Often named one of the best communities to live for overall well-being, San Luis Obispo’s relaxed pace of life is one of the biggest reasons people are drawn to the area. The city is known for its lively downtown, historic architecture, museums, art galleries, wine and craft beer, vineyards, and hospitality. There are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks waiting to be explored here. San Luis Obispo has something for every type of traveler and is one of the top cities with a free business environment.

If you are looking to open or start a business in San Luis Obispo, we’ve compiled some of the best commercial contractors in the area. These firms were picked for their experience, press features, awards, and affiliations.

Rarig Construction, Inc.

4540 Broad Street, Suite 110, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Established in 1969, Rarig Construction is a family-owned commercial construction business that serves San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and California’s entire Central Coast area, including many wineries in Paso Robles. The company handles construction and engineering services that include everything from tenant improvements to large-scale design-build programs as well as all types of non-residential, low, and mid-rise buildings. That range also includes agricultural storage, cold storage, wineries, offices, banks, breweries, manufacturing facilities, and more.

 Rarig Construction has a history that dates back to 1896. The firm was founded by Alexander Rarig, and at that time, the company was considered one of the most complete and modern manufacturing plants in America. Presently, the firm is led by its principals, brothers John, Steve, Nick, and Chris Rarig.

Since its inception, Rarig Construction has garnered over 150 national, state and city awards. Those awards include the 2015 Green New Construction Award for the Hilliard Bruce Winery, the VP Buildings Hall of Fame Design Award from Greater California Financial Services, the Award of Recognition from the Obispo Beautiful Association for Iron Horse Station, and the Design Award from The American Institute of Steel Construction for Saxum Vineyard Equipment Barn. The firm is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

Alan Roinestad Construction & Management, Inc.

2646 Industrial Parkway, #100, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Founded in 1995, Alan Roinestad Construction & Management, Inc. serves San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, and the surrounding area. The firm offers a wide array of services and has completed numerous design-build projects, including various medical offices and special requirement works. That portfolio includes the French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, and the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande. The company’s successful building projects include restaurants, schools, retail shopping centers, custom residences, office buildings, hotels, veterinary clinics, automobile dealerships, banks, and churches.

Alan Roinestad Construction & Management is under the leadership of owner and president Alan Roinestad, who believes that the key to success in any business venture is emphasizing quality work and relationships. Today, his firm is considered one of the leading contractors for medical, commercial, and light industrial construction on the South and Central Coast.  

J.W. Design & Construction

3563 Sueldo Street, Suite I, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

J.W. Design & Construction is a general contracting company specializing in the construction of office, retail, mixed-use, and multi-residential buildings. The firm offers a wide range of construction services that include minor interior improvements, large wineries, professional office buildings to multi-residential buildings. Since its founding in 1977, the company has completed more than 300 projects, made possible by working with the best local and regional subcontractors, suppliers, design teams, and owners. The firm is staffed by proficient and dependable professionals who work within the budget and deliver projects on time.

 Leading the company is Jerry Williams, who earned a degree in architecture from Cal Poly and has worked with some of the best contractors in the area. He started J.W. Design & Construction, focusing on creating the best design-build firm of custom homes in San Luis Obispo.

 The company has been recognized by a number of different awards, including the 2013 Green Awards. The firm is also affiliated with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Associated General Contractors (AGC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Santa Barbara Contractors Association (SBCA). 

RSH Construction, Inc.

9811 Atascadero Avenue, Atascadero, CA 93422

Founded in 1990, RSH Construction, Inc. is the leading construction company delivering top-quality site work. It offers services that include a full assortment of expertise in pump stations, wastewater facilities, and sewage lift stations. It also specializes in specialty tank coatings and provides a dynamic range of coatings to finish liquid storage tank needs.

 Headed by its president, Merlinda Molina, RSH Construction, Inc. stands true to its mission statement of producing with safety and quality. Its profound knowledge and experience have provided its clients with higher quality projects at a lower price. The firm also takes pride in delivering projects on time, within the specified budget, and exceeding its clients’ expectations. 

RSH Construction, Inc. has been received numerous awards, including the Safety Award by the Contractors Insurance Safety Council (2004-2021), Public Institutional Award-Golden Valley Beautiful Public Institutional Awards (2013), the Architectural Award Santa Barbara Beautiful Architectural Feature Annual Award (2013), and the Best Construction Company in 2019. The firm is also certified Lead Safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); it is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC); it’s also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

KGM Construction

1508 Mill Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Founded in 1986, KGM Construction is one of California’s best construction companies and has been serving the Central, Northern, and Southern California with the best construction and experience in all aspects of construction management. The firm specializes in various project types including commercial, winery, construction, mixed-use, residential, and retail. Its in-house professionals pride themselves on the quality, sustainability, and safety of their projects. The company’s reputation for building the highest quality in commercial projects and handcrafted homes is protected by employing its preferred trade partners and vendors.

 KGM owner and founder Mike Morain started his work on residential homes as a carpenter in 1976. The firm’s genesis was a job to support himself—but it became a passion. Excellent construction has been the company’s expertise under his leadership and supervision. KGM Construction holds affiliations with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Santa Barbara Contractors Association (SBCA). 

Blach Construction

2244 Blach Place, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95131

Founded in 1970, California-based general contractor and construction manager Blach Construction has been providing commercial clients with tried and tested building expertise. Through its decades of experience, it has built a solid business based on teamwork and has been voted repeatedly as one of the best places to work. It is experienced in education, housing, institutional, mixed-use and workplace building types, including technology, life sciences, professional services, health care, K-12 and higher education, and civic/community facilities. With a solid understanding of traditional and collaborative delivery methods, Blach is dedicated to offering greater efficiencies and increased value to clients.

Over the years, Blach Construction has been recognized for its commitment to excellence and has received multiple AGC Awards. Most recently, the company has been awarded the 2020 AGC First Place in Construction Safety Excellence Award, the 2018 AGC Construction Safety Excellence Award, and the 2013 AGC First Place Construction Safety Excellence Award (CSEA). The firm’s stunning work can also be seen in the pages of major publications like Silicon Valley Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times, Engineering News-Record, Archinect, San Mateo Daily Journal, and many more. Blach is headquartered in San Jose with branch offices in Monterey and Orange County.

RCH Construction

935 Riverside Drive, Suite #8, Paso Robles, CA 93446

RCH Construction has earned its reputation as the leading general contractor for new construction, kitchen and bath remodels, decks and patios, home additions, and complete backyard remodel services. Its services include commercial new construction, custom home additions, tenant improvement, custom homes, outdoor construction, and remodeling. Established in 2007, the company stands steadfast in its principles of building trust and relationships with its clients and adhering to the highest standard of excellence in its projects.

RCH Construction is under the helm of its president, Ryan Halsey, who earned his degree in business administration from Cal Poly State University at San Luis Obispo. He has sought out highly skilled and experienced subcontractors who possess the skills to turn clients’ visions into reality. Over the years, Ryan has assembled a staff that holds themselves accountable for the construction needs of any given project, delivering exceptional results on time and within the budget. RCH Construction won the 2020 Best of Houzz Award for Service with years of hard work and dedication.