When it comes to the business of building, general contractors are some of the most skilled and well-rounded. Their project versatility, covering everything from new construction to remodels, including more specialized skills in roofing and remediation, are attributes that make them stand out in their practice.

This list compiles 14 of the best general contractors in San Marcos, California. They were chosen based on their background, their experience, and their ability to navigate the complexities of construction and design.

AOC Construction

3655 Warner St, Point Loma, CA 92106

As a full service general contracting firm with 45 years of experience, AOC Construction has done it all: new construction, additions, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, concrete, masonry, painting, stucco, custom lighting, automation, drywall, windows, custom cabinetry, roofing, flooring, ironwork and all phases of carpentry. To date, the company has successfully completed 3000 projects of varying scales and complexities.


Pictured below is an example of the firm’s remodeling work. This newly-renovated dining/living room was part of a complete home remodel. The room, which features an open concept, merges the dining area with the living room to provide more space for the family and to facilitate both the flow of movement and the entry of light. Large windows and doors also conduct the airflow and leave the home’s residents with marvelous views of greenery and the outdoors.

CalSpec General Contractors

1488 Pioneer Way Ste 1 El Cajon, CA 92020

For CalSpec General Contractors, no job is too big or too small. As a full-service general contracting company, the firm has both the knowledge and experience, as well as the resources, to handle construction projects of any scale. 


Aside from construction, the firm also offers environmental remediation (asbestos and mold), water/fire damage repair, and reconstruction/restoration. Offering these services allows the firm to continuously expand and refine the coverage of its practice as it continues to grow through the years. 

Classic Home Improvements

600 S. Andreasen Drive, Suite A, Escondido, CA 92029

Classic Home Improvements is a family-owned company founded on a passionate spirit for building, and a drive to bring the professionalism of a large company to its family-owned operations. The company has succeeded in that goal and continues to specialize in remodels and additions.

The firm believes that profit comes when customers, employees, and local communities are taken care of. That is why it seeks to provide high-quality and affordable remodeling services with honest tradespeople. From the initial consultation to build, clients can expect that Classic Home Improvements will be with them at every stage of the building or remodeling process. Learn more of their work at http://classichomeremodeling.com/.

Cutler Construction Services, Inc. 

8502 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869

With almost 25 years in business, Cutler Construction Services, Inc. has established itself as a premier remodeling company in Orange County. The firm’s process includes four components: planning, design, project management, and development. In all four of these phases, the firm is present to guide its clients through all of their questions and concerns.


When working with Cutler Construction, clients can be assured that their unique needs, as well as their project’s requirements, will be met with quality service and professionalism. Through this approach, the firm has been able to develop and preserve long-term relationships with its clients, and that’s why it continues to cultivate a successful reputation today. 

Dagan Design & Construction

1106 2nd Street #262 Encinitas, CA 92024

For over a decade, Dagan Design & Construction has been specializing in remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, decks, and outdoor living spaces. It also provides whole-house remodels and custom home building, putting a focus on sustainable building practices. The firm believes that each project is a reflection of each client and their way of life. That is why it aims to help find the balance between functionality and style in the process of creating a client’s personal expression.


Pictured below is an example of the firm’s work on an Encinitas home. The home was in need of remodeling in several of its rooms, and one such area was the kitchen. After the firm worked its magic, the kitchen now features a simultaneously clean and warm atmosphere, courtesy of the white paint and cabinets and the brown accents and wooden floors. The room’s open concept also permitted light and air to circulate freely throughout the space. The open concept facilitates easy movement from any of the areas of the house, from the outdoors, to the living room, to the dining area. 

Design Studio West

4250 Morena Blvd Ste C, San Diego, CA 92117

Design Studio West is an integrated service studio that has been in its current for almost two decades. The firm started out as a successful design studio that built long-term relationships with construction companies such as Austin Construction Inc., run by Lee Austin. 


After 25 years of a fruitful partnership, Lee decided to purchase Design Studio West out of a desire to offer comprehensive design-build services. The resulting merger not only proved to be a good investment but a staggering success. Today, the firm continues to build long-term relationships with clients, as well as architects, custom builders, and interior designers.

Grunow Construction

1121 Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037

When Tom Grunow started Grunow Construction almost five decades ago, his goal was to offer remodeling and spec home building services to Connecticut, his childhood home. When he and his wife moved to La Jolla from the East Coast, he continued to be successful. Tom even became more involved in his local community.


Today, Tom’s firm is known for the highest levels of quality craftsmanship and project management. It has experienced in-house tradesmen and top-tier subcontractors who ensure successful projects from the beginning of the project, all the way to its end. The firm specializes in custom residential construction, remodeling and tenant improvements, and design-build, tailoring each building experience to each client’s vision, budget, and timeline.

James David Custom Homes

15375 Barranca Parkway Suite G-102, Irvine, CA 92618

Few builders can say they found their start in the business early in their lives, but for James David Lepak, principal of James David Custom Homes, such was indeed the case. James started working in the custom home business at the young age of 14. From then on, he followed his passion for building and today is one of the most successful home builders in Southern California.


As master builders, James and his firm create a careful balance between the development and design of a home. For the firm, everything begins with the customer, and James believes they are just as important as every detail that goes into a home. The firm unites these two beliefs and continues to set high standards for both custom homebuilding excellence and customer experience.

Leising Builders

1260 Via Vista Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028

The story of Leising Builders is a story of tenacity, grit, and the passion to build. The man behind Leising Builders, Jim Leising, got his start learning the building trade at a young age by going to work with his fathers and brothers. Over the years, he learned about carpentry and craftsmanship, working not only for his immediate family and uncles but also for other respected builders in the area.


By working for a number of builders Jim was able to cultivate and refine his experience in all phases of building, including commercial work, residential remodels, and new home construction. It was in 1977-78 when Jim went on to successfully build and sell his very first custom home, and today, Leising Builders continues to build quality custom homes and provide remodels in Southern California almost four decades after he started. 

MMD Construction

2780 La Mirada Dr, Suite A, Vista, CA 92081

Milan Djokich, principal of MMD Construction, has almost 15 years of experience specializing in custom home building and remodels. Clients will find that the firm has mastered the Ranch and Coastal styles of architecture, as well as open concept living, a style characterized as sleek and stylish, bright and airy. 


Pictured below is an example of the firm’s work on an open concept kitchen. The room, splashed in white, brings an atmosphere of brightness to the kitchen, which is played up by the clean lines of the island’s solid countertop and the cabinets, as well as the kitchen chairs. The combination of this brightness with the openness of the room conducts the flow of air, light, and movement. The kitchen leads to the dining room, allowing for more space to entertain guests.

Steigerwald-Dougherty, Inc.

427 South Cedros, Suite 202, Solana Beach, CA 92075

Since 1984, Steigerwald-Dougherty, Inc. has been building and remodeling superb custom homes in the San Diego area. With over 36 years of experience, the firm has perfected its use of various architectural styles, including Contemporary, Craftsman, Traditional, Tuscan, Mediterranean, Mission, and the French Normandy style.


Pictured below is an example of the firm’s work on a Tuscan-style home. The Tuscan style typically features rustic walls, distressed planked entries, rough-hewn beams, and massive arches. This featured home’s interior mirrors the rugged and solid feel of a typical Tuscan exterior, giving off a sensation that the home has been here for decades, perhaps centuries. 

Streamline Construction

23632 Via Fabricante, Suite F, Mission Viejo CA 92691

Streamline Construction is a construction firm dedicated to custom home building and remodeling. Established two decades ago, the firm continues to build quality and trust through the projects it takes on and the clientele it serves.


The firm works particularly well on interior remodels, with many of its projects going for coastal or modern designs and styles. Pictured below is a kitchen remodeling project completed in Mission Viejo. The custom two-toned cabinets take center stage with a crisp combination of white, muted blue, and violet. The cabinets are accompanied by a marble, chevron-patterned backsplash, quartz countertops, and brass fixtures. These details all come together to create a warm atmosphere for a family kitchen.