Known for its beautiful beaches, Santa Cruz is home to tons of families who are drawn to the city’s relaxed atmosphere. The local surfing scene and laid-back culture entice people to enjoy the slower-paced lifestyle and enjoy picturesque spots like the boardwalk and fishing pier. Some of the city’s other popular activities include coastal hiking and marine life watching. Santa Cruz also has a historical mission and a peaceful downtown area where residents and visitors can enjoy Shakespearean performances and surf museums.
For anyone interested in settling in Santa Cruz or transforming their existing home here, we have created a list of the area’s best home remodelers. Each of the firms on this list has received glowing feedback from clients and industry partners, a majority of whom are willing to work with them again.
Santa Cruz Green Builders
303 Potrero St. Suite 45-105, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Santa Cruz Green Builders is a design-build firm with a commitment to creating spaces that revolve around green building principles. Its dedication to ensuring projects are feasible and environment-friendly has shaped the way it works on a variety of project types, including commercial buildings, restaurants, ADUs, and new homes. On all project types, it has refined its process around providing smart designs, using non-toxic and sustainable materials, maximizing energy and water efficiency, and building to last. Santa Cruz Green Builders also makes sure to keep its services financially valuable to clients. In addition to remodeling services, it also boasts expertise in concrete, framing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, and finish carpentry.
As it works with clients, Santa Cruz Green Builders emphasizes making operations as easy and smooth as possible. It simplifies the aspects of construction that most people would have difficulty with, especially ones that rely heavily on client-based decisions. This approach to construction has resulted in the firm receiving extensive positive feedback from clients. Clients have commonly described Santa Cruz Green Builders as comprehensive, organized, and solutions-oriented. The firm’s self-performance often receives praise; partners and clients have noted how the firm’s extensive capabilities ensure tighter timelines, better quality, and increased reliability.
Costa Bella Builders
236 Santa Cruz Ave. Suite B, Aptos, CA 95003
Costa Bella Builders provides clients in the greater Monterey Bay Area with general contracting, new home construction, and major remodeling services. The firm’s operations center around delivering design innovation and value solutions, allowing it to bring skilled craftsmanship, reliable communication, and professional project management to each project. As a result, the firm is able to consistently build and remodel cost-effective spaces without compromising time and quality.
The quality that Costa Bella Builders’ work is known for comes from nurturing long-term relationships with clients, subcontractors, architects, designers, and suppliers. Client testimonials, in particular, commonly commend the firm for its ability to exceed client and industry expectations. Several clients have expressed gratitude for the way the firm treated them attentively and respectfully, while other clients have praised the way that Costa Bella Builders took their ideas seriously while also giving accurate and appropriate suggestions when needed. Clients also described the firm’s in-house team and subcontractor partners as easy to work with, prompt, and professional. They noted that all changes to a project were immediately reported to clients, allowing them to discuss things in detail and complete projects on schedule.
Lewis Design Build Remodel
216 Mt. Hermon Rd. #268, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Founded in 2006 by Jared Lewis, Lewis Design Build Remodel has become known for its industry expertise and use of innovative technology. Lewis’ dedication to the trade comes from his father, who taught him the importance of a strong work ethic in completing general contracting projects. As the leader of the firm, he also draws inspiration and guidance from his time in the military, which taught him how to conduct himself with self-discipline. Lewis is also trained in optimizing the homebuilding process to maximize comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, bolstered by his certifications as a Lead Renovator from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a Green Builder from Built it Green.
Under his leadership, the firm specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, room additions, and whole-home remodels in the Santa Cruz and South Bay areas. Among the firm’s projects is this 1,300-square-foot home in Santa Cruz, for which the firm provided an extensive remodel. Lewis Design Build Remodel transformed this old structure into an open-concept home to better reflect the client’s relaxed lifestyle. It now features a cool and modern color scheme with bright colors and light wood tones that give the space a wide and airy feel. Other details include a mix of warm woods, light-painted cabinets, and quartz countertops in the kitchen.
INvision Design + Build
1771 44th Ave., Capitola, CA 95010
INvision Design + Build focuses on producing designs that emphasize the style and functionality of residential and small commercial spaces. Its team draws inspiration from the collaborative partnerships it builds with clients, tailoring each detail to meet the feasibility and affordability factors that are unique to each client. Each project is planned around client goals, budget, and preferred design type—the three aspects that act as the firm’s guide in avoiding unknown costs, compliance issues, and wasteful operations. INvision Design + Build also makes sure to maintain prominent communication and collaboration throughout each phase in order to maximize efficiency and promptness.
Over the years, INvision Design + Build has received extensive praise from its clients. A majority of testimonials have praised the firm’s ability to keep everyone aligned on project details, ensuring a smooth experience for all involved. Clients also mentioned being impressed with how flexible and adaptable the firm is to implementing new ideas. Additionally, many clients stated a willingness to work with INvision Design + Build again and were confident about referring friends and family to the firm.
Sightline Construction
1045 17th Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Sightline Construction specializes in design-build projects for clients in the Santa Cruz area, including new home construction projects, ADUs, remodels, and room additions. Over the years, the firm has refined its services and building techniques to create better building experiences and produce functional and remarkable spaces. Regardless of the project type, each of the firm’s projects is meant to provide value and improve the client’s quality of life through creative and solutions-oriented design.
Sightline Construction always makes sure to work on time and within budget, while simultaneously adhering to the unique specifications that reflect the client’s personality. This Grandview Kitchen is among the firm’s completed remodeling projects. The kitchen originally featured a pantry in the middle of the room and a hidden galley kitchen that the client wanted to rework into something more open and spacious. Sightline Construction removed the wall and pantry, and then adjusted the kitchen into a space where casual living and meal preparation activities met. The firm also installed a skylight to ensure that ample natural light floods the space.
