-site sales offices at active developments, and a sales-and-marketing partnership with LoganSkye Realty. Content marketing through a blog (200,000+ visitors), Instagram (25,000+ followers @thats.so.opal), YouTube, Facebook, and Houzz Pro supports top-of-funnel demand generation. The firm has closed 350+ homes since inception, won DC Home of the Year five times, and accumulated 15 national design and architecture awards. No institutional funding, no subsidiaries, and no parent company are disclosed.
OPAL Design Build firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OPAL Design Build
- Legal name
- OPaL Design Build, LLC
- Website
- https://opaldc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OPaL Design Build is a privately held, founder-controlled design-build firm in Cabin John, Maryland that designs, builds, and sells custom homes, named residential developments, and renovation projects across the Washington DC metro and Delaware beach markets, with units priced from $795K to $4.195M.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OPAL Design Build industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Home Building & Residential Design-Build Services
- NAICS
- Residential Building Construction (23611), Architectural Services (54131)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Operative Builders (1531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Design-Build / EPC General Contracting (IMAFAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
Keywords
Where OPAL Design Build is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cabin John
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
OPAL Design Build business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- New Home Sales: OPaL builds and sells new residential properties including condo townhomes, single-family homes, and custom homes in DC, MD, and Delaware beach areas. Revenue is generated through one-time sales of completed or pre-construction homes.
- Custom Homes & Renovations: OPaL Custom builds custom homes and performs renovations/additions for private clients. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for design and construction services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 13th & W Streets NW - Condo Townhomes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kizzie (920 W Street NW) - Condos |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid Mod Mews, Cabin John MD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Airplane Bungalow, Cabin John MD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Barn, Cabin John MD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 136 Columbia Ave, Rehoboth Beach DE |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
OPAL Design Build product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OPaL Design Build is a design-build construction firm that designs, builds, and sells custom homes, residential developments (condo townhomes, single-family homes), and home renovations/additions for private clients in the National Capital Area and Delaware beaches. The firm operates on an integrated design-build model from concept through construction, with pricing ranging from $795,000 condo townhomes to $4.2 million luxury beach homes.
Product overview
OPaL Design Build is a design-build firm operating as a unified platform offering custom home construction, residential development projects, and renovation services. The core offerings include OPaL Custom Homes (custom home building in DC, MD, VA) and OPaL Renovations (home renovation and additions), supplemented by the sub-brand That's So OPaL for residential renovations. The company also develops multiple named residential projects including condo townhomes (5thirteen, Kizzie), single-family homes (The Barn, Airplane Bungalow, Mid Mod Mews), and luxury beach properties (136 Columbia Ave). OPaL serves the National Capital Area market including Delaware beaches, with projects ranging from $795,000 condos to $4.2 million luxury homes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OPaL Custom Homes Custom home building services for private clients in DC, MD, and VA, featuring award-winning architectural design and quality-driven construction.
- OPaL Renovations Home renovation and addition services including kitchen remodels, sunrooms, whole-house renovations, and historic renovations across the DC metro area.
- OPaL at the Shore (Delaware Beach) Delaware beach market services including custom homes, historic renovations, and developments in Rehoboth, Lewes, and Bethany areas.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully closed over 350 homes since 2003
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use OPAL Design Build
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OPAL Design Build technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
OPAL Design Build partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- LoganSkye RealtycoreLoganSkye Realty handles sales and marketing for OPaL properties. Their logo appears on the main website footer as the designated 'SALES & MARKETING BY' partner for OPaL Design Build homes.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OPAL Design Build competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Toll Brothers: National luxury homebuilder with significant presence in the DC metro market. While much larger and more standardized, Toll Brothers competes for similar affluent buyers and increasingly offers design-forward customization that overlaps with OPaL's positioning.
Direct peers
- Foster Remodeling Solutions: Maryland-based design-build remodeling firm with strong regional presence. Comparable to OPaL's renovation segment in service offerings, design-build approach, and Maryland/DC customer overlap.
- BOWA: Design-build firm specializing in custom home construction, renovations, and additions for affluent clients in the DC metro area (DC, MD, VA). Closely comparable to OPaL on integrated design-build model, customer profile, and service offerings.
- Hopkins & Porter Construction: DC/Maryland custom home builder and remodeler with a design-build model serving similar affluent clients. Comparable to OPaL on integrated design services, custom home segment, and Mid-Atlantic geography.
- Habitech Design + Build: DC-area design-build firm specializing in additions, renovations, and custom homes. Comparable to OPaL on integrated design-build delivery, Mid-Atlantic geography, and emphasis on architectural differentiation.
- Case Design/Remodeling: DC-area design-build remodeling firm offering home additions, kitchens, baths, and whole-house renovations. Comparable to OPaL's That's So OPaL renovation sub-brand in customer base, project mix, and DC/MD/VA service area.
- CARNEMARK design + build: DC metro area design-build firm offering architecture, custom home building, and remodeling. Comparable to OPaL in design-build integration, DC/MD/VA service area, and high-end residential customer base.
- Sandy Spring Builders: Maryland-based custom home builder focused on high-end single-family homes in the DC metro area. Comparable to OPaL's Maryland custom home segment (Cabin John, Bethesda) with similar price points and design-forward approach.
- Landis Architects/Builders: DC-area design-build firm combining architecture and construction for custom homes and renovations. Closely parallels OPaL's in-house architecture capability under Greg Sparhawk and similar premium DC market positioning.
Regional players
- NVHomes: Mid-Atlantic luxury homebuilder with operations across DC/MD/VA and a strong design-forward product line. Notably, OPaL's former Sr. VP of Construction (Peter Nelson) previously managed construction of 20,000 homes at NVHomes, indicating direct industry ties and a competing comparable in the same regional market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OPAL Design Build social profiles
Digital presenceOPAL Design Build financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OPAL Design Build leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
OPAL Design Build funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OPAL Design Build M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OPAL Design Build
What does OPAL Design Build do?
OPaL Design Build is a design-build construction firm that designs, builds, and sells custom homes, residential developments (condo townhomes, single-family homes), and home renovations/additions for private clients in the National Capital Area and Delaware beaches. The firm operates on an integrated design-build model from concept through construction, with pricing ranging from $795,000 condo townhomes to $4.2 million luxury beach homes.
Is OPAL Design Build a public or private company?
OPAL Design Build is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OPAL Design Build founded?
OPAL Design Build was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OPAL Design Build based?
OPAL Design Build is headquartered in Cabin John, United States, in the North America region.
How does OPAL Design Build make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. New Home Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Homes & Renovations.
Who are OPAL Design Build's main competitors?
Toll Brothers is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Foster Remodeling Solutions, BOWA, Hopkins & Porter Construction, Habitech Design + Build, Case Design/Remodeling, CARNEMARK design + build, Sandy Spring Builders and Landis Architects/Builders. NVHomes is listed as a regional player.
Does OPAL Design Build have an API?
No public API is recorded for OPAL Design Build.
What industry is OPAL Design Build in?
OPAL Design Build's product category is Custom Home Building & Residential Design-Build Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAAAD, Design-Build / EPC General Contracting, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services. Its NAICS code is 23611 and its SIC code is 1520.