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Find the Top 30 Commercial Build Out Contractors in San Diego, CA

San Diego permits take 6-8 weeks through Development Services. Torrey Pines biotech work books 6-12 months out (lab specialists scarce). Coastal projects add 4-6 weeks for Coastal Commission review.

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San Diego: Biotech Specialists Scarce, Coastal Delays

Development Services takes 6-8 weeks for standard permits. Coastal projects (anything west of I-5) add Coastal Commission review—4-6 weeks minimum, sometimes 12+ weeks. Quality contractors book 2-3 months out; biotech lab specialists book 6-12 months ahead. Costs: $53-$92/sqft.

Market by sector:

  • Torrey Pines/Sorrento Valley Biotech: Lab construction specialists rare and book way ahead. BSL-2/3 labs require specialized HVAC, casework, compliance. Verify contractor experience carefully.
  • Downtown/Little Italy: High-rise logistics similar to LA but less union presence. Expect parking challenges, freight elevator scheduling.
  • Miramar/Kearny Mesa Defense: Contractors with security clearances for DoD work. Verify clearances or face delays.

Title 24 energy compliance strict like rest of California. Coastal Commission jurisdiction is nightmare—verify property location before planning. Mild weather means year-round construction (big advantage vs nothern California).

Project by Backs Construction
Project by Bayley Construction
Project by C.W. Driver Companies

Why San Diego is Unique

Development Services issues permits in 6-8 weeks. Coastal zone projects require Coastal Commission review (add 4-6 weeks minimum). Biotech lab specialists in Torrey Pines book 6-12 months ahead—limited firms do BSL-2/3 work. Title 24 compliance strict. Open-shop dominance (~75%) keeps costs below LA.

Understanding Commercial Build-Out Costs in San Diego

Costs vary significantly based on finish level, building age, location, and scope of work. Here's what you can expect:

Basic Build-Out

$62 - 87/sqft
Paint, carpet, ceiling tiles, minor electrical. Ideal for move-in ready spaces.

Standard

$91 - 121/sqft
New walls, flooring, lighting, HVAC, plumbing. Most common for office relocations.

Premium

$109 - 159+/sqft
Custom millwork, glass partitions, high-end finishes, advanced technology.

Factors That Affect Your Budget

  • Building Age: Older buildings may require electrical upgrades, asbestos abatement, or structural modifications
  • Permit Requirements: San Diego permitting can add 4-8 weeks and $5,000-50,000+ depending on scope
  • MEP Complexity: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing changes significantly impact cost
  • Timeline Pressure: Accelerated schedules may require overtime and premium pricing

Soft Costs & Fees

  • Architectural Fees: 5-15% of construction costs
  • Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) design
  • Permit & Impact Fees: City-specific municipal charges
  • Project Management: Optional oversight (3-5% of project)

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List of Commercial Build Out Contractors in San Diego

Browse 30 verified contractors serving San Diego. Filter by specialty, service type, or project size to find your perfect match.

30 contractors
Backs Construction project

Backs Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Office - General Office - Legal Medical - Clinical Medical - Hospital Hospitality

Preferred San Diego contractor combining visual appeal with functionality for premium clients.

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Bayley Construction project

Bayley Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Office - General

San Diego office construction specialist handling large commercial building projects.

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C.W. Driver Companies project

C.W. Driver Companies

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
10,000+ sqft Build Only
Office - General Hospitality

A premier builder serving California since 1919 with a legacy of landmark projects.

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CBRE Project Management project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Corporate HQ Industrial Medical - Clinical

The global leader in commercial real estate and project delivery.

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Cushman & Wakefield project

Cushman & Wakefield

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Corporate Industrial Retail - Storefront

Global real estate services firm delivering integrated project & development services.

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Firestone Builders project

Firestone Builders

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft
Medical - Dental Office - General Medical - Hospital Industrial

Family-owned San Diego contractor with 30 years handling complex office renovations.

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Jacob Dean Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,500+ sqft
Office - General Office - Legal

San Diego specialist exclusively focused on tenant improvement construction solutions.

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K.D. Stahl Construction Group project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
3,000+ sqft
Office - Tech Office - General Retail - Restaurant

17+ years San Diego experience in Class A office and tenant improvement projects.

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Level 3 Construction project

Level 3 Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
3,000+ sqft
Retail - Restaurant Hospitality Medical - Hospital Retail - Showroom

50+ years combined experience in San Diego office construction and imaginative renovations.

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Molinar Construction project

Molinar Construction

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3,000+ sqft
Office - General

17 years San Diego experience focusing on quality, efficiency, and safety.

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Nucave Construction project

Nucave Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,500+ sqft
Retail - Showroom Office - General Retail - Restaurant Industrial - Warehouse

San Diego County specialist in franchise and tenant improvements with quality focus.

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RJN Construction project

RJN Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft
Office - General Industrial

Professional San Diego County TI services including design, electrical, and plumbing upgrades.

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Silverado Building & Restoration project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft
Retail - Showroom Office - Financial Medical - Clinical Medical - Hospital

Greater San Diego TI general contractor with full-service project management.

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Skyline Construction project

Skyline Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Office - Tech Industrial Medical - Clinical Office - Legal Hospitality Medical - Hospital Retail - Restaurant Industrial - Warehouse

30+ years transforming San Diego commercial spaces into efficient, innovative environments.

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Streamline Design & Permitting project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,500+ sqft
Office - Tech Office - General

San Diego County specialist in TI services with focus on compliance and space planning.

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Sundt Construction Inc project

Sundt Construction Inc

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
10,000+ sqft
Office - Tech Industrial Hospitality Office - Startup Medical - Clinical Medical - Hospital

Since 1890, delivering high-quality craftsmanship and creative design-build in San Diego.

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Turner Construction project

Turner Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
15,000+ sqft Build Only
Office - Tech Medical - Hospital Hospitality

North America's largest general builder, known for the Wilshire Grand and SoFi Stadium.

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W.E. O'Neil Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
20,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Corporate Hospitality

Employee-owned national builder with strong local roots.

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Wheelihan Construction project

Wheelihan Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
8,000+ sqft
Retail - Restaurant Medical - Hospital Hospitality Office - General

Serving Southern California since 1990 with expertise in ground-up and historical projects.

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Antoon Construction Services project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft
Office - General Retail - Storefront

San Diego commercial remodeling creating aesthetic, functional spaces reflecting brand identity.

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Built by Tate project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,500+ sqft
Office - General Retail - Showroom

San Diego TI specialist transforming workspaces into thriving environments.

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Cook Builders project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
3,000+ sqft
Office - General Industrial Industrial - Warehouse

Highly-rated contractor offering outstanding commercial build-outs and TI.

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Craftsmen Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft
Retail - Storefront

San Diego renovation expert handling design to occupancy with custom finishes.

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Creative Builds project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Industrial Hospitality Medical - Hospital Office - General

San Diego large-scale construction specialist for standard and creative office spaces.

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CREW Builders project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft
Office - General Industrial Office - Tech Medical - Clinical Retail - Restaurant

Premier San Diego office renovation contractor with 20+ years experience, client-first mentality.

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Dempsey Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Office - General

Critically acclaimed San Diego contractor with multiple construction awards.

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Good & Roberts (G&R) project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
10,000+ sqft
Industrial

San Diego specialist in large TI projects and specialty sectors including biomedical.

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MATTER CED project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
3,000+ sqft
Industrial Office - Tech

San Diego design-build contractor specializing in high-performance office and lab environments.

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McKowskis Maintenance Systems project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,500+ sqft
Office - General

A+ BBB rated San Diego TI contractor serving the region since 1979 with sustainable focus.

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Promodeling Inc project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,500+ sqft
Office - General Retail - Storefront

Full-service San Diego tenant improvement with engineering, design, and MEP expertise.

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The San Diego Commercial Construction Process

Timeline Expectations

Commercial build-outs in San Diego typically follow this timeline:

  • Planning & Design (4-8 weeks): Space planning, architectural drawings, engineering
  • Permitting (3-8 weeks): Building department review and approval
  • Construction (8-20 weeks): Varies by size and complexity
  • Final Inspections (1-2 weeks): Certificate of occupancy

A standard 5,000 sqft office build-out takes approximately 4-6 months from design to move-in.

Choosing the Right Contractor

When evaluating contractors for your San Diego project, consider:

  • Licensing & Insurance: Verify active licenses and adequate coverage
  • Specialty Experience: Has the contractor completed similar projects?
  • References: Speak with recent clients about their experience
  • Project Size Fit: Match contractor capacity to your project scope
  • Communication Style: Ensure alignment on reporting and updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about commercial renovation in San Diego.

What is the average cost of a commercial build-out in San Diego?▼
Commercial build-out costs in San Diego typically range from $40-300+ per square foot depending on finish level and complexity. Basic cosmetic renovations run $40-80/sqft, standard tenant improvements cost $80-150/sqft, and high-end executive spaces can exceed $200-300/sqft. Factors like building age, MEP requirements, and permitting complexity significantly impact final costs.
How long does a typical commercial renovation take?▼
A standard 5,000 sqft office build-out takes 4-6 months from design to move-in. This includes 4-8 weeks for design, 3-8 weeks for permitting, and 8-16 weeks for construction. Larger or more complex projects can take 6-12 months. Fast-track schedules are possible at additional cost.
Do I need permits for my project?▼
Most commercial renovations require building permits. Cosmetic-only work (paint, carpet) may be exempt, but any structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC modifications require permits. Your contractor should handle the permit process, but budget 3-8 weeks and $5,000-50,000+ depending on project scope.
What's included in your RFP service?▼
Our RFP service includes professional scope of work documentation, distribution to 3-5 pre-qualified contractors in San Diego, bid comparison analysis, and a dedicated project manager to guide you through selection. Most clients receive competitive proposals within 2 weeks.
What's the difference between Design & Build vs. Build Only?▼
Design & Build contractors handle both architectural design and construction under one contract, offering streamlined communication and often faster timelines. Build Only contractors work from plans provided by your architect or designer, which can offer more design flexibility but requires additional coordination.