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Service area · San Carlos, CA

San Carlos Homes, Hillside to Flatland, Remodeled with Care.

San Carlos has everything from flat-lot homes in Howard Park and Burton Park to view homes in the hills around White Oaks. True Builders designs, permits and builds remodels, additions and ADUs for both. Licensed (CSLB #1110631) and insured.
Hillside home with a cantilevered deck in San Carlos
Local Knowledge, Local Results

Why San Carlos HomeownersChoose True Builders.

Sloped San Carlos lots offer great views but add engineering: retaining walls, drainage, stepped foundations and careful access for crews and materials. The city also reviews many additions and exterior changes for design compatibility, and protected trees are common on hillside parcels. On flatter lots, garage conversions and backyard ADUs are straightforward. We plan the engineering and approvals for your specific site so your budget holds.

You’ll get a fixed construction price and one project manager.

Hillside living room with floor-to-ceiling windows
Recent Work

Projects Like Yours.

San Carlos Permits & Rules

What to Know Before You Build in San Carlos.

We handle every permit. Here's the short version of what San Carlos typically requires for common projects:

  • Hillside construction — Sloped lots often require geotechnical reports, engineered foundations, retaining walls and drainage plans.
  • Design review — Many additions, second stories and exterior changes are reviewed for neighborhood compatibility.
  • Protected trees — Removing protected trees requires a permit, and hillside projects often need tree protection plans.
  • ADUs — Approved ministerially under California ADU law; slope and access can affect design and cost.
  • Remodels — Permits are required for structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical changes.
SERVICES IN SAN CARLOS

Everything Your San Carlos Home Needs.

From ADUs and garage conversions to kitchens, bathrooms and additions, one licensed team handles design, permits and construction for San Carlos homeowners.

Typical San Carlos Project Costs & Timelines

  • Kitchen remodel: about $60K–$95K for a refresh, $95K–$150K for a signature remodel, $150K–$250K+ for an estate kitchen
  • Bathroom remodel: about $35K–$60K for a refresh up to $100K–$175K+ for a primary suite
  • Garage conversion to an ADU: about $120K–$275K
  • Detached ADU: about $275K–$600K+, typically finished in 6–9 months
  • Room addition: 3–4 months of construction for one room, 4–6 months for a primary suite
  • Whole-home remodel: 4–5 months for select spaces up to 8–12+ months for a full redesign

2026 ranges for planning purposes. Your fixed price follows a site visit.

How a San Carlos Project Works

  1. Free consultation & site visitWe review your goals, your lot and San Carlos zoning rules before anything is designed.
  2. Design & fixed pricePlans, engineering and a clear, fixed construction price before work begins.
  3. PermitsWe submit to the City of San Carlos and handle every plan-check comment for you.
  4. Build & final inspectionOne project manager from the first day on site through final sign-off.

Also Serving Homeowners Near San Carlos

SAN CARLOS FAQS

Local Questions, Answered.

Hillside work commonly adds 10–25% or more to a project because of engineering, foundations, retaining walls, drainage and access. We scope site conditions before pricing so it's in the budget.

Usually, with engineering. Elevated decks and additions on slopes need structural design based on soil conditions, and some require design review.

Most run $150,000–$250,000 for a garage conversion and $275,000–$600,000 for a detached ADU, with hillside sites toward the higher end.

We work throughout San Carlos, including White Oaks, Howard Park, Burton Park, Devonshire and the hillside neighborhoods west of Alameda de las Pulgas.

Most San Carlos kitchen remodels fall into three levels: about $60,000–$95,000 for a refresh, $95,000–$150,000 for a signature remodel with semi-custom cabinetry and layout changes, and $150,000–$250,000 or more for an estate-level custom kitchen, plus city permit fees.

It depends on scope: remodeling select spaces such as the kitchen and bathrooms takes about 4–5 months, a comprehensive remodel with structural changes 6–8 months, and a complete home redesign 8–12 months or more.

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Get Your San CarlosProject Quote.

Tell us about your San Carlos home and what you’d like to build. We’ll reach out within one business day.
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Your Project Goals.

Planning a project in San Carlos? Tell us about your property and choose your project type. We’ll review your ideas and follow up within one business day to schedule a free consultation.

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