Best known for its renowned waterfront communities, Sausalito is a charming coastal town in Marin County that sits just across the Golden Gate Bridge from the city of San Francisco, providing its residents with breathtaking views of San Francisco. The area is also the home of numerous artists and an eclectic community.
This list showcases ten of the best custom home builders in the area behind some of its most outstanding homes and spaces. These firms were chosen based on their individual experiences, merit, as the overall strength of their various portfolios.
Redhorse Constructors
36 Professional Center Pkwy., San Rafael, CA 94903
Redhorse Constructors offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of residential construction and remodeling services. The firm is well-known for its sustainable methods, as well as its cost-effective and highly efficient processes. The company draws inspiration from over three decades of working in and around the industry and is also familiar with an extensive range of designs. The firm has worked on numerous difficult site conditions and integrated green building technologies and tailored energy systems into those sites. The firm attributes its success to its stellar open communication and proactive construction management. The project above is an excellent embodiment of the company’s expertise.
For this home, the firm’s team opted for a classic farmhouse style. It also incorporated various modern touches and contemporary finishes. A large walkway can also be observed connecting its two main parts.
Kasten Builders
3419 Regatta Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804
Kasten Builders services the entire Bay Area. The business is rooted in effective communication, quality control, and teamwork. It offers a complete range of custom home building and remodeling services: it is experienced in every aspect and stage of the entire process. Denny Kasten leads the firm and serves as its president. He holds a degree in Architecture from Lawrence Institute of Technology in Southfield, Michigan, and first gained experience working with general contractors during his time as a student. Under his leadership, the firm has extended its reach across some of the best neighborhoods in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa, as well as the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The new home above spans roughly 3,500 square feet. It is located in San Mateo and built in collaboration with Ohashi Design Studio. It primarily features an industrial design, which blends the indoor-outdoor kitchen and entertainment area.
Stroub Construction Inc.
300 Main St., Sausalito, CA 94965
With numerous features in vital publications such as Professional Builder, Sunset Magazine, and Qualified Remodeler, Stroub Construction takes great pride in the solid reputation it has established for itself during its years in the industry. The firm draws inspiration from nearly four decades of industry experience; it has worked on countless exceptional residences. It also offers great architecture and design services. The firm stands by its work and provides its clients with comprehensive post-construction services. Homeowners can expect regular meetings throughout the entire process, accurate budget estimates, and the exclusive use of the best materials. The project below best displays the company’s expertise.
Completed in Southern Marin, the company blended both wood and stucco elements in this home’s exteriors. It also used a recurring theme of straight lines, large glass windows, and an open floor plan. The company also used a warm and inviting color palette.
Kerr Construction, Inc.
15 Woodland Ave. Suite F, San Rafael, CA 94901
Established in 1983, Kerr Construction specializes in both residential custom home construction and remodeling. The firm has been noted for its tremendous and competitive pricing and highly hands-on processes. Kerr takes on projects regardless of size or scale and has secured a solid reputation thanks to its excellent designs and impressive craftsmanship. The firm has been the proud recipient of many awards and has also been featured extensively in numerous publications. Some of these noteworthy accomplishments include features in American Bungalow, Architectural Record, Better Homes & Gardens, San Francisco Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. The firm’s work and skill can best be seen in the project below.
The firm showcased its talent for contemporary designs for this particular home. It used straight lines and minimalist finishes and coupled these with a lively color palette. Inside, the firm built high ceilings and provided numerous custom finishes.
Salamandra Associates
39 Aquinas Dr., San Rafael, CA 94901
Salamandra Associates is located in San Rafael and provides clients with a complete and comprehensive range of services. The company first started as a commercial firm, completing spaces for United Airlines, Cambridge Sound Works, and other East Bay companies. The firm has been in business since 1988 and assists homeowners throughout the entire construction/building process, from detailed estimates and budgets to the smallest details. Steve Salamandra, owner, develops comprehensive work flow plans and ensures that projects stay on schedule. The company maintains affiliations with organizations like Build It Green and the Marin Builders Association, which helps Steve and his team stay current with the latest techniques.
This 5,000 SF Kent Woodland home merged a modern and craftsman elements into a comfortable and stylish home. Cedar shingles and paneled walls merge into trellises and support columns that gives the exterior a sense of permanence and style. The first floor included cherry flooring, and with meticulous woodwork and chef centric kitchen. Coffered ceilings raise the height of each room and give the interior of the home a sense of spaciousness. A library, au pair, and guest quarters round out this exquisite estate in the hills of Kentfield.
Singlepoint Design Build
200 Gate 5 Rd. Suite #109, Sausalito, CA 94965
Operating out of its office in Sausalito, Singlepoint has been in business since 2010. It is regarded as one of Marin County’s premier builders and specializes in full home remodels and ground-up construction work. It is manned by a talented team of professionals: each member has experience in every phase of the design and construction process. It has also secured relationships with some of the area’s best subcontractors known for their great plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing services. The company’s founder, Brant Hill, holds a degree in Construction Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He first gained experience working for a large commercial general contractor as a project manager before establishing the firm. That rich experience reflects itself in the firm’s work. The company also maintains affiliations with important organizations like the Marin Builders Association.
Located in Mill Valley, the project above features a modern craftsman home. It features a set of stairs leading up to a new front door and vaulted portico. Some of its best elements also include an enlarged front deck, Bluestone pavers, and a great outdoor dining area.
Fontana Construction Inc
1945 E Francisco Blvd. Suite N, San Rafael, CA 94901
Fontana Construction specializes in luxury homes and offers a complete range of custom home development, remodeling, renovations, and general construction services. Operating out of its office in San Rafael, the firm provides clients over three decades of industry experience and has worked on numerous homes ·from the Peninsula to Sonoma County. The firm is the brainchild of Michael and Bonnie Fontana, who founded the firm in 1986 as a small, home-based business in West Marin. The firm has since grown to become one of the most recognizable firms in the area and is most notable for its expertise in an extensive range of luxurious and excellent designs. Its best work is pictured in the project above.
Located in Santa Rosa, the project above was constructed from the ground up. It features terracotta roofs, stucco exteriors, and a timeless Spanish-Californian theme. It also showcases exposed wood beams, large windows, and bi-folding doors which lead to an open living space.
Buzzer 9 Development Inc
475 Gate 5 Rd. Suite #208, Sausalito, CA 94965
Buzzer 9 Development extends its services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and it is well-versed in the area’s most popular architectural vernaculars. It commits itself to the highest standards and specializes in every facet of the custom home building and remodeling markets. It assists its clients throughout the entire process, from inception to completion. The company is also notable for its stellar and accurate preconstruction analyses and comprehensive construction management work. Buzzer 9 is personally led by owner Peter Rosenthal, an experienced professional who offers the company’s clients a diverse mix of skills and talent. Under his leadership, the firm has become known for completing all of its projects on-time and within the agreed-upon budget. The firm has also had the honor of being featured in various publications such as Spectrum Paint at Home Magazine.
Showcased above is the Cragmont House. It features a great craftsman style and sits on a hillside, providing its owners with great views of the surrounding area. The firm’s team added several striking modern touches as well.
Floyd Construction Inc.
714 C St. #207, San Rafael, CA 94901
Floyd Construction has been serving the entirety of Marin and other surrounding areas since 1978. Joe Floyd founded it in Santa Barbara before relocating to Marin County. The firm has since evolved from a regular-sized firm specializing in select services into the firm it is today, capable of taking on projects regardless of size and working on high-end luxury custom homes. Aside from its residential work, the firm has also taken on several commercial and landscaping projects. The firm is highly experienced and is composed of some of the best professionals in the greater Bay area. Joe Floyd still leads the firm today. Before establishing the firm, he gained experience working with a well-known engineering firm. That experience provided him with a significant number of skills that continue to influence the company’s work today.
The project above was completed with John Swain in Tiburon. It spans 3,500 square feet and is situated on a slope. Part of the home cuts into the hillside, so the firm installed and worked on tall windows and doors to bring in as much natural light as possible. The firm also opted for light colors and building materials.
Hadley Construction
85 Beach Rd., Belvedere, CA 94920
Serving the entire Bay Area—including San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin—Hadley Construction has been in business since 1950. It is now on its third generation of builders. Ever since its inception, the firm has been respected for its old-world craft. The firm has worked on over 300 new custom homes as well as countless major remodels. It makes use of the latest techniques and technology and bolsters its efforts through a cloud-based project management software that allows homeowners easy access to their project’s team and to brief overviews of important documents and updates. The firm has also been praised for its clear pricing and its open-book policy. The firm also infuses various green building designs into its projects, designs that have enabled these homes to have improved lifespans, as well as reduced energy and water use.
The project above is an excellent example of the company’s skills and expertise. It features a modern craftsman theme: the team employed wood-paneled exteriors and clean finishes. The firm also provided various stucco touches, large windows, and angular roofs.
