Design Build Specialists

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Design Build Specialists Design Build Specialists has been remodeling homes in Marin since 1980 and our focus is to provide an exceptional client experience.

From the initial call to the end of the warranty, our well-thought-out process delivers consistent predictable results.

If your small bathroom has a tub alcove you step over to reach the shower, you're giving up about 15 square feet to some...
10/13/2026

If your small bathroom has a tub alcove you step over to reach the shower, you're giving up about 15 square feet to something you rarely use.

A tub-to-shower conversion reclaims that space. When the plumbing stays where it is, the work usually wraps in one to two days. It's one of the lowest-disruption changes you can make in a compact bathroom.

What you get:

đźšż A walk-in shower that opens up the room visually and physically
🧼 TruBath porcelain panels for the surround: the look of stone, no grout lines to scrub
🗓️ Most conversions finished in 1 to 2 days, not weeks

We've done 500+ bathroom remodels across Marin and Sonoma over 40 years, so we know what's behind the walls before we open them up. Fewer surprises, honest timelines.

Want to see if a conversion fits your bathroom? No pressure. Just a straight answer on cost and scope. 🔧

The most common mistakes are choosing finishes before the layout is finalized, underestimating waterproofing, and treati...
10/08/2026

The most common mistakes are choosing finishes before the layout is finalized, underestimating waterproofing, and treating storage as an afterthought. In small bathrooms, a poorly considered layout creates daily frustration regardless of how good the tile looks. Skipping a proper design phase to save time almost always costs more to correct later.

Sequence is where whole house remodels go sideways. When phases overlap out of order, work gets torn out and redone. Kno...
09/22/2026

Sequence is where whole house remodels go sideways. When phases overlap out of order, work gets torn out and redone. Knowing what happens and when is the difference between a schedule that holds and one that doesn't.

On older Marin and Sonoma homes, it's common to find outdated wiring, undersized framing, dry rot near old plumbing, or ...
09/17/2026

On older Marin and Sonoma homes, it's common to find outdated wiring, undersized framing, dry rot near old plumbing, or load paths that were never engineered. A team that has done this work before names that risk upfront and budgets a contingency for it. Structural work is inspected before it gets covered, so the bones of the house are signed off before anyone closes them up.

A kitchen remodel on its own typically runs 8 weeks or more. A full whole house project spans several months once design...
09/15/2026

A kitchen remodel on its own typically runs 8 weeks or more. A full whole house project spans several months once design, demolition, mechanical rough-ins, finishes, and final inspections are all accounted for.

For most residential remodels, a standalone architect is overkill. A design-build model folds design, engineering, and c...
09/12/2026

For most residential remodels, a standalone architect is overkill. A design-build model folds design, engineering, and construction into one accountable team. That matters because a detail that would be expensive or impractical to build gets caught during design, not after demolition. You get drawings, budget, and construction from people who all answer to the same project.

09/02/2026

Cool marble. Matte black hardware that ties it together without trying too hard.

This master bath in San Rafael went from dated and dim to a space that actually fits the home around it. Walk-in shower with a marble bench, mosaic floor, recessed lighting, custom floating shelves, and a vanity that holds its own.

Over 500 bathrooms completed across Marin and Sonoma in 40 years. This is what that experience looks like.

See more of our work or schedule a Design Build Clarity Plan with no obligation: [link in bio]

The floors were already replaced before we set foot in this kitchen. That's not a head start. It's a constraint: finishe...
08/27/2026

The floors were already replaced before we set foot in this kitchen. That's not a head start. It's a constraint: finished flooring that isn't moving, and every cabinet base, toe kick, and transition has to land against it exactly.

Four areas needed real work. The hood and range zone was completely redesigned. The microwave was retrofitted into a new location. The pantry was rebuilt to function as one. The countertops came out and honed quartzite went in.

Then we painted the boxes, replaced every door with cream raised-panel profiles, and updated the drawers to match. The existing cabinet details set the standard. The new work had to meet it.

This is what a reface looks like when the scope is honest and the tolerances are tight. Not every kitchen needs to be gutted. But when you keep the bones, the retrofit work has to be exact or it shows.

Design Build Specialists has completed over 300 kitchen remodels across Marin and Sonoma over 40 years. We're members of the NKBA and hold an A+ rating with the BBB. Those credentials exist to reduce your risk, not decorate our website.

If you're trying to figure out whether your kitchen needs a full remodel or something more targeted, DM us. That's the kind of conversation worth having before you commit to anything.

08/25/2026

Small bathroom, full spa. Walk-in shower, marble tile, brass fixtures, light wood vanity — all in a compact Marin footprint that actually works.

Over 500 bathroom remodels across Marin and Sonoma. We know how to make tight square footage pull its weight.

Want to see what's possible in your space? Send us a message.

Send us a message to talk through your bathroom.

Address

394 Bel Marin Keys Boulevard, Ste 5
Novato, CA
94949

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14158923932

Website

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