General Contractor in Santa Rosa, CA
Serving Sonoma County, Marin County, East Bay, Fairfield and Vallejo
Licensed General Contractor | Lic #1133241
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Overwhelmingly Rated 5/5 on Thumbtack ⬅️
The Problem With Managing Multiple Contractors at Once
Large residential projects, additions, ADUs, major renovations, involve a lot of moving pieces. Framing, electrical, plumbing, insulation, drywall, flooring, finish work. If each trade is a separate contractor, you become the general contractor by default: scheduling, sequencing, fielding calls when something doesn’t line up, and trying to figure out whose scope covers the gap when something goes wrong.
Most homeowners don’t want to manage a construction project. They want the project managed for them.
That’s what a general contractor is supposed to provide. The problem is that a lot of general contractors don’t actually run the work, they manage subcontractors who have their own schedules, their own priorities, and no particular loyalty to your timeline. When something goes wrong, you find out late and the answer is often that the other trade is responsible.
How We Approach Your General Contractor Job
Licensed General Contractor | Lic #1133241
I’m John Collins. JCW handles multi-trade residential projects, additions, ADUs, and full-scope renovations, with in-house capability across general contracting, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and concrete. One point of contact. One point of accountability.
1. Every trade is managed by me directly
The trades on a JCW project are not subcontracted out to whoever is available. I run the work across the full scope, which means scheduling conflicts get resolved before they affect your timeline, and when something needs a decision, you hear from me, not from a chain of people passing the message.
2. The scope is defined before anything starts
Large projects have a way of growing. The best way to manage scope creep is to define the full scope clearly before work begins, what’s in, what’s not, what’s genuinely uncertain and why. Every JCW project starts with a complete, itemized estimate that covers all trades in the scope.
3. ADUs get handled as a complete project
Accessory dwelling units involve a significant amount of coordinated work, foundation, framing, electrical service, plumbing rough-in, insulation, drywall, finish work, and often a separate meter and utility connection. JCW handles the full ADU scope and manages the permit process as part of the project.
4. Communication doesn’t require chasing
On a JCW project, you know what’s happening. Not because you called three times, but because that’s how John runs a job. You’ll hear about issues when they come up, not after something has already been decided. If the schedule shifts, you’ll know why and what the plan is.
Residential & ADU
- Room additions and garage conversions
- Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
- Full-home renovations and multi-trade remodels
- Structural framing and additions
- Electrical, panel work, new service, all circuits
- Plumbing, rough-in, full installation, remodel plumbing
General Contracting Services JCW Handles Across Sonoma County and Beyond
JCW handles the full scope of General Contracting work across Sonoma County, Marin County, the East Bay, Fairfield and Vallejo.
Finish & Remodeling Services
- Flooring, hardwood, LVP, tile
- Concrete, foundations, flatwork, exterior
- Drywall installation and finish
- Interior finish work, trim, doors, cabinetry coordination
- Permit management across all trades
- Kitchen and bathroom remodels
How a Multi-Trade Project With JCW Gets Done
No two remodels are identical, but the process is consistent.
1. Scope definition and honest estimating
John meets with you, walks the project, and develops a complete, itemized estimate covering every trade in the scope. What’s hard to predict is flagged upfront, not discovered on the invoice.
2. Permit management and project coordination
JCW manages the permit process across all trades. John develops the project schedule, sequences the work correctly, and manages the coordination between trades personally. You don’t coordinate separately.
3. Managed start to finish, with direct communication
John is on the project throughout. You hear directly from him when something needs a decision or a change in scope. The job closes with a final walkthrough, when it’s right, not when the schedule says it should be.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Christina G.
Got a call back almost immediately on a Saturday and the job was DONE by mid-morning on Monday. Does not get better than that plus John was a pleasure to talk to and to work with. Great, personable and professional staff as well. Will most Donnelly use again.
What Homeowners Say About Working With JCW
I've been doing this work for 25 years, and I've built my reputation one project at a time.
Google Reviews: ~ 14 five-star reviews
Thumbtack Reviews: ~75 five-star ratings
Homeowners hire me because I listen, stay involved, and treat their homes with respect. Here's what a few have said:
Frequently Asked Questions About General Contracting in Santa Rosa
What’s the difference between a general contractor and a subcontractor?
A general contractor holds the primary license and contract for the project and is responsible for the full scope, including managing subcontractors, pulling permits, and delivering the finished project. Subcontractors are the individual tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, etc.) hired by the GC. At JCW, John handles most of the trade work in-house, which means fewer handoffs and one clear point of accountability.
Do you handle the permit process for large projects?
Yes. Additions, ADUs, and structural work require permits from the county and sometimes the city. JCW manages the permit application and inspection process as part of the project scope. You don’t deal with the permitting office separately.
How long does an ADU take to build?
An ADU build, from permit approval to final inspection, typically runs four to eight months depending on scope, size, and permitting timeline. Permit approval in Sonoma County can take several months, which is why the planning and permit application process starts well before any physical work begins. John will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific project at the estimate stage.
Can you take on a project that’s partially complete?
It depends on what’s been done and what needs to be finished. John will assess the existing work honestly and tell you what he can take on, what needs to be corrected first, and what the realistic path to completion looks like.
Do you work in Marin County and the East Bay?
Yes. JCW handles general contracting projects across Sonoma and Marin County, the East Bay, and the Fairfield/Vallejo corridor. John manages the work personally in all markets.
Have a Large Project?
Whether you’re planning an addition, an ADU, or a multi-trade renovation, call or fill out the form. John will walk the scope with you and give you an honest assessment of what it involves and what it costs, before you commit to anything.