Japanese essayist Jun’ichiro Tanazaki noted that the bathroom is one of the most important parts of the house in his seminal essay “In Praise of Shadows.” Tanazaki viewed Japanese bathrooms as the heart and soul of Japanese Zen Buddhist aesthetics and considered the incursion of Western-style bathrooms as a sign of the corrosive influence of spirit-destroying colonialism on Japan. He noted that you can find complete solitude in the bathroom, and some treat these little rooms as their own personal sanctuary.
Tanazaki knew that the bathroom must be in excellent condition in order for a home to function well. Bathroom remodels are among the most routine home maintenance chores, but also one of the most tedious. The amount of work and attention that goes into what appears to be a simple project can be exhausting. Bathroom remodelers must be able to maintain their professionalism throughout the process.
For growing cities like Marin, there’s a surge of contractors available in the area. Fortunately, this list has the 11 Best Bathroom Remodeling Contractors in Marin. Many of the contractors on this list offer a variety of services, but these particular firms were listed specifically because of their reputation for transforming bathrooms. We also looked at the awards earned for bathroom projects and looked through publications that had written about firms’ ability to work with a toilet and a bathroom vanity.
If you are thinking about remodeling a bathroom, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
11) Alliance Custom Builders
P. O. Box 2028, Novato, CA 94948
Established in 2002, Alliance Custom Builders was founded by two of the most experienced builders in Marin County. Steve Andre and Chris Chapek have 30 years of experience in the remodeling industry. Andre specialized in commercial and residential renovation while Chapek specialized in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. The partners established Alliance Custom Builders to pool their expertise into a full-service firm that caters to Marin and Sonoma Counties.
The firm specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels and these bathroom remodels really stand out. From traditional to modern, the firm features all these designs on its website. Mosaic and marble tiles are often used as accents to give a nice modern touch to the traditional remodels the firm often undertakes.
10) Golden Restoration and Construction
21 Commercial Blvd. Suite #14, Novato, CA 94949
Golden Restoration and Construction is one of North Bay’s largest home construction companies. The firm has been providing new home construction and remodeling services since 1990 and its wide-scale services also cater to commercial properties. The firm’s commercial projects span everything from condominiums to churches. Because of having a variety of projects and clients, the firm has been part of BBB Honor Roll from 2008 to present.
Despite having a wide breadth of clients and services, the firm specializes in bathroom remodels. The firm is more than capable of remodeling, repairing, and constructing bathrooms. Golden Restoration and Construction is willing to work with a range of designs, and the firm can also generate custom designs. Its bathroom remodels are classic and traditional, accented with beige tone tiles and Victorian furnishings.
9) Burns Builders
PO Box 150788, San Rafael, CA 94915
Burns Builders is a San Rafael based contractor that specializes in high-end residential bathroom remodeling. In addition to this specialty, the firm is capable of every kind of home remodeling service and new home construction. Burns Builders became a household name because of its services, and it became a proud member of the Marin Builders Exchange.
The firm’s style of remodeling bathrooms is truly exceptional and modern. It is not restricted to the common tile furnishing but geometric patterns and bold colors are often present in its designs. There are also some industrial accents found in the lighting fixtures. What gives its designs a unique touch is how the firm utilizes color and patterns. These accents make the remodels look more modern and contemporary.
8) Ohana Construction
838 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, CA 94952
Kimo Garrigan established Ohana Construction in 2006 to impart his 35 years of experience to the homeowners of Northern Bay. The firm is capable of complete residential and light commercial construction service. Ohana Construction has made a name for itself in Marin’s neighboring city, Petaluma. In fact, it was dubbed by Petaluma-Argus Courier as the People’s Choice in 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2013. The firm is also a certified LEAD safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The firm’s common designs are traditional and classic designs. Take this remodel: the tub was furnished with brown tiling and beige colors were employed to cast a feeling of durable elegance. But the firm is also capable of doing modern remodels. One of its modern custom bathrooms remodels has a warm floor radiant heating that is concealed by beautiful Italian tile.
7) Design Build Specialist
394 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Suite 5, Novato, CA 94949
Design Build Specialist is one of Marin’s biggest firms. In fact, it has been part of Remodel Magazine’s Top 500 list and Qualified Remodel Magazine’s Big 50 list. The firm’s 90 million dollars worth of work over the past 34 years also tells you something about what they’ve accomplished, and how many people have trusted their services. Just don’t assume that this firm overcharges for a luxury remodel. Their prices are reasonable, and they deliver what they promise. Besides offering quality service, founder Mark Labourdette put the firm on the map by being active in Marin’s building industry. The firm is a member of Novato Chamber of Commerce and Marin Builders Association Certified Restorer.
One of the firm’s memorable bathroom remodels was an old forgotten bathroom that resembled a dungeon more than a place of repose. Design Build brought the bathroom into the modernity, and into the light: newly installed wide windows brightened, and a hall closet was replaced with a bright, inviting shower.
6) Kitchens and More
4178 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael, CA 94903
Established in 1992, Kitchens and More is Marin County’s leading kitchen design, supply, and construction company. The firm is led by husband-and-wife team Krikor Halajian and Rosemarie Halajian. Krikor’s 25 years of experience in green building partnered with Rosemarie’s knowledge of sustainable materials is the perfect combination for an energy efficient builder. Krikor is a certified Green Building Professional and Rosemarie is a LEED Accredited Professional. The couple’s hard work and expertise have paid off, and Pacific Sun magazine has named them as Marin’s “Best Kitchen and Bath Remodeler” six times.
Despite specializing in kitchen remodeling, the firm also has award-winning bathroom remodels. The firm’s goal is to match the homeowner’s personality and lifestyle with their bathroom. Take this modern bathroom, which underlines minimalist lines with striking marble.
5) Green Bay Remodeling
1170 Burnett Ave., Concord, CA 94520
Green Bay Remodeling is a remodeling firm that focuses on the technical dimension of construction. The firm’s team is always on-trend with the latest technologies and techniques, in order to provide clients with innovative solutions at a reasonable price. Indeed the firm’s process has brought them more than 100,000 clients since 2012. In addition, Green Bay Remodeling was named by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Bay Area.
The firm’s designs are lean toward the modern. The goal of the firm is to give bathrooms more space, so the homeowner is able to treat the room as their personal sanctuary. Its projects are simple, sleek, and modern remodels that are accented by earth tones, and the results often bring cozy and fashionable together in surprising ways.
4) Wilkinson Design and Construction, Inc.
45 Mitchell Blvd. Suite #7A, San Rafael, CA 94903
Founded by Pav Wilkinson in 1993, Wilkinson Design and Construction is one of the Bay Area’s leading general contractors. Its founder earned a reputation for balancing contemporary designs with the regional architecture of both coasts. The firm’s process is a more architectural approach to remodeling, and that has earned the company a certification from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Furthermore, Wilkinson Design and Construction has won several Remmies from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) including 2012 and 2010 NARI Remmy awards for Residential Bath.
Pav’s keen interest in contemporary themes is visible in its bathroom remodels. This remodel is the perfect example of the firm’s contemporary projects. With exposed wood beams and predominant neutral tones, this bathroom remodel has all the elements of contemporary design. This remodel is also aging-in-place friendly because of the flat flooring and metal beams installed in the shower.
3) Gilmans Kitchen and Bath
530 W. Francisco Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901
Gilmans Kitchen and Bath opened in 1954 as a hardware store, and it evolved into a window and door installation company in the 70s. When Larry Lowenthal came into the picture in the 80s the company was rebranded into a full-service general contractor. Now, Gilmans Kitchen and Bath is one of the leading firms in the Bay Area with over four branches in San Francisco, San Rafael, San Mateo, and Mountain View. The firm is also one of the most successful in its area as it has won several awards for its bathroom remodels from the National Kitchen and Bath (NKBA) and NARI Remmies. Moreover, it has been featured in HGTV magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine, and it appeared on HGTV’s Brother vs. Brother.
The firm’s NKBA winner is a white, modern bathroom with modern accessories such as a built-in charging dock for hair-dryers and phones. Besides giving it such clean aesthetics, the firm custom made other features at the request of the homeowner, like a towel cabinet conveniently placed beside the shower.
2) Re-Bath
1059 Detroit Ave., Concord, CA 94518
When Peter Schicker moved to the United States from his hometown, Switzerland, he realized that his construction experience could open doors for him in the area of custom shower doors. That’s why he established his own company, Schicker Luxury Shower Doors, in 1980. As his clientele grew, Schicker realized that he needed to expand his services. In 2006, Schicker acquired a Re-Bath franchise in the Bay Area and it’s one of the few builders that services all of California. The firm became popular across the state and it has maintained a great reputation in the Bay Area. In fact, the firm has won a Master Design Award, Homes For Life Award and Remodeler magazine put it on their Big 50 list.
The firm claims it has the home building process down to a science, having mastered all kinds of bathroom remodeling designs. But the firm always gives a modern touch to every project. This master bath features two parallel vanities that are artfully placed on either side of the shower. These beguiling Mediterranean sinks bring flair to a simple shower lined with crisp white tiles.
1) McCutcheon Construction
1280 Sixth St., Berkeley CA 94710
McCutcheon Construction is one of the leading green builders in the Bay Area thanks to its founder, Michael McCutcheon. The fourth generation builder founded the company in 1980 with a clear vision of bringing environmental sensitivity to the remodeling industry. McCutcheon’s background in biology inspired him to integrate the principles of conservation and sustainability in home building. Besides his firm, he is a founding member and past president of Build it Green California, and he is also a Remodelers Advantage Roundtable member. The Remodelers Advantage Roundtable is a program between various firms across the country. The program aims to have contractors impart different experiences in the industry without competitive tension. This program keeps the firm current in all aspects of green building.
The firm offers a wide range of services, but its best often comes in the form of its bathroom remodeling service. Their focus on the bathroom has earned the firm a 2018 NARI Bay Area Remodeling Award for Residential Bathroom Over $100K, a 2016 NARI REMMIES Award Residential Bath Over $100K First Place Winner, and a 2012 NARI REMMIES Award, “Residential Bath over $60k.”
Its 2018 NARI winner was an elegant remodel that had a grand Victorian bathtub in the center. The bathroom had a modern design but Victorian themes are found in the accent tiles found throughout the room.
How can I find a contractor or home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best residential contractors and home builders in and near Marin. If you don’t see your city or project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Bathroom remodeling contractors in Oakland, California
Bathroom remodeling contractors in Berkeley, California
Bathroom remodeling contractors in Fremont, California
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about remodeling a bathroom, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
