Finding the Best Remodeling Contractors of San Francisco
With all of the complexities of remodeling or adding on to an existing structure, it is important to find the San Francisco contractor that shares your vision for the remodel or room addition, as well as the budget. The Prime Buyer's Report provides listings of quality remodeling and home-addition contractors as well as valuable information to help ease the burden of finding a top remodeling contractor for your San Francisco home addition or home remodel. more »Updated January 27, 2008
Top 10 Remodeling Contractors & Addition Builders in San Francisco
| DETAILS of Sonoma |
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Send an email to this Company (866) 561-4928 PO Box 1358 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 Contractor's License #861470 |
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Areas Served: San Francisco & Bay Area incl. The Presidio, Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, Sunset District
Services: Contractors for residential remodeling and home addition building
Key Brands: PELLA (We leave the brand selection to the client)
| Pacheaco Construction |
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Send an email to this Company (510) 791-2628 2860 Sanderling Dr Fremont, CA 94555 Contractors License # B635806 |
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Areas Served: San Francisco incl. Sunset District, Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, Noe Valley
Services: Remodeling contractors for all home remodeling & residential remodels, room addition ...
Key Brands: Milgard, Marvin, Anderson, CertainTeed, Simonton, Velux
| Patrick Hamilton Construction |
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Send an email to this Company (707) 584-1700 5625 State Farm Dr Rohnert Park, CA 94920 Contractor License #915269 |
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Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Sea Cliff
Services: local contractors for all home remodeling, room additions, and home construction
| Tom W. Gorman General Contractor |
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Send an email to this Company (415) 564-8444 68 Everglade Drive San Francisco, CA 94132 Contractor's License #421901 |
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Areas Served: San Francisco & Bay Area incl. The Presidio, Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, Nob Hill
Services: Remodeling contractors for all home remodeling & residential remodels, room addition
Key Brands: Andersen windows, Pella windows and doors, Trex composite decking and railings
| Joseph Ward General Contractor |
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Send an email to this Company (925) 356-8810 1646 Placer Drive Concord, CA 94521 Contractor's Lic# 671256 |
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Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. Laurel Heights, The Marina, North Beach, Russian Hill, Mission ...
Services: Contractors for residential remodeling and home addition building
| Cummins Construction |
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Send an email to this Company (415) 587-3693 331 Vernon Street San Francisco, CA 94132 Contractor's License #846911 |
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Areas Served: San Francisco Bay Area incl. Pacific Heights, The Presidio, Sea Cliff, Russian Hill, ...
Services: remodeling contractors for all residential remodeling and home additons
Key Brands: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood products, Trex composite lumber, ...
| Soko Hardware |
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(415) 931-5510 1698 Post St San Francisco, CA 94115 |
Areas Served: San Francisco & Bay Area, incl. Noe Valley, The Marina, Sunset District
| U Save Plumbing & Hardware |
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(415) 661-7339 1928 Lawton St San Francisco, CA 94122 |
Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Sea Cliff
| Cole Hardware |
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(415) 647-8700 3312 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110 |
Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Mission District, The Presidio
| Mc Kinney & Company |
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(415) 822-6626 1399 Quesada Ave San Francisco, CA 94124 |
Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. Inner Sunset, Outer Sunset District, Mission District
Finding the Best Remodeling Contractors of San Francisco
We're not all "do-it-yourselfers." The majority of remodeling and addition work requires a highly skilled hand, not to mention piles of permits and licenses. Luckily, you can rely on the certified, experienced remodeling contractors in San Francisco to complete just about any home improvement project for you. The Prime Buyer's Report has compiled some information about the contracting industry that can help you find an excellent remodeling contractor, eliminate your confusion, and ensure a satisfactory solution for your remodel or addition.San Francisco Remodeling Contractors Can Remodel Your Home and Your Perspective
Remodeling and addition contractors are licensed in many aspects of specialized construction. A relatively simple way to add value to and update your home is to remodel areas where dated technology and style are most evident.
Not only are remodeling and addition contractors able to make an existing space larger, they can also create space by adding square footage to existing rooms or simply adding rooms to your existing structure. Whether it's a larger family room with a new fireplace or a new guest room, office, granny unit, garage, or even a complete reconstruction of an older home, trust our list of San Francisco remodeling and addition contractors. Finishing a basement with the style of the rest of your home is a great way to get extra living space without major additions, or perhaps a wine cellar is the only thing your home needs.
Cookie-cutter houses are all too popular these days, so you may want to research whether it is feasible to retrofit an existing structure, one with character. Everything from the roof to the foundation can be remodeled, added on to, or demolished and rebuilt, outfitted to modern standards. San Francisco remodeling and addition contractors can use green materials to make your remodeled home more efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable, and can perform seismic retrofitting to make sure that you are safe at home.
Research the Many Choices On Our List Before Deciding
When you begin to seriously consider a remodeling contractor, don't move forward without measuring your candidate against the competition. Ask around or use the Internet to learn about the local industry dynamic. In the event that you have trouble identifying worthwhile resources, take a look at the helpful options we've filtered for you. Our list of the top 10 remodeling contractors in San Francisco includes DETAILS of Sonoma, Pacheaco Construction, Patrick Hamilton Construction, Tom W. Gorman General Contractor, Joseph Ward General Contractor, Cummins Construction, Soko Hardware, U Save Plumbing & Hardware, Cole Hardware, Mc Kinney & Company. The following are also available: Bay Metro Corp, Modern Spaces, Black Sea Corp, Pacific Custom Flooring, Plonowski Architects & Builder.
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Speaking With Remodeling Contractors
What follows is a step-by-step guide to help you secure the best outcome for your remodeling job.Step 1: Describe Work
Explain what type of remodeling work is involved. Be consistent in the way that you present the information so each contractor will have an opportunity to bid the same job.
Step 2: Documented Questions and Answer Session
Before you create a set of serious candidates, you'll need to have a brief question and answer session with each one. While the contractor questions you, take notes on his concerns. He may reveal some aspects of the remodel or addition that are new to you, or may just reveal his own inferior knowledge. When you interview him, take this first impression into account. A good rapport with your contractor is essential to arrive at a finished product you are both happy with. As far as his ability to accommodate the specifications of your remodel, you'll need to inquire about technical ability, job history, and the details of your project. The following list can guide you through this process.
- Do you specialize in the type of work I've described? If so, please provide some examples of similar work near San Francisco that you've completed.
- What is the timeframe from estimate to completion?
- Do you carry workers' compensation and liability insurance?
- Will you provide a written estimate?
- What type of warranty for your work will you provide? What does it cover?
- Will permits be needed? If so, who will be responsible for getting them?
- Do you do the work yourself with your employees or do you hire subcontractors?
- How long have you been in business?
- How and when do you clean up?
- Will you provide a written contract?
- What process do you go through to price the work?
Step 3: Making a Preliminary Decision
After you've interviewed some remodeling specialists, it's time to narrow down your choices. Review your notes and decide which answers are the most important. Based on these results, which contractor most closely matches your criteria? Which do you personally feel the most comfortable dealing with? The earlier question and answer process will have made this clearer.
Step 4: Final Research
After you've selected your prospective remodeling contractor, it's time to do some final research. What credentials does he have? Verify licensing, insurance and certifications such as Diamond Certified, the Better Business Bureau and CSLB licensing status.
Step 5: Making the Final Decision
Now it's time to select your contractor. Call and ask any final questions and then ask for your representative to provide a signed, written and thoroughly detailed agreement.
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Resources for Home Remodeling in San Francisco
The following is a list of key resources to research local contractors specializing in remodels and additions.Associations & Licensing
ABC Associated Builders and Contractors (www.abc.org)
ASA American Subcontractors Association (www.assaonline.com)
ASCC American Society of Concrete Contractors (www.ascconline.org)
BBB Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.gov)
CBIA California Building Industry Association (www.cbia.org)
CSLB Contractors State License Board (www.cslb.ca.gov)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
Diamond Certified (www.diamondcertified.org)
HBANC Home Builders Association of Northern California (www.hbanc.org)
MCAA Mechanical Contractors Association of America (www.mcaa.org)
NAHB National Association of Home Builders (www.nahb.org)
NARI National Association of the Remodeling Industry (www.nari.org)
NCBE North Coast Builders Exchange (www.ncbeonline.com)
NKBA National Kitchen and Bath Association (www.nkba.org)
NSCA National Systems Contractors Association (www.nsca.org)
NUCA National Utility Contractors Association (www.nuca.com)
Media & Web Resources
Architectural Designs
Architectural Digest
Austin Design Guide
Better Homes & Gardens
Blueprint Magazine
Building Design and Construction
California Home & Design
CONTRACTOR Magazine
Dwell
Environmental Design and Construction Magazine
Fine Homebuilding
Home
Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
Home & Design
HOUSE Magazine
Luxury Home
New Old House
Old House Journal
Smart Homeowner
This Old House
Western Interiors and Design
www.askthebuilder.com
www.bhg.com
www.bobvila.com
www.doityourself.com
www.energystar.gov
www.homedepot.com
www.hometime.com
www.hometips.com
www.lowes.com
If you are looking for a home addition or remodel The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 remodeling contractors in San Francisco within the following zip codes.
94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94146, 94147, 94157, 94158, 94159, 94164, 94165, 94166, 94167, 94168, 94169, 94170, 94172 and 94188
The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 remodeling contractors in San Francisco within the following cities.
Bernal Heights, Cow Hollow, Diamond Heights, Duboce Triangle, Eureka Valley, Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Inner Sunset, Japantown, Laurel Heights, Marina District, Mission District, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, North Beach, Outer Sunset, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Rincon Hill, Russian Hill, San Francisco, Sea Cliff, Sunset District, Telegraph Hill, Treasure Island, Twin Peaks and Western Addition
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Top 10 Tips Choosing Remodeling Contractors
Don't Rush in Choosing Your Remodeling Contractor.Don't hire the first remodeling and addition contractor you manage to contact. If you take some time initially to properly outline your job and carefully match a qualified remodeler, you're more likely to get what you wanted in the first place.
Compose a Description.
Depending on the complexity of the job, you can better discern the more capable contractors if you personally write down your expectations and any remodeling specifics prior to contacting any prospects. Since each contractor will see the same description, you can be sure that you are comparing responses to your project on a fair and equal basis. Then you can better judge who gives you the best responses to your consistent description.
Get Three Separate Estimates.
You should get a few separate estimates for your addition/remodel. But remember, price should not be your only determining factor. Getting several estimates will help you measure which remodeling contractor is the most trustworthy, accurate and experienced. It also helps to have several examples to compare thoroughness and general ability.
Get Everything in Writing.
Like they say, "better safe than sorry." Getting everything in writing will prevent confusion down the line. For the purposes of documentation, insist that your contractor provide you with a written description of the work, pricing, insurance information, and a timeframe for completion.
Do Your Homework Before You Sign an Agreement.
Before you officially agree to any renovation plans, be sure to check licensing, workers' compensation and liability insurances, as well as any other relevant credentials.
Choose Certified Companies.
Some remodeling and addition contractors have exhibited a greater dedication to the satisfaction of their clients and have been met with the public response they deserve. In San Francisco , remodeling contractors that have earned Diamond Certified status or have been featured positively in Consumer Reports magazine are more likely to put forth the extra effort.
Maintain Open Communication During the Work.
This can be the most overlooked skill with contractors. But in order to maintain a successful partnership, both parties must make a concerted effort to keep one another informed. Don't jump to conclusions, and call and ask when you have the slightest doubt about how a job is going. There may be a reasonable explanation for changes or delays. There may be decisions that you can make that will help smooth what can be a difficult process.
Agree in Advance to do a Walk-Through Upon Completion.
After the job is completed, return to the agreement you signed before work commenced. Walk through your project area with the most senior remodeling contractor available and compare the results to the details stipulated in the agreement. Bring up any work that differentiates from what has been agreed upon.
Know Your Rights.
Consumers do have some special rights depending on where they live. You're dealing with contractors in San Francisco , so you can learn about applicable laws at the California's Department of Consumer Affairs.
Make Sure Your Contractor Asks the Right Questions.
If your remodeling professional seems indifferent, disengaged or glosses over key issues, don't hire him! You're not the only one that should be asking questions. If he's worth his salt, he will go to the areas involved and look and ask. If not, he's not the one for you.
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Remodeling Contractors in San Francisco Use Many Material Brands
Remodeling contractors can provide many popular brands of home and business products. The following is a partial list of the brands that can be supplied locally: Nevamar, Corian, CHI Overhead Door, Owens Corning, Grohe, Master Halco, Heat-N-Glo, Pergo, Wilsonart, Hartco, Tyvek (Dupont), Lennox, Thermador, Wausau Tile, Hanson Roof Tiles, Plops, US Gypsum.Top of page
