The team at Zenith Engineers really are fantastic. I have worked with them many times through my…read morebuilder contractor client, and Zenith are producing regular engineering solutions for retrofits in the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica. Soft-story retrofits can be complicated and complex, especially with the various councils' soft-story ordinances, yet Zenith create *great* results on a regular basis. I was originally working with Jason Leon who is the Business Development Manager at Zenith Engineers Inc. Jason is professional, courteous and very helpful. He knows what he is doing and his plans and solutions are very clear. These days I work directly with Juliette Chandler, the Engineering Estimator at Zenith Engineers Inc. Juliette is fantastic - she works very quickly with the turnaround of engineering solutions, and this makes my job a lot smoother with soft-story retrofits. Happy to recommend Zenith - five stars.

I want to express our gratitude for Zenith Engineers Inc. prompt, professional, and outstanding…read moreservice throughout our remodeling project. From the very beginning, we were impressed with Senthil, Ryan and other members of Zenith team's level of professionalism, prompt response, architectural knowledge and effective communication.This level of service was seamless through our entire engagement with Zenith Engineers Inc., from obtaining the building permit to successfully passing all necessary inspections by the SF Building Department. No one questions their architectural work because they are so good at what they do. We had some initial concerns after reading negative reviews, but as the project progressed, it became clear that those comments were based on personal grievances, rather than valid concerns. The team at Zenith Engineers Inc. has a high level of professional ethics and integrity. Zenith's management team had explained to us early on in the project, the strict adherence to code and compliance was paramount throughout the project. If Zenith compromises to satisfy unsatisfied clients, the building will end up being non-compliant and more importantly unsafe. We truly appreciate Zenith's commitment to quality and integrity, even if it means earning a few negative reviews along the way, which seem rather unfair to them as they are simply doing their job. I am extremely satisfied with the professional and excellent work the team at Zenith Engineers Inc. provided us and will hire them in a heartbeat for all our future structural and/or seismic engineering needs. Thank you Senthil, Ryan and the Zenith engineering team for your professionalism and support. It was our best decision to work with you and experience such high standard of professionalism, work ethic, and integrity.

We found our way to Winder Gibson through our realtor and could not be more grateful. We worked…read moreclosely with Geoff and Daniel to design our dream home. They were an absolute pleasure to work with and took on all details at every stage, including handling a difficult neighbor. At the same time, they were efficient and budget conscious, helping us stay on track both financially and time-line wise. They made what could be an overwhelming process move smoothly and enjoyably. We unreservedly recommend Winder Gibson.

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Geoff and his team on a full demolition and new…read moreconstruction of a single family home with ADU in San Francisco. We loved our experience and wholeheartedly endorse Winder Gibson to anyone looking for a full service architecture firm. From the outset, Geoff and his team demonstrated an exceptional understanding of our family's needs, which they transformed into a beautiful house design that resonates with our aspirations and lifestyle. We are currently transitioning to the construction phase, and are excited to raise our family in such a thoughtfully designed space. Also, Geoff and team are true experts at navigating the San Francisco permitting process. They efficiently moved us through permitting, both reacting to feedback from the city and helping us manage our neighbors. Honestly, we could not have permitted the house without their guidance. In a city where building homes can be difficult, the one two punch of beautiful design + the knowledge and skill to get it across the line was invaluable. We are so appreciative of Geoff and team.

After our modular home manufacturer unexpectedly canceled our order, we felt lost and unsure of how…read moreto move forward with building a new second unit on our property. That's when we met Doug -- and everything changed. Our project wasn't simple. The permit required us not only to build a brand-new house but also to renovate and legalize the existing old house. Doug stepped in, redesigned the new unit beautifully, and reimagined the old house so the two complemented each other perfectly. The construction of the new home went incredibly smoothly. Doug's professionalism, craftsmanship, and attention to detail were evident every step of the way. The quality of his work truly exceeded our expectations. The renovation of the old house turned out to be much more complex than expected, but Doug handled every challenge with steady leadership and creativity. He brought the right people together, found thoughtful solutions, and kept the project moving forward steadily through each difficulty. His dedication and calm problem-solving turned a demanding process into a truly rewarding experience. The whole process took nearly five years -- but in the end, we have two beautiful homes that feel cohesive, warm, and full of life. Doug's commitment, honesty, and heart carried us through. We're deeply grateful for his expertise and friendship throughout this journey. If you're looking for someone who truly cares about your home as much as you do, Doug and his team are the ones to call. We can't recommend them enough. Please feel free to contact me if you want the reference. My phone: 408-800-6698. Michael

Douglas Fernandez of Fernandez Design and Builders in San Jose remodeled my entire home in 2007 and…read moredid such an excellent job; my home now is so beautiful and unique & a great fit for my way of life. The good news is that he was so fair and honest; he really watched costs which is so unusual, and in the end, I could be so much more innovative and creative and do so much more than I could have been with any another contracting firm; even more importantly, we had such a good time working together (even the demolition which I dreaded was a piece of cake because of Doug). I left throughout the remodel on many business trips, & there was so much progress and usually a surprising new touch Doug added every time I returned home. Since then, Doug has been there for me on many other occasions. The good news is that Doug is happy with and enjoys smaller remodeling jobs as well. Last year my outside deck came away from its stucco wall & needed a complete retrofit, including adding more structural columns to further support the deck. He loves a good challenge and coming up with great creative and exciting solutions that are brilliant, yet not expensive. Doug's cell is 510-377-9711. Do not hesitate to contact me for further information; my cell is 650-804-8894. Best wishes, Kaaren Powers

We had the pleasure of working with Jill Finn of TANGERINEdesign LLC when our longtime designer was…read moreunavailable -- so she walked into a situation where we were already feeling a bit off balance. But from day one, Jill exceeded our expectations. The project involved tearing down an old, dilapidated screened-in porch that had never really worked for us -- too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer -- and transforming it into a usable interior room. We wanted to keep the light and airy feel of a porch while gaining insulation, comfort, and year-round usability. We also wanted ideas for built-ins: maybe a window seat, maybe bookshelves -- we weren't quite sure. Other contractors over the years had taken one look at the porch and declined to get involved due to its age and condition. Not Jill. She had ideas right away. Jill brings so much energy, creativity, and practical knowledge to the table. Even while juggling big personal commitments (like her son's graduation across the country), she delivered several strong design ideas within a few weeks -- and they were fresh, inspiring, and budget-conscious. She collaborated easily with our civil engineer, adjusting her drawings quickly to meet his needs. She also understands our local codes and regulations really well, and met directly with our contractors to make sure her designs were realistic and executable before we got too far into the process. On top of all that, Jill has a fantastic personality. She made the experience fun and engaging, and she brought a sense of momentum and confidence that really helped us move forward. I can't recommend Jill highly enough -- her creativity, responsiveness, and enthusiasm make her a true gem. If you're considering working with TANGERINEdesign LLC, you're in excellent hands. Karen & Greg Marriner 6/22/25

My fiancee and I met with Jill to explore building an ADU in our backyard from the ground up along…read morewith a home expansion. We were glad that we chose Jill; she brings with her a wealth of knowledge in all facets of the construction phase, and she was very friendly and easy to talk to also! Most of the time we would ask her a question, then just let her talk, as she was very detailed with all of her answers and did a great job teaching. We also appreciated that Jill also has no problem telling you if your idea is a bad idea, but will provide the context and reasoning why. Lastly, we loved tapping her creative mind; she has the ability to look at a space and give you plenty of ideas for it that you might not have even thought of! We would definitely recommend her and would work with her again.

Wafaa did an amazing job. She was super-responsive to my initial request. She came in, saw the…read morespace, and immediately had great ideas and vision for how to transform it. She really listened to what I was looking for. She did the drawings fast and made requested modifications in a day!

Wafa was very responsive to my call inquiry about a new property I acquired in Sonoma County. She…read morewas generous in giving me her time on a zoom call to go over the scope of the project. Though I elected to forgo my plan to redesign the roofline, if I had decided to go through with it, I would absolutely have gone with Wafa. Her knowledge and experience is strong and she was very easy and pleasant to talk with. We elected to keep the house roof line as it is, and focus on interior upgrades and improvements. Thank you Wafa, for being so kind and amazing. We will definitely choose to use her services in the future when a new architectural need arises. Recommend.

My husband and I highly recommend Martinkovic Milford Architects! Blake, Amanda, and Amelia were…read moreour brilliant team of architects overseen by Brian Milford. They designed our dream home and also monitored the construction/renovation process in addition to recommending a great contractor to build our home.

Disappointed by my experience here. I got more value from a 15 minute phone conversation with a…read moredifferent architecture firm than I did from my interaction with this firm, which involved multiple hours of billable research.

Great friendly place for Architectural Design (Customs, Remodels, Additions, Accessory Dwelling…read moreUnits, 3D Renderings, Animation) and Building Permit drawings! Also a great place for quality prints (The Blueprint Shop)!

Our project was a major remodel practically the entire house was rebuilt (with 2-3 walls left) due…read moreto fire. Michael S at MHD was assigned to our project and performed exceptionally. He has a knack for taking what we envision and creating plans spot on to our design intent. He helped us pick various design elements that are consistent with a modern farm house home. The turn around town for his work was days not weeks and his personal and professional demeanor is a welcome surprise. We would love to work with Michael and MHD again in the future.

We used Element home remodeling to remodel 2.5 bathrooms. We got about 4 quotes prior to choosing…read morethem. Josh and Dan have amazing communication skills. It's been a pleasure working with the whole team. One thing that really stood out is how Dan and Josh both check in on progress and time line. Their workers are also very clean. At the end of a work day, they cleaned and organized so well it was like they weren't even there... Ruben their lead was also great with making sure things were communicated on fix ups. Any concern I had was quickly addressed. there were some hiccups here and there, but they handled it very well and professionally. I also enjoyed working with their designer. She understood my concept and created bathroom designs that I couldn't put together myself. It's been more than 4 months since completion, and I still look at my bathrooms and get excited. Also, they kept with the budget I had in mind. They were very considerate on how much I wanted to spend and gave me recommendations on how to cut costs. Would like to strongly consider them again to pick their designer brains for a bigger project in future.

We recently had two bathrooms remodeled, including the master bathroom. The results are nothing but…read morespectacular. Both spaces are transformed into personal spa retreats! From start to finish, the project was managed with exceptional professionalism and care. Thank you Dan, Josh, Ruben and Jael! The construction crew demonstrated outstanding craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail that exceeded our expectations. Thank you Francisco, Oscar, Rafael, Salvador, Fernando, Hugo and Oogo. No detail was too small, and we always felt heard and involved in the process. Their thoughtful approach gave us complete confidence in every step of the remodel. We highly recommend Element Home Remodeling. If you want the "A" Team on your home project, ask for Dan, Josh, Jael, Ruben and crew.

Hired Jen to complete the design and plans for our kitchen remodel and home extension. Jen was a…read morepleasure to work with from the start. Extremely professional, easy to work with and best of all, she is ON IT. She was nice enough to go to the City of San Ramon to drop of our revised plans after the city had some changes that needed to be made. She also worked closely with the current contractor we hired. Side note: I'm currently 6 months pregnant and Jen (being a mother herself), understood the level of urgency behind the work and how quickly I needed to get things done. It doesn't hurt that she also bought me a small gift for my baby :) I would hire Jen again in a heartbeat! Oh and if you're looking for an engineer she can refer you to Julio who was also great.

We have been extremely pleased with the work of JB Drafting and Design. We added about 320 sf to…read moreour home for a master bath, walk-in closet, and in-suite bath in another bedroom. I found the work of JB Drafting and Design to be exceptional. They also went above and beyond by helping me choose finishes for the bathrooms, and the bathrooms have turned out beautifully! We couldn't be more pleased! Would highly recommend JB Drafting and Design.

I'm going to start by saying I considered a designer to be an optional expense. A luxury that was…read morehard to justify. I was so so wrong and so grateful that my husband thought otherwise. We called shashi even though we already had a design from an architect. My husband just wanted a fresh set of eyes. Shashi improved the flow and layout of our plans so much, even in his very first design. He started by asking us to make a "wish list" and said that we may not fit everything but he managed to do it anyway! He reorganized the rooms in a way that made more sense and even gave us an additional bedroom and bathroom (something that we were previously told wasn't possible). Beyond the initial design, he dealt with the city of fremont, which let me tell you is no joke. They requested revisions which he knew how to took care of promptly (and we definitely didn't know what to do with). he dealt with the engineers etc and ran multiple processes and required tests concurrently to save time... stuff we have no idea about and definitely would have cost us more in time and $$ (wasted mortgage etc) to do ourselves. Fastforward to construction phase. He has an engineering background so it made us more comfortable that he was able to maintain quality control. Every time there was a question or challenge with the process, he drove over and took care of it. He would provide us with updates regularly without bombarding us. Another thing that was really helpful is that he drove me around to select tiles, countertops etc and he knew exactly where to go get good deals. also, there's a learning curve when it comes to materials. I almost picked a shiny tile for the floor and he stopped me because someone could slip on it when wet. I wanted all American-made hardwood and he immediately directed me to the right brands. It would have taken me three weeks to get all the shopping done that we got done in one weekend. And i would have probably paid way more and made mistakes. I truly believe the amount we spent on him is less than the money he saved us and value that he added to my home. Also he is just a really nice, flexible guy. He accommodated our schedules and met us during his evening (after we put our kids to bed). Meeting during business hours was something very difficult for us and he totally worked around it. All in all I could not have been happier with my experience with optimal home design. i am so proud of my house and I love shashis special touches.

When we made the decision to remodel our home, we didn't even know where to start. Luckily, we came…read moreacross Shashi at Optimal Home Designs to helps us through this strenuous process. His designs were not only beautiful, but perfectly represented our vision of what we wanted our home to look like. It was a great balance of traditional and contemporary upgrades. Then came the hard part - he dealt with obtaining permits from the city and managing the contractors, which is a full-time job in itself. Shashi poured 110% of his time and efforts into our home. We couldn't be happier with the finished product and his quality of service. We can now plan to raise a family in our forever dream home!