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building Lab, inc.

building Lab, inc.

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About Us

17x Best of Houzz winner
Eco-friendly
Award winning
San Francisco Design Build Firm
Best of Houzz 2013 - 2025
Thoughtful Residential Design and Building, done by One Team from Start to Finish We’re an award-winning design-build firm with a soft spot for modern architecture and a hard line on quality construction. Every project starts with the same question: what’s the smartest, most sustainable way to solve this house, on this site, for these clients? We like that challenge, and we like solving it together — with each other, and with you. Architecture shaped by the Human Stories, the Environmental and Cultural contexts, built to last Across Generations We start with curiosity - listening carefully to what frustrates you, what excites you, and what you’ve always imagined. Our clients are collaborators, just like the architects, engineers, and craftspeople we bring to each project. We study every site with the same discipline: the land, the neighborhood, the history of the place, the way light moves through it across seasons and hours. Our expert knowledge about the processes of building allows us to work towards clarity and turn ambitious ideas into reality. Through simplicity, proportion, light, and material, we design spaces that feel warm and inviting, elegant and functional: places that offer immediate enjoyment and enduring satisfaction. The bL Story Stephen Shoup, our principal, picked up a hammer before he ever picked up a pencil. He learned carpentry young, then studied architecture at UC Berkeley and the Architectural Association in London. In 2001, he put both halves together — founding a studio built on a simple idea: design and construction work better when they're not separated. That idea still runs everything we do. Our architects, designers, and project managers work across the full scope — new builds, whole-house remodels, additions, kitchens and baths, custom cabinetry, master planning, landscape — often all on the same project, always under one roof.

Awards

Best of Houzz 2013 - 2025 NARI 2024 Platinum and Gold awards, plus overall Judges's Award BARA Design Awards 2022: Winner of 'Entire House Over 1M' category Remodeling Magazine - Grand Awards and Merit Awards - various years NARI Platinum Awards and Grand Prizes - various years

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Business Details

Business Name

building Lab, inc.

Phone Number

(510) 207-9985

Address

999 43rd Street
Oakland, CA 94608

Typical Job Cost

$500,000 - 3 million

$500,000 - 3 million

License Number

812687

Followers

1,217 Followers

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Services Provided

Home Remodeling

Custom Homes

New Home Construction

Kitchen Remodeling

Home Additions

Bathroom Remodeling

Kitchen Design

Home Extensions

Bathroom Design

Architectural Design

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Building Design

Guesthouse Design & Construction

Basement Remodeling

Outdoor Kitchen Construction

Architectural Drawings

Multigenerational Homes

Project Management

Design Consultation

Energy-Efficient Homes

Basement Design

Outdoor Kitchen Design

Green Building

Sustainable Design

Attic Conversion

Lighting Design

Deck Design

Site Planning

Home Theater Design

Barn Design & Construction

Landscape Plans

Site Preparation

Outdoor Lighting Design

Custom Home

Fabrication of Cabinetry & Furniture

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Areas Served

San Francisco

Oakland

Santa Rosa

Berkeley

San Mateo

Napa

San Rafael

Belmont

El Cerrito

Lafayette

Albany

Orinda

Moraga

Mill Valley

San Anselmo

Hillsborough

Piedmont

Sonoma

Corte Madera

Tiburon

Kentfield

Sausalito

Atherton

Saint Helena

Calistoga

Yountville

Ross

Belvedere

Fairfax

Glen Ellen

Kenwood

Rutherford

Belvedere Tiburon

Canyon

Contra Costa

Greenbrae

Marin County

Napa County

North Bay

Sonoma County

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Credentials

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we manage permitting and approvals as part of our comprehensive design-build services. Whether you choose our full design-build or design plus option, we guide you through the complexities of the building process, ensuring all necessary permits are secured for your project.

Yes, we are a licensed design-build firm. Our contractor's license number is 812687. We also carry all necessary insurance to ensure your project is protected and runs smoothly from start to finish.

Our design-build process is a comprehensive, one-stop solution. It begins with initial concepts, sketches, and architectural renderings, moving through feasibility studies, master planning, design development, construction documents, and permitting. We manage the entire project, from design to construction completion, ensuring a seamless and efficient execution with our in-house team.

We ensure projects stay within budget through early and accurate cost estimation. By involving our lead carpenter, project manager, and key subcontractors during design development, we refine the process and provide increasingly precise cost estimates. Our knowledgeable, creative, and efficient approach helps us deliver extraordinary results while respecting your budget.

Absolutely. We are a design-build firm, meaning we seamlessly integrate both architectural design and construction under one roof. Our principal, Stephen Shoup, has formal architecture training, and our team of designers and builders ensures a holistic approach from initial concept to project completion.

FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.

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building Lab, inc.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
By clicking "Send", you're creating a Houzz account and agreeing to the Houzz Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive calls or texts from Houzz and the selected professional about your request. You can opt out of text messages at any time