Do I need a permit for home renovation in San Francisco?

Yes, almost any structural change, electrical upgrade, plumbing modification, or addition in San Francisco requires a building permit from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Some projects also require Planning Department approval. SolidBay's in-house expeditor handles all permitting for our clients.

What is an ADU and can I build one in San Francisco?

An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a secondary housing unit on your property — often a garage conversion or basement unit. Under current California and San Francisco law, most single-family properties can build one ADU and one Junior ADU by right. A garage conversion ADU typically costs $180,000–$350,000 in San Francisco.

How do I choose the right contractor for renovation in San Francisco?

When hiring a renovation contractor in San Francisco, verify their California contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov, check they carry general liability insurance ($1M minimum) and workers' compensation, ask for references from similar SF projects, and ensure they have experience navigating SF's complex permitting process. A boutique firm with in-house architects, engineers, and an expeditor offers significant advantages over hiring separately.

SolidBay Construction SF | Renovation Experts San Francisco & Marin County

Q: How much does a home renovation cost in San Francisco?

Home renovation costs in San Francisco range from $150–$250 per square foot for cosmetic work, $300–$500/sq ft for mid-level renovation with structural changes, and $500–$800/sq ft for high-end renovation. A kitchen remodel typically costs $85,000–$250,000, a bathroom $35,000–$90,000, and a full home renovation $700,000–$1.5M for a larger property.

Q: How long do San Francisco building permits take?

San Francisco building permits can take 1–5 business days for simple over-the-counter permits, 4–10 weeks for DBI plan check, and 8–16 weeks for projects requiring Planning Department review. With a dedicated permit expeditor, timelines can be cut by 30–50%.

Q: Does SolidBay Construction serve Marin County?

Yes! SolidBay Construction SF serves both San Francisco and Marin County. We have completed renovation projects in Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Larkspur, and other Marin communities. We are fully versed in Marin County fire safety requirements for WUI zones.

What We Do

RENOVATION BUILT
AROUND YOUR VISION

🏠

01

Residential Renovation

Full home remodels, kitchen and bath transformations, additions, and ADUs. We work with SF's unique building stock — Victorians, Edwardians, and modern condos alike.

🏢

02

Commercial Renovation

Office fit-outs, retail transformations, restaurant build-outs, and tenant improvements. We keep your business moving while we work.

📐

03

Architectural Design

Our two in-house architects turn ideas into permitted, buildable drawings — handling everything from concept through city approval.

🔩

04

Structural Engineering

Our structural engineers assess and certify every project — from removing load-bearing walls to full seismic upgrades required in San Francisco.

🎨

05

Interior Design

Our designers bring spaces to life with material selections, space planning, and finish specifications — fully coordinated with construction from day one.

📋

06

Permit Expediting

Our dedicated expeditor knows SF Planning and DBI inside out — saving weeks of delays and keeping your project on schedule.

2016

EST. IN SF

Who We Are

TWO PARTNERS.
ONE MISSION.
100+ PROJECTS.

SolidBay Construction SF was founded in 2016 by two partners who shared a simple belief: that renovation in San Francisco deserved a firm combining design intelligence, engineering precision, and permitting expertise — all under one roof.

Over the past decade, we've delivered more than 100 residential and commercial renovation projects across San Francisco and Marin County.

→2 Founding Partners with 10+ years in SF renovation
→100+ completed projects across SF & Marin County
→Residential & commercial renovation specialists
→Full in-house team: design, engineering & permitting
→California General Contractor Licensed & Bonded

Work With Us

Our Team

SEVEN EXPERTS.
EVERY DISCIPLINE.

Founding Partners

The Two Behind It All

Both partners are hands-on and on-site. With backgrounds spanning construction management and architecture, they oversee every project personally — ensuring quality, communication, and accountability never slip.

10 Years in SF 100+ Projects SF & Marin County

🎨

Design

2 Designers

Space planning, material selections, and finish specs — coordinated directly with construction from day one.

🔩

Engineering

2 Structural Engineers

Licensed engineers who assess every wall, beam, and foundation. Critical for SF's seismic requirements.

📐

Architecture

2 Architects

In-house architects produce full permit-ready drawings and manage design intent through construction.

📋

Permitting

1 Dedicated Expeditor

Direct relationships with SF Planning, DBI, and the Fire Department — faster approvals, no waiting months for permits.

Featured Work

100+ PROJECTS
SF & MARIN COUNTY

Start Your Project →

Commercial · SF

Embarcadero Office Renovation

Residential · Noe Valley

Victorian Flat Renovation

Commercial · SoMa

Tech Office Fit-Out

Residential · Marin County

Hillside Home Renovation

Commercial · Marina

Restaurant Build-Out

How We Work

A PROCESS BUILT
ON PRECISION

01

Discovery & Planning

Site assessment, scope definition, budget modeling, and realistic timeline — all before a shovel hits ground.

02

Design & Permitting

Our architects and engineers produce construction documents and navigate SF's complex permitting landscape.

03

Build & Manage

Daily on-site supervision, real-time progress reports, and proactive problem-solving throughout construction.

04

Delivery & Beyond

Punch list walkthrough, certificate of occupancy, and a 2-year warranty on all workmanship.

Let's Build Together

READY TO BREAK GROUND?

Tell us about your project. We'll respond within one business day with a preliminary scope assessment and next steps.

📍
Address
2181 Greenwich St, San Francisco, CA 94123
📞
Phone
Coming soon
✉️
Email
Coming soon
🕐
Hours
Mon–Fri, 7AM–6PM PST

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Common Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Everything San Francisco and Marin County homeowners and businesses need to know before starting a renovation project.

How much does a home renovation cost in San Francisco?

Costs range from $150–$250/sq ft for cosmetic work, $300–$500/sq ft for mid-level renovation, and $500–$800/sq ft for high-end projects. A kitchen remodel typically runs $85,000–$250,000 and a full home renovation can reach $700K–$1.5M.

How long do San Francisco building permits take?

Simple over-the-counter permits take 1–5 business days. DBI plan check takes 4–10 weeks. Projects requiring Planning review take 8–16 weeks. Our dedicated in-house expeditor cuts these timelines by 30–50%.

Do I need a permit for renovation in San Francisco?

Yes — almost any structural change, electrical upgrade, plumbing modification, or addition requires a permit from SF's Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Some projects also need Planning Department approval. Our expeditor handles all permitting for SolidBay clients.

Can I build an ADU in San Francisco?

Yes! Under current California and SF law, most single-family properties can build one ADU and one Junior ADU by right — no discretionary hearing needed. A garage conversion ADU typically costs $180,000–$350,000 and can add $200,000–$500,000+ in property value.

Does SolidBay Construction serve Marin County?

Absolutely. We serve both San Francisco and Marin County — including Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, San Anselmo, Fairfax, and Larkspur. We're fully versed in Marin's WUI fire safety requirements and each municipality's permitting process.

How do I choose the right SF renovation contractor?

Verify the California contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov, confirm general liability ($1M+) and workers' comp insurance, ask for SF project references, and ensure they understand SF's complex permitting process. A boutique firm with in-house architects, engineers, and an expeditor is a major advantage.

Have more questions? We're happy to answer them.

Ask Us Anything →

RENOVATE.REINVENT.RESTORE.

RENOVATION BUILTAROUND YOUR VISION