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General contractors in San Mateo County, CA

1,966 eligible B and B-2 licenses based in San Mateo County, per CSLB records dated Oct 16, 2026.

Checked Oct 18, 2026 Verify live on CSLB

25 of 1,966 San Mateo County GCs

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

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

1

Jeffrey R Tucker Const

Based in San Carlos

workers’ comp insured · licensed 71 yrs

Active · B · #151516 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Workers' comp policy ends Nov 27, 2026. Ask for the renewal certificate.

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6

William O'Brien & Sons

Based in Burlingame

workers’ comp insured · licensed 52 yrs

Active · B · #292934 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

Workers' comp policy ends Nov 28, 2026. Ask for the renewal certificate.

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10

Fred Thayer Carpets

Based in Daly City

workers’ comp insured · licensed 49 yrs

Active · B · #334324 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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Show 15 more
18

K N Properties

Legal name: Keet Nerhan · Based in Half Moon Bay

workers’ comp insured · licensed 47 yrs

Active · B · #373390 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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23

T W Y Inc

Based in Foster City

workers’ comp insured · licensed 46 yrs

Active · B · #385575 · Bond ✓ · Workers' comp ✓ · Verify on CSLB

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Business build-out? See commercial GCs in San Mateo County

2,403 active B and B-2 licenses are based in San Mateo County in the CSLB file dated Oct 16, 2026, and 1,066 of them carry a workers' comp policy. In unincorporated San Mateo County the planning permit comes before the building permit, and a new Design Review Ordinance took effect outside the Coastal Zone on July 23, 2026 (County of San Mateo Planning and 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 San Mateo County

Building permits in San Mateo County go through County of San Mateo Planning and Building Department, Building Inspection Section.

Source: County of San Mateo Planning and Building Department, Building Inspection Section, checked Oct 18, 2026

In unincorporated San Mateo County, a planning permit comes before the building permit. Parcels in Design Review, Coastal Zone, Resource Management, Planned Agriculture or hazard overlay districts always get planning review first.

Source: County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

A new Design Review Ordinance with more objective standards took effect outside the Coastal Zone on July 23, 2026. Inside the Coastal Zone it applies only after Coastal Commission certification.

Source: County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

Permits are filed through the County's online Permit Center, where kitchen and bath remodels can be applied for and paid. Staff check completeness within about 5 days, and the review agencies generally pass plans or send comments within 30 days.

Source: County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

A kitchen or bath remodel application needs scaled drawings at 1/4 inch to the foot: the existing plan and the new layout showing electrical, plumbing fixtures and the exhaust fan. Fees are based on valuation, and labor counts even if you do the work yourself as owner-builder.

Source: County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Department, checked Oct 18, 2026

Permits for larger jobs such as additions last one year and can be renewed for a second year at no fee. Once work starts, you need a passed inspection at least every 180 days or the permit expires.

Source: County of San Mateo, Planning and 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 San Mateo County

How many licensed general contractors are based in San Mateo County?

2,403 active B and B-2 licenses list San Mateo County as the business city in CSLB's records dated Oct 16, 2026. We list 1,966 of them; the other 437 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 San Mateo County?

Permits are handled by County of San Mateo Planning and Building Department, Building Inspection Section; 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 San Mateo County

Other project types in San Mateo 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 2,403 active licenses in San Mateo County, 437 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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