Areas Served
General Contractors in Sunnyvale, CA
If you’re a homeowner in Sunnyvale, CA, looking to enhance your property’s value and comfort, Brother and Brother Builders is your go-to local remodeling expert. As a trusted contractor in San Jose, CA, and the surrounding region, we bring regional expertise to every project.
Sunnyvale Homes
Remodels Planned Around Sunnyvale Homes and Eichlers
Sunnyvale has more than 1,000 Eichlers alongside its ranch homes and downtown heritage streets. That’s why we:
- Check your zoning, including any Single-Story (S) Combining District, before planning a second floor.
- Design Eichler exterior changes with the City’s Eichler Design Guidelines in mind.
- Match the permit path to the scope, from a building permit alone to Design Review.
Santa Clara County Cities Near Sunnyvale
In addition to proudly serving homeowners in Sunnyvale, Brother and Brother Builders also extends our remodeling and general contracting services to several nearby cities in Santa Clara County. Our deep knowledge of local architecture and permitting processes allows us to deliver seamless renovation experiences across the region.
- San Jose – As one of the largest cities in the Bay Area, San Jose offers a wide variety of homes, from historic Craftsman houses to contemporary infill properties. We frequently assist San Jose homeowners with kitchen remodels, room additions, and full-scale renovations.
- Santa Clara – Known for its tech campuses and family neighborhoods, Santa Clara is ideal for smart home upgrades, energy-efficient remodeling, and custom home building.
- Los Gatos – This picturesque town is home to many high-end residences and historic properties. We specialize in luxury remodels that blend timeless aesthetics with modern amenities.
- Cupertino – As a center of innovation, Cupertino residents often look for sleek, modern design solutions. We offer design-build services, smart home upgrades, and more to meet these expectations.
Building in Sunnyvale from Our San Jose Office
Why Choose
Brother and Brother Builders
- Local Expertise: We are deeply familiar with Sunnyvale’s building codes and zoning laws, ensuring smooth approval and compliance.
- Design-Build Specialists: From vision to completion, we streamline the entire remodeling process.
- Customer-First Approach: Our team works with transparency, keeping you informed throughout the project.
- Quality Craftsmanship: We use only premium materials and trusted construction practices.
- High Client Satisfaction: Check out our testimonials to see why Sunnyvale residents recommend us.
Remodeling Services for Sunnyvale Homes, Eichlers Included
We offer a wide range of design and construction services tailored to Sunnyvale homeowners:
Kitchen Remodeling
Upgrade your cooking and dining spaces with kitchen remodeling solutions that blend functionality and style. From kitchen design to backsplash installation, our team brings life to your culinary vision with precision craftsmanship.
Bathroom Remodeling
Rejuvenate your home with bathroom remodeling projects that focus on relaxation and efficiency. Our services include tub-to-shower conversions and vanity replacements to modernize your space.
Home Remodeling
Our home remodeling experts can help you reimagine your living spaces. We specialize in everything from interior painting to flooring installation for a cohesive, modern feel.
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Room & Home Additions
Need more space? Consider garage conversions or a full second-story addition or just a room addition to your home. We also offer ADU construction services, ideal for in-law suites or rental income. Our reputation as a reliable contractor in Sunnyvale, CA, ensures each project is completed with compliance and quality.
New Construction & Custom Builds
From custom homes to green building options, our team supports Sunnyvale homeowners in creating innovative, efficient spaces.
Architectural and Design Services
Visualize and plan your remodel with precision using our architectural services and 3D home design tools. We ensure every plan reflects your vision before construction begins.
Sunnyvale Permits, Design Review and ADU Rules
Sunnyvale permits run through the City’s One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. (408-730-7444), and applications are submitted online through the E-OneStop Online Services system. The City requires a Planning permit for all residential exterior changes, additions and new construction. A few interior rules from the City’s permit list:
- No permit is needed to replace kitchen countertops or reface existing cabinets, but replacing kitchen cabinets does need one. Moving or replacing walls or windows means a visit to the Permit Center.
- A Tub and Shower Permit is required for bathroom remodels that replace a tub or shower, or add or relocate plumbing fixtures or cabinets.
- Re-roofing more than 100 square feet needs a permit before work starts.
For additions, the City’s zoning handout sets a 50% lot coverage maximum and a 60% floor area ratio (FAR) in the R-0, R-1 and R-2 districts. One-story additions up to 50% of the existing floor area need only a building permit. Larger one-story additions get staff-level Design Review, second-story additions get staff review with public notice, and projects over 60% FAR go to the Planning Commission. If a remodel removes 50% or more of the exterior walls, the City treats the house as new construction, which brings extra requirements such as fire sprinklers.
| ADU type (single-family lot) | Sunnyvale review |
|---|---|
| New construction ADU up to 800 sq. ft. | Streamlined: building permit only |
| Conversion ADU or Junior ADU (up to 500 sq. ft.) | Streamlined: building permit only |
| New construction ADU over 800 sq. ft. | Miscellaneous Plan Permit (MPP) from Planning first, then building permit |
Sources: City of Sunnyvale, Permits; Additions and New Construction handout; Major Residential Remodels handout; Accessory Dwelling Units. See also our ADU construction page.
Planning work on an Eichler? See our Eichler remodeling guide.
Remodeling Sunnyvale's Eichler Homes
Sunnyvale has one of the largest groups of Eichler homes in the South Bay. The City’s Eichler Design Guidelines say more than 1,000 Eichlers were built in Sunnyvale between 1949 and 1972, and Wikipedia counts 16 housing tracts with over 1,100 Eichler homes in the residential southern half of the city. These post-and-beam homes have flat roofs, slab-on-grade construction, open beam ceilings and large areas of glass.
The City adopted separate Eichler Design Guidelines on July 28, 2009, because its general single-family guidelines fit traditional house styles better. What that means for a remodel:
- The guidelines cover exterior changes visible from the street and neighbors, including non-Eichler homes inside Eichler neighborhood boundaries. They do not apply to interior improvements, so a kitchen or bath remodel inside an Eichler is not reviewed against them.
- Second floors are allowed in Eichler neighborhoods except those zoned with the Single-Story (S) Combining District, which neighborhoods can request to limit homes to one story.
- The City lists common Eichler challenges: upgrading single-pane windows, improving heating and cooling without changing roof forms, finding replacement materials, and designing additions and atrium covers that match the house.
- Like-for-like Eichler window replacements have their own Building Division handout. Changing window size or location needs Planning approval.
Planning an addition to an Eichler? Start with our room additions or second-story addition pages. Sources: City of Sunnyvale, Eichler Design Guidelines; Eichler Window Replacement; Wikipedia, Sunnyvale, California.
Remodeling Near Downtown's Heritage Neighborhoods
Downtown Sunnyvale has its own design rules. The City publishes Taaffe-Frances Heritage Neighborhood Design Guidelines for homes on S. Taaffe and S. Frances between Olive Avenue and E. El Camino Real, and separate guidelines for the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District. The City also keeps a Heritage Resources Inventory, a Heritage Resources Map and a list of heritage-cultural consultants for Sunnyvale properties.
If your home is in one of these areas or on the inventory, check which guidelines apply before you settle on a design, since exterior changes there are reviewed against them. Homes elsewhere in the city are reviewed against the Single-Family Home Design Techniques and the Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards, which look at neighborhood scale, architectural details and materials, privacy for neighbors, the view of parking and water-efficient landscaping.
Sources: City of Sunnyvale, Design Guidelines and Standards; Additions and New Construction handout.
Areas We Serve
Brother & Brother Builders
3109 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117
Phone: (888) 412-2632
Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 8AM – 5PM
Yes. We provide green building options including smart lighting, solar integration, and sustainable materials.
Kitchen and bathroom remodels consistently deliver strong ROI in Sunnyvale’s competitive housing market. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange kitchen remodel in the Bay Area recoups over 75% of its cost in added home value.
Sunnyvale follows strict zoning and permitting codes to maintain community standards and safety. As a licensed contractor in Sunnyvale, CA, we ensure your project aligns with the City of Sunnyvale’s Planning and Building guidelines.
Yes. Many homeowners in neighborhoods like Cherry Chase and Birdland are modernizing mid-century designs with open-concept layouts, energy-efficient upgrades, and smart home integrations.
Depending on size and scope, a whole-home remodel in Sunnyvale can range from $150,000 to over $500,000. We provide customized quotes based on your goals and budget during our consultation process.
Yes. We handle ADU construction from permitting to final build. With Sunnyvale encouraging ADUs to address housing needs, now is a great time to invest in a backyard unit or in-law suite.
It depends on the scope. The City of Sunnyvale does not require a permit to replace countertops or reface existing cabinets. Replacing kitchen cabinets does require a permit, and if you move or replace walls or windows you need to visit the One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.
Usually, yes. The City’s Eichler Design Guidelines allow second floors in all Eichler neighborhoods except those zoned with the Single-Story (S) Combining District. A second-story addition goes through staff-level Design Review with public notice, and the design is reviewed against the Eichler guidelines.
On a single-family lot, a new construction ADU up to 800 square feet qualifies for streamlined review and needs only a building permit. Conversion ADUs and Junior ADUs (up to 500 square feet) are streamlined too. A new ADU over 800 square feet needs a Miscellaneous Plan Permit from the Planning Division first.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Your Remodeling Questions Answered
Have questions about remodeling your home? We’ve got answers. From budgeting and timelines to permits and design choices, our FAQs cover the most common concerns. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and how we make your remodel smooth, transparent, and stress-free.
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