--- title: "Howland Built — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/howland-built-pfvwus-pf~1954716033 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1954716033.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Howland Built" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/5683b84300bd0506_4870-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "303 Potrero 43-105, Santa Cruz, California 95060, United States" latitude: 37.0313 longitude: -122.1198 phone: "(831) 427-2004" website: http://howlandbuilt.com rating: 5 review_count: 4 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 50 last_updated: 2026-09-24 --- # Howland Built Original Houzz profile: [Howland Built](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/howland-built-pfvwus-pf~1954716033) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** Santa Cruz, CA - **Serves:** Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Capitola, Ben Lomond, Opal Cliffs, Boulder Creek, Felton, Bonny Doon, Mount Hermon, Brookdale, Pasatiempo, Lompico, Davenport, Paradise Park, Zayante, Twin Lakes, Holy City, Redwood Estates - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2017), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 500 Ideabook Saves Howland Built Construction is a premier general contractor based in Santa Cruz, CA. We specialize in residential renovations and new construction. Working with the homeowner's vision and plans, we create a living environment that exceeds expectations. Our relationship with our clients are a top priority. We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals through planning, communication and a positive focus on their needs. Our high standards in performance and client relations guarantee a successful and satisfying building experience. As a result of our concern for the environment and our commitment to creating a healthy indoor living space, Howland Built has received many Green Building awards from the City of Santa Cruz and is recognized as an expert in the field. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Remodeling - General Contracting - Custom Homes - Home Extensions - Deck Building - Tile Installation - Energy-Efficient Homes - House Framing - Green Building - Window Installation - Concrete Construction - Deck Repair - Sustainable Design - Masonry - Siding Repair - Concrete Repair - Custom Cabinets - Door Repair - Drywall Repair - Fence Installation - Gutter Installation - Interior Door Installation - Tile Repair - drywall repair & installation - fence installation & repair - gutter installation & repair - masonry construction & repair - remodeling - siding repair & installation ### Areas Served - Santa Cruz - Los Gatos - Scotts Valley - Soquel - Capitola - Ben Lomond - Opal Cliffs - Boulder Creek - Felton - Bonny Doon - Mount Hermon - Brookdale - Pasatiempo - Lompico - Davenport - Paradise Park - Zayante - Twin Lakes - Holy City - Redwood Estates ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Howland Built | | Address | 303 Potrero 43-105, Santa Cruz, California 95060, United States | | Phone | (831) 427-2004 | | Website | http://howlandbuilt.com | | License Number | 853745 | | Followers on Houzz | 50 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Howland Built](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/howland-built-pfvwus-pf~1954716033) - **Website:** http://howlandbuilt.com - **Phone:** (831) 427-2004 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 6 Green Building Awards - Certified Lead-Safe Firm - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2017), for Service. **Affiliations** - [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews** ### All 4 reviews **★★★★★ — Kim Tyler, Dec. 2016** > This contractor is an outstanding communicator. He works with the highest integrity, and keeps to a strict budget and timeline. Every nuance is discussed thoroughly before proceeding. Workmanship is exquisite, with continuous attention to detail and quality. He makes surprising and delightful suggestions to how to make the project even better or more cost effective. He is unflappable and immensely resourceful. Couldn't be happier! **★★★★★ — Colleen Butterfield, Sept. 2016** > I first met Rory Howland in spring of 2009. A friend who had him remodel her kitchen on east side Santa Cruz recommended him. > > We decided to hire Rory after interviewing 4 different contractors for an extensive remodel of our west side Santa Cruz home. > > Our house is over 120 years old. The job included rebuilding the foundation to current building codes, gutting the inside including installing a new roof, electrical and plumbing. > > I already had all of the surface materials, appliances to be installed, paint colors to be used. Rory was very flexible of working with my choices of materials. He was able to stick with a strict timeline starting in May of 2009 finishing in November 2009. > > When you are remodeling an older structure there are many things that can come up that no one is able to predict. Rory was able to handle whatever came his way. > > Rory is selective on who he used as his sub contractors. He had an understanding of what the building codes required and I believe we passed all the inspections the first time. > > I was very pleased with his management of the project and his subs. We met weekly to discuss progress. I liked his ability to keep me updated. He is very good communicator and easy to get in touch with if you have any questions. > > I had a specific image of what the house would look like at the finish of the project and let me tell you Rory Howland was able to “… make my dream come true”. In the end, the house received a green building award. > > Fast forward to late 2014. I contacted Rory to see if he would be interested in remodeling the space in the attic. > > Rory suggested that we work directly with a residential design specialist that he had previously worked with on several projects. This suggestion alone is/was worth its weight in gold. What I had was the design person and the contractor working together. Often you get an architect that will design a plan that looks good on paper, meets all the building code requirements but when the contractor tries to implement these plans all kinds of problems can occur. Of course, Rory has already worked on the house. With his building expertise, and the residential design specialist skills and my very detailed list of what I wanted to have happen in that attic space, there was a cohesive plan developed that has had very few “unexpected or unforeseen” problems come up. > > The second project started late May 2016. As on the previous project, we meet weekly to go over progress and the next week’s timeline. He is good about introducing you to the subs. There is no “down” time when nothing is happening. Rory knows how to schedule the subs and the subs show up. In fact, even though he has given me a timeline, he is often ahead of schedule in getting subs in ahead of time to talk about certain aspects of the remodel. I appreciate that his crew is clean and pick up each day. I am sure that I will be equally happy at the end of this project as I was with the first project. > > One additional thing. Many contractors, architects, etc will spend your money freely not thinking of the bottom line- namely your budget. Rory and I had many discussions about how he could save me money by using one product over another. This allowed me to stay within my budget and also add some requests/change orders that I otherwise may not have been able to afford. > > I would recommend Howland Built to anyone. Rory is knowledge about building codes, collaborative, communicative, and a conscientious contractor. > . **★★★★★ — Deborah and Stephen Arnold/Ress, Aug. 2016** > From the first time we met with Rory his professionalism was evident. He walked us through building a new home with patience and support. He and his crew had an attention to detail and their work was first rate. The work was in our backyard and his crew was always respectful and careful of our living space and needs. Everything was left neat and tidy at the end of each day. When obstacles came up Rory could be counted on to find a way to "make it work". He was always calm when we might be freaking out. Getting through the permitting process and building inspections was uneventful. We highly recommend Howland Built to anyone in need of a contractor. **★★★★★ — Golden Visions Design, March 2016** > I have collaborated with Rory at Howland Built Construction on many projects over the years. We have worked together in a Design/ Build capacity, as well as independently, but the end result is a well built, well thought out home, and a happy client. > > It seems any time I arrive on the job site, whether expected or not, the job site is orderly and the workers are focused and aware of the work in front of them. Sometimes the workers are part of his crew, sometimes subcontractors, or sometimes a mix of both, but they all are very capable and competent people on the job. To say Rory hires conscientious and reliable subs is an understatement. As the designer of a project, I appreciate that the lead builder on the site coordinates things with me whenever there is a question about things shown on the plans, or other significant items. > > Rory is aware of budgetary concerns and constraints, and works hard to find efficiency and solutions where he can to get the most into a project within the given budget. > > When Rory is the contractor for a project I have designed, I can rest easy that the project is in good hands with he and his crew on the job. The end results are always spectacular. ## Selected projects - [Beach House in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-house-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~1998489) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: This project involved a full kitchen remodel in Santa Cruz, CA. Details in this house reflect the homeowners style in the natural wood grain of the cabinets as well as the surfboard inspired bar countertop. - [Historic Beach House Remodel in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historic-beach-house-remodel-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~216428) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: This was a large remodel project with completely new floor plan. Two bedroom, two bath with a huge pantry / butler room. Extensive foundation upgrades and structural framing to create large open floor plan. • 75% of demolition debris was separated and diverted from the local landfill • Salvaging and reusing existing building materials • High fly ash content in new concrete foundation. Fly ash is a waste material that adds strength to concrete. • Obtaining wood from sustainable sources, FSC grade… - [Remodel in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/remodel-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~216443) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: • Bamboo cabinets with free form resign panels • Gray water system • Recycled aluminum pendants and vanity light fixtures • Concrete countertops with cactus sealer • Non toxic interior finishes, paint, flooring, wood finish • FSC framing and finish millworks • Denim insulation, wood saving framing techniques, salvaged lumber • Pre-wire for future solar • Dual flush toilets • On demand water heater with re-circ pump and wireless remote • Water softener - [Mid-Century Modern Style House in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-modern-style-house-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~1984600) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: Beautiful Mid-Century Modern style home in Santa Cruz, CA. The clean lines and exposed beams of the kitchen accentuate the mid-century modern style while the stainless steel appliances and black soapstone countertops add an updated elegance to the space. - [Eclectic Craftsman Style Home in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eclectic-craftsman-style-home-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~1972836) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 21 - Description: Eclectic craftsman style home on the westside of Santa Cruz, CA - [Rustic Loft-Style Cabin in Los Gatos, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-loft-style-cabin-in-los-gatos-ca-pj-vj~1990867) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: This loft-style cabin utilizes an open floor plan to maximize the sense of space in the common areas. The high vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and wood maintain the rustic feel throughout the cabin. The large Marvin windows provide magnificent views of the woods surrounding the cabin. - [Craftsman Style Beach Cottage in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-style-beach-cottage-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~2024006) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 3 - [Craftsman Style Home in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-style-home-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~2014214) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 15 - [Green Building Award Craftsman Style Remodel and Addition in Santa Cruz, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/green-building-award-craftsman-style-remodel-and-addition-in-santa-cruz-ca-pj-vj~216448) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: This project involved remodeling an aging 1200 square foot home while adding an additional 500 square feet of living space. We added a larger master bathroom, laundry room and larger kitchen. New covered porches, detached workshop and detached garage completed the design. Furthermore, through the design and building of sustainable features into the home, the owners were awarded a Green Building Award by the city of Santa Cruz. - [Craftsman Style Remodel in Davenport, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-style-remodel-in-davenport-ca-pj-vj~216464) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 8 - [Aptos Kitchen Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/aptos-kitchen-remodel-pj-vj~216463) - Location: Aptos, CA - Photos: 2 [See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/howland-built-pfvwus-pf~1954716033) ## Ideabooks - [Butterfield Project](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62366100/list/butterfield-project) — 1 idea - [Hardy Plank Siding](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53392787/list/hardy-plank-siding) — 3 ideas - [Ford Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28400990/list/ford-kitchen) — 1 idea - [Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23080218/list/fireplaces) — 5 ideas - [showers](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12560256/list/showers) — 10 ideas - [plumbing fixtures](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12560350/list/plumbing-fixtures) — 1 idea - [walk in showers](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12560305/list/walk-in-showers) — 1 idea [See all 7 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/roryhowland) ## Community Q&A **Q: The blue irridescent tile is malagacove.com.** *(in Post to Followers)* The blue irridescent tile is malagacove.com. A: Hi Mareth, I think that the smaller ceiling fan would be a consideration for your bedroom. I saw one that had 36" blades, Rory --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-24.*