S.A. Baxter, Inc. provides major home remodeling and residential additions throughout San Francisco and Marin County, partnering with homeowners, architects, and design professionals to bring substantial, highly considered projects to life.

The homes we work on are as varied as the communities around them, from historic San Francisco residences to hillside and estate properties throughout Marin. What they have in common is a need for thoughtful design-build planning, skilled construction, and a team that can manage the details of a significant renovation with care.

Tiburon

Tiburon’s hillside setting and views of the Bay make the relationship between a home and its site especially important. We work on substantial renovations and additions that require thoughtful planning, close collaboration with the design team, and careful execution from pre-construction through completion.

Mill Valley

Wooded hillsides, varied terrain, and an eclectic mix of older and more contemporary homes give Mill Valley its distinctive residential character. Major remodeling here often means finding the right balance between preserving what makes a home special and making meaningful improvements to the way it functions.

Kentfield

Kentfield’s larger properties, mature landscapes, and estate-like residential settings are well suited to substantial remodeling projects. We work with homeowners and their architects and designers to manage complex renovations with an emphasis on organization, craftsmanship, and responsible stewardship of the project.

Belvedere

Belvedere’s waterfront and hillside homes are often closely connected to their views, architecture, and setting. Remodeling these properties can require a particularly considered approach, with new work carefully integrated into the existing home and coordinated closely with the project’s design professionals.

Corte Madera

Corte Madera includes a broad mix of established neighborhoods and hillside homes, giving each remodeling project its own set of opportunities. Our work focuses on major renovations and additions that improve the home as a whole rather than simply addressing one room at a time.

Larkspur

Larkspur is known for its established neighborhoods and many character-rich older homes. Large-scale remodeling here often calls for a careful balance: updating layout, comfort, and performance while retaining the proportions and details that give the original home its personality.

Fairfax

Fairfax’s wooded setting and eclectic homes give the community a relaxed, individual character. We take on substantial renovations and additions that build on what homeowners already value about their property while making the home more functional and better suited to long-term living.

San Anselmo

San Anselmo’s residential streets include many older homes with distinctive architectural character. Major remodeling projects here can create more useful, comfortable spaces while preserving the features that make the home feel established and connected to its surroundings.

San Rafael

As Marin County’s largest city, San Rafael includes a wide range of neighborhoods, architectural styles, and property types. S.A. Baxter, Inc. works on major remodels and additions where experienced construction management and close collaboration with the homeowner and design team are essential.

Pacific Heights

Pacific Heights is home to some of San Francisco’s most substantial and architecturally distinguished residences. Major remodeling here often requires careful coordination and a sensitive approach to original details while introducing the comfort, performance, and functionality expected of a modern home.

Seacliff

Seacliff combines distinctive residential architecture with a dramatic coastal setting. Large-scale renovations in the neighborhood often call for an especially thoughtful approach to the existing home, with close attention to architectural intent, finish quality, and the relationship between the residence and its surroundings.

Noe Valley

Noe Valley’s older homes often offer opportunities to rethink layout, circulation, natural light, and usable living space. We work on substantial remodels and additions that help these homes function more naturally for modern life while maintaining a strong connection to their original character.

Glen Park

Glen Park’s hills, compact streets, and varied homes make remodeling highly specific to the individual property. Larger projects may call for creative solutions around access, structure, layout, and the relationship between the home and its site.

Forest Hill

Forest Hill’s landscaped streets and established residential character create an appealing setting for thoughtfully executed renovation. Major remodels here can introduce significant improvements in function and comfort while maintaining a sense of continuity with the home’s original architecture.

West Portal

West Portal combines a strong neighborhood identity with substantial single-family homes and a more residential pace. We work on major renovations and additions designed to improve the way the entire home functions, with an emphasis on lasting quality over short-term updates.

Miraloma Park

Miraloma Park’s hillside setting can create interesting opportunities for homes that need more space, better circulation, or a stronger connection between levels. Substantial remodeling can help make better use of the property while responding carefully to the home’s existing structure and site.

Nob Hill

Nob Hill’s historic setting and architecturally detailed residences make thoughtful planning especially important. Significant renovations here often require close coordination between the design team and contractor to successfully integrate new work within an established urban property.

Russian Hill

Steep streets, older homes, and dramatic views give Russian Hill a residential character all its own. Large-scale remodeling projects often require solutions tailored closely to the property, particularly where access, existing conditions, and the home’s relationship to its site influence construction.

Cow Hollow

Cow Hollow’s classic San Francisco homes offer strong opportunities for substantial renovations that improve flow, comfort, and everyday functionality. Our work focuses on meaningful changes to the home as a whole while maintaining the qualities that give the property its character.

Marina District

Homes in the Marina often lend themselves to larger renovations that improve circulation, natural light, entertaining space, and overall functionality. We work with homeowners and design professionals to execute substantial changes with careful planning and attention to the details that bring the finished home together.

Laurel Heights

Laurel Heights offers established residential streets and substantial homes in a central San Francisco setting. Major remodeling here can create a more functional and refined home while working within the proportions, architecture, and constraints of the existing property.

Sunset District

Many Sunset homes have layouts and spaces shaped by an earlier era of San Francisco living. Large-scale remodeling and additions can create better flow, more usable space, and greater comfort while keeping the finished home connected to the neighborhood around it.

The Richmond

The Richmond includes an eclectic mix of older San Francisco homes near Golden Gate Park and the city’s western edge. We work on major renovations that improve how these homes function and feel while respecting the details and proportions that give them their character.

Telegraph Hill

Telegraph Hill’s steep terrain, dense urban setting, and older residential properties can make remodeling particularly site-specific. Significant projects benefit from careful sequencing, close coordination, and construction planning that accounts for both the existing home and the constraints around it.

1 | Pre-Construction & Planning

Every successful project begins with thoughtful planning. During pre-construction, we work closely with you and your architect to clarify scope, establish realistic budgets, evaluate constructability, and identify risks early. This phase provides cost clarity, scheduling insight, and informed decision-making before construction begins, setting the foundation for a well-run project.

2 | Design Coordination & Preparation

As plans are refined, we collaborate with architects, designers, and consultants to align design intent with construction realities. We coordinate details, review drawings, and prepare schedules so expectations are clear and logistics are resolved in advance. This step ensures the project is fully documented, coordinated, and ready to move forward with confidence.

3 | Construction & Completion

Once construction begins, we manage the entire build with careful oversight and clear communication. Our team coordinates trades, monitors quality, and tracks progress to keep the project on time and on budget. The result is a thoughtfully executed remodel or addition, delivered with attention to detail and long-term durability in mind.

Planning a Remodel in Marin County? Start With the Numbers.

A major remodel or addition is a significant investment, and understanding the factors that shape cost can help you plan with greater confidence. Our Remodeling & Addition Pricing Guide for Marin County offers a practical starting point for homeowners considering a substantial residential project.

Inside, you’ll find guidance on:

Whole-home remodeling costs
Home addition costs
Pre-construction services and planning

Use the guide to better understand what goes into a large-scale remodeling budget and what to consider as you begin planning your project.

"After about 20 years of deferred maintenance, it became clear that we would have no choice but to remodel our apartment. We were dreading this process and expecting it to be miserable. At first the big surprise was that nobody was particularly interested in doing the job (we were literally ghosted at least twice). Luckily, we were referred to S A Baxter.

Sid and his team were absolutely fantastic. We started with a detailed budget and a contract – about which Sid very patiently answered about ten thousand questions. Once the project was started, it stayed on schedule and on budget – the ONLY unexpected expenses were (small) changes that we made to the original scope (and were able to be completed without affecting the schedule). Communication hit the perfect balance of detailed enough but not too detailed, timely but not incessant.

Sid’s team was meticulously tidy with the work itself – taking extra steps to ensure that our apartment as well as the common areas were well-protected during the job. One of our neighbors actually commented that he’d never seen a contractor so careful about the common area infrastructure (noticing that the team had built little wooden protectors for the building sprinkler system heads).

Now that the project is DONE and we are back in our apartment – we are beyond thrilled with the quality of the work. Our place feels bigger, brighter, and basically just better. We are SO happy with the work and we give SA Baxter our highest recommendation."

- Jaina S., San Francisco

"I would trust these guys with my life. We worked with them on an extensive renovation — a complete gutting and rebuilding from the studs — of our Penthouse condo in a landmark Nob Hill building. They have an attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship that is translated to everybody who works on the site, including the subcontractors. Sid has an understanding of both modern and original building materials, and was competent at managing the installers for our Bulthaup kitchen from Germany and the cabinetry handcrafted here in San Francisco. I would hire them again in a heartbeat, and will be working with them again if we ever move."

– Andrea H., San Francisco / Los Angeles

"We’ve known Sid for more than 10 years, and his company has done projects for us ranging from tiny (a couple of stairs in the garage) to mid-size (living room and dining room built-ins) to huge (a bedroom, bath, and den addition). The work is consistently excellent. Unlike some contractors, they are highly responsible, communicative, and articulate. In our big project, Sid worked very well with our architect, providing valuable reality checks and feedback about various aspects of the planning. The crew was considerate of our neighbors, keeping the site clean, being careful about parking, and letting neighbors know when there would be disruptions. What’s more, they demanded the same courtesy of their subcontractors and didn’t hesitate to replace subs who didn’t live up to their standards. Sid was careful to keep us updated, especially during tricky parts of the project, and was extremely clear about timing, payment schedule, change orders, and other aspects that can often lead to conflicts and difficulties. We’ve watched with admiration as Sid has grown his business, and we would not trust our house to anyone but him."

- S. West, San Francisco

"Sid and his crew worked on our extensive bath remodel and re-siding of our entire exterior. We found Sid to be incredibly honest and his crew hard working and dedicated to making the project beautiful and the quality top notch. Sid proved to be an excellent problem solver and worked extremely well with both our architect and interior designer. If you are looking for someone who will dedicate themselves to the project and turn out a beautiful piece of construction then S.A. Baxter is the company for you. His crew became like family to us and we kind of missed them when they were done."

- S. Schwartz, Tiburon

"We’ve worked with Sid on multiple projects in multiple houses now, and we feel really lucky to have found a contractor we can depend on. Sid is always responsive and professional, and he balances financial responsibility with quality of work really well. Basically, we know he’s doing a thorough job and not cutting corners, which we really appreciate."

- A. Noe, San Francisco

"Sid and his team did a complete gut and remodel of our apartment in 2007; floors, walls, kitchen, bathroom, windows. We loved it then and loved it again when we sold our place in 2015 for twice what we paid for it (including the remodel). During open houses everyone marveled at the lovely new remodel, eight years later."

– J. Young, San Francisco

"My experiences with Sid have been terrific. The necessary work was clearly outlined ahead of time in a no pressure fashion. Cost estimates were spot on if not slightly higher than the final cost. What is most amazing is how clean the work site was kept. Never was there any dust or debris remaining. Sid has worked on at least 4 houses on my block. I expect that number will rise. I will definitely use Sid again."

– K. Gebhardt, San Francisco

"I have worked with S. A. Baxter, Inc. several times now, and it has been fantastic. They have been consistently straight-up at the beginning of projects with how much things will cost, how long they will take and what they will entail. They work hard to stay within my budget, (even when I do my best to derail it), and always go the extra mile to see that things are done properly – and makes things right that aren’t up to their excellent and rigorous standards. Sid takes the title and responsibilities of Contractor very seriously. Plus, his crew takes better care of my place than I do! I recommend them highly, and will certainly use them again."

– P. Albers, San Francisco

"I’ve used a lot of different contractors for work on my house over the years and S. A. Baxter is the only one I’ve hired back for multiple projects. They recently completed a full kitchen remodel [for us], and I’d hire them again for future work. They are very clear about pricing and estimates and what is and is not included. The people who work for them are very responsible and good at their jobs. And they are excellent at dealing with the very complicated requirements of picky city inspectors. I also found the timelines pretty accurate, which is unusual for contractors in my experience."

– D. Paulinski, San Francisco

"We had a great experience working with S. A. Baxter, Inc. We hired Sid and his team (Jony and Ambrosio) for […] a small project, compared to what Sid and his team are capable of, and he treated us with the same care and consideration that he would for any of his other, bigger clients. They were timely and honest in their communication throughout every stage of the project. Sid walked us through the estimate, explaining each line item in detail and patiently answering our questions as they came up. He was also able to quickly work us into his schedule, which was a godsend given it was an unexpected project and other contractors we contacted had many month-long delays. On all fronts, S. A. Baxter, Inc. did an excellent job. They worked quickly, but with careful attention to quality and detail. And while it was unfortunate that we had to stay in our home during the construction, they made the experience as pleasant as could be. They were polite, courteous, and respectful throughout the entire project. Though we met under unfortunate circumstances, we’ll be forever grateful for Sid and his team. They did a wonderful job rebuilding our home and were a pleasure to work with. They’re just good people! We can’t recommend S. A. Baxter, Inc. enough."

- A. Lin, The Castro / San Francisco

"I am a tile sub-contractor and have worked with Sid on a number of residential projects over the last 6 or so years. I have been in business for 25 years and during that time have worked for many G.C.s. Without reservation, I would say S. A. Baxter, Inc. is one of the best contractors both to work for and to be associated with. The projects are well-organized, Sid is a direct and respectful communicator both with the subs and with the clients, he is ethical and honest, and, above all, his work is of a very high quality. Besides his razor-sharp wit, Sid’s greatest attribute is his ability to find ingenious solutions for any situation on the job. All contractors are problem-solvers, but Sid really does stand out above the crowd for his resourcefulness, intelligence and determination. Whether the job is big or small, Sid’s approach remains the same. Their motto, borrowed from Henry Ford, is “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking”. I can attest from first-hand experience, Sid really stands behind that."

– James Wishart, Wishart Tile Co., San Rafael

"We hired them again to completely remodel our kitchen and bath. Oh, and to install a new hot water heater. And add a railing to our back steps. And do just about everything else involved with converting our TIC to a condo. Now that it’s all done, our apartment is Apartment-Therapy-house tour-worthy. They are fantastic at dealing with city inspectors. Sid’s a gem. Hire them immediately."

- B. Jones, San Francisco

"[S. A. Baxter, Inc.] stepped in at a crucial moment in our renovation and solved a serious problem no one else had been able to fix. We were then able to list and show the property on schedule. Sid and his people were thoroughly professional, exceptionally tidy, and kept us up-to-date on the job’s progress. It was a very positive experience. We hope very much to work with them again."

– T. Armstrong, San Francisco

"They did a huge deck project for us: a 4 story deck on a steep slope. They were fantastic to work with: personable, courteous, conscientious, responsible. [The] construction site was always orderly and immaculate. The workmanship was great. It was a pleasure working with them."

- M. Roberge, San Francisco

"Sid is conscientious, well connected and does fantastic work. We have done two projects with S.A. Baxter, and would recommend him to our friends and neighbors. We needed to reconfigure and add to our house and Sid's team finished to the day, on budget, and more beautiful than we had thought. It's great working with them."

– Ari V., San Francisco

"Sid Baxter is a gifted builder, backed by a solid crew of professional framers and site managers. He has a passion for doing beautiful work and is creative in finding great solutions for the projects he is working on. I know builders who are very good at management and I know builders who are artists that care deeply about the small details of a project. Sid is a rare combination of both."

– G. Ulinskas, San Francisco

"Sid and team at S.A. Baxter, Inc. are a rare breed. They offer impeccable quality, open and honest communication, and a remarkable attention to detail in everything they do. As a sub-contractor for cabinetry and closets I see a lot of contractors in action out there, and I can confidently say your home remodel or new build is in excellent hands with S.A. Baxter, Inc. and Sid at the helm. Highly recommend!"

– M. Moreno, San Francisco

Major Home Remodeling in San Francisco and Marin County

Home Remodeling and Additions in Marin County