DLR Custom Builders

This review is very belated but hopefully that doesn't reflect on the sincerity of my wholehearted recommendation of DLR Custom Builders. I actually met DLR early in 2014 when I was looking at bidding on a distressed property in a lovely part of Oakland. The property was a mess. The house was built in 1929 and had not been updated at all nor had it been well maintained. There was severe structural damage and nothing on the interior would have met current occupancy codes. But I fell in love with the potential and contacted DLR to get some input on what it would take to restore the house. Daniel Ramirez (owner of DLR) gave me a lot of input, ideas and suggestions prior to my making an offer on the property and has done all the work to completely renovate the house top to bottom. DLR has such talented craftsmen and the end product is just what I dreamed of. What was once a neighborhood eyesore is now a neighborhood showplace!! Thanks DLR you're the best.

Daniel Ramierez and his crew transformed our 1906 bedroom into a sumptuous master suite. They redesigned the footprint of a smaller bedroom and transformed it into a carrerra marble classic style that opens to our larger bedroom. The bedroom demolition revealed a coffered ceiling which had been covered in the 1970's and added 10" in height to the room. They also installed an antique, period appropriate, maple fireplace surround against the main wall and installed an insert that we love to use in the winter. Our "old growth" fir floors were revealed under the oak hardwood and the stain and finish on them is beautiful. DLR use a software program for estimating that is easy to understand and adjust upon need and the estimates were always very close to the actual cost. Daniel and all of his crew were a pleasure to work with and were always on time, efficient and neat. I would definitely call them again and highly recommend them to anyone with a detail sensitive, high end project. Molly

"I've contracted, partnered, or consulted with DLR Custom Builders on various projects over a number of years. They have performed Seismic Upgrade work on a multi-story apartment building, consultation on a mixed use Store Front/Apartment Building complex and a new home currently scheduled for construction, Tenant Improvements, Design-Build on a new hillside home, and numerous Design-Build home restoration projects. I consider Daniel to be the most knowledgable and honest Builder I've worked with. DLR Custom Builders has an incomparable group of talented and loyal lead men that Daniel has trained himself, and a seemingly endless network of installers at his disposal." I have developed properties for 30 years and Daniel Ramirez is my go to contractor. Lorenzo Frediani

"DLR Custom Builders performed a large Tenant Improvement project for me. They raised an existing single story house and constructed two 1 bedroom apartments under it on the new lower level. They also remodeled the existing home and installed all new hardscape and landscaping throughout the property. It turned out absolutely beautiful and also came in on budget. I still occasionally call on Daniel for advise and support regarding the property and he is always happy to help me out."

We are home owners and have been working with DLR Custom Builders since 1984. We have hired them for several projects that included design, execution as well as finish work. We have been very pleased and have referred DLR to others through the years. They are punctual and Daniel’s team has always been professional and respectful of our space as well as our time. Because of time constraints he could not do one of our projects. We hired another contractor and had DLR/ Daniel as a consultant. Daniel suggested a few changes and worked well with the team on hand. He was very diplomatic and his suggestions were implemented with enthusiasm.

As a builder with 45 years experience, and as the author of a book on construction company management that has been the best seller in its field for a quarter of a century, I admire the values Dan brings to the operation of his company. In fact, I have interviewed Dan for two of my books. He has contributed substantially to both of them. His company is strikingly well organized; and Dan is passionate about his work, has a strong sense of spatial design and architectural detail, and is deeply knowledgeable about construction technology. Dan is supportive and profoundly respectful of the team of artisans he employs, practices that I have observed to be critical to successful building project delivery. In my experience, clients in need of building services can be especially well served by highly experienced yet compact companies deploying trusted, long term employees and led by owners who are not just selling jobs but are in close contact with their projects from conception through completion. Such companies are hard to find. They are rare. DLR is one of the few. ---- David Gerstel/Builder

DLR Custom Builders did a superb job with both the design and construction of our remodel. Daniel was a pleasure to work with throughout the whole remodeling process. Daniel is both exceptional in his craft and honest. The bathroom, kitchen and laundry room design work that Daniel did took our ideas and made them happen. Daniel's design plans provided creative solutions and stunning design. He was able to maximize every inch of space with great attention to detail. DLR Custom Builder's crew did outstanding workmanship. Also, they were always courteous, professional and responsible. Daniel always selects the best subcontractors. When family and friends come to our new home we get rave reviews and compliments on how beautiful the remodel rooms look. We would hire Daniel again without hesitation!

DLR did an excellent basement remodel for us. Daniel did all of our drafting and design work, and the crew did a great job implementing our vision. The final product is outstanding, with a beautiful bathroom, guest bedroom, sitting room, laundry room and wine cellar. It transformed the space to a warm, inviting and comfortable area.

Beginning in 1993, we have had DLR Custom Builders do several large projects for us. They include a kitchen/laundry room remodel, master bath addition and master suite remodel, central heating, and an attic conversion with stairway addition. They have also done some minor repairs and upgrades throughout the years. Daniel's work is fantastic!! He and his well-trained crew have a wonderful work ethic. They care about the job! All work is done in a timely manner. No shoddy work is tolerated. Every job done for us has been A-1! The work is done so well that everything still looks great! Daniel is a topnotch designer and works to integrate the customer's ideas with some of his own. The results are always beautiful! We very highly recommend this company for any work you are considering having done. You won't be sorry!!! Curtis and Janice Crum

Daniel is a good man and contractor he has a high standard for his work and is very ethical. All of his work and crew show pride of tradesman professionalism his crew have a good eye for details, All of his work show pride, experience,and is always in touch with all up to date styles and trend and innovations. He worked on my house and I was very happy of his work and price was reasonable for the kind of HIGH QUALITY WORK he does and is always on time. These five stars do not give him enough credibility HE NEEDS 10 more. :) :) He remodeled my home when it caught on fire and he helped me redesign the lay out of the house. He made it more fluid to maximize the small space I had. Put laundry in house and you can not tell it is in hall way other than that this man is great. One of the best contractors around...

Dan (DLR) is a top notch contractor. In addition to being the most honest contractor around, Dan and his crew do amazing work. Dan and his tradesmen are perfectionists and make sure all of their work is done with the utmost integrity and professionalism. Dan will go above and beyond to work with and listen to his customers. I would recommend Dan (DLR) to anyone looking for high quality construction work in the Bay Area at a reasonable cost. Check out the DLR Houzz link to appreciate his fine work in Piedmont, Oakland and other places: http://www.houzz.com/pro/dlrcb/dlr-custom-builders.

They helped restore my house after a fire. Daniel was exceptionally creative in helping us get back on our feet. We got the kitchen we really needed. He subsequently done work for my sister and other friends who saw my house.