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Kirkland's Premier Custom Home Builder

Custom Luxury. Timeless Quality.

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Fully Customized Experience
High Touch Customer Service
Seamless Process
Decades of Experience
TENNYSON HOMES

Our Background

Tennyson Homes was founded by Jim Tennyson, a multi-generation member of the Kirkland community with 34 years of living and working on the Eastside. His deep roots in the region and lifelong commitment to craftsmanship shaped the foundation of everything we do today.

Our team of builders, project managers, and coordinators works alongside the Eastside’s top architects, designers, and tradespeople, selected for the same standards of craftsmanship and communication we hold ourselves to. As proud members of the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties and the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, we remain deeply connected to the communities we build in.

Our Services

Tennyson Homes partners with families on the Eastside to build custom forever homes in Kirkland, Bellevue, and Mercer Island. We offer end-to-end services in custom home building and comprehensive remodels, with land acquisition guidance available, guiding you from finding the right lot to handing over the keys.

A large, rustic-style house with stone and wood exterior, warm glowing windows, and multiple gables, set amidst tall trees with a paved driveway and manicured plants in the front yard.

Custom Home Building

We’ve invested our own capital into every project, so we know what drives costs and how to protect quality. Whether you envision a sleek contemporary design, a classic Pacific Northwest craftsman, or something entirely your own, our process for new home construction in Kirkland is transparent, collaborative, and built entirely around your vision.

Our Custom Home Building Services
Modern living room with wood accents, a large woven rug, cozy armchairs, a white sofa, built-in shelves, wall art, and a TV. Stairs lead up on the left, and black-framed glass doors open to another room.

Comprehensive Remodeling

Our spec builder background gives us a crucial edge in every comprehensive remodel in Kirkland and across the Eastside. We know where to invest for maximum impact and where to pull back, delivering whole-home transformations and major additions without overextending your budget.

Our Comprehensive Remodeling Services
Aerial view of a winding road cutting through a dense forest with a residential neighborhood to the right and a large body of water in the background during sunset.

Residential Land Acquisition

If you haven’t secured a lot yet, we can help. When clients need land acquisition guidance, we draw on our Eastside network and deep knowledge of zoning, permitting, and neighborhood nuances across Kirkland, Bellevue, and Mercer Island to help you find land that fits your vision and budget, before construction begins.

Our Land Acquisition Services
WHERE QUALITY MEETS LUXURY

Our Project Gallery

We are proud to showcase these thoughtfully designed and built custom homes! To help you get an idea of our craftsmanship, we have compiled a collection of some of our favorite projects to date.

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Modern kitchen with a large island featuring a black base and white marble countertop, stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, a sink under wide black-framed windows, and a vase of flowers on the island.

Past to Present

Modern single-story house with stone accents, large windows, and a three-car garage. Surrounded by tall trees and blue sky, the driveway leads to the main entrance with glass double doors.

Scandi Modern Cool

Spacious modern kitchen with white cabinets, marble countertops, large island with brown base, stainless steel appliances, pendant lights, and an open living area with sofas and large windows overlooking greenery.

Upscale Farmhouse

Modern house exterior with stone and wood accents, large glass windows, a glass front door, and a paved walkway surrounded by landscaped greenery. Tall trees are visible in the background.

Classic Contemporary

A modern black two-story house with a spacious upper deck featuring outdoor seating and dining areas, large glass doors, and wooden posts. The lower level has large windows and sits on a stone patio. Trees surround the home.

Mercer Island Mid Century Project

Modern single-story house with large front windows, a two-car garage with frosted glass doors, a stone accent wall, and a well-kept lawn, surrounded by tall trees under a clear blue sky.

Bellevue Mid-Century Project

Modern two-story house with large glass windows, wood and gray siding, a double garage, and landscaped front yard with green grass and trees under a clear blue sky.

Bellevue Family Remodel Project

A large, two-story house with warm, glowing windows sits among tall trees. The home features wood and stone accents, a covered entryway, and a paved driveway leading to a detached garage. Lush greenery surrounds the property.

Lodge Style Custom Home Project

Modern kitchen with a large island featuring a white countertop, black base, and four tan barstools. Stainless steel appliances, open shelves, pendant lights, and wooden accents complete the stylish, bright space.

Kirkland Custom Home Project

Serving Kirkland and The Eastside

Our heart is in Kirkland, but our expertise extends across the most desirable communities on the Eastside. As a dedicated Eastside home builder, we have an intimate understanding of the neighborhoods our clients call home.

Our Locations

Kirkland

A lakeside community with established neighborhoods and strong demand for custom builds. We build throughout Houghton, Juanita, and Rose Hill. Served by the Lake Washington School District.

Bellevue

The Eastside’s premier destination for luxury custom homes, from the estates of Medina and Clyde Hill to the established communities of Enatai and West Bellevue. Served by the Bellevue School District.

Bellevue Home Building Services

Mercer Island

An exclusive island community offering privacy and unmatched access to Lake Washington. We serve the entire island. Served by the Mercer Island School District.

Mercer Island Home Building Services
THE TENNYSON DIFFERENCE

Why Tennyson Homes

Fully Customized Experience

We do not build the same home twice. Every project begins with your vision and is shaped entirely around how your family lives, what you value, and what you want your home to feel like for years to come. From floor plan to finish selections, nothing is off the shelf.

High Touch Customer Service

You will always know exactly where your project stands. We communicate proactively, respond quickly, and make sure every question gets a real answer. Building your home is one of the most significant decisions you will make, and we treat it that way from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.

Seamless Process

We handle the complexity so you do not have to. From permitting and scheduling to subcontractor coordination and final inspections, every moving part is managed with real intention. Our process is specifically built to keep your project on time, on budget, and moving forward without the stress of constant surprises.

Decades of Experience

Our team has spent decades designing and building homes across the Eastside. That experience translates to stronger trade relationships, sharper budget management, and the kind of sound judgment that can only come from consistently delivering high-end custom homes at this level, year after year, for clients who expect the best.

Our Process

Every Tennyson project follows a clear, 7-step process so you always know where things stand and what comes next.

Our Process
Two people review architectural blueprints on a desk with a ruler, pencil, laptop, and coffee cup. The Tennyson Homes logo appears in the lower corner with the slogan “We build more than houses. We build homes.”.

Step 1: Land Acquisition

Don’t have a lot yet? We work with a network of professionals to help you find the right location.

Step 2: Lot Inspections

We evaluate configuration, zoning, building regulations, and site feasibility before a dollar is committed.

Step 3: Pre-Design Meetings

Early consultations with architects to establish project scope and budget. We have an established network of trusted architects and designers with whom we work directly.

Step 4: Ongoing Plan Review

We guide you through architectural drawings, site plans, and specifications with budgeting input at every stage.

Step 5: Pre-Construction Reviews

Select your materials, finishes, cabinets, and fixtures with support from our design experts and suppliers.

Step 6: Construction Management

Professional, high-touch communication throughout the build with real-time project updates.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Forever Home

Move in with confidence. Post-construction support available.

Tennyson Homes FAQs

Do I need to own land before working with Tennyson?

No. We can help you navigate this. We offer guidance on finding and evaluating the right lot on the Eastside, considering zoning, permitting, and neighborhood fit, before construction begins.

Do you handle permits and zoning?

Yes. Our 34 years of building across Kirkland, Bellevue, and Mercer Island mean we know the permitting and zoning requirements in each municipality inside and out. We manage this process on your behalf.

What styles of homes do you build?

We build across a wide range of architectural styles, from contemporary modern to classic craftsman and everything in between. Every home is designed around the client’s vision, not a template.

How long does it take to build a custom home in Kirkland?

Timeline varies by project scope, but most custom home builds with Tennyson take 12 to 18 months from breaking ground to move-in. Our 7-step process keeps you informed at every stage, from pre-design meetings through construction management and final walkthrough.

How much does it cost to build a custom home on the Eastside?

Custom home costs vary based on lot, size, design, and finishes. On the Eastside, most custom builds range from $450 to $900+ per square foot. Our spec builder background means we can give you a transparent breakdown of where your budget goes and how to protect quality without overextending.

What makes Tennyson different from other Kirkland custom home builders?

Two things set us apart: our spec builder roots and our ability to help clients navigate land acquisition. Having built homes with our own capital, we understand cost and quality trade-offs at a level most builders don’t. And unlike most builders, we can help you find and secure the right lot before construction begins, making us a true start-to-finish partner.

Ready to Begin Your Journey with Tennyson Homes?

Whether you have a clear vision or are just starting to explore the possibilities, our team is here to guide you. Let’s discuss your project and discover how we can build the home you’ve always imagined. Call us at (206) 914-5970 or fill out the form below.

Start the Conversation Today

TENNYSON HOMES

We build more than houses. We build homes.

Contact Us

Address

PO Box 3106

Kirkland, WA 98083

Connect

T: (206) 914-5970

E: info@tennysonhomes.com

 

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