--- title: "OPaL Design Build — Design-Build Firms | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/opal-design-build-pfvwus-pf~721539150 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~721539150.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "OPaL Design Build" category: ["Design-Build Firms"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0d6388f201866f3d_4684-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "6428 79th St, Cabin John, Maryland 20818, United States" latitude: 38.9743 longitude: -77.1591 phone: "(301) 320-3979" website: http://www.OPaLDC.com rating: 5 review_count: 27 best_of_houzz_awards: 18 followers: 289 last_updated: 2026-08-29 --- # OPaL Design Build Original Houzz profile: [OPaL Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/opal-design-build-pfvwus-pf~721539150) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Design-Build Firms - **Location:** Cabin John, MD - **Serves:** Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, North Bethesda, Potomac, North Potomac, Chevy Chase, Arlington, DC (Washington), Falls Church, Great Falls, Lake Barcroft, Mclean, Washington - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (27 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2015–2026), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 50,000 Ideabook Saves Home Builder \| Custom Homes \| Major Renovations Unlike a large homebuilder, OPaL can design homes based on the values your family holds most dear, rather than focusing solely on mass marketability and shareholder value. Designed by an award-winning architects, OPaL’s homes reflect a unique perspective for those who value their individuality, respect their environment and seek more meaning in life. They’re homes you yearn to return to each day, savor living in and take pride in waking up in. That’s the difference between living in a commodity and living in a community. And it’s the difference OPaL is making one home—and one homeowner—at a time in the National Capital Area. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - New Home Construction - Kitchen Remodeling - Home Additions - Architectural Design - Building Design - Pool House Design & Construction - Project Management - Historic Building Conservation - Structural Engineering - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - Gaithersburg - Rockville - Bethesda - North Bethesda - Potomac - North Potomac - Chevy Chase - Arlington - DC (Washington) - Falls Church - Great Falls - Lake Barcroft - Mclean - Washington ### Typical Job Cost $250,000 - 12 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | OPaL Design Build | | Address | 6428 79th St, Cabin John, Maryland 20818, United States | | Phone | (301) 320-3979 | | Website | http://www.OPaLDC.com | | License Number | Licensed in MD / DC / VA | | Followers on Houzz | 289 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/OPaLDC?fref=ts - Blog — http://www.opaldc.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [OPaL Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/opal-design-build-pfvwus-pf~721539150) - **Website:** http://www.OPaLDC.com - **Phone:** (301) 320-3979 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - All of our local and national awards are listed on our web site. We have won over 12 national design awards, over 50 local design awards, 3 straight years of customer service awards from our warranty company and we have also won DC Home of the Year (or been runner up) 4 times. - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2015–2026), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [Maryland Building Industry Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/maryland-building-industry-association-pfvwus-pf~1761779251) - [NVBIA](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/nvbia-pfvwus-pf~688894843) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 27 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Ned Shell, June 2024** > We recently purchased our home from the Opal team. After living in it for some time now, we could not be happier. Everything is perfect – from beautiful detailed finishes to all of the ‘guts’ of the house working exactly as they should. Even after we had closed on the house, they came by multiple times to take care of things that we wanted adjusted as we started living in the space. Their responsiveness, care, and attention to detail even after we closed on the purchase speaks volumes to the quality of their work. Finding a team you can fully and absolutely trust to have your interests at heart is rare in this space, but we found it in the Opal team. If we are ever again in the market for a new construction in the future we know where to go. **★★★★★ — alexandramj, March 2024** > This builder has great taste and is committed to building a beautiful home. The team members are kind beyond measure. People stop in front of my house just to tell me how much they like it. Even my pickiest, grouchiest friends exclaim how stunning it is inside and out. It is a modest, warm and inviting home filled with light. So simple and yet like nothing else. > > No other option would have been so fun (it was!) or satisfying. Glad I chose to build with OPaL. **★★★★★ — Ali Rosen, July 2023** > Opal is wonderful!! I met Sean when he was working on a number of projects on 9th Street. After seeing Opal’s work I HAD to live in an Opal house. I sold my condo and purchased a townhome from them (which I got to see them build from the ground up) just across the street. I absolutely love my new home - it’s truly stunning. When sitting outside, people stop daily to admire. The Opal team is incredibly responsive, and genuinely care about their clients. Our street has been transformed by 6 projects that they’ve worked on since 2020. Beautiful work!! **★★★★★ — HU-930378852, May 2023** > OPaL Design Build is the best builder in Maryland! Their team came to my home and listened to all of our wishes to renovate my home and turn it into a multi-generational living space. They were responsive to all of our questions during the 8 month renovation. In addition, they kept to the time line and stayed within our budget. > They created a beautiful, updated home that exceeded all of my expectations. > Their whole team was wonderful to work with and I would highly recommend giving them a call. They are simply the best! > Chris Davison **★★★★★ — HU-117356327, July 2022** > We had a great experience buying from OPaL. The house was beautiful and we had not seen anything like it, especially when it comes to attention to detail. OPaL was great to work with and we now have a beautiful new home thanks to them. **★★★★★ — HU-467956680, April 2022** > First time home buyer who had a fantastic experience. Love my new condo, its modern design, and the willingness of this team to answer my questions along the way. **★★★★★ — HU-440152099, May 2021** > The team of professionals at Opal, led by Sean Ruppert, are expert at creating distinctive homes that enhance the character of neighborhoods and improve the quality of their clients lives! In our instance they build an architecturally beautiful four level (plus roof deck and lawn/patio) townhome along a row of hundred-year-old DC brownstones. The new building is stately, fun and an oasis of charm in a lively residential community. Their creative vision, and ability to bring it all to life, is remarkable! Ed and Carolyn G., Washington D.C. **★★★★★ — Kate, Oct. 2020** > Every single detail and angle was thought about. The folks at OPaL are truly design geniuses. It's rare to find something do up-to-date and elegant in DC. They were incredible to work with and really bent over backward to make sure everything is just as we want and need. > > This is not just a house, it's a home— filled with beauty and a perfect sigh of relief ahhhhhhhhh, just as you walk in the door. > > This neighborhood is darling and coming from New York, it's so lovely to have neighbors who care and look out for each other. **★★★★★ — Zach, Oct. 2020** > Sean and Jason at OpaL have been a pleasure to work with. Renting from them is like renting from a family member or close friend. They are extremely attentive and helpful and go out of their way to ensure you are satisfied and comfortable. Not to mention their design work is stunning. I highly recommend OPaL DC. **★★★★★ — Styled By EK, Aug. 2020** > We partnered with OPaL to renovate the main level and patio of our townhouse in Georgetown. We couldn't be happier with the end product. We really wanted to be able to sit in the front living room and have clear view out the back of the house. We opened up the living room and staircase, tore down major walls, put in a whole new kitchen & wet bar, and even added a nana wall to the back of the house. Now we are able to enjoy our family room and our patio at the same time. We added an outdoor kitchen and a canopy to our master bedroom roofdeck. OPaL made the process really seamless and the quality and attention to detail they paid, far surpasses what we have seen from other builders. We are looking forward to using them again for our next project. **★★★★★ — Styled By EK, Aug. 2020** > OPaL did a main level renovation for me, with the addition of an outdoor kitchen. We opened up the entire main level which included ripping down kitchen walls, opening up the stairs and adding a nana wall to the back of the house. This allowed us to have an open kitchen, dining and family room area, with full access to the new outdoor kitchen on the patio. The process was not only easy, the quality and end product exceeded our expectations. As we searched for new houses in the area, we have seen the level and quality most home builders put into their work and OPaL's quality and attention to detail was above and beyond the other work we have seen. **★★★★★ — Lowell Frank, June 2020** > From the moment we met with the team at OPaL, we knew they were the right company for us - they quite simply "got" what we were trying to do. We had a detached garage that was falling apart that we wanted to replace with an indoor/outdoor space. We had the structure rebuilt and also redid the surrounding patio They were friendly and helpful every step of the way, from design, to demolition, to construction, and finishing it off. Where we had a vision, they made it a reality. Where we needed design inspiration, they stepped in. They were incredibly responsive in their communications and were truly a pleasure to work with. ## Selected projects - [All New Custom Home / Palisades, DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/all-new-custom-home-palisades-dc-pj-vj~7796878) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 30 - [All New Custom Home in Bethesda](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/all-new-custom-home-in-bethesda-pj-vj~7796871) - Location: Cabin John, MD - Photos: 15 - [Historic Renovation & Addition / Rehoboth Beach](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historic-renovation-and-addition-rehoboth-beach-pj-vj~7796885) - Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE - Photos: 47 - [COMING SOON CUSTOM HOMES](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/coming-soon-custom-homes-pj-vj~7796892) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Historic Renovation & Addition / Dupont Circle, DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historic-renovation-and-addition-dupont-circle-dc-pj-vj~7796894) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 27 - [Historic Renovation & Addition, Palisades DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historic-renovation-and-addition-palisades-dc-pj-vj~7796876) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 24 - [CUSTOM HOME / Forest Hills, DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-forest-hills-dc-pj-vj~1022952) - Location: Washington D.C., DC - Photos: 38 - [MAJOR RENOVATION & ADDITION:: Cleveland Park, DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/major-renovation-and-addition-cleveland-park-dc-pj-vj~6375423) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 25 - Description: Major renovation of a historic home in Cleveland Park, DC. - [CUSTOM HOME](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-pj-vj~1023080) - Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE - Photos: 17 - [RENOVATION:: Georgetown Kitchen / Family Room & Outdoor Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-georgetown-kitchen-family-room-and-outdoor-space-pj-vj~6297259) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 13 - Description: OPaL created open concept floor-plan in an 1900 row home in Georgetown, DC. Additionally, the owner had OPaL add an outdoor kitchen, sliding glass door wall, renovation several additional rooms and refinished the floors throughout. - [HISTORIC CONVERSION & ADDITION:: Capitol Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historic-conversion-and-addition-capitol-hill-pj-vj~6207871) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 25 - Description: Historic conversion of a chapel on Capitol Hill (DC) into two modern homes. - [OPaL's Tiny Home on a Triangular Lot \| Dupont Circle](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/opal-s-tiny-home-on-a-triangular-lot-dupont-circle-pj-vj~6564493) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - Description: ALL NEW CUSTOM HOME:: 4 Finished levels and 1,500 square feet of living space on a 450 square foot lot where Florida Ave and V Streets NW meet to form a triangle in Dupont Circle. - [CUSTOM HOME / Chevy Chase, MD](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-chevy-chase-md-pj-vj~2952433) - Location: Chevy Chase, MD - Photos: 22 - [RENOVATION & EXPANSION:: Logan Circle Carriage House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-and-expansion-logan-circle-carriage-house-pj-vj~6941406) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 26 - Description: Creation of an alley dwelling unit from a historic structure. - [CUSTOM HOME](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-pj-vj~1323457) - Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE - Photos: 19 - Description: Ruppert family beach home. Just 76 steps from the boardwalk and ocean in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Washington DC Custom Home of the Year. - [RENOVATION:: Naylor Court Manse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-naylor-court-manse-pj-vj~6941401) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 33 - Description: Major, historic renovation and expansion in DC's Logan Circle. Winner of multiple awards for design and architecture. - [ADDITION:: Front Porch, Side Sunroom & Kid's Art Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/addition-front-porch-side-sunroom-and-kid-s-art-studio-pj-vj~4863733) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: OPaL just completed the addition of a front porch to this home along with enclosing a patio into a sunroom and turning an unused area of the home into an incredible art studio for twin 5 year olds. - [CONTEMPORARY ADDITION on HISTORIC CONVERSION:: Capitol Hill, DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-addition-on-historic-conversion-capitol-hill-dc-pj-vj~6207874) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 25 - Description: Contemporary addition to a historic structure on Capitol Hill (DC). - [MULTI-FAMILY PROJECT / Cluss Court Car Barn / Capitol Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/multi-family-project-cluss-court-car-barn-capitol-hill-pj-vj~2843211) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 18 - Description: 1920's Car Barn on Capitol Hill converted into two, family size homes on Capitol Hill, - [RENOVATION & ADDITION:: Logan Circle Master Bath](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-and-addition-logan-circle-master-bath-pj-vj~6391066) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 5 [See all 46 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/opal-design-build-pfvwus-pf~721539150) ## Community Q&A **Q: Love the side table (dining table?)** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Ha yes. Petit dining tables. **Q: can you please let me know where these pendants and chairs are from?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: we use the same decorator for all of our homes, the furniture and fixtures come from them: P Four pfour.com **Q: Bunks** *(in Photo Questions)* Would you share the bunk bed manufacturer please? A: Restoration Hardware **Q: Where is the sofa from?** *(in Photo Questions)* Where is the sofa from? A: not sure, we are the builder not the decorator. try looking them up: P Four, but im sure its custom. **Q: Like the color of this roof** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you tell me the color and manufacturer of the roof shingles? Thanks A: Certainteed, Weathered Wood **Q: Octopus print** *(in Photo Questions)* Love the octopus print. Can you please share your source? A: Hi there. We use a company called P Four in Alexandria, VA to source all of our furniture, art, wall paper etc, etc. I don't have there number with me, but you can google them and ask to speak with someone who helps with retailing of their furniture and accessories for thing you saw in a model home. or pfour.com :-) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-29.*