The Best Commercial Contractors in San Jose, California

Last updated on June 21st, 2024 at 04:45 pm

Embarking on a commercial construction project in San Jose, California, demands meticulous planning and a keen eye for detail. From bustling retail spaces to innovative office complexes, the city’s dynamic landscape calls for contractors who can deliver on both form and function. Understanding the nuances of commercial construction in this vibrant hub—where projects can range from $150,000 to well over $1.25 million—provides insight into the scope and scale of endeavors undertaken. With timelines stretching up to 50 weeks, contingent upon project size and complexity, the journey from the blueprint to fruition is often marked by challenges and triumphs.

About 971,233 people live in San Jose, California, and the median home value is $1.3 million, reflecting the city’s thriving economy and high living standards. Permit data sourced from the building department in San Jose sheds light on the competitive landscape, revealing a myriad of contractors vying for commercial projects in the region. However, the quest for a dependable partner remains paramount amidst abundant options. Over the past two years, the average cost of commercial construction hovers around $78.28 per square foot, underscoring the financial investment required to bring architectural visions to life. Selecting a contractor who aligns with your vision, budget, and timeline can mitigate risks and ensure a seamless construction process.

In commercial construction, the stakes are high, and the repercussions of choosing the wrong contractor can be financially and emotionally significant. With the potential for projects to span multiple months or even years, forging a partnership built on trust and reliability is non-negotiable. As you navigate the landscape of commercial construction companies in San Jose, California, remember that the right choice can spell the difference between a project that exceeds expectations and one fraught with setbacks.

Overview: The Best Commercial Contractors in San Jose, California

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more.

Blach Construction

2244 Blach Pl. Suite #100, San Jose, CA 95131

Blach Construction has built residential and commercial structures in San Jose for over 50 years. Its reputation is built on strong artistry, high-quality homes, and great customer service. Under the leadership of Mike Blach, the firm has grown and developed its team and services. Since its inception, the team has committed to delivering projects that shape and improve the community. Every team member is equipped with construction knowledge to help clients navigate their projects more efficiently.

The Palo Alto tenant improvement project in its portfolio required the team’s pre-construction and construction services expertise. Gensler collaborated with Blach to complete over 90,000 square feet of renovation of two-story office. The project was completed within seven months and won the International Interior Design Association Northern California Chapter Award.  In 2017, this San Jose commercial general contractor was featured in Fortune‘s “The 25 Best Small and Medium-Size Workplaces in the Bay Area”.

Iron Construction

1955 The Almeda, San Jose, CA 95126 

Since opening its doors, Iron Construction has become a notable contractor in California and neighboring states. Dave Edgar, a seasoned builder and LEED-accredited professional, leads the firm. Iron Construction strikes the balance between sustainability and functionality in its projects. The San Jose-based firm is well-versed in constructing commercial structures for clients like DHL, Roche, Colliers International, and Washington Holdings, among others. 

The firm’s portfolio showcases works ranging in scope and style. Take, for example, the firm’s headquarters in San Jose. This modern rustic office features an open-space Class A office. The firm built the 13,500-square-foot office following the design of AAI Architecture & Interior Design. The new office features recycled materials, including repurposed ceiling joists for new stair treads and L-beams for architectural metalwork. The new design also uses a rainwater catchment tank to recycle water to flush toilets throughout the building. 

McLarney Construction, Inc.

355 S. Daniel Way, San Jose, CA 95128 

McLarney Construction has been trusted by many businesses to build and develop their structures. Kevin McLarney originally founded the company to focus on tenant improvements, which grew and expanded its services. McLarney is joined by three well-versed leaders who are completing the firm’s powerhouse leadership team.

McLarney Construction’s portfolio showcases the firm’s most state-of-the-art projects. Some of the firm’s notable clients include Zoom, J.P. Morgan, Samsung, and Bloom Energy. One of its most notable works is the Nissan campus in Santa Clara. The office includes over 90,000 square feet of market-ready space complete with vehicle garage features, including car lifts, roll-up doors, and multiple design labs. It also displays an array of spacious and modern conference rooms, offices, break areas, and a common room.

Webcor

777 N. 1st St. 5th Flr., San Jose, CA 95112 

Webcor is a well-recognized construction company serving San Jose and the rest of Silicon Valley with top-notch workmanship. Jes Pedersen is a seasoned professional who guides the firm with a group of equally established leaders. Under his management, the firm has collaborated with some of the industry’s leading brands and architects. The team of adept builders is well-versed in constructing complex and innovative spaces. Its forward-thinking solutions have been the firm’s edge among its competitors and its core values of trust, teamwork, and giving back to the community. 

Webcor, in collaboration with HOK, built the Bay Meadows in San Mateo. The 174,000-square-foot concrete office project is a LEED Gold Certified project, completing a portion of the 763,000-square-foot office space. It features a two-story entrance lobby with a 14-foot glass curtain wall system, large flexible floor plates with 11-foot floor-to-ceiling heights, surface parking, patios, bicycle storage, and a locker room with showers. 

BCCI Construction

1160 Battery St. Suite #250, San Francisco, CA 94111

BCCI Construction has brought exceptional commercial structures to California. Michael Scribner and Dominic Sarica, AIA, share a deep passion for great design and construction. Both leaders have developed a team of craftspeople skilled in commercial construction work. Its team comprises LEED Accredited Professionals who ensure projects are not only durable but also energy-efficient. Because of its construction prowess and sustainability efforts, the San Francisco Business Times and San Jose Business Journal have featured it in their publication.

Throughout the years, the firm has worked with many clients in the city, including Lowe Enterprises, Skype, Google, and YMCA. One of the firm’s latest projects is the McAfee headquarters in San Jose. BCCI Construction performed a design/build work for the 72,200-square-foot office, which was completed with two floors of open workspace connected by an architectural staircase. Regardless of the challenges during the construction process, the solution-driven team modified and adjusted the overall plan to meet the client’s budget and schedule. McAfee’s new office was completed in August 2020 and earned a zero punch list.   

XL Construction Corporation

851 Buckeye Ct., Milpitas, CA 95035 

XL Construction Corporation remains one of Silicon Valley’s trusted contractors, providing unmatched customer service and excellent construction work. Eric Raff and Dave Beck founded XL Construction Corporation to respond to complex building problems. After 25 years in the field, the firm has grown its clientele and established its niche in the market. Today, the firm has three offices in California and has over 400 people. Its excellence in construction has been featured repeatedly in publications. These include Silicon Valley Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times, and Engineering News-Record.

XL Construction Corporation’s portfolio showcases projects ranging from corporate offices to healthcare facilities. One of its notable projects is the Assembly at North First Street, which features over 300,000 square feet of LEED Gold standard facilities. One of the focal points of this building is the “Paseo” addition connecting two thirty-year-old buildings. The team worked in collaboration with the owner, designer, and trade partners to come up with a grand entrance to the campus.   

Hill House Construction

140 Charcot Ave., San Jose, CA 95131 

Ken Huesby founded Hill House Construction, providing Silicon Valley with structures that help companies and communities thrive. Huesby’s rich background in construction has helped him bring together a team of skilled design/build professionals. The firm serves its clients with pre-construction, construction, project closeout, and sustainable work. Its clients have praised the firm’s attention to detail, organization, and clear communication throughout the whole project.

One of the firm’s notable projects is the Ideas building in San Jose. The 7,000-square-foot facility is a complete Net Zero Energy/Zero Carbon Emission corporate building. Hill House Construction installed a ground source heat pump providing radiant heating and cooling with natural “fresh air” ventilation. This reduces the need for natural gas and power consumption by up to 40%. This particular project earned a Green Groundbreaker Award from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).  

Devcon Construction Inc.

690 Gibraltar Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035 

Devcon Construction Inc. is a veteran-owned construction company known for its innovative and creative works throughout Silicon Valley. The firm has excelled and grown its firm to serve some of the biggest industries in California. Gary Filizetti oversees the firm’s construction and design departments, while Bret Sisney is responsible for accounting, administration, investment, and development work. It is named one of the Top General Contractors by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.   

As one of the trusted construction companies in San Jose, Devcon Construction Inc. has had the opportunity to build and develop structures from corporate offices to sports facilities. In addition to its excellent building work, the firm is also big on sustainability. One of its green buildings is the Castro Station in Mountain View. The 49,000-square-foot office building is a LEED Gold winner and was completed in collaboration with Chang Architecture. The firm excavated, shored, and installed glass and aluminum windows. In 2023, Devcon Construction Inc. topped the Greater Bay Area Contractors List from the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Teamwrkx Construction

1855 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95126

Since its inception, Teamwrkx Construction has been passionate about setting the bar high for quality construction. The firm offers its clients modern construction needs founded on discipline, attention to detail, and teamwork. Founder and president Eric Venzon has been the firm’s driving force towards success. Under his management, the firm has expanded not only its clientele but also its services. Today, the firm serves the West Coast and Pacific Northwest with commercial construction, renovations, and engineering work. 

One of the firm’s recent works is the Transbay Transit Center Physical Plant & Infrastructure in San Francisco. The firm worked in collaboration with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects on over 17 suites of restaurants. A few of the challenges the team faced during the construction phase were strict COVID-19 restrictions, high public traffic, occupied spaces, and extensive trade coordination. The project was completed in under three months and achieved a Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) Gold Certification.  

Skyline Construction

2384 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051 

Skyline Construction is a leading employee-owned general construction firm located in the Bay Area. For over 20 years, the firm has built its reputation for constructing high-quality structures for commercial clients. A few of its clients include Fitbit, Pandora, Twitch, and Oracle, among many others. David Hayes is at the firm’s helm with a great amount of construction and leadership expertise. The firm specializes in creating commercial spaces that are creative, flexible, and dynamic.

The Workday headquarters in Pleasanton is a perfect illustration of a contemporary workspace. The office features over 873,000 square feet of modern and bright space. It highlights projects including 3 interconnecting staircases, a training center, a media room, a game room, open office space, a commercial kitchen, and building lobby upgrades. Skyline gave this office a fresh look with exposed ceilings, wooden conference room doors, and abundant glass walls.     

South Bay Construction

1711 Dell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008 

South Bay Construction is one of the most acclaimed commercial construction companies in San Jose, and it is known for its dependable and superior construction work. Richard Furtado, JB Cahoon, and Cameron Peach are the robust trio at the firm’s helm. They lead a team of skilled builders. The team has built its reputation on delivering work on time, within budget and exceeding client expectations. The firm has worked with some of California’s biggest companies, including Hyatt, Marriott, Alibaba, and more.

South Bay Construction’s portfolio exhibits projects from commercial buildings to hospitality structures. Among its notable commercial projects is the Stadium TechCenter 1 in Santa Clara. The 226,500-square-foot structure features a 6-story Class A office shell building with 360 degrees of floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The construction was done in two phases, completed within budget, and LEED Silver certified. 

Dome Construction

393 East Grand Avenue South, San Francisco, CA 94080

What started in a living room in suburban San Francisco has grown into a six-office firm building throughout the Bay Area. Dome Construction specializes in education, healthcare, life sciences, retail and hospitality, and tenant improvement projects. Today, it is led by President and CEO Rob Lynch, who earned his Construction Management degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and has been with the firm since 1996. His predecessor, Mark Bley, continues his 45-year run with Dome as Chairman of the Board. 

Dome transformed what was once a Gap Kids space in Palo Alto into a Barry’s Bootcamp workout studio. The project entailed whittling the structure into shell condition and installing all-new MEP systems, finishes, soundproofing, and exterior elevation upgrades. The result is a 5,100-square-foot dynamic space with a large workout floor capacity, a bright and spacious locker room, and a retail area.

DPR Construction

1510 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128

DPR Construction is one of the leading firms in world-class construction. Doug Woods, Peter Nosler, and Ron Davidowski are the three seasoned leaders at the firm’s helm. Their extensive experience in construction has resulted in the firm’s team development and growth. The team has the expertise to work on simple office renovations to complex technical facilities. DPR Construction’s works have been featured in Building Design + Construction, Training Magazine, and San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Its portfolio is home to projects from big brands in the commercial industry. A few of its clientele include Bank of America, Omni Hotels & Resorts, HALL Group, and Cushman & Wakefield. DPR partnered with William McDonough + Partners to design and construct the Aspect Communication Corporate Headquarters. This project integrates several energy-efficient materials selected for their durability, low maintenance, and non-toxicity. The design and construction of this facility allow for fresh air and natural light putting this at the top of the list for “green” buildings in San Jose.   

Swenson

777 N. 1st St. 5th Flr., San Jose, CA 95112

Swenson has contributed to most of San Jose’s notable and memorable structures for over a hundred years. It all started when Carl Swenson moved to California in 1912 and started building commercial structures. The firm has managed leaders whose initiative and construction values remain strong for four generations. Today, it is one of the strong leaders in development, construction, and architecture. Its team of skilled and licensed professionals is well-versed in complex projects.

Swenson’s portfolio is a collection of works ranging from developments to ground-up work. One of its noteworthy projects is the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose. The 30,000-square-foot downtown hub used to be a museum. The team integrated the 1797 Peralta Adobe with San Jose’s newest buildings to create a retail, dining, and live entertainment venue. Because of its micro-restaurant and stall-style boutiques, it provides an avenue for small businesses to prosper at a minimal investment. As one of the leading commercial construction companies sin San Jose, it was mentioned in an article from Forbes.

Build GC

1210 Coleman Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050

Build GC is a well-recognized name in general construction, construction management, and design/build work. Ross Edwards Jr. co-founded Build GC and continuously leads its team. Since its inception, the firm has collaborated with many companies and businesses in California. Each member contributes to the success of the firm’s projects. This collective effort has resulted in the firm’s award-winning service and work. 

One of the firm’s recent and noteworthy projects is the 1500 Mission mixed-use development building in San Francisco. The project, which was completed in 2020, was a collaboration with SOM/HKS and DCI Engineers. It features over 1.1M square feet of 39-story residential and retail spaces. Aside from its modern design, the building is also built with intense attention to detail and durable materials. 

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the commercial contractors in the San Jose area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.