Commercial structures require meticulous processes and a talented hand, given their often challenging exteriors and highly specific interiors made for various household brands. Such buildings and spaces, of course, would require the oversight of talented contractors.
This list showcases 15 of Oceanside’s best commercial contractors behind some of its most noteworthy commercial spaces. These firms were chosen based on factors like work history, professional affiliations, press features, and the overall merit of company portfolios.
Watkins Landmark
5441 Avenida Encinas Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Watkins Landmark is an award-winning firm that specializes in the highly streamlined design-build approach. It is composed of a talented and experienced team of professionals, who together have had the chance to work on various complex and challenging projects. As a result, the firm has worked on countless cutting-edge construction projects that have enabled it to secure a solid reputation for itself. Watkins has been in business since 2004 in San Diego. Since then, it has been extending its services throughout the Southern California area and is personally led by its founder, Jody Watkins. He ensures that each of the firm’s projects receives the benefit of his experience and has had the privilege of working on various award-winning work. These include work for Petco Park, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Pfizer Campus Biotech Research Buildings, and the Pacific Athletic Club.
In 2017, the firm was featured in Construction Today Magazine. It is also the proud recipient of the Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Land Development from the American Society of Civil Engineers. This photo best depicts one of the company’s projects located in Oceanside. At the time of construction, this structure was the largest retail project for the company. Completed in collaboration with Schultz Architecture, this space now showcases an excellent modern shopping center.
Good & Roberts
2455 Impala Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Otherwise known as G&R, Good & Roberts is a multi-faceted builder that provides a complete and comprehensive range of general contracting services. It has also mastered the design-build process and extends its services throughout the San Diego region. Founded in 1979, G&R specializes in large tenant improvement projects, small shell and core work, and specialty market sectors. These include projects for the fields of life science, industrial, manufacturing, and technology. The firm takes great pride in the stellar reviews it has received over the years. In 2013, the firm was acquired by C.W. Driver as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Our editorial team was especially impressed by its national rankings. The Engineering News-Record ranks C.W., in turn together with the firm, as among the country’s Top 100 Construction Managers and General Contractors.
The project above was completed for Cymer. It encompassed working on extensive tenant improvements to an existing 2,500 square foot space located on the ASML Campus. For this project, the firm had to demolish and reframe to work on new display walls, ceiling, and flooring. The firm’s team also worked on a new paint and electrical system.
Dempsey Construction
1835 Aston Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Operating out of its office in Carlsbad, Dempsey Construction services the entirety of San Diego and Southern California. It utilizes only the latest and most innovative techniques, in addition to working with only the area’s best and leading subcontractors. The firm is regarded for its highly intricate and detailed preconstruction phase that entails everything, from value-added estimations to streamlined project management and scheduling. Its team draws from decades of expertise in making sure that clients will not have to worry about exceeding the agreed-upon budget or any delays in construction. As for its main construction work, the firm’s team assists with everything, from demolition and working on the foundation to finishing touches and details. It is composed of some of Carlsbad’s most talented project managers, superintendents, and job site staff.
Since its establishment, the company has worked on over 18 million square feet of commercial improvements and has become noted for its ability to take on projects regardless of size or scale. The project depicted above was completed for NBC 7 Broadcast Studios. It features several energy-efficient elements, which include a 250-KW natural gas fuel cell, LED lighting, natural light via solar tubes and skylights, and solar panels.
DEB Construction
101 Copperwood Way Suite B, Oceanside, CA 92058
With over four decades of industry experience, DEB Construction specializes in the construction and management of commercial projects across the Western United States. It is proud to be a certified minority-owned business and has most notably completed projects throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. The firm’s portfolio depicts an extensive range of financial, corporate, critical facilities, and healthcare projects, which have enabled it to win acclaim throughout its years in business. The firm is also an active member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), assuring its clients that each of its projects is crafted with the latest and best green building methods. This ensures that its spaces are highly sustainable and efficient. That being said, it comes as no surprise that the firm is the recipient of several noteworthy accolades. In 2017, it was even recognized by the INC. 5000’s as among the country’s fastest-growing companies for the fourth time.
Showcased above is one of the firm’s best works. Located in Universal City, this project entailed an extensive remodel of a previous museum. It was completed for the Studio Cafe on USH’s lower lot and contains various upgrades and a retro theme.
Level 3 Construction
1230 Keystone Way, Vista, CA 92081
Level 3 Construction specializes in hospitality renovation and construction and has curated a stellar portfolio for itself composed of several outstanding restaurants and commercial tenant improvements. It typically takes on projects from a wide range, from small tenant improvements to multi-million dollar renovations and ground-up construction work. Level 3 has been in business since 2006 and operates out of its office in Vista. It has serviced the entirety of California and since its inception, has worked with some of the area’s leading subcontractors and architects. The firm has also curated an excellent clientele list for itself. Some of the most notable brands it has completed projects for include Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Starwood as well as several AAA Four-Diamond Boutique Hotels throughout California.
Located in Temecula, the project above spans roughly 3,800 square feet. It was renovated for Identity IQ. The project started in early 2018 and brought forward a new take on the concept of a boutique office space. For this project, its team emphasized working on specialized interior finishes, in addition to various furnishings. The project also contains several environmentally-friendly aspects.
Allgire General Contractors
3278 Grey Hawk Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010
With over three decades of industry experience, Allgire General Contractors provides its clients a full and comprehensive range of commercial contracting services. It is perhaps best known for being a multi-family contractor but also showcases an excellent range of senior living, retail, and various other commercial spaces in its portfolio. Allgire is also regarded for its excellent new construction work and can take on extensive renovations regardless of size or scale. Additionally, it provides its services at highly competitive prices and provides its clients with personalized processes throughout the entire process, to better meet each project’s unique and complex problems. Now on its second generation of builders, the firm is led by Grant Allgire. He is experienced in almost every facet of the entire process and assured clients that each project that he takes on receives the benefit of his vision and talent.
The project above is located in Escondido. It entailed the entire shell work preparation for its extensive tenant improvements. This project is only one out of many more spaces that the company has worked on.
Prava Construction Services
344 N. Vinewood St., Escondido, CA 92029
Regarded for its excellent range of award-winning services, Prava Construction Services commits itself from inception to completion with each project that it takes on. It is composed of a team of talented and outstanding project managers, superintendents, project engineers, project coordinators, management staff, and support staff, who together have enabled the firm to be able to take on projects regardless of size or scale. Prava’s process emphasizes the importance of open communication with its clients from start to finish that has allowed it to complete all of its spaces on time and within the agreed-upon budget. It has also secured relationships with some of the area’s leading subcontractors.
This project best depicts the firm’s skill for commercial general contracting work. Completed for Driscoll, this structure is composed of two shell buildings to support the active boatyard on the property. It services as storage and also contains several restrooms for both the site and future tenants. There are also two stories of leasable office space.
Wheelihan Construction
2598 Fortune Way Ste. L, Vista, CA 92081
Wheelihan Construction is a commercial building and construction management firm that provides its clients with a full range of general contracting services. It has been in business since 1990 and operates out of its headquarters in North San Diego County. The firm and its team are experienced in every facet and aspect of the process, from design all the way through construction and completion. Its team takes the initiative of overseeing everything. This includes preliminary matters, design development, as well as construction drawing. Since its establishment, Wheelihan has had the opportunity to work on some of the best commercial spaces across Southern California. Its portfolio depicts an excellent range of ground up buildings, restaurants, breweries, nightclubs, tenant improvements, and historical renovations.
For the project above, the firm’s talented staff teamed up with the professionals of Bluemotif Architecture. Together, they worked on crafting this world-class brewery for master brewer Jeff Bagby. This structure had formerly been an old BMW dealership and now showcases an excellent and casual environment. It opted for a rich use of a combination of wood and modern industrial decor and elements. The restaurant itself can house around 350 guests, including an open balcony.
Morrissey Corporation
3740 Oceanic Way Ste. 301, Oceanside, CA 92056
Operating out of its office in Oceanside, T. Morrissey Corporation also goes by the name of MCC Builders. It provides would-be clients with a great range of excellent commercial general contracting services. In particular, it is noted to specialize in projects from the housing, retail, hospitality, and restaurant market sectors. Founded in 1995, the firm provides on-budget and smart solutions to otherwise complex and challenging work. It also completes all of its projects in accordance to the guidelines set out by LEED, assuring clients that all of its spaces are highly efficient and designed with the latest green building techniques. The firm utilizes a comprehensive design-build approach and is also noted for its excellent master planning work.
The firm’s process emphasizes the importance of cost control. It maintains the highest standards when it comes to maintaining strict budgets. Additionally, it has secured strong relationships with some of the area’s best and leading subcontractors.
Bycor General Contractors
6490 Marindustry Pl., San Diego, CA 92121
With over four decades of industry experience, Bycor General Contractors is the product of the vision of its founders, Rich Byer and Scott Kaats. Together, they have built a stellar foundation anchored on hard work and adherence to the highest industry standards. Composed of a team of over a hundred experienced professionals, the company showcases an affinity towards life science, healthcare, commercial tenant improvement, retail, animal care center, assisted living, religious, financial, and legal projects. Since its inception the firm has had the opportunity to work with numerous household brands. These include Buffalo Wild Wings, Westfield, Scripps, and the University of California. Its work is best showcased in the project below.
Completed for Marsh & McLennan, this project was a high-end tenant improvement for over four floors of an occupied space. It spanned 83,055 square feet all in all. Its first floor entails a cafe complete with banquette seating and high-end fixtures and appliances. The other floors showcase open ceilings, cubicles, offices, and excellent glass-encased conference rooms.
White Construction
2524 Gateway Road, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Headquartered in Carlsbad, White Construction is a full-service general contractor that extends its services throughout San Diego. It has been in business since 1983 and has completed more than $200 million worth of office and industrial projects. These also include restaurants, manufacturing facilities, auto dealerships, healthcare facilities, life science laboratories, and telecommunications offices. The company is especially regarded for its medical, dental and healthcare facilities that adhere to OSHPD 3 compliance. Since its founding, the firm has curated a solid base of clients for itself. It achieves this through a highly communicative approach to each of its projects. In addition to these, the firm is also an expert when it comes to the design-build approach, providing clients an effective integration of design and construction. Interested and potential clients may avail of its pre construction consultations. Here, its team carefully evaluates construction sequencing together with project scheduling, in addition to other aspects such as value engineering.
The project above is an excellent example of the firm’s expertise. Completed for Upper Deck, this project serves as its corporate headquarters in Carlsbad. It spans roughly 74,000 square feet and was completed together with Avent Design.
Jacob Dean Construction
9434 Chesapeake Dr. Suite 1201, San Diego, CA 92123
Jacob Dean Construction extends its services throughout San Diego and the areas surrounding it. It provides an excellent and complete range of services that time and again, have resulted in outstanding spaces. The firm specializes in work for the commercial industry and is particularly noted for its outstanding tenant improvements. Its portfolio, however, also depicts a great number of retail and industrial projects. Jacob Dean is locally-owned and operated. It is personally led by its namesake, who together with his team of talented subcontractors, draw inspiration from nearly two decades of leadership experience. The firm’s work can best be showcased in the photo below.
Completed for an expanding IT business, this project spans 7,000 square feet of new office space. It includes all-new sealed concrete floors, ceramic tiles and walls, Quartz countertops, and Herculite glass doors. It boasts of unique custom pendant light fixtures, a game room, and open work area.
JR Garza Construction and Management
3512 Seagate Way Suite 150, Oceanside, CA 92056
Established in 1987, JR Garza Construction and Management or simply JRG Services, assets its clients throughout every step of the process. Its methods emphasize the importance of close client collaboration, ensuring that their visions and needs are met in its designs. It can also take on projects regardless of size or scale. The company’s portfolio depicts an excellent number of commercial spaces. These include institutional, hospitality, retail, life sciences, tenant improvement, as well as multi-family projects.
Since its founding, the firm has had the opportunity to work with countless brands and household names. These include Hologic, Scripps, and the Marriott. The firm’s portfolio also depicts several spaces for The Hilton, CNBC News San Diego, and the San Diego Airport.
Boonstra Construction
3720 Oceanic Way Suite 203, Oceanside, CA 92056
Offering its clients with over two decades of industry experience, Boonstra Construction operates out of its headquarters in Oceanside. It specializes in both residential and commercial construction. The firm’s process emphasizes the importance of adhering to the highest industry standards set out by various vital organizations. Its team assists its clients with everything, lessening the challenge for them in terms of looking for any additional subcontractors or artisans. This encompasses helping clients to look for the best architect or draftsman for their project. Aside from its commercial construction work, the company also provides excellent residential construction work and is also regarded for its stellar interior renovations.
Spanning 10,000 square feet, the project above is located in Oceanside. It is a tenant improvement for Dance Unlimited, one of the oldest and largest dance studios in North County San Diego. This project included working on framing, a new drywall, HVAC, and finish plumbing. It also installed vinyl ceilings and worked on various student lounges, dressing rooms, offices, and six dance studios.
