The Best Construction Companies in San Diego, California

Last updated on July 18th, 2024 at 05:10 am

San Diego has earned its nickname as “America’s Finest City” for its famous white-sand beaches, amazing year-round weather, and fun attractions. The city is the perfect place for growing families, as well as individuals who prefer an outdoor lifestyle. It’s no wonder that tons of Americans move to this city to experience the perfect weather and vibrant arts scene in the area. 

For families looking to move here, it’s important to be familiar with the best construction companies in San Diego that can help build your dream home. There’s surely a construction firm that offers services for specific concerns from bathroom remodeling to new home construction. In this list are construction companies with years of experience, numerous awards, and an impressive portfolio of previous projects.

Kitchell

9330 Scranton Rd. Suite #100, San Diego, CA 92121

With seven decades of industry experience, Kitchell has more than 850 workers in its offices in California, Arizona, Texas, and Iowa. The firm provides services in general contracting, construction management, engineering, and architecture. As an employee-owned company, Kitchell is focused on employee engagement, cross-training, and informal mentoring. 

The President and CEO of Kitchell Corporation, Jim Swanson has 35 years of construction experience. Swanson is also a board member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Greater Phoenix Leadership. The President of Kitchell Contractors, Steve Whitworth finished his bachelor’s degree in Construction from Indiana State University. Whitworth is a Designated Design-Build Professional of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). He’s also the Head of Southern California Offices, based in San Diego. 

Kitchell’s work on the San Diego Fire Station 44 earned the firm the National Design-Build Merit Awards from the DBIA in 2019. In 2017, it received the Award of Merit – Health Care for 2017’s Best Project on its project, UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center. The firm has been featured in publications, including The San Diego Union-Tribune, Voice of San Diego, and The Coast News. 

The firm’s impressive work on Scripps Mercy MD Anderson Prebys Cancer Center received the Award of Merit – Health Care for 2022’s Best Project from Engineering-News Record (ENR) California. The 4-story facility was completed in 2021. It has about 40,000 square feet of space for individualized cancer care for patients in San Diego. The cancer center houses two high-dose-rate linear accelerators, exam rooms, a CT scan, infusion bays, and lounge space.

Barnhart-Reese Construction, Inc. 

10805 Thornmint Rd. #200 San Diego, CA 92127

Barnhart-Reese Construction, Inc. is a family-owned company, led by Douglas Barnhart. The firm has worked on some of the prominent projects in Southern California, including Petco Park, San Diego Convention Center Sails Pavilion Enclosure, and the San Diego State University Tony Gwyn Stadium, among others. Barnhart-Reese Construction offers expertise in general construction, tenant improvement, develop-design-build, and build-to-suit projects. 

The firm’s Chairman, Douglas Barnhart is a current board member of the National Associated General Contractors (AGC) and was previously the president of AGC of America. Meanwhile, the firm’s president, Tami Barnhart-Reese is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Barnhart-Reese was a graduate of the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing Emphasis, Minor in Spanish. 

The firm has received numerous awards, including the AGC Build San Diego Merit Award for Unique Special Project in 2021 and the National Award of Merit for Civic/Assembly from DBIA in 2018. It was also featured in publications, such as San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Union-Tribune, and San Diego Metro Magazine.

A notable project by the firm is the Skyline Hills Branch which received the LEED Silver Certification and the 2017 Unique Special Project Merit Award from AGC Build San Diego. The 15,000-square-foot building includes an outdoor patio, multipurpose room, offices, staff lounge, family place center, study and tutorial rooms, and a computer lab.

Pacific Building Group

9752 Aspen Creek Ct. Suite #150, San Diego, CA 92126

Pacific Building Group was established in 1984 and has since built its reputation as a full-service general contractor with a focus on tenant improvements. Since the firm was established, it has worked on different projects from hospitality to health care construction. Pacific Building Group is now recognized as one of the largest and most reputable local general contracting firms in the county of San Diego. 

Jim Roherty is the firm’s president and chief executive officer. Roherty finished his bachelor’s degree in Construction from Arizona State University (ASU). He’s been in the industry for 25 years and worked for different construction companies, including one of San Diego’s oldest firms, before joining Pacific Building Group.

Pacific Building Group is a recipient of numerous awards, such as the 2019 AGC Build San Diego Award for Walkabout Australia at San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the 2013 Excellence in Construction from ABC San Diego for Sharp Rees-Stealy Sorrento Mesa. Some of the firm’s projects were mentioned in the San Diego Business Journal, La Jolla Light, and Times of San Diego. 

The Sony Headquarters in San Diego was a project by Pacific Building Group that won the 2009 ABC Excellence in Construction Awards and 2009 California Construction Best of Awards – Best Architectural Design. The 11-story office building has an adjacent 6-story parking structure. The Sony Headquarters is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified project with one executive floor of offices, board room, telepresence room, seven floors of open office space, and conference rooms.

Balfour Beatty US

13520 Evening Creek Dr. N. Suite #270, San Diego, CA 92128

A leading provider of general contracting, design-build services, and at-risk construction, Balfour Beatty US was founded in 1933. The teams under the firm have completed unique structures and infrastructure while considering how people live, work, learn, and play. 

The California Division president, Brian Cahill, is a LEED Accredited Professional, Class A General Engineering Contractor, and Certified Construction Manager (CCM). Cahill amassed 34 years of construction experience after studying at San Diego Mesa College and San Diego State University. 

Some of the awards given to Balfour Beatty US include the 2022 Outstanding Urban or Land Development Project from the American Society of Civil Engineers San Diego Section and the 2022 Project Award from the DBIA Western Pacific Region. The firm has been included in publications such as The Center Square, Hastings Tribune, and BusinessWire. 

The Mesa College Fitness Center is a LEED Silver Certification project by Balfour Beatty US. The new facility is Mesa College’s School of Exercise Center which is designed to encourage students to include fitness in their daily lives.

Jackson Design & Remodeling

4797 Mercury St. San Diego, CA 92111

Since its establishment in 1989, Jackson Design & Remodeling (JDR) has worked mostly on building and remodeling single-family homes with modern, contemporary, and mid-century modern themes. The firm received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics for six consecutive years from 2007 to 2017. 

Todd Jackson is the firm’s president and chief executive officer with over 30 years of construction experience. Jackson is a licensed general contractor and a Certified Green Professional. He is a recipient of the Most Admired CEO Award from the San Diego Business Journal. 

JDR has been given the 2022 National Contractor of the Year Award for Entire Home ($750,001 to $1,000,000). The firm was even featured in known publications including La Jolla Light, Pomerado News, and San Diego Magazine.

One of its well-received projects is a Boho Chic Farmhouse in La Jolla. The project was a modern farmhouse design for a newly-married couple who lives within walking distance of the beach. The home was remodeled with an additional second level for more space including a playroom.

Marrokal Design & Remodeling

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

Being in the industry for 41 years, Marrokal Design & Remodeling has built a reputation for integrity, quality, and service. The firm is focused on building smart homes and helping change the lives of homeowners in the San Diego community. 

The firm’s CEO, Gary Marrokal has been in construction for 40 years. He owns the company along with Tom Capizzi, who is known in the remodeling industry and owns a firm based in Massachusetts. 

Marrokal Design & Remodeling is a recipient of numerous awards including the 2022 Chrysalis National Award in Residential Interior ($300,000 to $500,000). The firm was included in several publications, such as The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Magazine, and Live Fit Magazine for its impressive projects.

One of its known works is a residential interior project at The Overlook. It’s located in Downtown San Diego and was completed in September 2021. The 37th-floor unit was remodeled from its original early 2000s standard design. The original kitchen featured a U-shaped counter and can be constricted in space for storage of appliances and the actual food preparation. As a solution, Marrokal Design & Remodeling removed the original counter and added a kitchen island, as well as more pantry space.

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

4660 Voltaire St. San Diego, CA 92107

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel is one of the trusted contractors based in San Diego, as it offers quality craftsmanship. The firm works closely with its clients to remodel their kitchen, bathroom, or home into an ideal space for their family and friends to gather. 

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel is led by Charles Cairns, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science fisheries from Humboldt State University. Cairns is a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) I/II in Design/Build Solutions. The firm’s owner, Marie Cairns, is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and a CAPS I/II. 

The firm has previously received awards such as the 2019 Best Design Award from San Diego Home & Garden Magazine and the 2019 Reader’s Choice Award for Contractor/Construction from The Peninsula Beacon. 

A remodel project by the firm won the 2019 Bathroom of the Year Winner from San Diego Home & Garden Magazine. The project involved modernizing the space by adding a walk-in shower with a corner seat, removal of the bathtub, and additional storage space in the vanity area.

Hill Construction Company

4626 Albuquerque St. 2nd Floor, San Diego, CA 92109

Hill Construction Company offers high-end technical construction and highly-detailed luxury homes. The firm has worked on different projects in California for 40 years with its award-winning team that focuses on historic preservation down to creating contemporary designs. Hill Construction works with nationally recognized architects to create lasting and quality projects that clients call their homes. 

Ryan Hill is the firm’s president and a graduate of Construction Management from California State University. Hill has 20 years of construction experience after finishing his bachelor’s degree. 

Because of Hill Construction Company’s detailed and advanced projects, it has received several awards from prestigious institutions. In 2021, it was given the Platinum Award and Wow Award from Best in American Living Awards. In the same year, it was the Regional Award Winner for Contemporary/Modern from Luxe Red Awards.

A well-known project of the firm is Sanctuary, a family home in La Jolla. It received multiple awards, including the 2020 Merit Award for Best Custom Home (6,000 to 8,000 square foot) from Gold Nugget Awards and the 2020 Platinum Award for One-of-a-kind Custom (6,000 to 8,000 square foot) from Best in American Living Awards. The home features a neutral color scheme throughout its interior and exterior design. The floor-to-ceiling windows warmly welcome the afternoon light that makes the home look more clean and contemporary.

J Walsh Construction, Inc

5663 Balboa Ave #443, San Diego, CA 92111

Founded in 1997, J Walsh Construction, Inc. (JWC), is a notable full-service construction company based in San Diego. The firm is focused on the construction and remodeling of traditional, historic, and contemporary homes by offering planning, construction, and post-construction services. It has a team of employees who are trained to handle unforeseen challenges during construction and a new generation of project managers and technicians to organize information and design specifications.

The firm is led by Jon Walsh who originally founded the company in New York City in 1997. After moving to San Diego, Walsh re-opened as J Walsh Construction, Inc. in 2005. In 2016, the firm won the Home of the Year Award from San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyle. 

A recognized project by the firm is the La Jolla Modern Design Build in Mount Soledad, completed in October 2018. The 5,000-square-foot home features 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a wine room, an entertainment deck, and a 3-car garage. Its strategic location offers a 180-degree canyon view from the living space.