--- title: "Bonsai Builder Construction — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/bonsai-builder-construction-pfvwus-pf~2114419328 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2114419328.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Bonsai Builder Construction" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a7c37a6b02fbc210_5486-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "14125 Capri Drive, Ste 8b, Los Gatos, California 95032, United States" latitude: 37.2417 longitude: -121.9554 phone: "(408) 374-4115" website: http://www.bonsaibuilder.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 3 followers: 21 last_updated: 2026-09-02 --- # Bonsai Builder Construction Original Houzz profile: [Bonsai Builder Construction](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/bonsai-builder-construction-pfvwus-pf~2114419328) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** Los Gatos, CA - **Serves:** San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Redwood City, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, Menlo Park, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Saratoga, San Carlos, Los Altos Hills, East Foothills, Woodside, Portola Valley, Cambrian Park, Monte Sereno, New Almaden, Redwood Estates, San Francisco Bay Area, South Bay - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 25 Ideabook Saves - Locally owned - References available - 31 years in business Ernest Culp founded Bonsai Builder Construction in 1989, with only one goal: Become one of Silicon Valley's finest builders. Our goal is to build each customer a home of lasting value and beauty, while ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction. For over 30 years, Bonsai Builder has been building and renovating luxury homes in our hometown of Los Gatos, Saratoga and surrounding areas. We provide a rare combination of personalized attention, in-house design services, top quality results and fair pricing. We aren't just building homes, we're building relationships. Throughout the construction process we work together to bring our clients vision to reality. Each project is a separate and unique opportunity and we take pride in delivering the best, each and every time. We measure our success through our clients satisfaction. Our track record speaks for itself. Experience -- We have been in business for over 30 years, building and remodeling homes throughout Los Gatos, Saratoga, and surrounding areas. Satisfied customers -- The majority of our business comes from referrals and repeat customers. We believe this to be the greatest compliment we can get. Proven quality -- We have never had a liability claim against us for faulty construction. Integrity -- We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Our business is based on integrity, and you'll see it in everything we do, from our relationships to our bids to the homes we build. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Remodeling - General Contracting - Home Additions - New Home Construction - Home Extensions - Deck Building - Basement Remodeling - Flooring Installation - Garage Building - Outdoor Kitchen Construction - Pool House Design & Construction - Porch Design & Construction - Project Management - Custom Home Bars - Multigenerational Homes - Countertop Installation - Energy-Efficient Homes - House Framing - Green Building - Attic Conversion - Shower Installation - Concrete Construction - Home Gym Design & Construction - Siding Installation - Deck Repair - Laminate Flooring Installation - Drywall Installation - Demolition - Barn Design & Construction - Sliding Door Installation - Shed Design & Construction - Lighting Installation - Crown Molding Installation - Baseboard Installation - Masonry - Concrete Flooring - Skylight Installation - Concrete Repair - Drywall Texturing - Basement Waterproofing - Site Preparation - Linoleum Flooring Installation - Radiant Floor Heating - Earthquake Retrofitting - Soffit Repair - Range Hood Installation - Log Home Construction - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - San Jose - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara - Redwood City - Mountain View - Palo Alto - Cupertino - Campbell - Menlo Park - Los Gatos - Los Altos - Saratoga - San Carlos - Los Altos Hills - East Foothills - Woodside - Portola Valley - Cambrian Park - Monte Sereno - New Almaden - Redwood Estates - San Francisco Bay Area - South Bay ### Typical Job Cost $30,000 - 6 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Bonsai Builder Construction | | Address | 14125 Capri Drive, Ste 8b, Los Gatos, California 95032, United States | | Phone | (408) 374-4115 | | Website | http://www.bonsaibuilder.com/ | | License Number | 575422 | | Followers on Houzz | 21 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonsai-Builder-Construction-Company/156795381027690 - Blog — http://www.bonsaibuilder.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Bonsai Builder Construction](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/bonsai-builder-construction-pfvwus-pf~2114419328) - **Website:** http://www.bonsaibuilder.com/ - **Phone:** (408) 374-4115 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - BBB A+ **Affiliations** - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/better-business-bureau-pfvwus-pf~1830530549) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — Jambtech, July 2016** > Bonsai Builder Construction: > > Absolutely one of the best builders in the Bay Area with a reputation of: > > -Durable, Quality Construction That’s Built to Last. > -Excellent Communication Skills and Follow-up. > -Experience in the Home Construction Industry. > -A Positive Reputation and History of Satisfied Customers. > -Transparency in Costs. > -Builders Who Stands Behind Their Work. > > Awesome Company **★★★★★ — Marie Cameron, March 2016** > Bonsai Builders made my dream art studio a reality! Working with plans that I had developed with architect Tom Sloan, Ernest Culp and his team at Bonsai were able to execute a fairly challenging construction of an Victorian greenhouse inspired studio on a slope which required structural engineers, steel piers in the ground beneath the slab and a steel frame to support the clerestory. Despite this heavy duty framework, the result is a light and airy space that the Bonsai team was able to customize perfectly to my needs, incorporating Civil War era reclaimed barn wood for the floor, LED, Halogen tract and decorative lighting, I have heating and cooling, a firewall, UV windows, a vintage marble sink and antique drawer pulls that I had sourced, custom cabinetry and gorgeous moldings with perfect finishes everywhere including the stone stoop at the French doors that matches the rest of out flagstone patio. In fact, the entire project was executed to feel like a part of our our Victorian home that Bonsai Builders had completely renovated in 2006. The entire team was a pleasure to work with at every turn. Communications were great, the budget and scope of the project was clearly set and followed, they handled all the permits and were very respectful of our property and privacy. There were other contractors who bid less for this project but I went with Bonsai Builders because I trusted their craftsmanship and I knew from experience that they stand behind their work. I couldn't be happier with my studio! **★★★★★ — amitpaulsingh, Feb. 2016** > Over the holidays, we had our floors replaced by Bonsai Builder Construction. I have been writing this review offline for a while now, because I believe the quality of work done by Ernest (Ernest is Bonsai Builder Construction) deserves better than an off-the-cuff review. If you have read this far you have already seen that this is a 5-star rating. I will attempt to break down the reasons for the rating shortly. If you are impatient, the quick summary is : > > Yes I am very happy with the work done and I would not hesitate to recommend Bonsai Builder Construction or work with them again. > > On to the detailed review: > > 1\. Communication and Attitude: Until I first spoke to Ernest, I found it difficult to get in touch with contractors and have them make time to come and take a look at our house. With Ernest, it was seamless. Ernest is very easy to reach. If he does not pick up his phone, he will ALWAYS promptly return your call. He is also very prompt with emails. I have never had to chase after him for any reason. If anything, I've been tardy with emails myself. Sorry Ernest. Ernest is always punctual as well. If he says he will meet you at a certain time, he keeps his word or reschedules well in advance. Even before we started talking about the work to be done, I was impressed. While the work was taking place, Ernest was in touch constantly, sharing photographs of the progress and making sure I was always in the loop with what was happening even when we were out of town on vacation. When they discovered issues with the framing that needed to be fixed before putting the new floors in, Ernest was always positive and optimistic, and was able to quickly suggest solutions to them rather than dwelling on the problem. > > 2\. Execution and Quality of Work: We needed to replace the hardwood floors in our house, as the old flooring was not installed well and was prone to annoying squeaking and creaking. Initially, I figured the work could be done room-by-room so we would not have to move out. With a toddler at home, we wanted minimal disruption. Ernest (rightly) proposed that it would be cheaper to do the entire house at once, and that he could do it while we were away on vacation for 4 weeks. He not only delivered on his promise, but stuck to the schedule even after finding issues with the framing. Once we returned from our vacation, we were treated to spanking new floors with none of the problems we were having earlier and also all of our furniture was moved back into the house before we got home. Again, with a toddler this made things very very convenient. > > As far as the quality of the work itself, we are extremely happy with all of the work done. Not only were the floors taken care of but several minor things that were not 100% working were also fixed by Ernest, completely to our surprise and delight. > > 3\. Integrity: Throughout the project, Ernest was always ready to explain to us what exactly he was doing, even if our questions were stupid. Bonsai Builder Construction has existed for almost 30 years now, and it's easy to see why Ernest gets repeat customers. He is very dependable, and we could count on him to suggest improvements not for their own sake, but based on what is best for us and our house. I would not hesitate to call him again if I had any questions about the work that was done or to ask him about work in the future. > > In conclusion, I would rate Bonsai Builder Construction very highly and would not hesitate to work with them again. I was given Ernest's contact information by a co-worker who had some renovation work done by Ernest about 15 years ago and is still very happy with it. After my experience, I can easily see why. ## Selected projects - [Los Gatos Kitchen Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-gatos-kitchen-remodel-pj-vj~1209733) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 5 - [Traditional Home Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-home-remodel-pj-vj~1086318) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Historic Home Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historic-home-remodel-pj-vj~1209735) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 4 - [Project photos](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/project-photos-pj-vj~6783969) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 29 [See all 4 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/bonsai-builder-construction-pfvwus-pf~2114419328) ## Ideabooks - [Living Rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62350875/list/living-rooms) — 6 ideas - [Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62350445/list/kitchens) — 5 ideas [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/bonsaibuilder) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-02.*