Licensed California general contractor, CSLB #1160738, backed by more than 25 years of construction experience. Clean, precise work and thoughtful design. Free estimates.
Backed by more than 25 years of construction experience. We specialize in remodels, kitchens and baths, additions and ADUs, finish carpentry, tile, and outdoor living, combining solid construction practices with a design-trained eye for proportion, layout, and detail.
Steven Watson and Pat McLoughlin bring together a shared commitment to excellence.
Steven began his career working alongside his father at a young age, developing the discipline and attention to detail that have defined his work for over 25 years.
He went on to found SW Construction in Santa Barbara, where he built a reputation for delivering thoughtfully executed projects ranging from custom homes to high-end remodels, all defined by precision, quality, and lasting value.
Pat, a San Diego native, studied Construction Technology at Santa Barbara City College and has spent years working throughout Southern California, developing a deep understanding of regional architecture, materials, and elevated design standards.
With a focus on residential remodels, custom tile and stone work, and fine finish carpentry, Pat brings a strong eye for detail and a commitment to clean, modern execution.
The two first worked together during Pat's time at SBCC, where a shared approach to craftsmanship and problem-solving laid the foundation for a long-standing professional partnership. Today, as co-founders of Build in SD, they combine their experience and design sensibility to deliver tailored, high-quality spaces.
A selection of homes we have reshaped. Open any project to see it before, during, and finished.
90 ft retaining wall with smooth coat stucco, new red cedar fence and gates.
Complete gut and remodel of a 2BR/2BA condo.
Added square footage and a full kitchen rebuild in one phase.
10 ft by 5 ft concrete porch with Saltillo tile, stucco, and a copper cap.
Structural framing repair with stucco patching and painting.
Full tear-out, waterproofing, and custom tile finish.
Garage reworked into clean, usable finished space.
Complete remodel of a 1,500 sq. ft. condo (2BR/1.5BA) including full kitchen renovation.
Rotted wood beam replaced with steel, cabinet installation, and entry gate replacement.
Complete renovation of a 100 year old structure.
Building across the coast and inland communities, from the La Jolla bluffs to the backcountry.
Remodels · Kitchens & Baths · Additions & ADUs · Finish Carpentry · Tile · Outdoor Living. We also take on smaller repairs and maintenance.
Whole-home and multi-room remodels, from opening up a floor plan to the final coat of paint.
Transforming your space with custom designs and high-quality upgrades, whether you are updating an older room or redesigning it completely.
We handle every phase of the build, from design coordination through construction, with thoughtful layouts and craftsmanship that integrate naturally with your existing home.
The details that make a project feel custom. Built-ins, trim, cabinetry, and fine finish work done by hand.
Custom tile and stone work, including steam showers, full wall treatments, and specialty installations.
Custom decks, outdoor kitchens, entertainment areas, and the hardscape that ties them together.
Building homes and structures tailored to your needs.
Installation, repair, and updates for a polished exterior.
Foundation, framing, and structural updates for safety and durability.
Fire, flood, and other disaster repair services.
Stucco, drywall, electrical, and more to keep your home in top shape.
Permit coordination and inspection support.
Our team works closely with each client to bring their vision to life, offering personalized solutions that balance function, design, and long-term value.
With a strong commitment to reliability, clear communication, and attention to detail, Build in SD consistently delivers results that exceed expectations no matter the size or scope of the project.
We visit, listen, and scope the work with you. No obligation.
We coordinate design, materials, and layout around your budget.
Permit coordination and inspection support.
Careful planning, clear communication, and steady progress.
We finish clean and we do not leave until the detail is right.
Working with Build in SD was a seamless experience from start to finish. The team was professional, detail-oriented, and easy to communicate with throughout the entire project. Everything was completed on time and on budget, and the quality of work really stands out. I'd highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, high-end contractor.
Choosing Build in SD was unquestionably one of the best decisions we made. Despite the scope of the work, the project was completed efficiently and within the agreed timeline. The finished work is nothing short of impeccable, with a meticulous attention to detail. His expert guidance throughout the process has truly transformed our home into our forever home.
My wife and I have utilized Build in SD both on our personal residence as well as our rental properties. His quality, attention to detail, cost sensitivity, cleanliness, and communication throughout his projects are superb. We have no hesitation in referring him to friends and without a doubt would use him again in the future.
We are pleased to give our highest endorsement to Build in SD, and Steve Watson in particular. A few years ago we needed to hoist the front of our house, to replace the rotted wood beam that held it up, with a steel beam. We used that opportunity to also enhance this overall structure to more current earthquake standards. This was no small project.
It entailed hoisting up our house, and doing so with the minimal amount of internal damage. It required that we use heavy equipment to transport a very long and heavy steel I-beam over the property wall and into place. We also had to implement pylons with a new vertical steel structure to hold that beam in place in an earthquake. The bottom line is that there was a lot that could go wrong if we hired the wrong person. We spoke with three general contractors, and Steve impressed us greatly. Note that my husband and I both have degrees in engineering, so we knew what we needed to hear.
So, we hired Steve, and he executed this project flawlessly. We were so impressed by the quality of his thought and work, that we greatly expanded the scope of our project. We had him add cabinetry throughout our parking structure, build a new custom wood and glass fence along the length of our Japanese courtyard garden, and replace our wooden garage and pedestrian gates with large steel and white glass, shoji-like gates. People constantly tell us how beautiful our property is, with these enhancements executed by Steve.
Nothing is ever easy in our relatively small and confined space. So throughout this project, Steve had to constantly determine how best to execute, given the latest set of reoccurring limitations discovered in field. Steve diligently worked through every challenge, providing us with numerous workaround solutions that were brilliant. He is very hands on with his team, so has firsthand knowledge of the issues, has a tremendous amount of experience, and absolutely excels at problem solving, with exceptional creativity and practicality.
We found Steve to be fair, honest, professional, organized, a great communicator, and a pleasure to work with. He arrived every morning early, worked late, and so did his team. He says what he is going to do, and then does what he says. He was respectful of our property, did not waste materials, and cleared things out to maintain an orderly workspace. When finished, he cleaned everything up and left us with exceptional results. Steve Watson is incredibly capable, trustworthy, honest and phenomenally talented. We would highly recommend him as a superb general contractor.
From conceptualizing to constructing, we're ready to design your dream. We promise a client-centric approach that empowers ideas, eases concerns, and delivers quality craftsmanship we'll all be proud of.
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