Tenant improvement contractors in San Jose, CA

A tenant improvement (TI) is the interior build-out of leased commercial space: walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, electrical, HVAC and plumbing changes made to fit the tenant.

Who pays is set in the lease. The landlord usually offers a TI allowance toward the work and the tenant covers the rest, so get the allowance terms in writing before you sign.

12 active B licenses in San Jose show tenant improvement permits (San Jose open data, 24 months) CSLB Oct 16, 2026 Verify live

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Only B licenses with matching permits in the last 24 months are listed. Permits come from San Jose open data, matched by business name. Sorted by San Jose tenant improvement permits in the last 24 months, then years licensed. Payment doesn't change the order. How we rank.

Typical job under $500,000

Median commercial permit value under $500,000, from the contractor's own permits.

Technical Builders Inc

Based in San Jose

9 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Oct 2026, median permit value $109k · tenant improvement, demolition

licensed 34 yrs

Active · B · #648986 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #648986, expires Jul 31, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Arch Indemnity Insurance Company, policy ends Sep 1, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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Valhalla Builders Inc

Based in San Jose

2 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Oct 2026, median permit value $315k · tenant improvement, new doors

licensed 66 yrs

Active · B · #191690 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #191690, expires Feb 29, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Oak River Insurance Company, policy ends May 1, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

C-17 Glazing

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Aecore Inc

Based in San Jose

2 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Aug 2026, median permit value $172k · tenant improvement

licensed 8 yrs

Active · B · #1036918 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #1036918, expires Mar 31, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, policy ends Apr 20, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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Speed Construction and Development Inc

Based in San Jose

2 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Jul 2026, median permit value $62k · tenant improvement

licensed 3 yrs

Active · B · #1098660 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #1098660 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Starnet Insurance Company, policy ends Sep 16, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

License renewal due Nov 30, 2026.

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Typical job $500,000 or more

Median commercial permit value of $500,000 or more.

Mai Construction Inc

Based in San Jose

7 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Sep 2026, median permit value $550k · tenant improvement, flooring, demolition

licensed 52 yrs

Active · B · #296965 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #296965, expires Jan 31, 2027 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Travelers Property Casualty Company of America · Verify on CSLB

Workers' comp policy ends Oct 31, 2026. Ask for the renewal certificate.

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RDL Construction Inc

Based in San Jose

5 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Apr 2026, median permit value $1M · tenant improvement

licensed 39 yrs

Active · B · #510955 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #510955, expires Feb 29, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Sentinel Insurance Company Ltd, policy ends Apr 20, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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Therma LLC

Based in San Jose

5 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Aug 2026, median permit value $630k · tenant improvement, hvac

licensed 9 yrs

Active · B · #1027316 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #1027316, expires May 31, 2027 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Zurich American Insurance Company, policy ends Jun 20, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

A General EngineeringC-4 Boiler, Hot Water HeatingC-10 Electrical+4 more

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Archkey Solutions

Legal name: Sprig Electric Co · Based in San Jose

3 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Sep 2026, median permit value $666k · solar, tenant improvement

licensed 52 yrs

Active · B · #296728 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #296728, expires Apr 30, 2027 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company, policy ends Jun 1, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

C-10 Electrical

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Core Group the

Legal name: TCG Builders Inc · Based in San Jose

3 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Oct 2025, median permit value $750k · interior remodel, tenant improvement

licensed 22 yrs

Active · B · #835597 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #835597, expires Apr 30, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Arch Indemnity Insurance Company, policy ends Sep 1, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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Swenson Builders

Legal name: Green Valley Corporation · Based in San Jose

2 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Oct 2026, median permit value $242k · tenant improvement

licensed 49 yrs

Active · B · #342751 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #342751, expires Jul 31, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: North Pointe Insurance Company, policy ends Oct 10, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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Show 2 more

Iron Construction Inc

Based in San Jose

2 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Sep 2026, median permit value $4M · tenant improvement

licensed 24 yrs

Active · B · #806231 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp via leasing · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #806231, expires Apr 30, 2028 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: through an employee-leasing firm; policy ends Sep 1, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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OPI Commercial Builders Inc

Based in San Jose

2 tenant improvement permits in San Jose, latest Dec 2025, median permit value $2M · tenant improvement

licensed 23 yrs

Active · B · #816254 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Active · B General Building · License #816254, expires Jan 31, 2027 · Bond $25,000 ✓ · Workers' comp: Zurich American Insurance Company, policy ends May 1, 2027 · Verify on CSLB

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Contractors with no permit values on file are not in these two groups. Median values are rounded to the nearest $1,000 from San Jose open data permits.

Other classes on these cards: A = General Engineering, C-4 = Boiler, Hot Water Heating, C-10 = Electrical, C-17 = Glazing, C-20 = HVAC, C-36 = Plumbing, C-38 = Refrigeration, C-43 = Sheet Metal.

What to know before you hire

A tenant improvement usually combines partitions, ceilings, finishes and electrical, which is the two-or-more-trades job a B (General Building) license covers. Any fire sprinkler work needs a C-16 license or a licensed C-16 sub.

Source: CSLB, B General Building Contractor (B&P Code 7057), checked Oct 18, 2026

Local commercial permit notes

Permit office: San José Development Services Permit Center

San Jose

A San Jose tenant improvement needs plans reviewed for zoning, building and fire code. You apply on SJPermits and upload drawings and answer comments through SJePlans.

Source: City of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, checked Oct 18, 2026

The published first review for a small commercial job (a Miscellaneous Commercial Project) is 10 working days, then 5 per resubmittal, for building, MEP and fire review alike.

Source: City of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, checked Oct 18, 2026

Office interiors up to 50,000 sq ft on one floor, with no change of use, no addition and no major structural work, can go through STAR: one 90-minute meeting with several departments, for 50% more in plan review fees.

Source: City of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, checked Oct 18, 2026

Path-of-travel accessibility upgrades required by CBC 11B-202.4 can be done under the same STAR permit as the interior work. Projects that need Health Department approval, such as food facilities, can't use STAR.

Source: City of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, checked Oct 18, 2026

Restaurant, cafe and bar remodels still need zoning, building and fire review, but qualifying projects can use the Office of Economic Development's Streamlined Restaurant Program at no extra fee.

Source: City of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, checked Oct 18, 2026

Questions about tenant improvement contractors

What is a TI allowance?

It is money the landlord agrees in the lease to put toward your build-out, usually paid out as work is completed or as a credit against rent. The amount and the rules for using it are lease terms, so read them before you hire anyone.

Does a tenant improvement need a permit?

In San Francisco, every tenant improvement needs a building permit and architectural plans (SF DBI, checked Oct 18, 2026). Other cities set their own rules, so ask the building department before you start.

Which contractor license does a commercial build-out need?

A B (General Building) license. The B definition covers any structure for people or property and does not split homes from businesses. A B-2 license is limited to existing residential wood-frame buildings, so a B-2 contractor cannot take a store or office build-out. Fire sprinkler work needs a C-16 license or a licensed C-16 subcontractor (CSLB, B&P Code 7057).

Does a commercial contractor need workers' comp?

Any contractor with employees must carry workers' comp. A contractor with no employees can file an exemption, and a card marked exempt means the contractor told CSLB it has no employees. Ask who will work on your site. From January 1, 2028 California requires a workers' comp certificate for every license, with a narrow joint-venture exception (CSLB, checked Oct 18, 2026).

Commercial general contractors by place

Homes are listed separately under residential general contractors.

Tenant improvement contractors in San Jose, CA

12 San Jose GCs with tenant improvement permits

Typical job under $500,000

Typical job $500,000 or more

What to know before you hire

Local commercial permit notes

Questions about tenant improvement contractors

Commercial general contractors by place