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The Best Design-Build Firms in San Francisco, California

8 Min Read

San Francisco is in a stunning area, and home to well-known landmarks, independently run companies, and trend-setting locals. It is a city recognized as a self-contained universe and continues to follow its own progressive path. Every area in San Francisco has its distinct personality, from the Mission District’s ancient streets to the Presidio’s green hills to the Embarcadero’s busy docks.

A design-build company will keep all of the requirements of creating and constructing your venture under one roof for just about any custom home builds or home improvements. From the initial phone call taken to arrange your project until the final surface from your remodeling is cleaned, you’ll worry less. The best design-build firms in San Francisco, California are listed here. These companies were chosen for their expertise, their years in business, and the awards they have received. Each firm featured here includes a long list of offered services.  


Marmol Radziner

612 York Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Marmol Radziner is a distinctive design-build company run by architects established in 1989. The company provides custom furniture design and production and interior design services. The managing partner of Marmol Radziner is Leo Marmol; the design partner is Ron Radziner. Marmol is known for arranging architectural tours emphasizing Southern California’s abundance of mid-century Modernist landmarks. He is a  University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Lab School and the Palm Springs Art Museum trustee. Radziner, on the other hand, is a pioneer in contemporary architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. He frequently speaks at institutions and conventions across the country. Since the company’s inception, Radziner has served as its Design Partner and is responsible for all project design.

For over 30 years, the firm has been featured in numerous publications, including California Homes, The LA Times, and Architectural Digest. Marmol Radziner provided architecture, construction, and interior services for this house. This single-family home in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights district underwent full renovations. This remodel included creating a luxurious and welcoming setting for gatherings. White oak, dark steel, and cedar are combined with stone and concrete. A variety of expressive modern and classic furnishings incorporate soft curves and textiles.


Nova Designs + Build

297 C Kansas Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

For 33 years, Nova Designs + Builds has pursued a diverse range of projects. The constant pursuit of these project types is part of its ongoing effort to become a leader in the design-build sector. The firm accomplishes numerous initiatives by incorporating fresh methods, supplies, and fee schedules. In San Francisco alone, Nova Designs + Builds has finished over a thousand projects since 1990. Since the pandemic, Nova Designs + Builds has focused on building modern luxury farmhouses in Napa Valley making Luxe’s Gold List Honoree for 2023. The cost of these projects ranges from $1,000,000 to $10,000,000 for complete home improvements and new constructions.

Nova Designs + Builds is presently led by its principal John Schrader. He worked as a composer, a professional musician, and an art-focused businessman after graduating from college. Schrader double-majored in classical studies and music composition while attending West Valley College and San Jose State University. He frequently played in New York City because of the friendships he made with several musicians and artists there. Around this time, he also collaborated with a friend who was both a contractor and artist on some of the first loft conversion projects in Soho and Brooklyn. Now, leading the firm, Schrader is a Licensed General Contractor and a Certified Green Builder.


Peters Design-Build

2746 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA 94122

Full-service architecture and building firm, Peters Design-Build was founded in 2004. It specializes in unique residential remodels, construction projects, and new buildings. The company’s internal architectural and construction teams are well-versed in all phases of design and construction. Peters Design-Build maintains a $2 million baseline general liability insurance policy and keeps all legally required licenses updated. At the same time, it can provide electronic timesheets, expenditure reports, and invoicing information upon request from a client.

Peters Design-Build has completed several historic San Francisco home renovations and new construction projects. It even extends its services to green building projects. These green construction projects make use of designed steel, structural wiring, high-tech installations with power upgrades, and passive solar design to provide heat and lower energy use. Benjamin Peters, the co-owner, honed his craft with several Bay Area builders while working on ultra-high-end homes. He became a licensed general contractor in 2001 and has been building since then. The principal, Andrew Peters, first started working in the construction industry over twenty years ago. He spent the last 10 years managing commercial and residential designs along with construction projects. These projects range from small residential remodels to commercial projects over $100 million in value.


Outerlands Design

884 31st Avenue, San Francisco, CA 9412

Outerlands Design is an award-winning contractor recognized among the leading design-build firms in the area.  It has the experience and knowledge needed to build or remodel any type of house or business. In 2018, the San Francisco Examiner named the company San Francisco’s top-rated licensed contractor. Operating since 2008, Outerlands Design combines interior design, engineering consulting, and award-winning design. Outlanders Design’s team is both American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) accredited. This team is also certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Building Design and Construction (BD+C).

One landscape architect created eight master-planned communities for San Francisco, including the Sea Cliff district. The rocky shoreline, views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin Headlands are unbeatable when the fog breaks. Inspired by its community, this entire 3,000-square-foot property was renovated by Outerlands Design. The renovation included lowering the basement to make room for a lower floor. The project’s owners played a significant role in choosing all of the finishes. These clients were able to add their own distinctively rich and varied design styles while maintaining the structure’s historical beauty.


NOA Design and Construction

2744 East 11th, Suite H11, Oakland, CA 94601

Founded in 2017, NOA Design and Construction is a completely integrated design and project management company. It specializes in conceptualizing and carrying out distinctive and artistic projects all around the Bay Area. Each of the company’s more than 50 completed projects has received a high degree of execution. For six years, NOA Design and Construction has worked on everything from the interior refurbishment of some of San Francisco’s most renowned homes to new construction from the ground up. It can accept numerous distinct project types and characteristics given its integrated model.

The full acquisition, design, entitlement, and building process is frequently handled by NOA Design and Construction. It has a wide network of specialized manufacturers, fabricators, and contractors. Additionally, the firm established a platform for working with regional and international outside design firms. The design-build methodology used by NOA Design and Construction distinguishes it from other design firms and construction firms. It simplifies the design, authorization, pre-construction, engineering, execution, and close-out phases of a project. The earliest stage of schematic design includes pre-construction budgeting and schedule creation. By using this process, the design created is perfectly aligned with the project’s time and budgetary objectives.


SEA Construction Inc.

763 Polhemus Road, San Mateo, CA 94402

SEA Construction is a renowned design-build company located in San Mateo. The firm has worked on more than 3,000 homes in the San Francisco Bay Area during the past 30 years. These projects range from simple extensions to large houses. The company began construction in 1989 and has honed its skills in new construction, remodeling, and additions. Having a team with extensive experience, SEA excels at providing high-end design-build renovation services. From the initial project design to the final inspection, this team deploys experts at each stage. Several of its staff members and subcontractors have worked with the firm for more than 20 years and are essential members of the SEA family.

SEA Construction Inc. is accredited by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). The firm has also received recognition and several awards. It won numerous Chrysalis Awards, NKBA Awards, Master Design Awards, NARI Contractor of the Year Awards (CotY), and META Awards.It was also recognized among the Qualified Remodeler Top 500 Nationwide. For the new owners, SEA modernized and renovated this San Francisco Victorian. This project won the Heritage Category Silver Prize at the 2012 National Design Awards. 


Momentum Builders SF Inc

2269 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

The construction challenges throughout the Bay Area and San Francisco area are met by Momentum Builders SF. Its devoted crew is prepared to work on projects ranging from stunning custom house construction to private track home development and business initiatives. Clients may rely on the firm’s attention to detail when they hire it for a project. Customers will notice that Momentum Builders streamlines and clarifies the construction process. Each member of its staff is a professional and possesses a high level of competence.

Jamie Pantuso is the founder and president of Momentum Builders SF Inc. He has over 26 years of experience and a longstanding passion for construction. He entered the construction industry soon after high school. After earning his degree, he joined a custom home builder as an assistant framer and started learning the trade. Both the business and nonprofit sectors are a part of Pantuso’s career. In the Bay Area, he worked with Habitat for Humanity and constructed more than 300 homes. He oversaw prominent initiatives at the same time, including Thomas Berkeley Square in Oakland and the City Walk Project. His industry experience has facilitated productive collaborations with several renowned Northern Californian commercial and residential contractors.


Element Homes

188 Acalanes Drive, Suite 1, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Leading remodeling firm Element Homes in California, focuses on new construction, bespoke house development, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and residential renovations. These residential renovations include room extensions, kitchen and bathroom enhancements, and environmentally friendly, sustainable construction methods. Each luxury custom home is built precisely to the requirements and meets or exceeds California requirements without compromising form or function. The leaders of the company have years of combined expertise dealing with Californian homes in high-risk areas for wildfires.

A team with extensive knowledge of designing and building hillside homes makes up Element Homes. This staff can guide clients through each step of the procedure, from requesting permissions to designing a customized home’s interior. Element Homes provide white-glove care throughout the full design-build construction process while constructing high-quality buildings. The company puts a high priority on location, design concepts, finishing, and budget to develop a home with all the features required. Its unique houses are ideal for daily life, entertaining guests, and remote work because these are constructed with the customer’s lifestyle in mind.