About Us
Building beautiful San Diego homes since 1965
A family-owned design-build firm where the designer, the architect and the crew all work for the same company — which is the whole reason our projects finish on schedule.
How we've stayed in business six decades
By exceeding expectations, and by taking responsibility for everything from design through construction. As a design-build firm, we sit down and find out what you want, design it, show it to you in 3D, handle the permitting, and then build it. The result is a home you actually recognise from the drawings — delivered within budget.
We're a family-owned business, and we understand that every project begins with a relationship. We want you to feel as good about us coming into your home as we do.
Over the years our process has developed into a system for delivering high-quality homes affordably and efficiently. In six decades we've encountered close to every challenge there is in building a home — which means we tend to spot an issue before it becomes a problem on your project.
We've built in San Diego's coastal areas, so we know which techniques and materials make a backyard home last here. We've built in the older neighborhoods too, and we understand what's involved in renovating within a historic district.
- Established
- 1965
- License
- B-239311
- Legal entity
- Ritz Design Build, DBA of Budge-It Home Remodeling, Inc.
Design-Build
Why one company beats three
The traditional route is to hire an architect, then a designer, then a general contractor. Three companies, three contracts, and nobody accountable for the gaps between them. When something goes wrong — and on a construction project something always does — each one can reasonably point at the others.
Design-build puts all of it under one roof. The person who drew your plans is in the same company as the crew building them, so a question gets answered in an afternoon instead of costing you two weeks. It's also why we can commit to a budget and hold it: nobody is estimating someone else's work.
One contract
One company responsible for the outcome, start to finish.
One schedule
No waiting on a handoff between firms that barely speak.
One budget
Priced by the people who'll do the work, not estimated at a distance.
FAQ
Questions we're asked most
When it comes to inviting someone into your home, we want you to be able to make an informed decision you feel confident about.
Do I need a permit for my project?
In most cases, yes. Every building department has its own guidelines and pricing structure. We obtain the permits for you rather than leaving it to you to navigate.
Whose name should the permit be in?
The permit goes in the name of whoever is ultimately responsible for the project. We recommend the contractor's name — it protects the homeowner.
Should I get my own plans first?
Our advice is no. Homeowners who commission plans first are often surprised by what the build actually costs, and the project stalls or gets revised at additional architect expense. Changes also come up during construction, and plans you own separately have to go back to the architect each time.
What is the cost per square foot?
There isn't a single number we can quote. Additions, complete remodels and ground-up design builds all carry different costs. As a guideline, kitchens and bathrooms cost more than other rooms, and the more area you add, the more economical the design-build process becomes.
How long does a permit take?
It depends on location and design complexity. Most single-story additions can be permitted in one to two weeks. Second-story additions often take two months or more.
Can I build an ADU in my neighborhood?
Not every neighborhood in San Diego County allows every type of ADU. This is the first thing we check — before the design phase — because clients regularly come to us after finding out their existing plans can't be built where they live.
Come see the work
Six decades of San Diego homes
Call and we'll walk your property, tell you what your neighborhood permits, and show you what your backyard could hold.
Free 3D design · Fully Licensed & Insured · CA Lic. B-239311