Attempted to get a simple quote. Emailed what they required. Twice they missed our original appointments via phone. It's been a month. I can't imagine working with them when there is actual money involved or a demo and rebuild of a backyard porch. Time is a commodity which can't be replaced. Gave them 1 star because of the 2 missed appointments. Just have some one come out to the house and price it out like everyone else. I have no clue on workmanship. Wish you the best communicating with them. My experience is poor. Hope your experience is far better.2/6/23 - owner reached out. I bumped from 1 to 3 stars for the communication. Keeping 2 stars off for each missed appointment. read more

Have to concur with Nina L of Santee review. Pleased with how my house looks now but it was extremely painful getting here. I've managed the remodeling of four other houses over the years. I hired this company so that I would not have that headache. David was completely absent on this project. In fact, he took a vacation the first week of my project, leaving me to deal with the subs and I had to deal with them throughout the project. Throughout the project, I always had the impression that my garage job was not important to this company. The design was botched and the garage door opening had to be rebuilt to accommodate a standard rolling door. Quality review was non existent. First big rain and there was water leaking in under the mudsill. The other photo shows light coming in between the new & old structure. read more

So Cal Design Build - that's sunlight coming in between the old structure and the new construction - General Contractors Near Me - El Cajon, California

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We recently finished up with So Cal Design Build and although I am pleased with how my house looks now, I was not happy many times throughout the process. Unfortunately we were doing our project from March - November of 2021 so Covid did slow things down some but, our project went 2.5-3 months longer than we were told. Communication was lacking. Sue did her best to keep us updated but she is not a project manager. We had close to zero project management or quality control (which was important to us). The final month, it was difficult to speak with David. At the closing of the project, there were many little things most definitely could have been fixed/done better but we just wanted to be done. Pros: All of the trades that came in were great and did great work. Cons: Communication! Lack of Project Management! Quality control! read more

If you're planning a remodel, add-on, or new-build project, SoCal Design Build is the right choice! They offer fair pricing, they're organized and responsive, and their quality of work is great! Our family had outgrown our current living space and rather than trade up we decided to expand our existing home. Our project involved adding a 300 sq ft bedroom and converting our old bedroom into two bathrooms, a laundry room, and a hallway leading to the new bedroom. As you can imagine we were concerned about the surprises we might run into with our 60 yr old home. There were definitely some unexpected conditions discovered during the demo work, but David and his team of professional builders and support staff overcame the challenges and helped us remain calm. Other aspects of the work included retro fit windows for bedrooms adjacent to the addition, major improvements to subsurface drainage, perimeter walkways, and custom closets. We are thrilled with our fancy new living space and equally excited to have a very functional home. SoCal Design Build - YOU ROCK!!! (We're totally looking forward to our next addition.) read more

We have had So Cal Design Build do many projects at our home and had always been very pleased. We recently had our pavers done and we were very pleased with the results. The service is always great and we will always recommend this business and will be using them in the future. read more

Recently, my project just finished with my freestanding garage with an apartment attached above. I'm not too sure where to start, but the whole process went by so smoothly. All the way from the design process to the building itself went by like a breeze. Everyone was very communicative on what step of the process we were in and helped immensely along the way. The selection for materials was amazing because I was able to choose exactly what I wanted for the apartment above. Even the whole layout design was exactly what I had imagined and they were able to bring it to life. I definitely do recommend this company if you're looking for a caring and hassle free contractor to go with! read more

I would HIGHLY recommend So Cal Design Build to anyone looking to remodel. We met with 5 contractors for our kitchen remodel and knew immediately we would like to work with So Cal. They were on-time, professional, have excellent communication and provide high quality results. Sue is a true gem - she communicated with us clearly and effectively from start to finish, all while answering my many many questions throughout the process. David is very professional and accommodating at all times. He was personally available throughout the process which was nice as not all owners of businesses are so readily available. All in all, it's a wonderful family owned business who deserves to earn your business!! read more

So Cal Design Build - General Contractors Near Me - El Cajon, California

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The work they do is unbelievable, they're very professional and they stand behind the work they do, they're one of the best in the San Diego area, I definitely highly recommend them. read more

We could not be more pleased with the service and expertise provided by David and his outstanding staff at So Cal Design & Build. David helped us make smart design choices, was available to answer our many questions throughout the process and always strived to make us happy. The majority of the work was done by David's experienced in-house staff. The 4 subcontractors that were used on the job were clearly under David's watchful eye and had long term relationships with the organization. And I have to mention his in-house team, who always went to extra mile to keep us informed and updated on the schedule. David employs great technical resources which allowed us to see the rendering of our job before we broke ground. He also shares a computer program that allowed us to track progress, budget and communicate efficiently. We'll be seeking the services of this organization for our next phase of remodeling in 2021! Thank you, David and team!! read more

Response: My husband wasn't able to be at the meeting due to an emergency at work otherwise he would have been there. And he was also not advised of a minimum for a room addition over a quick appointment setting call. I understand you are a small business, my review is honest of my experience with your company. I would never want to purposely cause harm to a company but this platform is for people to be honest. I don't trust some Yelp reviews because every company tries to "make things right" after a bad review when it would be nice if they focused on the first meeting. Then ask the person to take the bad review down. We had 3 other vendors come to the house who were also design build and were priced $25k-$50k less than your quote. Maybe focus on this instead of setting minimums. Thanks. Called them for a possible expanding of our master bedroom. David came with an assistant. He was a bit late, which was ok. David had great ideas and vision for the space. Unfortunately, my husband did most of the appointment setting up so I wasn't sure of the details of those conversations but the moment David advised that they don't do any work under $125K it was like "hey don't waste my time" kind of attitude. So we definitely won't be wasting his or his company's time. read more

David and his team designed and built an outdoor kitchen and covered patio for us. It's absolutely beautiful. He was a pleasure to work with and was a great communicator about our project from beginning to end. The best part is the finished project. We use that area every day and absolutely love it. They have our highest recommendation. read more

So Cal Design Build - New pavers, kitchen island, reclaimed wood wall - General Contractors Near Me - El Cajon, California

Where do I even start? I came across So Cal Design Build when I happened to see Sue (office manager) at a play with her work polo shirt on. We bought a flipped home in 2015 and hadn't done what we wanted to when we moved in. The former owners never installed central AC, left one original window untouched, and left about 9 large trees that should have been cut down. (Probably due to cost) I asked Sue what solar was really about because over the last two years of being a homeowner, I'd heard horror stories etc... about all the different Solar companies and programs. Sue was so nice and professional and not pushy at all. I gave her my phone number after she told me the owner of the company David, could come out and provide a free estimate and show us right there what the cost would be as well as all the potential savings. Truth be told, when David came out I thought I was just getting a quote for solar, and that was it. Come to find out, their company did it all. Mind you, over the previous two years I had gotten quotes for the custom window, the trees to get cut down, and to have central AC put in. When David provided me with a quote for everything to be done all in one project, I was BLOWN away. Once we signed on the dotted line, my AC was installed a week later and looks amazing!!!! Next came the window, which David upgraded at no cost and gave me a floor to ceiling custom window that opens from the bottom. The trees came down after that and has made a huge impact on how out solar panels would get the maximum amount of coverage. The solar panels and upgraded electrical panels went in last. They did an amazing job on my roof, and the rear panels you can't even see unless you are on my upper embankment. They provided a top of the line Enphase wireless system and its working perfectly. We financed the project and got a super low interest rate and still got all the incentives and rebates. Ben, the project manager was available, from start to finish if I had any questions. We recommended So Cal Design Build to our neighbors and he was blown away also after getting numerous quotes, how much less and easier it will be to go through So Cal Design. I'm not writing this review because David is a family member, or I've known Sue forever. I've never met either one of them before. I'm writing this review because it was thousands of dollars cheaper than all of the other quotes combined. They were courteous, hard working people who truly stand behind the products they sell as well as their workmanship. I promise you, I will never go to another company for home projects as long as So Cal Design is in business. They earned a customer for life. Thank you David and team. read more

So Cal Design Build - Rear panels on my roof. Super clean and professional install. - General Contractors Near Me - El Cajon, California

I recently had my kitchen completely remodeled, and I am overly satisfied! The service all throughout the whole project was amazing. I was always kept up to date on the progress of my project. They have amazing customer service, and their office manager Sue is just a doll. I am very happy about all the work that I received, and I would 100% recommend Socal for any upcoming projects for your home. read more

The young man that came to do the work did a fantastic job. He did a clean job and was on time and left the job site clean and neat. we were very happy with the work he did. he went above and beyond what was expected of him. Thank you So Cal Design for doing a professional job. I would hire you again. read more

An AMAZING Family-Owned Business! Built on integrity and customer relationships they have my absolute strongest recommendation for your next project. They do outdoor, indoor, and remodels, and they do it well and with honest pricing and clear-communicated expectations. After receiving multiple inconsistent quotes from various contractors, I had David come take a look at what I wanted to do. He was able to give an accurate quote for the baseline project, and then was also able to brainstorm and dream with me as I thought through all the "what-if-I-wanted to do..." I'm a numbers guy with an eye always on the bottom-line, and without pushing or prodding, David provided honest feedback and recommendations that accomplished my vision within my budget. The team on the ground is friendly, positive, and communicates well with the homeowner to keep your house operating while the work is being done. Susana will keep you abreast of the schedule, supply deliveries, and change orders from the office. And David comes around at least once a week to check on things and is always available by phone or text. With other contractors, I felt like I was always having to compromise and cut details to stay within budget. With David's honest approach and collaborative engagement, we were able to add our outdoor kitchen AND jacuzzi without breaking the bank. And we absolutely love it. SoCal Design Builds is a great team of friendly professionals helping make their client's homes one step closer to the dream they want. Again, I could provide no stronger a recommendation for this awesome company!! read more

We undertook "So Cal Design & Build" to design and remodel our kitchen. I should have looked closer at the reviews seeing the latest review is several years old and with 9 reviews they were rated 5 stars. August 22, 2022, after agreeing and signing a contract out kitchen was started almost 13 weeks ago. The kitchen after several delays due to project manager moving on, someone is sick (at lest 5 times), 3 different painters scheduled and don't show up, they send someone who obviously painting is not their given trade (I have repainted several times in the kitchen after asking for it to be done), something is on the schedule and nobody shows up, such as what happened today. The kitchen is almost complete yet some small touches need to be done, paint outside around the new window, and paint the nail marks from the kitchen installation. Well once again we waited all day after them calling, making the appointment and only to get another phone call regarding their guy is running late and won't be coming today. I had requested the lockbox be removed from the front door due to family coming for Thanksgiving dinner and had hoped the lockbox would be removed so I wouldn't get even more frustrated with a family member asking, "Why the lockbox on the front door?" And then having to relive the nightmare which is our remodel! I seems the paint (obviously very special paint) which nobody seems to carry took over 3 weeks to find and for them to acquire. I guess it must have been on a container ship lost at sea all this time. Well the paint is in, appointment made for today, our time taken off work and other errands to prepare for thanksgiving put on hold only to get yet again another phone call that nobody is coming. But I will give them credit this time for actually calling. We joked the name of our remodel should have been, "Do it easy, wait for them to complain, and then do it right the second time." Because of the lack of oversight and I am not the project manager and can't be there every day for multiple weeks to ensure it is done right the first time! Their communication is some of the worse I have ever dealt with, but when it's time for a payment, emails and phone calls flow quickly our way. I am beyond frustrated with this company. My wife deleted the Buildertrend app and refused to be in the same room as David the owner to hear his excuses. I should have done the same. So, we shall see how much longer it will be for us, since now it's almost been a month since they last have done anything here to fix or complete our project. I feel we are not a priority and the little money we still owe when they need it they will get off their butts and do it then to make payroll. read more

We had a similar experience to Dave C. where we met So Cal Design at a home show. There we discussed our project with them to update our condo and made a phone call appointment to discuss further details. RJ called and we talked for 15 minutes. He committed to having someone call us the next day to set up an in home consultation. We never heard from them. We followed up again with RJ more than a week later and still never heard back. They don't seem very customer oriented and I feel it is just common courtesy to return a call even if you don't want to help with our project. I can't recommend this company. read more

We needed to have our roof replaced, due to a leak from the last storm. After extensive research and multiple references from friends, we decided to contact So Cal Build based on their yelp reviews. From the moment my wife and I met David, we knew we were in good hands. He was very professional and respectful (he even removed his shoes before entering our home). Communication is very important to us, from beginning to end David kept us up to date throughout the entire project. So Cal exceeded our expectations with how quickly they completed our roof and solar. We couldn't be happier with our decision, and would recommend So Cal to all our friends and family. read more

My kitchen is my happy place and I am glad we chose So Cal Design to complete the project. I am very happy with how it turned out. The crew and the office staff were a pleasure to work with. read more

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We live in a old house in La Mesa. We've been working on it since the day we bought it a few years ago. Some of the most recent things we have done were done by So CAL Design and Build. They've done a wonderful job. They recently replaced our old windows with new dual pane windows, and they ran a new sewer line and paved our concrete driveway with the stamped concrete. They were very professional and fast. As a bonus, even though they don't really do small handyman type stuff, when we had a strong storm blow a couple shingles off of our roof, they came and replaced them for us. Couldn't have asked for more. Special thanks to David, Ben and Jim. They were the reps that we normally talked to. read more

So Cal Design Build - Some before and after pictures of the concrete work - General Contractors Near Me - El Cajon, California

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You will not find a more professional, knowledgeable, courteous, thorough company than So Cal Design Build. Under Ben's guidance, we had solar panels and new windows installed on our house, and the whole process was flawless! The windows arrived, and were installed, promptly, as promised. The solar installation went on without a hitch too, even though we were told it could take some time, depending on SDG&E. (It didn't!) Kudos also to Sue in the office - she was right on top of keeping us posted as to the progress of our project. Thank you to Ben and everyone else at So Cal Design Build - you guys did a fantastic job, and I will recommend you to anyone who asks! read more

This year SoCal replaced my old windows with nice dual pane windows and repaved my driveway. Wow, What a difference! The price was good. But even better, The crew worked clean and efficient. I had another company that did my Solar. But I wish I had SoCal do that too. Sense then, I referred them to my Neibor. And SoCal has done a New Roof, Solar, and a New A/C system. My Neibor is also very happy. Good job guys! read more

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So Cal design build for the win.! Highly recommended quick response time and excellent customer service.!

We hired David and his team from So Cal Design Build to remodel our house. From start to end, David and his team of professionals worked diligently to make our house beautiful and so much better than it had been before. The entire team at So Cal Design Build was great to work with. They are all professional, trustworthy, friendly, capable people. We highly recommend them for any type of house project. They built us a new, beautiful kitchen that is way more functional than the old kitchen ever was. They built us a peninsula that gives us much more space to work on than we had before, as well as new kitchen cabinets, new Quartz countertop, and a large pantry. They installed all the new kitchen appliances which all work great. They also removed a wall between the kitchen and living room, making the area very open. We had both of our bathrooms enlarged/remodeled. We originally had about the smallest master bathroom ever, and now we have so much more space, along with a custom made vanity and linen closet for storage. Both bathrooms are beautifully tiled and look great! So Cal Design Build also installed all the new tile flooring throughout the house, removed the popcorn ceiling and painted the interior of the house, added recessed lighting, built a walk in closet, added insulation, upgraded our plumbing, and painted/stuccoed the exterior of the house. We are 100% happy with all of those projects that they completed. We have received many compliments from family, friends, and neighbors who have come to see the house. Highly recommended! read more

My experience with So Cal Build is a very positive one. David Potra and his crew do very professional work. A friend of mine had his house remodeled and So Cal Build did the work and it came out amazing. I have found David Potra to be a very generous man and his company supports charities abundantly. read more

David and the entire team at SoCal Design Build are truly a group of talented and professional people. My husband and I hired David to completely renovate our home as well as add an additional 600 sqft in-law suite onto our home. I phone interviewed over 13 contractors (some very large well known firms, some smaller design build firms). I then met with 6 in person and decided to go with So Cal Design Build. David was personable, knowledgeable and possesses a "can do" attitude. He was able to communicate clearly and effectively through the design process. They are not the cheapest option but they also are not the most expensive. We felt that the quote and cost of our project were reasonable and fair. Definitely give them a call if you're considering a project for your home, having SoCal Design Build on your side makes things so much easier! Thank you David and the whole team. read more

We just completed a remodel project with SoCal Design Build and couldn't be happier. We approached the company with a last minute remodel project that we wanted done ASAP and they took us on. They worked hard and very quickly to get our kitchen/family room completed. The SoCal team is fabulous: easy to talk with, knowledgeable, and responsive. Their designer, Julie, is talented and creative and found beautiful products for our kitchen/family room. David Potra went out of his way to answer our questions, work with us on issues, and find solutions that benefitted everyone. Our new kitchen/family room makes us smile every day! read more

I am not one to write reviews but just had to let others know how awesome both David and his team are. They went above and beyond every step of the way. From a brand new kitchen, new flooring, solar panels and more! Thank you David! We love our home improvements and can't wait to show them off to friends and family! read more

My wife and I started a backyard project several months ago. We were trying to turn a concrete slab into a beautiful backyard living area. Initially, we tried to go DIY, but quickly discovered this project needed a professional touch. We submitted a request online for a backyard deck, and received several responses. After meeting with 3 other companies, we knew that SoCal was the best because they took the time to really understand what our vision was, and helped us execute it. Not only did they build an incredible deck, but they also helped us with our AC!!! The craftsmanship on the deck was truly top notch. They stayed in communication every step of the way, and finished the job over a week earlier than we anticipated. From the moment we first spoke with their office, until the day the job was done, it was a true pleasure dealing with them. They went above and beyond our expectations. We are customers for life! read more

The integrity and willingness to do what ever it takes to execute quality products and happy customers is where SoCal Design really shines. Thank you to David and team. read more

This is an amazing family owned business. They really care about helping their clients and making sure we got what we wanted. The kitchen and bathroom designs are absolutely stunning. Give they a call for your next project. read more

So cal build is a great company. They do quality work in a timely manner. They did a new roof and solar installation for our home and we couldn't be happier. My father is a roofer in another state and David was bet accommodating to what my dad wanted. He gave us a great price, great customer service. I recommend them to everyone I know. read more

When we purchased our house in La Mesa, there were so many decisions to make. The most important decision was to select someone to replace the roof. Not only did So Cal Design Build do an amazing, timely, and, professional job on our roof but also they helped us sort through various financing options. David and his wife are pleasant, dependable, and, most of all, trustworthy. I look forward to working with them on the other projects we will need in order to make our new house our new home! I highly recommend them! read more

I rent the home I'm in and all the upgrades were done by this company. The work was done in a timely manner and with utmost care. The final outcome is beautiful and I enjoy living in the house. If I were ever able to own a home again I would most definitely hire SoCal Design Build. They're affordable and care about the homeowner and the needs of the home, inside and out. read more

David and his team were excellent from start to finish. Their responses were timely and David went above and beyond to make sure we knew what to expect every step of the way. David was knowledgeable and is obviously an expert in his field, who is passionate about his work. Unfortunately we didn't get to move forward with our remodel plans (at no fault of Davids) but we will definitely use this company for any future renovation plans! read more

We have been wanting to redo our kitchen backsplash for some time and finally decided to get it done. We found a tile we liked, but did not have the expertise to do it ourselves. It wasn't a big job, so wee weren't sure a company would want to take it on. So Cal Design came out and gave us an estimate that was reasonable. They worked around our timetable to schedule the work. On the date specified, the workers showed up and started right in. They were professional and considerate of our kitchen. They brought all the tools and materials that they needed. A two day project was moving right along when the workers asked if they could stay late and finish the job that day. OF COURSE! When they finished, they did complete cleanup and left us with a product we were happy with. So, let me say this about So Cal Design: 1. The workers were professional and talented and did a terrific job; 2. The completed job was superb and beter than we had even anticipated; 3. When David came out for a final inspection he advised that he was able to get the material at a discount and passed that on to us. When do you hear of this kind of customer service? When the next project comes along, you can bet that we will call So Cal Design first. read more