The Best Tenant Improvement Contractors in Phoenix, Arizona

Last updated on November 12th, 2024 at 07:43 am

Office renovations often come with very specific needs. From conference rooms and corner offices to pantries and recreational spaces, brands are faced with the challenge of hiring a contractor able to capture the essence of their company. This list compiles 15 of the best firms capable of just that in Phoenix, Arizona.

They were chosen based on merit, media presence, background, and several prior projects. Several of these firms utilize some of the industry’s latest technologies, as well as numerous unique processes.

If you are thinking about improving tenant spaces, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Fleming Complete

1736 S Nevada Wy., Mesa, AZ 85204

Fleming Complete is a commercial construction, renovation, and repair firm offering a comprehensive range of general contracting services. It has been serving the greater Phoenix area for the past two decades and has a clientele comprised of Fortune 500 and regionally-based companies from across a variety of markets. This includes not only the corporate sector, but also aviation, education, medical, and hospitality markets. Given this particular concentration for tenant improvements and for commercial projects, the firm displays a mastery for the branch and utilizes only the latest technology and practices. 

For example, it ensures that each of its improvements is made only with smart building technology. It also opts for energy waste management systems, user-friendly environments for workers with special needs, and sustainable spaces. The firm is also known for its efficient space usage and unique designs. 

Southwest Architectural Builders

3826 N Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85012-2022

Better known as “SAB,” Southwest Architectural Builders was founded in 1986 and offers a full range of general contracting and tenant improvement services. It mostly focuses on the financial, healthcare, and corporate market sectors and specializes in two kinds of tenant improvements: Class A and adaptive reuse projects. The two differ in a number of ways. Class A improvements primarily focus on premier office spaces with a definitive market presence. Buildings like these are often located in central locations and heavily feature state-of-the-art improvements, as well as high-end finishes. Adaptive reuse projects, on the other hand, usually refer to the process of repurposing an old building starkly different from what it was originally supposed to be.

Southwest Architectural Builders has worked on several large-scale projects, as can be seen in its portfolio. It is led by Joe Hitzel, a builder who has been in the industry for over four decades. He takes charge of several aspects of a particular project and promotes a healthy environment among his team members to ensure the quality of their work. 

ARC Construction

3225 N Central Ave. Suite #100, Phoenix, AZ 85012

ARC Construction has extended its services throughout the Valley for the greater part of the decade. It focuses primarily on commercial construction and has worked on retail and industrial projects, but considers office improvements as its “bread and butter.” This is because a large portion of its first projects was comprised of office build-outs; this has grown to take up a good percentage of the firm’s business. Considered to be one of Phoenix’s premier commercial contractors, the firm offers several pre- and post-construction services as well as a full range of general contracting work. It also utilizes a design-build approach, making it a complete network of architects, engineers, and designers. 

The firm is led by Bill Borders, a skilled builder who has had media features as a consultant. In addition to his duties as principal, he also strives to serve the community through his involvement in several organizations. He once served a term as President for the Executive Council for Charities and is also affiliated with the Arizona Builders Alliance. 

Princeton Construction

4112 E Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018

Princeton Construction is a boutique general contractor specializing in five market sectors: commercial, healthcare, restaurant and retail, residential, and hospitality. It offers a complete list of general contracting services from preconstruction and budgeting all the way to interior design and commercial property maintenance. Further, it is affiliated with several specialty organizations, like the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, and has worked on improvements for several noteworthy clients such as LeadMD, Kona Grill, and Wolff Company. 

The firm is led by Charlie Hall, who spent the first 16 years of his career managing projects throughout Texas, Arizona, and California, with his core market being the healthcare, commercial, and residential sectors. Throughout those years, he was able to work in almost every position in the industry, from laborer to engineer. This well-rounded experience has enabled him to guide his team smoothly since the firm’s establishment in 2011.

hardison/downey construction, inc.

6150 N 16th St. Suite A, Phoenix, AZ 85016

hardison/downey opened its doors in the spring of 1985 as an alternative for clients in need of the expertise and financial stability of a large general contractor, but also want the personal service and attention of a small firm. Its projects are mostly completed with the use of the design-build approach under a negotiated contract, with its work often ranging from $500k to $100M. The firm offers its services to a wide variety of markets such as the office, call and data centers, higher education, retail, and industrial sectors and has completed projects for several noteworthy clients. Having worked on projects worth over $1B in the office sector alone, the firm has most notably worked with numerous large names such as GoDaddy, Paypal, and DHL Worldwide. The firm is led by Justin Newman, a builder with over two decades of experience prior to his joining of the firm. His background includes work for both the public and private sector, as well as skills in marketing and sales.

Affiliated with the Arizona Builders Alliance, the firm has proved to be a prominent figure in the industry. It has been featured as a leading firm in the Engineering News-Record Southwest for several consecutive years. 

RSG Builders

501 N 44th St. Suite #105 Phoenix, AZ 85008

RSG Builders focuses solely on commercial real estate and construction services and has worked on over ten million square feet of tenant improvement work. Offering a full range of design-build services, the firm is perfect for clients in search of a single point of contact. Because of the firm’s strong relationships with some of the area’s leading architectural and engineering professionals, it is equipped to handle a project from conception to completion. Its process, however, emphasizes tailoring its service offerings to a client’s specific needs. If a client or project were in need of only construction management or professionals, the firm would gladly be able to assemble a team fit for the challenge. It is led by Craig Zupancic, one of the firm’s founding members who brings nearly two decades of real estate and construction experience to the company. His extensive background mostly entails large-scale corporate projects and the pre-construction and construction of over two million square feet of build-to-suit tenant improvements.

Named by the Engineering-News Record Southwest as among its leading contractors for 2017 and 2018, the firm is LEED-certified and is affiliated with NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association). The following project won the 2017 NAIOP Redevelopment of the Year award. It features a spacious outdoor patio, massage room, and large kitchen. The firm’s team also incorporated a more modern design and state-of-the-art features like itSynergy as well as a new Wi-Fi system. 

Ryan Companies US, Inc.

3900 E Camelback Rd. Suite #100, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Ryan Companies US, Inc. offers comprehensive commercial real estate services as a national developer, builder, capital investment consultant, architect, and real estate manager with a focus on bringing lasting value to its customers and the communities in which it works. Ryan market depth includes industrial, healthcare, senior living, retail, corporate build-to-suit, office, mixed-use and multifamily. As a LEED-certified firm, Ryan evaluates all projects against its own sustainability standards as well as LEED criteria. Its work on the AT&T Tower in Minnesota earned a Gold LEED certification. This project featured 33 floors, intricate atriums, and beautiful skyways.

Another of the firm’s notable projects is GoDaddy’s Global Technology Center, which can be seen in the chosen photo. This 150,000 square foot facility serves as one of GoDaddy’s nine centers nationwide. The firm was tasked with its development and was challenged with creating creative space for the company’s 1,300 employees. McKesson’s WELL certified corporate campus, Phoenix’s FBI Division, and Tucson Electric Power also join the list of the firm’s LEED certified projects and customers.

Wespac Construction

9440 N 26th St., Phoenix, AZ 85028

Established in 1991, Wespac Construction offers preconstruction and construction services to a wide variety of sectors. It has secured a solid reputation for itself as a leading commercial general contracting and construction management firm and showcases an impressive clientele list comprised of over 85% repeat clients. Throughout its nearly three-decade run in the industry, it has worked on both large- and small-scale projects, from small tenant improvements to large shell and master-planned communities. The firm is led by John Largay, a contractor who has been in the industry for over 30 years. He actively oversees all of the firm’s projects and ensures that each phase of construction, from estimating and preconstruction to quality control, receives the benefit of his expertise.

The firm is LEED-certified and is affiliated with the NAIOP. It has also been recognized with numerous awards over the years. Some of its most notable accolades include two 2019 RED Awards for Best Office Project in the “Under 200,000 square feet” and “over 200,00 square feet” categories. 

Caliente Construction

485 W Vaughn St., Tempe, AZ 85283

Named by Ranking Arizona as the area’s number one general contractor for the past three years, Caliente Construction is a woman-led firm known for its award-winning projects and services. When the company was founded by Tom and Lorraine Bergman in 1991, Lorraine, the firm’s current principal did not picture herself being directly involved in the business. When Tom passed in 2005, Lorraine took over as CEO and has led the firm to become one of the largest woman-owned businesses in the state, with the firm being named among the top 50 of Arizona’s commercial contractors.  Caliente works with a vast array of sectors, including the commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare markets. It offers integrated construction management services delivered through design-build, construction manager-at-risk, job order contracting and service agreements.

The featured project, Barnone, won the firm the 2017 Distinguished Project award from American Institute of Architects, Arizona Chapter. Formerly a 1950’s Quonset Hut, the space was transformed  to offer eight retail, restaurant and local craft manufacturing spaces. Designed by DeBartolo Architects, the project also included construction of two exterior metal buildings housing a wine bar and barn space for the working farm Agritopia, where the project is located.

LGE Design Build

740 N 52nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85008

Headquartered in Phoenix, LGE has established itself as one of Arizona’s leading general contractors, having worked on over 700 projects worth nearly $18M since its founding in 1994. It handles every aspect of a particular project, from site selection and preliminary designs and construction. It also provides entitlement and development partnership services, and has been recognized several times in the industry for its outstanding work. Some of its most notable accolades include several RED and NAIOP awards for its tenant improvements as well as a few distinctions from the American Institute of Architects for its excellent designs. 

The firm is led by David Sellers, who has been with the company since 2000. Sellers has overseen the development of over 15 million square feet of space and has led LGE to become the company that it is today. To further the firm’s strength in design, he established its exclusive in-house architectural division, the LGE Design Group. For his excellent skills and leadership, Sellers himself has been distinguished with several awards under the firm’s name. He was once proudly named by the NAIOP as its General Contractor of the Year, as well as its Tenant Improvement Contractor of the Year. The Phoenix Business Journal has also him as one of its annual “40 Under 40.” 

Willmeng Construction

2048 N 44th St. Suite #200, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Willmeng Construction has been in the industry since 1977 and primarily constructs and renovates buildings according to four delivery methods: construction management-at-risk, negotiated design assist, design-build, and job order contracting. This is all achieved with the aid of the firm’s three guiding principles: a commitment to supporting prelease transactions, managing projects regardless of size, and fostering a culture of “altruistic service” among its team members. At the firm’s helm is James Murphy, who first joined the firm in 1999 as a project manager. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to Vice President in 2001 before finally purchasing the company in 2006. 

Since his assumption of leadership, he has been honored with being named by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of  its annual “40 Under 40.” Affiliated with the NAIOP, the firm has also won several distinctions. It was named by the same organization as its General Contractor of the Year for 2017. It also won the NAIOP Redevelopment Project of the Year accolade during the same year.

Jokake Construction

5013 E Washington Suite #100, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Jokake Construction is a commercial general contractor offering a full range of services, from ground-up construction to large-scale renovations and tenant improvements. It has over 35 years of industry experience and specializes not only in corporate tenant improvements, but also healthcare, education, and hospitality projects. Its record year came in 2018, after it was named as the company to watch out for. Six months later, the Engineering News-Record Southwest named Jokake its Contractor of the Year. The firm ended 2018 with nearly $100M in revenue and a 90% repeat client rate. One of the firm’s projects was also recognized by the NAIOP as its Tenant Improvement of the Year.

The featured project showcases the firm’s work on the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America’s corporate headquarters. Together with WORKSBUREAU, the firm transformed this 87,000 square foot space into a lively and vibrant office. Its new design features a Camelback corridor, colorful offices, and several artsy elements infused with the office’s old industrial layout.  

DPR Construction

222 N 44th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008 

Consistently named among the country’s best 50 general contractors for the past decade, DPR Construction specializes in complex and sustainable projects for an extensive range of markets. In addition to its commercial and corporate work, it also provides services to the healthcare, advanced technology, life sciences, and higher education sectors. It is affiliated with the US Green Building Council and currently holds the distinction of having the most number of LEED-accredited professionals on its team. Throughout its two decades in the industry, the firm has been recognized multiple times both by award-giving bodies and several publications for its excellent work. These accolades include several features on Engineering News-Record and awards from the NAIOP for its stellar interiors. 

The chosen project was a 16,300 square foot improvement for WeWork. The project was completed in the confines of a premier mixed-use building. For this office, the firm constructed new partitions, installed an updated HVAC system,  and added several new fixtures. It also displayed its skill for custom millwork and included multiple new finishes. 

Layton Construction

2355 E Camelback Rd. Suite #800, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Layton Construction is a nationally-ranked commercial builder best known for its healthcare, retail, hospitality, higher education, industrial, and office work. With over 66 years of experience, the firm takes pride in its rankings; the firm was recently recognized by Engineering News-Record as the 44th largest contractor in the United States. Layton Construction also holds the distinction of being the fourth largest healthcare contractor and 28th largest hospitality contractor in the country, according to Modern Healthcare and Building Design & Construction’s Giants 300, respectively. The firm primarily utilizes a design-build approach and works closely with its clients, architects, and all subcontractors to ensure that each project stays on track and adheres to the budget. All clients are guaranteed a one-year warranty, which comes with an 11th-month walkthrough to better identify possible problems that may arise before the warranty expires.

The firm commemorated its 30th anniversary providing services in the area back in 2017 and further marked the year after achieving having built over two million square feet of industrial and tenant space throughout Arizona. It also increased its revenues by 60% and worked on over 34 tenant improvements during that same year.

The Weitz Company

2111 E Highland Ave. Suite #400, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Over a century old, the Weitz Company is the country’s sixth oldest architecture, engineering, and contracting firm, and is also the longest-serving firm on this list. It extends its work throughout the entire country and has nine offices spread nationwide. A leading figure in general contracting and design-building, the firm specializes in three industries: the commercial, industrial, and supply chain markets. It has been recognized with multiple awards for these services numerous times throughout its long run. It is no stranger to the Engineering News-Record’s annual list of leading firms. As for its most recent awards, it most notably took home the 2019 ABC Eagle Award for Construction Excellence.

The firm also fulfills social civic responsibility and gives back to its community. One of its advocacies includes battling homelessness, with its most recent efforts including work on renovating a 22,000 square foot facility which will serve as both a home and employment center. The project features shared bedrooms, several common spaces, recreational areas, a computer lab, a kitchen, and numerous offices. 

How can I find a general contractor near me?

Read our latest articles on the best general contractors in and near Arizona. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

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About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration

Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about improving tenant spaces, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.