Hiring a remodeling contractor in San Diego is mostly a risk decision. The design is the enjoyable part. What actually determines whether a project goes well is whether the contractor is properly licensed, whether the bid separates labour from materials from permit fees, and whether they tell you up front which permits your scope triggers.
This page lists ten of the most-reviewed residential remodeling contractors in San Diego, with what each one is known for based on their own verified customer reviews. Before the list, here is how to vet any of them, including us.
Three checks worth doing before you sign anything
1. Verify the licence yourself, do not take anyone’s word for it
Any contractor performing work over $500 in California must hold an active Contractors State License Board licence. You can check any licence free at cslb.ca.gov. Look for three things: an active status, the right classification for your scope, and current workers compensation coverage. A contractor who hesitates to give you their licence number has answered the question.
2. Know the deposit law before anyone asks you for money
California caps a residential contractor’s down payment at the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price. On a $60,000 kitchen, the maximum lawful deposit is $1,000, not 10 percent of $60,000. A contractor asking for 30 or 50 percent up front is asking you to break state law with them, however the request is worded.
3. Ask which permits your scope triggers, and get the answer in writing
In San Diego, cosmetic work that stays in the same footprint usually needs no permit. Replacing a vanity, cabinet doors, tile or fixtures where they already sit is generally exempt. The moment plumbing, gas or electrical moves past its existing location, or a wall changes, the City gets involved. On a kitchen that is roughly the difference between a $440 permit and a $5,741 one, and it changes the timeline as well as the cost. A contractor who cannot tell you which side of that line your project falls on has not thought about your project yet.
How this list was put together
This page is published by Eco Home Builders, so the method is stated openly rather than left for you to guess.
The ten companies below are among the most-reviewed residential remodeling contractors in San Diego, measured by verified Google review volume as of October 2026. Each entry states what that company is known for, drawn from the review topics on its own public profile rather than from our opinion of them.
Eco Home Builders is listed first because this is our page. The comparison table shows every company’s real Google rating and review count, including ours, which is not the highest on this list. Review volume is a more reliable signal than average score, because a 5.0 from 15 reviews tells you much less than a 4.7 from 100, but both numbers are shown so you can judge for yourself.
1. Eco Home Builders
Google 4.7 (102 reviews) · Yelp 4.8 (106) · Houzz 134 · BBB A+ rated
5560 Ruffin Rd Ste 4, San Diego, CA 92123 · Licensed general contractor
Eco Home Builders is a design-build general contractor, which means design, permitting and construction sit inside one contract rather than being split between an architect, a designer and a separate builder. For homeowners, the practical effect is that there is one company accountable when something needs a decision, instead of three pointing at each other.
The service range is the widest on this list: kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home renovations, room additions, ADUs and garage conversions, custom home building, new construction, and exterior work including roofing. Most contractors here specialise in one or two of those.
Clients select materials with an in-house design team at the company’s San Diego showroom, and every project runs through the BuilderTrend client portal, where homeowners can see the schedule, daily logs, site photos and change orders without having to chase anyone for an update. Project managers visit sites daily.
With 342 verified reviews across Google, Yelp and Houzz plus an A+ BBB rating, it has the deepest multi-platform review base of the companies listed here. Its Google star average, 4.7, is lower than several smaller firms on this list, and that is visible in the table below.
Disclosure: this page is published by Eco Home Builders.
2. Beyond Remodeling
Google 5.0 (110 reviews)
5256 Kearny Villa Way, San Diego, CA 92123
The most-reviewed company on this list by Google volume, and the highest rated. Its public review topics centre heavily on outdoor work: retaining wall construction, backyard remodels, front yard remodeling and artificial turf installation. Homeowners planning a landscape or outdoor living project will find a deep track record here. The profile identifies the business as women-owned and LGBTQ+ friendly.
3. Forever Builders
Google 4.9 (95 reviews)
9619 Chesapeake Dr #204, San Diego, CA 92123
A general contractor with review topics spread across kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, roof replacement and flooring, which suggests a broad interior remodeling practice. The profile identifies the business as veteran-owned and LGBTQ+ friendly.
4. Optimal Home Remodeling & Design
Google 4.9 (86 reviews)
8400 Miramar Rd #216A, San Diego, CA 92126
The most clearly kitchen-and-bath focused firm on this list. Its review topics are dominated by bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels, with master and guest bathroom work called out separately. Homeowners whose project is specifically a kitchen or a bathroom will find a concentrated record here. The profile identifies the business as LGBTQ+ friendly.
5. Sheiner Construction
Google 4.9 (73 reviews)
1080 Eighth Ave, San Diego, CA
Positions itself around whole-house remodeling, which is reflected in the business name on its own profile. Worth a look for homeowners taking on a full-property renovation rather than a single room.
6. D & L Builders Inc.
Google 4.9 (72 reviews)
4410 Glacier Ave #8, San Diego, CA
A general contractor offering on-site services. Note that this business operates more than one Google listing, so check you are reading reviews for the location you are dealing with.
7. Affordable Design and Remodel
Google 4.8 (62 reviews)
4241 Jutland Dr Ste 205, San Diego, CA 92117
Review topics concentrate on kitchen and bathroom remodels, with a notable number of reviews mentioning the project management experience and the crew specifically. The name signals a value-oriented position in the market.
8. Modern Home Remodeling
Google 4.9 (58 reviews)
9636 Tierra Grande St #200, San Diego, CA 92126
Review topics cover kitchen and bathroom remodels alongside roof replacement and patio construction, indicating a mix of interior and exterior work.
9. Elite Living Remodeling, Inc.
Google 4.7 (56 reviews)
8650 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA
A general contractor whose public reviews reference kitchen remodeling work. Lists extended contact availability on its profile.
10. DS Legend Home Builders
Google 5.0 (51 reviews)
4848 Ronson Court, San Diego, CA
A general contractor positioning around home improvement and remodeling for the San Diego market.
Comparison table
| # | Company | Google rating | Google reviews | Other verified platforms | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eco Home Builders | 4.7 | 102 | Yelp 106, Houzz 134, BBB A+ | Full design-build incl. ADUs and custom homes |
| 2 | Beyond Remodeling | 5.0 | 110 | not verified | Outdoor living, retaining walls, landscape |
| 3 | Forever Builders | 4.9 | 95 | not verified | Kitchens, baths, roofing, flooring |
| 4 | Optimal Home Remodeling & Design | 4.9 | 86 | not verified | Kitchens and bathrooms |
| 5 | Sheiner Construction | 4.9 | 73 | not verified | Whole-house remodeling |
| 6 | D & L Builders Inc. | 4.9 | 72 | not verified | General contracting |
| 7 | Affordable Design and Remodel | 4.8 | 62 | not verified | Kitchens and bathrooms |
| 8 | Modern Home Remodeling | 4.9 | 58 | not verified | Kitchens, baths, roofing, patios |
| 9 | Elite Living Remodeling, Inc. | 4.7 | 56 | not verified | Kitchen remodeling |
| 10 | DS Legend Home Builders | 5.0 | 51 | not verified | Home improvement and remodeling |
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a San Diego contractor is licensed?
Search the licence number free at cslb.ca.gov, the Contractors State License Board site. Check that the status is active, that the classification matches your scope of work, and that workers compensation coverage is current. Any contractor doing work over $500 in California is required to be licensed.
How much deposit can a California contractor legally ask for?
The lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price. On a $60,000 project that means a maximum lawful deposit of $1,000. Progress payments after that must track work actually completed. A request for 30 or 50 percent up front is not legal, regardless of how it is framed.
Does a kitchen remodel need a permit in San Diego?
It depends on scope. Painting, replacing cabinet doors, swapping a light fixture in the same location, or replacing appliances generally do not require a permit. Work that moves plumbing, gas or electrical past its existing location, or that changes a wall, does. The difference is roughly a $440 permit versus a $5,741 one, so it is worth establishing before you sign. There is more detail in our guide to kitchen remodel permits in San Diego.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in San Diego?
Four to eight weeks of construction for a mid-range project once materials are on site. Design selection and permit review happen before that, so the full calendar from signing to a finished kitchen is longer. Material lead times for custom cabinetry and specialty tile are the most common cause of delay, which is why selections should be locked before demolition rather than during it.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Three to six weeks on site once work begins. Simple refreshes with no plumbing relocation can finish in two to three weeks. Primary bathrooms with custom tile showers and detailed tilework run longer.
What does an ADU cost to build in San Diego?
Construction runs roughly $375 to $600 per square foot, with design fees of $8,000 to $25,000 and permit costs of $6,000 to $20,000 on top. Expect 12 to 18 months from first design to a completed, permitted unit under current conditions. A garage conversion costs considerably less than a new detached build. Full breakdown in our guide to ADU costs in San Diego.
What is a design-build contractor, and is it cheaper?
Design-build means one company handles design, permitting and construction under a single contract, instead of you hiring an architect, then a designer, then a builder separately. It is not automatically cheaper, but it removes the gap where design intent gets lost between parties, and it gives you one point of accountability when something needs deciding mid-project.
How many quotes should I get for a remodel?
Three is the usual advice, and the useful part is not the bottom-line number but the comparison. Bids that differ wildly almost always differ in scope, allowances or quality of materials rather than in profit margin. Ask each contractor to break out labour, materials and permit fees separately so you are comparing the same project.
What should a remodeling bid include?
Separate line items for labour, materials and permit fees, a defined scope of work, a payment schedule tied to completed milestones rather than dates, the contractor’s licence number, and an allowance schedule for anything not yet selected. A single total figure with no breakdown makes it impossible to tell what you are actually buying or to compare it against anyone else.
Are star ratings or review counts more reliable?
Review count carries more information, because averages are easy to move when the base is small. A 5.0 from 12 reviews can be undone by two bad months. A 4.7 from 100 reviews reflects a longer and more varied track record. Read the one and two star reviews on any contractor you are seriously considering, and look at whether and how the owner responded.
