WE BUILD ENDURING, FINELY CRAFTED HOMES FOR A DEEPLY ROOTED LIFE
McGowan Builders is a California licensed and bonded general contractor focused on how a home feels, functions, and holds up over time. The structure matters as much as the finish. In a region shaped by fault lines and fog, the quality of construction is one of the most overlooked sources of everyday peace. Good building changes how people live. Our goal is to understand what you need, translate those needs into smart plans, and deliver a home that feels natural once you step inside.
Founded by a multi-generational team with Irish roots and modern sensibilities, our work blends Old-world craftsmanship with current building science. We take on new builds, full-home renovations, kitchens and baths, additions, ADUs, seismic retrofits, and structural repairs. Materials range from bespoke millwork to off-the-shelf components installed with care. We are collaborative with architects, engineers, and subcontractors, and we keep communication clear, timely, and kind.
When James Smith started McGowan Builders, he set out to create a company that could be counted on to show up, to tell the truth about cost and time, and to finish strong. Decades of experience across the world has taught us that integrity is a daily practice. Each project, no matter the size, receives the same attention to detail. We measure twice. We advocate for sensible choices. We build as if someone we love will live there.
At heart, we are builders looking for meaning in the work. We are listeners, planners, managers, troubleshooters, teachers, advocates, and craftspeople. Most of all, we are partners. Your ideas, your budget, and your timeline guide the process. Our responsibility is to make the path clear, the experience calm, and the result something you are proud to call home.
Why Choose Us?
We believe in responsibility, research, and respect. Budgets are real, schedules matter, and transparency builds trust. Bids are clear and complete, with reasonable associated costs and no surprises. We invest in quality over quantity, and we prefer to do it right the first time. Our job sites are safe, organized, and neighborly. Our team is supported, trained, and encouraged to take pride in the work.
The studio side of our craft lives in how we listen. Every project begins with questions and ends with a story that belongs to you. Maybe that story looks like a quiet kitchen that finally works for weekday mornings, or a whole-house renovation that brings light into the rooms where your family gathers. We are not interested in trends for their own sake. We are interested in spaces that feel honest, warm, and built to last.