Premier Remodeling & Construction Services

Modern Home Design in San Jose, CA

At Brother and Brother Builders, a leading general contractor in San Jose, CA, we bring modern home design to life for homeowners across the region. From clean lines and open layouts to energy-efficient features and integrated smart technology, our design-build team creates homes that reflect today’s needs and tomorrow’s lifestyle trends.

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Meeting All Your Needs

Expert General Contractors in San Jose, CA

Our team includes licensed general contractors, certified designers, and experienced project managers. We take pride in:

Meeting deadlines while maintaining quality standards.
Following OSHA-compliant safety procedures.
Maintaining constant communication throughout your project.

We don’t just build structures—we build relationships based on trust and results.

“B&B remodeled my guest and master bathrooms after a bad experience with another contractor. We were pleased with the superior standard of workmanship. The good communication with all members of the team. we were assigned Daniel, as our project manager who went above and beyond to assist us when we ran into issues of materials procurement. We were also assigned an assistant project manager and a designer who assisted with all material purchases and questions and helped get them ready before our project started. The project was delayed a bit but still completed within the promised time frame. The price was reasonable, and we are happy with the end results.”

X. Madri

“We worked with Zion and his team for remodeling 3 bathrooms, some improvements in the kitchen and remodel a fireplace wall. BnB handled all the permits and inspections smoothly. Miguel was our foreman and his crew including Angel & Giovani were all really skilled and good at their job! Miguel himself is very hands-on and aims for perfection in his work. Even after the project. Zion has been very responsive for any fixes and tweaks to have a better finish to the work. We would recommend them for your next home improvement project! Special mention for Brenda for going above and beyond her role! The team put in extra hours to get our home ready for move-in and we are very grateful. Thank you BnB Team.”

Sanyukta Kabra

“Brother and Brother Builders can be trusted and relied on. I took my permitted plans for a one-bedroom apartment above existing garage to them and they made it a reality! Daniel, Nick and Zion kept me updated on all aspects of the project including timing, budget, finish materials and delays(yes PGE…). The communication with the brother and brother team is top notch as well as the build quality. You simply cannot find this from every company. If you are lucky enough to work with Brother and Brother, you cannot go wrong.”

Nathan Isla

“I’ve never really had a bad contractor, but I have now experienced a great one. My project was completed on time, and everything went smoothly. Reem was very available and responded timely to my questions. Elinor did a fantastic job of helping me find the right porcelain, tile, cabinetry and fixtures AND she provided an awesome 3D rendition of both my bathroom and kitchen. Excellent communication. Julio and team did an exceptional job, everything they did was done with attention to detail. I’m so glad I found Brother and Brother Building, I couldn’t be any happier. Professional, top notch and definitely competitively priced. You will not regret hiring them for your next project.”

Yvette Bonnet

“My wife recently contacted Brother and Brother Builders to renovate our house, and we have nothing but praise for these builders. Reem and his staff provided committed management and went above and beyond to make sure that everything was completed to our satisfaction throughout the process. Reem kept me updated about every step of the project. The job did take a little longer than anticipated, but the outcome was worthwhile. The team is of the highest caliber, and I am delighted with the result.”

Ethan Mason

Our Design-Build Process for San Jose Modern Homes

As a full-service design-build firm, we handle every phase of your project under one roof. Our integrated process includes:

Concept Consultation – We discuss your goals, inspiration, and budget to begin shaping the project direction.
3D Visualization – Using our 3D home design tools, we render your ideas into digital models so you can explore room layout, furniture placement, and finishes in detail.
Permitting & Planning – We ensure full compliance with local codes and HOA guidelines, handling communication with San Jose’s Planning Department and any necessary revisions.
Construction & Finishing – Our team manages every detail, from framing and roofing to cabinetry and tech installation, to ensure high-quality craftsmanship throughout.

Celebrate Your Space

Solutions Tailored to Your Home

We understand that every home tells a different story. That’s why we:

Customize every project to fit your space and needs.
Offer flexible design options, material choices, and scheduling.
Ensure alignment with your goals from consultation to completion.

Turn Your Ideas Into Reality

From the initial consultation to the final reveal, we’ll work closely with you to ensure that every aspect of your project reflects your unique style and personality.

Brother & Brother Builders can help you create the home of your dreams.

Recent Projects

Check Out Our Latest Projects

From kitchen remodels to new home construction, we take pride in every detail. Explore our latest projects and see how we’ve transformed homes across the Bay Area with expert craftsmanship and personalized design.

Expert Remodeling Services

Why Choose
Brother and Brother Builders

20+ Years of Local Experience: We know San Jose—its zoning nuances, architectural trends, and permitting pathways. This ensures your project moves forward without delays.
All-In-House Team: Our in-house team of architects, designers, and builders collaborate from day one. This integrated approach improves efficiency and preserves design intent.
Transparent Pricing: We provide upfront, itemized quotes and explain every line item so you’re never in the dark about where your investment is going.
Sustainable Focus: From solar integration to smart HVAC systems, we prioritize sustainability without compromising on modern aesthetics or comfort.
Exceptional Reviews & Reputation: With over 60 verified 5-star Google reviews, our clients consistently recognize our quality, communication, and reliability.

When you work with Brother and Brother Builders, you’re choosing a team deeply committed to quality, innovation, and a personalized building experience.

Our Modern Home Design Services in San Jose

Custom Modern Homes

From blueprint to final build, we offer full-service custom home design tailored to the modern aesthetic. Our experienced team of architectural designers and construction specialists ensures your vision comes to life with clarity and precision. Every design is site-specific and tailored to meet local zoning codes and personal preferences.

Interior Modernization

Looking to refresh an older home? We handle whole-home remodels, updating interiors with sleek finishes, neutral palettes, and new layouts that reflect today’s modern lifestyle. This often includes structural changes such as removing interior walls or opening up kitchens to adjacent living areas.

Smart Home Upgrades

Modern homes are smart homes. Our smart home upgrade services include integrated lighting, sound, security, and energy systems for a seamless experience at home. In a connected city like San Jose, smart features are not just luxuries, they’re quickly becoming the norm.

Energy-Efficient Design

Sustainability is central to modern design. We specialize in green building options that reduce utility costs and environmental impact without compromising style. Features may include solar readiness, low-E windows, high-efficiency HVAC, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Custom Floor Plan Development

We build around you. Our floor plan development service considers your lifestyle, site conditions, and city codes to create a layout that works from day one. Our plans reflect current design standards and aim for maximum space utilization with future growth in mind.

Modernizing an Eichler or Mid-Century Home in San Jose

San Jose has seven residential tracts built by Eichler Homes in the 1950s and 1960s, forming five neighborhoods: Morepark, Fairglen, Fairglen Additions, Hudson, and Fairhaven. The City describes Eichler houses as a style unique to California, designed to take advantage of the climate and abundant sunlight. Many owners want to keep that character while adding space, updating kitchens, or improving comfort.

Before you plan exterior changes, check whether your house is listed on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. The rules depend on how it is classified:

City Landmark or City Landmark District: a Historic Preservation (HP) Permit is required, and work must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Changes to doors, windows and trim, reroofing, and small side or rear additions can use the staff-level HP Permit Adjustment. Larger work goes to a public hearing.
Structure of Merit, Contributing Structure, Identified Structure, or a Conservation Area: a Single-Family House Permit is required. Most projects get staff-level review, but demolishing a house or building a new one requires a public hearing.

The City’s Eichler Neighborhood Objective Design Standards set rules for exterior changes to listed Eichler houses. According to the City, they currently apply only to the Fairglen Additions historic district, though they could be extended to other Eichler tracts that are designated later. Source: City of San Jose, Eichler Neighborhood Objective Design Standards; City of San Jose, Permits for Historic Resources.

Large Windows and Glass Walls: What California's Energy Code Allows

Floor-to-ceiling glass is a signature of modern design, but California’s 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) limits how much glass a home can have under the simplest compliance path. For a new home, the prescriptive package caps total window and glazed door area at 20 percent of the conditioned floor area in every climate zone, and many zones also cap west-facing glass at 5 percent.

Prescriptive limit (new homes)	Climate Zones 2, 4, 11-14	Climate Zones 6-10
Maximum window U-factor	0.27	0.30
Maximum SHGC (solar heat gain)	0.23	0.23
Total glass area	20% of floor area	20% of floor area
West-facing glass area	5%	5%

More glass is still possible. Under the performance approach, compliance software compares your design to a standard home, so better-rated windows, overhangs, and orientation can offset extra glazing. Additions also get higher allowances: an addition of 400 square feet or less may have up to 75 square feet or 30 percent glass, whichever is greater. Confirm the climate zone for your address before choosing windows. Source: California Energy Commission, 2025 Single-Family Residential Compliance Manual.

Which Parts of a Modern Remodel Trigger Energy Code Rules

Turning an older San Jose house into a modern one usually changes more than finishes. The California Energy Commission treats these as alterations that must meet current energy requirements:

Replacing windows or adding new window, glazed door, or skylight area
Reroofing, or building a new roof over existing living space
Replacing or adding heating or cooling equipment
Extending, replacing, or adding ductwork
Replacing a water heater or adding hot water piping
Adding insulation to ceilings, roofs, walls, or raised floors

Replacement windows must meet a mandatory maximum weighted average U-factor of 0.40, and the prescriptive path sets stricter values that vary by climate zone. Solar panel (PV) requirements that apply to new homes do not apply to additions or alterations, so a remodel alone does not require solar. If you are opening up the floor plan at the same time, plan the layout, glazing, and mechanical changes together so the energy compliance forms and building permit reflect the whole project. See our open-concept remodeling and green building options pages for related work. Source: California Energy Commission, 2025 Single-Family Residential Compliance Manual.

Areas We Serve

We proudly serve homeowners throughout San Jose, from established neighborhoods like Willow Glen and Naglee Park to the foothill communities of Almaden Valley, Cambrian Park, and Evergreen, as well as Berryessa and Alum Rock. Our reach extends beyond San Jose to Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Milpitas, Cupertino, Campbell, Palo Alto, and Los Altos. Based on Stevens Creek Boulevard in San Jose, we’re centrally positioned to serve the entire South Bay with the same response time and craftsmanship on every project.

Brother & Brother Builders
3109 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117

Phone: (888) 412-2632
Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 8AM – 5PM

How much does modern home design cost in San Jose?

Pricing varies based on size, finishes, and complexity. Most custom modern homes in San Jose range from $350 to $600 per square foot, depending on land prep, finishes, and permitting.

Can you remodel my existing home with a modern layout?

Yes. Our team specializes in transforming traditional homes into modern living spaces through remodeling and redesign. We can update structural layouts, incorporate open floor plans, and install energy-saving systems.

Are modern homes energy-efficient?

Absolutely. Modern designs naturally support passive solar heating and ventilation and are often built with green certifications in mind. Many of our projects are solar-ready and designed for low operational costs.

Do I need permits to build a modern home?

Yes. We handle all permitting and ensure your plans comply with City of San Jose regulations and neighborhood requirements. Our team also works with HOAs and local inspectors.

How long does it take to design and build a modern home?

Typically, 12 to 18 months from initial design to move-in, depending on scope and site conditions. This timeline includes permitting, design, construction, and final walkthrough.

What is considered a modern home design in San Jose?

Modern homes in San Jose are known for clean lines, open-concept layouts, energy-efficient features, and smart technology integration. They often include large windows, minimalist finishes, and eco-friendly materials to match the city’s progressive and sustainability-conscious culture.

Do I need a special permit to remodel an Eichler home in San Jose?

It depends on whether the house is on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. City Landmarks need a Historic Preservation Permit. Other listed homes, including those in a Conservation Area, need a Single-Family House Permit. The City’s Eichler design standards currently apply only to the Fairglen Additions historic district. You can look up your address on the City’s inventory map.

How much glass can a modern home have under California's energy code?

Under the prescriptive path, total window area is limited to 20 percent of the conditioned floor area, and many climate zones also limit west-facing glass to 5 percent. Designs with more glass can still comply through the performance approach, which uses energy modeling to offset extra glazing with better windows or other features.

Does a whole-home modern remodel require solar panels?

No. According to the California Energy Commission’s 2025 compliance manual, photovoltaic requirements do not apply to additions or alterations. They apply to newly constructed homes. Solar can still be added by choice as part of a remodel.

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.