Build Better Properties designs and builds home and room additions, second stories, kitchens, bathrooms and whole-home remodels in San Carlos. As a design-build firm, we handle the plans, engineering, permits and construction under one contract, and we build our own custom cabinetry so the new space and the existing home finish as one.
San Carlos is close to home for us. Our owner, Dylan Bertet, used to live here and has built many projects in town, and we still love working with San Carlos homeowners.
Our services in San Carlos
Every service we offer is available in San Carlos:
- Design, Engineering & Permitting
- Finish Materials Sourcing & Procurement
- Kitchen Remodels & Custom Cabinetry
- Bathroom Remodels
- Whole-Home Interior Remodels
- Home Additions, Second Stories & ADUs
What we build in San Carlos
- Home additions: new bedroom suites, bigger kitchens and family rooms, added to the home you already have. Read our Home Additions FAQ.
- Second stories: for families who need a lot more space without giving up the yard.
- Kitchen and bathroom remodels: with cabinetry built in our own shop.
- Whole-home remodels: updating the whole house at once so old and new feel seamless.
- ADUs: attached or detached units for family or rental income.
Local know-how: building in San Carlos
Many San Carlos homes were built decades ago, and many sit on hillside lots. That shapes a project from the start: foundations often need reinforcing, sloped sites can call for soils reports, drilled piers and drainage plans, and the city’s size, setback and height limits decide how much you can add. We look at all of this during design, so the plan and the budget reflect the real conditions of your lot before construction is priced.
Questions San Carlos homeowners ask
Do you work in San Carlos?
Yes. San Carlos is home turf for us. Dylan Bertet, our owner, used to live in San Carlos and has built many projects here, and we work across the Peninsula from San Carlos and Belmont to Redwood City and San Mateo.
Do I need a permit for a home addition in San Carlos?
Yes. Any addition needs plans and a building permit from the City of San Carlos. Plans go through Planning (zoning, setbacks, size and design) and Building (structure, energy and code). Larger additions and second stories can also require design review with notice to your neighbors. We prepare the plans and manage the permit process for you.
How big can my addition be in San Carlos?
San Carlos limits how large a home can be based on the size of your lot, along with setbacks, height limits and lot coverage. Hillside lots can add requirements like soils reports and drainage plans. We check your lot against the city’s rules at the start of design, so the plan is sized to what San Carlos will actually approve.
Can we live in the house during an addition?
For an addition, we strongly recommend moving out. Utilities get shut off, parts of the house are held up by temporary shoring, and the house is open to the weather for part of the build. We don’t build additions with people living in the house. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are different and often have workarounds.
For more on cost, permits, timelines and property taxes, see our full Home Additions FAQ, browse our portfolio, or learn about us.
Licensed and insured
CSLB license #1077286, Class B General Building.
Planning a project in San Carlos? Call (650) 801-2699 or request a free consultation.