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General contractors in Oakland, CA

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

Checked Oct 18, 2026 Verify live on CSLB

25 of 690 Oakland GCs

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

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

1

Branagh Inc

Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 67 yrs

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

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2

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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10

Ghirardelli Construction

Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 43 yrs

Active · B · #446283 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Workers' comp policy ends Nov 21, 2026. Ask for the renewal certificate.

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Show 15 more
17

John M Forster

Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 38 yrs

Active · B · #543685 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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19

R W Company

Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 37 yrs

Active · B · #566477 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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20

Service West Inc

Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 37 yrs

Active · B · #570176 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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21

MN Builders

Legal name: Mueller Nicholls Inc · Based in Oakland

workers’ comp insured · licensed 36 yrs

Active · B · #588872 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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Business build-out? See commercial GCs in Oakland

838 active B and B-2 licenses are based in Oakland in the CSLB file dated Oct 16, 2026. 357 carry a workers' comp policy and 305 have held their license for 20 years or more. Every Oakland addition goes through Planning review before the building permit, and one up to 250 sq ft may qualify for a Design Review Exemption (City of Oakland Planning & Building, checked Oct 18, 2026).

Already have a contractor's name or license number?

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 Oakland

Building permits in Oakland go through City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, One-Stop Permit Center.

Source: City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, One-Stop Permit Center, checked Oct 18, 2026

In Oakland, a kitchen or bath remodel permit starts with review by the Bureau of Planning. Changing the wall layout or window sizes can add zoning review or Small Project Design Review.

Source: City of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

Every addition needs Planning review before you submit for the building permit. Additions up to 250 sq ft may qualify for a Design Review Exemption (DRX); larger ones go to Small Project Design Review.

Source: City of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

Oakland's published turnaround for a complete application: 3 days to 2 weeks for a kitchen or bath remodel with no wall, window or exterior change, 21 days for a regular permit on a 1-2 unit addition, and 4 to 6 weeks if it needs DRX or Small Project Design Review.

Source: City of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

Rapid Same-Day Digital Permits are issued automatically through the Online Permit Center once fees are paid, but only for non-structural work. A remodel that opens or changes a structural wall doesn't qualify.

Source: City of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

Request inspections at least 2 business days ahead if you need a specific date, and don't cover work until it passes. A permit stays active only with an inspection at least every 6 months.

Source: City of Oakland, Planning & Building Department, 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 Oakland

How many licensed general contractors are based in Oakland?

838 active B and B-2 licenses list Oakland as the business city in CSLB's records dated Oct 16, 2026. We list 690 of them; the other 148 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 Oakland?

Permits are handled by City of Oakland Planning & Building Department, One-Stop Permit Center; 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 Oakland

Other project types in Oakland

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 838 active licenses in Oakland, 148 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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