Frequently asked questions

Pinnacle Construction serves homeowners in San Francisco, San Mateo, and communities across the Peninsula. Our office is at 2741A Geary Blvd in San Francisco.

Yes. Pinnacle Construction and Development, Inc. is a licensed, bonded, and insured California general contractor. Our CSLB license number is 976872.

Send the property address, a short description of the work, and any architectural or structural plans and photos you have. We will review the information and let you know whether we need a site visit or additional details before preparing a construction estimate.

Construction cost depends on the plans, existing conditions, site access, structural work, material selections, and the amount of plumbing, electrical, heating, or cooling work involved. We prepare an estimate after reviewing the project information. If construction reveals a hidden condition, we explain what we found and review the cost and schedule impact before additional work proceeds.

Yes. After the construction work, material lead times, and expected start date are established, we prepare a project schedule. Inspection availability, design changes, weather, and material delays can affect timing, and we keep you informed when the schedule changes.

It depends on the project. Some smaller or phased remodels may allow part of the home to remain usable. Major structural work, whole-house remodeling, or work affecting plumbing and electrical service may require you to move out temporarily. We review the construction sequence and access needs before work begins.

The architect or engineer prepares the drawings and handles the permit approval process. Pinnacle builds from the approved plans, coordinates the construction trades, and schedules the required inspections with the city and engineers.

Common warning signs include cracked foundation walls, uneven floors, sticking doors or windows, gaps at walls or ceilings, moisture around the base, and earlier patching or lifting. A structural engineer should evaluate the conditions and determine whether repair, strengthening, or replacement is appropriate.

We build from the structural engineer's drawings, coordinate field questions with the engineer, and schedule required inspections with the city and engineer. The design team remains responsible for the drawings, plan revisions, and permitting.

Sometimes. Depending on the foundation and the engineer's recommendations, a seismic retrofit or partial foundation repair may be enough instead of a full replacement.

Yes. We build the floor, wall, roof, beam, and stair framing shown in the plans for additions and new homes.

Yes. We complete the seismic retrofit shown in the structural plans, including foundation bolting and structural bracing where required, and schedule the city and engineer inspections.

A wall may be load-bearing if it supports floor or roof framing or aligns with beams, posts, or foundations below. A structural engineer should confirm its role and design the replacement beam and supports before construction begins.

Yes. Removing a load-bearing wall requires structural engineering and typically a building permit. The architect or engineer prepares the plans and permit documents; Pinnacle completes the construction and schedules required city and engineer inspections.

Cost depends on the size and location of the new beam, the posts and foundation support required below, plumbing or electrical lines within the wall, and the amount of finish repair. We can price the construction after the structural plans define the work.

Yes. We install temporary supports, the beam and posts specified by the engineer, and any required foundation support. We then move affected utilities and complete the wall and finish repairs included in the project.

We manage construction from site preparation and foundation through framing, roofing, windows, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, interior finishes, and required inspections. The architect and engineer remain responsible for the design and permitting.

Yes. We build from the architect's and engineer's drawings, coordinate field questions with the design team, and schedule required inspections. Design decisions, plan revisions, and permit approvals remain with the architect or engineer.

We prepare a construction schedule, coordinate subcontractors and deliveries, schedule required inspections, and sequence the work so each trade can begin when the site is ready. Weather, material lead times, design changes, and inspection availability can still affect the schedule.

Yes. Pinnacle Construction builds new homes in San Francisco, San Mateo, and other Peninsula communities.

Yes. We build second-story and other upper-floor additions from the architectural and structural plans. These projects often require new framing and may require foundation strengthening to support the added weight.

The architect sets the design. We build the framing, roofing, siding, windows, and exterior finishes shown in the plans so the new work connects cleanly with the existing house.

Yes. Most additions require structural engineering because they change the building's loads and connections. The architect and structural engineer prepare the design and permit documents; Pinnacle builds from the approved plans and schedules required inspections.

It depends on where the addition connects to the house and how much of the existing structure must be opened. Before construction, we review the work sequence and discuss which areas of the home are likely to remain usable.

We build detached backyard ADUs, attached ADUs, and garage or ground-floor conversions. The right option depends on the existing property, available space, and the plans prepared for the project.

An ADU may be eligible for rental use, depending on the property and local requirements. The project architect or other design professional should confirm the approved use and permitting requirements; Pinnacle manages the construction and schedules required inspections.

Yes. We can build the foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, exterior, and interior finishes shown in the plans, and schedule required inspections during construction.

A garage conversion uses an existing structure, while a detached ADU is a separate building with its own foundation, walls, roof, and windows. The site, available space, and intended use help determine which approach makes more sense.

Ground-floor conversions generally need to address the structure, ceiling height, moisture, natural light, ventilation, and safe exits. The architect and engineer determine the requirements and prepare the plans; Pinnacle completes the construction and schedules required inspections.

Possibly. The architect and engineer need to evaluate the existing height and determine whether slab changes or another approach can provide the required headroom.

The work may include moisture barriers, insulation, finished walls, waterproofing, and drainage improvements, depending on the existing conditions and project plans.

Yes, if the plans provide the independent living space, utilities, safe exits, and other features required for an ADU. The project architect should confirm whether the property and proposed layout qualify.

Yes. When the plans call for structural changes, we install the specified beams, posts, earthquake bracing, and foundation support, and schedule required inspections as part of the remodel.

Often, yes, especially when the remodel affects most rooms, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, or the structure. Smaller or phased projects may allow part of the home to remain occupied. We review the construction sequence before work begins.

We use one construction schedule for demolition, framing, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, required inspections, walls, and finishes, and coordinate the trades so the work happens in the correct order.

Yes, when those items are included in the architectural and structural plans. A whole-house remodel can include framing changes, foundation work, and a seismic retrofit along with plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and finish upgrades.

Yes. We can remove the wall between a kitchen and living space when the architectural and structural plans call for it. If the wall is load-bearing, we install the specified beam, posts, and any required foundation support, and schedule the required inspections.

Yes. We coordinate the plumbing and electrical trades during construction, complete the work shown in the project plans, and schedule required inspections. The architect or engineer handles the permit drawings and approval process.

Yes. We work from the architect's or kitchen designer's drawings and confirm measurements on site and coordinate material timing and installation details during construction.

The schedule depends on the work shown in the plans, material lead times, structural changes, and the amount of plumbing or electrical work. After reviewing the plans and site conditions, we can prepare a schedule for the construction work.

Waterproofing and careful coordination between plumbing, electrical, tile, and finish work are essential. Proper moisture protection is what helps a bathroom remodel perform well over time.

Yes. We can remove the existing tub, adjust the plumbing as shown in the plans, complete the waterproofing, and install the new shower and finishes.

The architect or engineer handles the permit drawings and approval process. We complete the plumbing and electrical construction shown in the project documents and schedule the required inspections.

Yes. New bathrooms are often included in additions, ADUs, and ground-floor conversions. We can build the plumbing, ventilation, waterproofing, tile, and finish work shown in the plans.

Yes. We build roof decks and terraces, including the support structure, waterproofing, drainage, stairs, and railings shown in the project plans.

Not always, but softness, movement, or visible rot should be evaluated. The condition of the support structure and its connections will determine whether a repair is sufficient or replacement is the better option.

Composite, hardwood, and pressure-treated decking can all perform well when properly detailed. The best choice depends on appearance, maintenance, exposure, and budget. In Bay Area weather, drainage and protection of the support structure are as important as the surface material.

Most structural deck work requires a permit in San Francisco. The architect or engineer should confirm the requirements and prepare the permit documents; Pinnacle builds from the approved plans and schedules the required inspections with the city and engineer.