---
title: "Smollen The Builder — General Contractors | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smollen-the-builder-pfvwus-pf~1350583303
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1350583303.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Smollen The Builder"
category: ["General Contractors"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/2bb3d99c0f4c366c_3842-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "1265 Indiana Street, San Francisco, California 94107, United States"
latitude: 37.7621
longitude: -122.3971
phone: "(415) 271-0568"
website: http://smollenthebuilder.com
rating: 5
review_count: 5
best_of_houzz_awards: 1
followers: 117
last_updated: 2026-08-16
---

# Smollen The Builder

Original Houzz profile: [Smollen The Builder](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smollen-the-builder-pfvwus-pf~1350583303)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** General Contractors
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Serves:** San Rafael, Mill Valley, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Corte Madera, Kentfield, Sausalito, Strawberry, Ross, Marin County
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2014), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- 5 Star Houzzer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

I am devoted to making meaningful modern homes. My passion for design and construction at every level allows me to work on both grand and intimate projects. I specialize in personal hands-on project management and seeing that the designs vision is supported throughout the project.

Here’s my story;
I have been in construction since my father’s best friend the building inspector on Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard gave me my first set of tools and put me to work thirty-seven years ago when I was ten.

### Areas Served

- San Rafael
- Mill Valley
- Larkspur
- San Anselmo
- Tamalpais-Homestead Valley
- Corte Madera
- Kentfield
- Sausalito
- Strawberry
- Ross
- Marin County

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Smollen The Builder |
| Address | 1265 Indiana Street, San Francisco, California 94107, United States |
| Phone | (415) 271-0568 |
| Website | http://smollenthebuilder.com |
| License Number | 968840 |
| Followers on Houzz | 117 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/SmollenTheBuilder

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Smollen The Builder](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smollen-the-builder-pfvwus-pf~1350583303)
- **Website:** http://smollenthebuilder.com
- **Phone:** (415) 271-0568

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2014), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews**

### All 5 reviews

**★★★★★ — modern house architects, July 2014**

> Craig Smollen has been contracting our jobs for a few years now, always with an keen eye for the details that are important to me and my clients.
> But I have recently had the fortune of having him build a job for me personally, and I couldn't be more pleased.
> Curt Cline,
> Architect
> Modern House

**★★★★★ — Bohemian Stoneworks, March 2014**

> I can highly recommend Craig as a contractor.  We have worked on two project for Craig and both were well thought out and organized.  He made it very efficient to bid on the job and was very communicative with both us and the client.  It was refreshing to have this level of organization and I look forward to our next project together.
>
> Patrick Miller
>
> Bohemian Stoneworks

**★★★★★ — Alfred Pace, Oct. 2013**

> Craig Smollen and his team are topflight.  We recently constructed a new modern home in Atherton, CA (designed by Curt Cline, Modernhouse Architects). We wanted to create a large, 10 ft vanity in our master bath and a large headboard/storage unit in our Master Bedroom. We were referred to Craig Smollen by our architect and we are glad he did. Craig is a delightful sort, good listener and talented craftsman. Craig listed to our desires, made thoughtful suggestions and worked hard to create a couple of very special pieces (which he now features on the Houzz site!). Craig and his team were very focused on the details, book matching grain, finishes, etc. We visited Craig in his Berkeley workshop on a Saturday....he and his team were cranking away on several fabulous projects. True, committed craftsmen...and good people as well. Nice combo.
>
> During our homebuilding experience, we experienced our share of good-and not so good- subcontractors. Craig was among the very best and we would refer him to you without reservation.
>
> Again, topflight. Just take a look at the photos!
>
> best
>
> al & karen pace

**★★★★★ — Alison Costa, Aug. 2013**

> Craig Smollen is a top notch contractor!  His attention to detail, design and construction are outstanding! His honesty, creativity and pleasant disposition were a plus during the projects he worked on at my house.  He always stayed within our scheduled timeframes and I had complete trust in his judgement.  He's very knowledgeable on all levels, always answered my questions and his professionalism made our projects .go smoothly!  A++ is my recommendation!

**★★★★★ — nicksho, March 2012**

> I highly recommend Craig Smollen for any new or renovation project. He designed and completely renovated my two flat home in San Francisco from top to bottom beautifully and professionally. He was always gracious and had wonderful ideas and possibilities for me to consider. He always kept things on or under budget and on schedule. He is truly a pleasure to work with, and I will be using him again soon.
>
> Nicholas Sholley

## Selected projects

- [San Francisco Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-francisco-loft-pj-vj~802655)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
- [Pace Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pace-residence-pj-vj~252717)
  - Location: Atherton, CA, CA
  - Photos: 8
- [Lucas Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lucas-residence-pj-vj~245595)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 33
- [Berry Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/berry-residence-pj-vj~38894)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Small Compound](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-compound-pj-vj~38898)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
- [BOCS1](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bocs1-pj-vj~38901)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [Fun Garage Office](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fun-garage-office-pj-vj~38896)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 2
- [Smollen The Builder](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/smollen-the-builder-pj-vj~1044813)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1

[See all 8 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smollen-the-builder-pfvwus-pf~1350583303)

## Ideabooks

- [Great Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63516989/list/great-architecture) — 65 ideas
- [Glass](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20000131/list/glass) — 1 idea
- [Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1770446/list/stairs) — 12 ideas
- [Entry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2136549/list/entry) — 3 ideas
- [modern Love](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2520273/list/modern-love) — 13 ideas
- [Concrete](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1779418/list/concrete) — 13 ideas
- [Adoration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1764313/list/adoration) — 10 ideas
- [Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1779144/list/bathrooms) — 10 ideas
- [Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1779235/list/fireplaces) — 11 ideas
- [Pivot Doors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1770287/list/pivot-doors) — 7 ideas

[See all 10 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/smollenthebuilder)

## Community Q&A

**Q: What is the approximate cost of something like this?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I love this place for a secret get away.

A: I would expect to pay between 180 and 300 dollars per square foot depending on location, plumbing and finishes.

**Q: Lovely!  What are the dimensions of this structure?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Thank you.

A: 12'x12' as I recall.

**Q: What is the foundation area of this cottage please?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Here is a good picture of a 'stem wall' foundation that makes the slab part of the foundation.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-16.*