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General contractors in Alameda County, CA

2,884 eligible B and B-2 licenses based in Alameda County, per CSLB records dated Oct 16, 2026.

Checked Oct 18, 2026 Verify live on CSLB

25 of 2,884 Alameda County GCs

Sorted by workers' comp policy on file, then years licensed (we don't have permit data for Alameda County). How we rank. Payment doesn't change the order.

Bid requests come to GC Bay Area first, not straight to the contractor.

2

Branagh Inc

Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 67 yrs

Active · B · #180497 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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5

John J Langon Jr

Based in Castro Valley

workers’ comp insured · licensed 53 yrs

Active · B · #283657 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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6

Canyon Design Build

Legal name: FBC Corporation · Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 53 yrs

Active · B · #285785 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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Show 15 more
12

Dream Builders

Based in Emeryville

workers’ comp insured · licensed 49 yrs

Active · B · #337865 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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15

Amarant Design & Build

Legal name: Professional Design & Build Services Inc · Based in Dublin

workers’ comp insured · licensed 48 yrs

Active · B · #356498 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Workers' comp policy ends Oct 23, 2026. Ask for the renewal certificate.

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18

Nelco Inc

Based in Alameda

workers’ comp insured · licensed 47 yrs

Active · B · #377453 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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20

Spacetone Acoustics Inc

Based in Livermore

workers’ comp insured · licensed 45 yrs

Active · B · #397494 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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24

Tritek Construction Inc

Based in Livermore

workers’ comp insured · licensed 45 yrs

Active · B · #410182 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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Business build-out? See commercial GCs in Alameda County

3,610 active B and B-2 licenses are based in Alameda County in the CSLB file dated Oct 16, 2026, Oakland and Berkeley included, and 1,612 of them carry a workers' comp policy. The County building department permits only unincorporated communities such as Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and Sunol; a home inside a city goes to that city (Alameda County Public Works, checked Oct 18, 2026).

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Check it against the same CSLB data.

Searches active and lapsed Bay Area B and B-2 licenses. Other classes: search on CSLB.

Before you hire in Alameda County

Building permits in Alameda County go through Alameda County Public Works Agency, Building Inspection Department.

Source: Alameda County Public Works Agency, Building Inspection Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

The County building department permits only unincorporated communities: Ashland, Castlewood, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, Happy Valley, Hillcrest Knolls, San Lorenzo and Sunol. A home inside a city goes to that city.

Source: Alameda County Public Works Agency, Building Inspection, checked Oct 18, 2026

Applications, plan uploads, inspection requests and status checks all go through the Alameda County Permit Portal.

Source: Alameda County Public Works Agency, Building Inspection, checked Oct 18, 2026

R-1 zoning, which covers most unincorporated homes, sets 20 ft front and rear setbacks, 5 ft side setbacks (up to 10 ft on wider lots), a 25 ft height limit and 2 stories. Site Development Review may also apply.

Source: Alameda County Planning Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

To see a property's past building permits, request the file before 2 p.m. Wednesday; staff pull it in 5 to 10 business days, and stamped plans must be viewed in person.

Source: Alameda County Public Works Agency, Building Inspection, checked Oct 18, 2026

B or B-2: which license fits your job

Both classes can act as your prime contractor. A B-2 is limited to remodels of an existing wood-frame house. If your plan changes the structure, look for a B.

JobB General BuildingB-2 Residential Remodeling
Kitchen or bath remodel in an existing houseYesYes, when the contract covers 3 or more unrelated trades
Addition or new roomsYesNo
Moving or removing a load-bearing wallYesNo
New homeYesNo
Commercial or tenant workYesNo

Sources: CSLB, class B and class B-2, checked Oct 18, 2026. More in B vs B-2.

California rules for your contract

A down payment on a home improvement contract can't be more than $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less. No progress payment can be more than the work done or materials delivered.

Source: California B&P Code 7159.5, checked Oct 18, 2026

Work under $1,000 in total (labor and materials) that needs no building permit doesn't require a license. The exemption doesn't apply if the person advertises as a contractor, has employees, or splits a job to stay under the limit.

Source: California B&P Code 7048, checked Oct 18, 2026

Every licensed contractor must keep a $25,000 contractor's bond on file with CSLB. That has been the amount since January 1, 2023.

Source: CSLB, bond requirements, checked Oct 18, 2026

A contractor with employees must carry workers' comp. Until 2028, a B contractor with no employees can legally file an exemption, so check which one yours did. From January 1, 2028, a workers' comp certificate is required for every license.

Source: CSLB, workers' compensation, checked Oct 18, 2026

Complaint history isn't in CSLB's free data files, so we don't show it. Check complaints on CSLB before you sign.

Questions about hiring in Alameda County

How many licensed general contractors are based in Alameda County?

3,610 active B and B-2 licenses list Alameda County as the business city in CSLB's records dated Oct 16, 2026. We list 2,884 of them; the other 726 have no bond on file or hold a specialty-trade license. Each card's "Verify on CSLB" link opens that license's live record.

Which license does a home remodel need?

A B (General Building) license can take a prime contract that involves two or more unrelated trades other than framing or carpentry. A B-2 (Residential Remodeling) license covers remodels of an existing wood-frame house with three or more unrelated trades, and it can't be used for additions, structural work or new homes.

How much can a contractor ask for as a down payment?

In California, a down payment on a home improvement contract is capped at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.

Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job?

Work under $1,000 in total that needs no building permit is exempt from licensing. The exemption doesn't apply to someone who advertises as a contractor, has employees, or splits a job to stay under the limit.

What does "exempt" mean under workers' comp on a card?

The contractor told CSLB it has no employees. Until January 1, 2028, a B contractor with no employees can legally file that exemption. Ask whether anyone besides the owner will work on your property.

Where do I get a building permit in Alameda County?

Permits are handled by Alameda County Public Works Agency, Building Inspection Department; the link is in "Before you hire" above. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit and have it in the contract.

General contractors near Alameda County

Other project types in Alameda County

How this list is built

License class, status, dates, bond and workers' comp come from the California Contractors State License Board's public data files. The Master file is dated Oct 16, 2026, the workers' comp file Oct 17, 2026, and we processed them on Oct 18, 2026. Of 3,610 active licenses in Alameda County, 726 are left out: no bond on file, or a specialty-trade license. Each card's "Verify on CSLB" link opens that license's live record. Read the full method. Related: how to verify a license, bond and insurance, complaints.

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