Known for its excellent beaches and year-round warm climate, San Diego may be one of California’s most recognizable and iconic cities. It is also home to numerous galleries, art studios, parks, and beautiful gardens, making it attractive for both locals and tourists alike. If you are looking to have a design-build job completed in San Diego, this list showcases some of the area’s best and leading design-build firms for commercial and residential spaces. These firms were chosen based on their impressive portfolios and unique skill sets.

Jackson Design & Remodeling, Inc.

4797 Mercury St., San Diego, CA 92111

Founded in 1989, Jackson Design & Remodeling offers its clients a complete range of design and remodeling services. Working out of its office in San Diego, the firm has had the opportunity to complete projects in some of its best and most sought-after communities and neighborhoods of San Diego. Its list of services includes custom homes, whole home remodels, additions, outdoor living spaces, and kitchens. The firm has been recognized with countless accolades and distinctions over the years, including the coveted Big50 award, and several Master Design, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), Chrysalis, and Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards.

Showcased here is an excellent example of the firm’s talent and expertise. For this chic farmhouse, the firm conducted an extensive remodel. This included adding an entire second level to the home as well as a playroom.

Marrokal Design & Remodeling, LLC

9474 Kearny Villa Rd., #205, San Diego, CA 92126

As its name suggests, Marrokal Design & Remodeling specializes in both design and remodeling, offering its services throughout the San Diego metro area. It is highly regarded for its team’s excellent attention to detail and consistent ability to complete all of its projects on-time and within budget. The firm was founded over four decades ago by Gary Marrokal.  Tom Capizzi, who started the firm over four decades ago, and Tom Capizzi, joined Marrokal as co-owner in 2015. Today, Tom Capizzi leads the company and maintain affiliations with organizations like Build It Green, which assures clients of the sustainability of their work.

As well as being an active member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Marrokal Design & Remodeling has won countless accolades throughout the years, including several CotY and Chrysalis Awards. Featured here is one of the firm’s best whole home remodels, in which the team used a modern design that showcases seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces. The team also installed large floor-to-ceiling windows that allow a rich amount of natural light into the home.

Lars Remodeling & Design

5925 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, CA 92123

Based in San Diego, Lars Remodel offers remodeling and ground-up construction services that are carried out by the firm’s talented and experienced team of architects, interior designers, project managers, and construction professionals. This occurs under the leadership of Jason Larson, a second-generation builder and remodeler who has helped the firm become known for its ability to take on projects regardless of size or complexity. 

Since its establishment in 1991, Lars Remodel has won an impressive number of industry accolades. It also has the distinction of being the first company in San Diego to become a member of NARI, allowing it to stay up-to-date with the best and latest industry techniques. With regard to design, its portfolio demonstrates an affinity for modern and contemporary designs that feature clean finishes and straight lines.

Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling

12396 World Trade Dr., Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92128

Founded in 2005, Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling offers its services throughout Southern California. The firm is composed of an experienced team of talented designers and contractors, who together have curated a stellar portfolio of bathrooms, kitchens, and other residential spaces. The firm is a product of the vision of its founder, Sergei Kaminskiy, along with his wife, Elena. Together, they launched the company as a handyman and remodeling company before later expanding it to take on larger and more complex projects. 

Kaminskiy maintains affiliations with important organizations like the NKBA and NARI. It is also a Certified Green Professional, guaranteeing its clients highly efficient and sustainable projects.

Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel

2851 Camino Del Rio S., Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92108

Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel is an architectural & interior design firm that specializes in whole home renovations, additions, second stories, kitchens and baths, ADU/Granny Flats, and outdoor living. The firm uses a holistic approach, offering architecture, interior design, 3D Rendering, permit processing, and project management, all under one roof. A fourth generation San Diego family business which has served thousands of homeowners since 1975, Murray Lampert is known for its quality work, unparalleled customer service, and the best warranty in the business. 

While the firm is proud of the full service it provides, listening to clients and designing spaces to meet their individual needs within a reasonable budget is what Murray Lampert does best.  With its state of the art design program, Murray Lampert provides high resolution 3D renderings and walkthroughs that include fixtures and furnishings, so homeowners can visualize what their remodel will look like. One such project that this approach was used for is this featured project, designed and completed in the University Heights neighborhood. The firm’s team converted the previously single-family home into the current two-story duplex.

Stel Builders, Inc.

7950 Dunbrook Rd., San Diego, CA 92126

Stel Builders is a leading expert in the design-build process. Working out of its offices in San Diego, it is known for its expertise in a wide variety of architectural themes. The firm leverages its design-build process and makes use of a highly hands-on approach, which has resulted in personalized methods that are tailored to the unique needs of each client. At the firm’s helm is Seth Larson, an experienced builder who first gained insight into the industry through his family. 

Featured here is the remodeling work that the firm has done on this Point Loma home. For this project, the firm’s team employed a modern coastal design. Some of the home’s best elements include its custom cabinetry, sleek finishes, and contemporary touches.

Design Studio West

4250 Morena Blvd., Suite C, San Diego, CA 92117

Since its founding in 1982, Design Studio West has secured a solid reputation for its seamless processes and methods. It has won countless industry accolades, including distinctions from NKBA and ASID. 

This featured project is a prime example of the firm’s outstanding work. For its work on this condo, the firm employed a warm color palette, tiled backsplashes, and beautiful overhead lighting fixtures. Some of the kitchen’s other best details include its glass subway tiles and large custom island.

J. Walsh Construction, Inc.

5663 Balboa Ave., #443, San Diego, CA 92111

Established in 1997, J. Walsh Construction is a leading builder best known for its  construction and remodeling of traditional and contemporary homes. It has also worked on countless historic homes and provides a complete range of planning, construction, and post-construction services. Its outstanding work has been featured in publications like San Diego Home / Garden Lifestyles, which distinguished the firm with the Home of the Year award in 2016. Owner Jon Walsh leads the firm, having become a builder in 1997 after growing up around architectural design and construction through his father.

Located in Balboa Park, this project was first designed and built in 1905 by legendary San Diego architect Irving Gill. However, the home recently required an update, so the firm was tasked with renovating and expanding it. Some of the new home’s best elements include its all-new guesthouse and pool, which were carefully designed to follow Gill’s original plan.