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General contractors in Berkeley, CA

237 eligible B and B-2 licenses based in Berkeley, per CSLB records dated Oct 16, 2026.

Checked Oct 18, 2026 Verify live on CSLB

25 of 237 Berkeley GCs

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

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

5

Devco Design & Construction

Legal name: Berkeley Design Center Corporation · Based in Berkeley

workers’ comp insured · licensed 44 yrs

Active · B · #423676 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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6

SC Summerwood Inc

Based in Berkeley

workers’ comp insured · licensed 44 yrs

Active · B · #426847 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

License renewal due Nov 30, 2026.

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11

AVI Nevo

Based in Berkeley

workers’ comp insured · licensed 39 yrs

Active · B · #514119 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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18

Mahbubian Construction

Based in Berkeley

workers’ comp insured · licensed 35 yrs

Active · B · #615875 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Workers' comp policy ends Nov 1, 2026. Ask for the renewal certificate.

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Business build-out? See commercial GCs in the Bay Area

276 active B and B-2 licenses list Berkeley as their business city in the CSLB file dated Oct 16, 2026, and half of them have been licensed for 19 years or more. Berkeley plan-checks most kitchen and bath remodels over the counter in about 30 minutes at a Permit Service Center appointment; other projects take 1 to 6 weeks (City of Berkeley, 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 Berkeley

Building permits in Berkeley go through City of Berkeley Permit Service Center, 1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor.

Source: City of Berkeley Permit Service Center, 1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor, checked Oct 18, 2026

Berkeley plan-checks most kitchen and bath remodels over the counter in about 30 minutes during a Permit Service Center appointment; other projects take 1 to 6 weeks. Plans must be unsecured PDFs under 195 MB each, brought on a USB drive.

Source: City of Berkeley, Permit Service Center, checked Oct 18, 2026

An addition may need a Zoning Certificate, an Administrative Use Permit from the Zoning Officer, or a Use Permit from the Zoning Adjustments Board after a public hearing. That review, with notice to neighbors, must be done before you apply for the building permit.

Source: City of Berkeley, Land Use Planning, checked Oct 18, 2026

Changing a City Landmark, a Structure of Merit or a house in a historic district needs a Structural Alteration Permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which typically takes 3 to 12 months.

Source: City of Berkeley, Landmarks Preservation Commission, checked Oct 18, 2026

A Berkeley permit can bring extra work: smoke detectors on any project valued at $1,000 or more and a Private Sewer Lateral Certificate at $60,000 or more. Projects under $166,157 can ask to cap accessibility upgrades at 20% of valuation.

Source: City of Berkeley, Permit Service Center, checked Oct 18, 2026

Berkeley requires a permit for all construction and most repairs unless specifically exempt, and you must apply before work starts, through Permits Online or by appointment at the Permit Service Center.

Source: City of Berkeley, Permit Service Center, 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 Berkeley

How many licensed general contractors are based in Berkeley?

276 active B and B-2 licenses list Berkeley as the business city in CSLB's records dated Oct 16, 2026. We list 237 of them; the other 39 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 Berkeley?

Permits are handled by City of Berkeley Permit Service Center, 1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor; 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 Berkeley

Other project types in Berkeley

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 276 active licenses in Berkeley, 39 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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