Alameda County · Bay Area
Remodeling and additions in Oakland, Berkeley & Piedmont
Oakland and Berkeley's Craftsman, Tudor and Victorian homes need remodelers who can modernize kitchens, baths and systems while preserving character.
Most of our reviews come from Los Angeles clients; we're earning more in the Bay Area now.
Illustration- Licensed, bonded & insured · CSLB #1059213 (opens in new tab)
- 20+ years of team experience
- Permits handled
- Supervisor on site daily
- 3D design included
Local know-how
Remodeling in Oakland, Berkeley & Piedmont
Homes we see
1900s–1930s Craftsman, Tudor and Victorian homes; hillside homes in the Oakland and Berkeley hills.
Permits and approvals
City of Oakland Planning & Building, with staff-level design review for most additions. City of Berkeley Permit Service Center. City of Piedmont, which reviews the design of nearly every project that needs a building permit. City of Albany Building Department. City of Alameda Permit Center.
Sources: City of Oakland — Small Project Design Review (opens in new tab) · Oakland Planning Code §17.136.030–.040 — Design review (opens in new tab) · City of Berkeley — Administrative Use Permit (opens in new tab) · City of Berkeley — Landmark alterations (opens in new tab) · City of Piedmont — Design review FAQ (opens in new tab) · City of Albany — Building permits (opens in new tab) · City of Alameda — Permit Center (opens in new tab)
Neighborhoods
ZIPs served
Adding on to an older East Bay home
Oakland. An addition larger than 10% of the home's floor area or footprint, up to 1,000 square feet, normally goes through Small Project Design Review, which Planning staff decide. Larger additions, over 1,000 square feet or more than doubling the home within three years, need Regular Design Review, with notice mailed to owners and occupants within 300 feet at least 17 days before a decision.
Berkeley. Additions that exceed the zone's height limit for additions (14 to 20 feet, depending on the district), or add more than 600 square feet or 15% of the lot area, need an Administrative Use Permit. You show neighbors the plans before applying, and the decision starts a 20-day appeal period. Exterior changes to a City Landmark, Structure of Merit or historic-district property need a Structural Alteration Permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission before the building permit. Piedmont reviews the design of nearly every project that needs a building permit, including additions, decks, dormers and skylights; interior work with no exterior change and no new bedrooms is exempt.
Across the area. Much of the Oakland and Berkeley hills is in a mapped fire hazard severity zone, where new decking, siding, vents and roofing must be ignition-resistant. In EBMUD's regional sewer lateral program area, which includes Oakland, Piedmont, Albany and Alameda, remodeling work over $100,000 requires the private sewer lateral to be tested and, if it fails, repaired or replaced; Berkeley runs its own program with a $60,000 trigger.
Our part: we confirm which review applies to your parcel, prepare the drawings and applications, and build the lateral test and any fire-zone requirements into the schedule.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Sources: City of Oakland — Small Project Design Review (opens in new tab) · Oakland Planning Code §17.136.030–.040 — Design review (opens in new tab) · City of Berkeley — Administrative Use Permit (opens in new tab) · City of Berkeley — Landmark alterations (opens in new tab) · City of Piedmont — Design review FAQ (opens in new tab) · East Bay Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program (EBMUD) (opens in new tab) · City of Berkeley — Private sewer lateral fact sheet (opens in new tab) · California Residential Code R337 — Materials for exterior wildfire exposure (opens in new tab)
IllustrationPopular projects here
What Oakland, Berkeley & Piedmont homeowners ask us to build
Work near you
Recent work from across the Bay Area and Los Angeles
Projects are labeled with where they were built: in the Bay Area or by our Los Angeles team.
How it works
Five steps. One team.
- 1
Free consultation
We visit your home, walk the space and listen to how you live. We talk honestly about scope, budget and timing — and whether we're the right fit.
What you getNotes, next steps and a written price-and-timeline summary
- 2
Design & 3D renderings
Our designers turn ideas into a plan you can see in 3D. We walk showrooms with you and pass along our trade pricing on selections.
What you getRenderings and selections list
- 3
Price & contract
Once the design is set, we confirm the final price and timeline in a contract, with payments tied to completed work.
What you getFinal price and contract
- 4
Permits & construction
We handle engineering, permits and inspections. A Tulip supervisor runs the site every working day, and you get regular updates.
What you getPermit set, schedule, weekly updates
- 5
Final walkthrough
A thorough inspection and punch list before we call it done — and we stand behind the work after we leave.
What you getPunch list and warranty documents
FAQ
Remodeling in Oakland, Berkeley & Piedmont: questions
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Typically 3–6 months from the first design meeting: about 6–12 weeks for design, permits and ordering, then 6–10 weeks of construction. Moving walls or plumbing stretches that to 5–9 months. Plan-check time depends on the building department, so we confirm current timing for your address when we apply and put both phases on a written schedule.
Does an addition in Oakland need design review?
Usually. An addition over 10% of the home's floor area or footprint, up to 1,000 square feet, goes through Small Project Design Review, decided by Planning staff; larger additions need Regular Design Review, with notice to neighbors within 300 feet.
What is a sewer lateral certificate, and when do I need one?
In EBMUD's regional program area, which includes Oakland, Piedmont, Albany and Alameda, building or remodeling work over $100,000 requires the private sewer lateral to be tested and, if it fails, repaired or replaced. Berkeley runs its own program with a $60,000 trigger. We plan the test into the schedule.
What kinds of projects do you take on in Oakland, Berkeley and Piedmont?
Kitchens, bathrooms, whole-home remodels, additions, second stories, ADUs and garage conversions, with exterior work as part of larger projects. Most projects fall in the $30K–$325K range; second stories and whole-home remodels usually cost more, as the project cards above show. We don't take on repairs or paint- or flooring-only jobs.
Book a consultation
Planning a project in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont?
We reply within one business day.
Prefer to talk? Call (669) 600-6422