Great friendly place for Architectural Design (Customs, Remodels, Additions, Accessory Dwelling…read moreUnits, 3D Renderings, Animation) and Building Permit drawings! Also a great place for quality prints (The Blueprint Shop)!

Our project was a major remodel practically the entire house was rebuilt (with 2-3 walls left) due…read moreto fire. Michael S at MHD was assigned to our project and performed exceptionally. He has a knack for taking what we envision and creating plans spot on to our design intent. He helped us pick various design elements that are consistent with a modern farm house home. The turn around town for his work was days not weeks and his personal and professional demeanor is a welcome surprise. We would love to work with Michael and MHD again in the future.

Mabel is friendly, thorough, communicative & professional. Highly recommended. She did her due…read morediligence on our job request before submitting a very detailed & price-competitive estimate.

Mabel was amazing! Super responsive and her plans were fantastic. She took the time to meet with me…read moreand my husband several times and had fantastic input to our "vision" for our remodel. She's extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions no problem. Overall she is a pleasure to work with and I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for an architect.

We had the pleasure of working with Jill Finn of TANGERINEdesign LLC when our longtime designer was…read moreunavailable -- so she walked into a situation where we were already feeling a bit off balance. But from day one, Jill exceeded our expectations. The project involved tearing down an old, dilapidated screened-in porch that had never really worked for us -- too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer -- and transforming it into a usable interior room. We wanted to keep the light and airy feel of a porch while gaining insulation, comfort, and year-round usability. We also wanted ideas for built-ins: maybe a window seat, maybe bookshelves -- we weren't quite sure. Other contractors over the years had taken one look at the porch and declined to get involved due to its age and condition. Not Jill. She had ideas right away. Jill brings so much energy, creativity, and practical knowledge to the table. Even while juggling big personal commitments (like her son's graduation across the country), she delivered several strong design ideas within a few weeks -- and they were fresh, inspiring, and budget-conscious. She collaborated easily with our civil engineer, adjusting her drawings quickly to meet his needs. She also understands our local codes and regulations really well, and met directly with our contractors to make sure her designs were realistic and executable before we got too far into the process. On top of all that, Jill has a fantastic personality. She made the experience fun and engaging, and she brought a sense of momentum and confidence that really helped us move forward. I can't recommend Jill highly enough -- her creativity, responsiveness, and enthusiasm make her a true gem. If you're considering working with TANGERINEdesign LLC, you're in excellent hands. Karen & Greg Marriner 6/22/25

My fiancee and I met with Jill to explore building an ADU in our backyard from the ground up along…read morewith a home expansion. We were glad that we chose Jill; she brings with her a wealth of knowledge in all facets of the construction phase, and she was very friendly and easy to talk to also! Most of the time we would ask her a question, then just let her talk, as she was very detailed with all of her answers and did a great job teaching. We also appreciated that Jill also has no problem telling you if your idea is a bad idea, but will provide the context and reasoning why. Lastly, we loved tapping her creative mind; she has the ability to look at a space and give you plenty of ideas for it that you might not have even thought of! We would definitely recommend her and would work with her again.

Contacted Shawn after reading reviews here on Yelp and after seeing photos of his work on Houzz. I…read morewanted to update my kitchen to make it brighter and fit in with the style of the rest of the house but needed help with what to do. Shawn took a look around, listened to what I had in mind, and thankfully told me what would or wouldn't work. He picked a beautiful quartz counter top, gave me options to choose from for the paint, faucet and hardware. He has a great team working for him. They were respectful and trustworthy. The refinished cabinets look like new. They do high quality work. He made his best effort to get things done within the time frame discussed but, as with any renovation, there were some unexpected issues that led to minor delays and affected cost. I really appreciated how his main concern was that I was happy with the end result. Before and in process photos attached (forgot to take a picture of the final product and don't want to clean the kitchen right now).

4.5 stars We did a…read morefull kitchen remodel soon after moving into our new home (before we got too settled). Due to unusual circumstances, we had a very tight timeline (see below for more details) so they were able to finish in 2 1/2 months. Overall, we are very happy with the end result and love our new, open layout! TL:DR version: - GREAT construction team/vendors and Fadil is the BEST project manager. Also the flooring contractor, Izec, is amazing. - Loved the design recommendations made by Shawn, like the floating shelves and bench by the window. - Pricing is competitive. Quality of work is fantastic. Designs are beautiful. - Area of improvement: better communication throughout the project. I had to be proactive and ask a lot of questions and follow up often. They offer both design and construction services, all under the same owner. This was convenient in that I only had to deal with one company and they took care of everything. Our project was unusual in that I was 6 months pregnant when we started the project. Typically, they don't start on construction until all materials are in stock but we needed to get things moving and completed quickly, so we ordered mostly standard sized and in-stock materials. The owner, Shawn, kept his promise on adhering to our timeline to the best of his ability, even as we ran into challenges with plumbing, structural, and electrical. His team worked tirelessly--even on weekends--to meet our deadline, without sacrificing quality or details. With any major construction, nothing is flawless. The one challenge I had, which may be unique to my circumstance, was getting proactive updates and just overall communication. At times, the construction team didn't even know what they were working on. Some of the designs didn't match the materials ordered. There was some miscommunication on which materials we were responsible for vs. what they would get for us. These were minor issues that eventually got resolved but it did cause me some stress and unrest. Highly recommend being proactive, with any big construction project, and staying close to the details... At the end of the day, despite some bumps, we now have our dream kitchen! And it was completed in record time! Last but not least, if you're told that any materials are "stuck" at the Oakland port, GET SOMETHING ELSE that's in stock. There is no ETA on when things will get unloaded at the dock...could be weeks or even months.

I hired DG Design (Dino Garcia is the owner) to provide design consultations and architectural…read moreplans for the renovation of my house, which included a MAJOR face lift to the front (s.f. addition, outdoor living area, etc.). What I liked about Dino is that he was - very down to earth (unlike many of the architects/designers out there), - very patient (I'm sure we drove him nuts with all the changes and questions we had :)), Dino came up with many ideas, which is what I'd expect from my designer. Dino provided a 3D version of the design, which really helped us visualize the house. Dino provided not just design services, but also provided structural engineering plans, and even went to the county office and had the plans signed and approved. Dino continued supporting us, free of charge, throughout the project in a very timely manner for any questions we had (working with contractor to clarify how to implement plans, confirming whether we can slightly deviate from plans, supervising contractor's work when being asked, etc.). On top of all of this, Dino is very price competitive (you'd be amazed with the price delta we've received for our project). I truly recommend you contact Dino (dinofg@sbcglobal.net) if you're looking for a designer / structural eng. (please note that for many projects all you need is a designer, and you don't really need an Architect, which is much more expensive!!!)

Dino is a very talented designer who did a beautiful job designing our new home in Palo Alto…read more After he finished the plans, we interviewed six contractors to build the house, and I think virtually all of them commented on how detailed and professional the plans were. This is very important so that the builder knows exactly what you want and does not take "artistic license" where the plans don't specify what is called-for. Dino understands this and works with you to understand what you want and how best to implement your preferences into the design / plans. He is also reasonably priced for the final product that he delivers, and I would recommend his services.

Hired Jen to complete the design and plans for our kitchen remodel and home extension. Jen was a…read morepleasure to work with from the start. Extremely professional, easy to work with and best of all, she is ON IT. She was nice enough to go to the City of San Ramon to drop of our revised plans after the city had some changes that needed to be made. She also worked closely with the current contractor we hired. Side note: I'm currently 6 months pregnant and Jen (being a mother herself), understood the level of urgency behind the work and how quickly I needed to get things done. It doesn't hurt that she also bought me a small gift for my baby :) I would hire Jen again in a heartbeat! Oh and if you're looking for an engineer she can refer you to Julio who was also great.

We have been extremely pleased with the work of JB Drafting and Design. We added about 320 sf to…read moreour home for a master bath, walk-in closet, and in-suite bath in another bedroom. I found the work of JB Drafting and Design to be exceptional. They also went above and beyond by helping me choose finishes for the bathrooms, and the bathrooms have turned out beautifully! We couldn't be more pleased! Would highly recommend JB Drafting and Design.

After our modular home manufacturer unexpectedly canceled our order, we felt lost and unsure of how…read moreto move forward with building a new second unit on our property. That's when we met Doug -- and everything changed. Our project wasn't simple. The permit required us not only to build a brand-new house but also to renovate and legalize the existing old house. Doug stepped in, redesigned the new unit beautifully, and reimagined the old house so the two complemented each other perfectly. The construction of the new home went incredibly smoothly. Doug's professionalism, craftsmanship, and attention to detail were evident every step of the way. The quality of his work truly exceeded our expectations. The renovation of the old house turned out to be much more complex than expected, but Doug handled every challenge with steady leadership and creativity. He brought the right people together, found thoughtful solutions, and kept the project moving forward steadily through each difficulty. His dedication and calm problem-solving turned a demanding process into a truly rewarding experience. The whole process took nearly five years -- but in the end, we have two beautiful homes that feel cohesive, warm, and full of life. Doug's commitment, honesty, and heart carried us through. We're deeply grateful for his expertise and friendship throughout this journey. If you're looking for someone who truly cares about your home as much as you do, Doug and his team are the ones to call. We can't recommend them enough. Please feel free to contact me if you want the reference. My phone: 408-800-6698. Michael

Douglas Fernandez of Fernandez Design and Builders in San Jose remodeled my entire home in 2007 and…read moredid such an excellent job; my home now is so beautiful and unique & a great fit for my way of life. The good news is that he was so fair and honest; he really watched costs which is so unusual, and in the end, I could be so much more innovative and creative and do so much more than I could have been with any another contracting firm; even more importantly, we had such a good time working together (even the demolition which I dreaded was a piece of cake because of Doug). I left throughout the remodel on many business trips, & there was so much progress and usually a surprising new touch Doug added every time I returned home. Since then, Doug has been there for me on many other occasions. The good news is that Doug is happy with and enjoys smaller remodeling jobs as well. Last year my outside deck came away from its stucco wall & needed a complete retrofit, including adding more structural columns to further support the deck. He loves a good challenge and coming up with great creative and exciting solutions that are brilliant, yet not expensive. Doug's cell is 510-377-9711. Do not hesitate to contact me for further information; my cell is 650-804-8894. Best wishes, Kaaren Powers

Mali is such an expert at her craft! She helped us with our bathroom layout (tricky sf space…read morelimits) to give us a dream master bath that not only was tastefully sourced but also honored all the requirements eg maximized light, easy to clean etc. I was so in love with Mali's work that I also asked her to design our downstairs space-- she made brilliant use of our spaces and helped us maximize usage for the space (again so beautifully rendered)! Highly recommend esp for first time home buyers who don't know much about construction. She's so patient and a great teacher!

Our permits have never been approved so fast. CA Permits and Design manages all the permit…read moreapplications and designs for my home Remodeling business. The plans are always on point, the service always professional, and my clients are always happy with the designs. P.S. ask for Mail, she's the best.