Howard Construction Inc. has served Northern California since 2000 — founded on the belief that every homeowner deserves a contractor who shows up, communicates honestly, and builds things right the first time. We serve Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Calistoga.
Philip Howard isn't just the owner of Howard Construction — he is the contractor you hire when you want it done right. Born and raised in Sonoma County, Phil has deep roots in the communities he serves. His grandfather was a carpenter. His father was a carpenter. And from the time Phil was a teenager swinging a hammer on roofing crews, it was clear he was built for this work too.
What separates Phil from the competition isn't just skill — it's character. Over 25 years, he has built a reputation across Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Calistoga as the contractor who always shows up, always communicates, and never cuts corners. Clients don't just hire him once — they call him back for the next project, and the one after that.
At 28, Phil joined one of the North Bay's premier high-end construction firms, where he sharpened his craft on complex custom homes and large commercial projects. When he founded Howard Construction in 2000, he brought that high standard to a business that treats every project — no matter the size — with the same level of care, precision, and professionalism.
Today, Howard Construction is one of the most trusted names in Northern California residential construction. Every project is personally overseen by Phil — from the first phone call to the final walkthrough. That is a promise, not a marketing line.
Schedule a Free Consultation →In an industry full of contractors who overpromise and underdeliver, Howard Construction has spent 25 years doing the opposite. Here is what that looks like in practice.
We tell you what we find, what it costs, and what your options are — immediately, in writing, before we proceed. If something unexpected comes up during construction, you hear about it within the hour, not at invoice time. No runarounds. No excuses. No surprises on the final bill.
Three generations of building knowledge inform every decision we make on a job site. We use quality materials, hire licensed and insured subcontractors, and apply the same rigorous standards whether we're doing a $15,000 bathroom refresh or a $500,000 custom addition. Good enough has never been good enough for us.
Phil is a Sonoma County native who has built in Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Calistoga for over two decades. We know the local inspectors, the permit offices, the soil conditions, the fire-rebuilding codes, and the subcontractors you can actually count on in this market. That knowledge is worth more than any certification.
We show up when we say we will. We finish when we say we will. Every evening our crew sweeps the site, runs a magnetic nail sweep, removes debris, and secures the work area. We've completed full remodels with families living inside throughout — and they've praised our crew's professionalism in review after review.
The difference between an average remodel and an outstanding one comes down to the details — the scribe on a cabinet run, the reveal on a door casing, the slope of a shower pan. We are the contractor who notices these things before you do, and corrects them before you ever have to ask. Clients tell us they can feel the difference the moment they walk in.
If something goes wrong on our watch — a subcontractor's work doesn't meet standard, a material arrives damaged, a timeline slips — we own it and fix it at our cost, not yours. Our name is on every project we take. We protect that name by standing behind our work, not hiding behind fine print.
Philip Howard grows up in Sonoma County surrounded by builders — his grandfather and father both carpenters. As a teenager he starts working roofing crews across the North Bay, developing hands-on skills and a natural ability to manage people and deliver accurate estimates.
At 28, Phil joins one of the North Bay's premier construction firms specializing in high-end custom homes, large remodels, and commercial projects. He manages complex builds across Sonoma Valley, Napa, and Marin — refining his craft and his conviction that client communication is just as important as construction quality.
Phil founds Howard Construction Inc. in Santa Rosa with a simple mission: bring the quality of high-end residential construction to every homeowner in Northern California, with more personal accountability than any large firm could offer. He personally oversees every project from day one.
Howard Construction grows entirely through word-of-mouth referrals. Homeowners in Santa Rosa, Sonoma Valley, Napa, Petaluma, and Healdsburg pass Phil's name to their neighbors, their family, and their friends. Not a single dollar is spent on advertising — the work speaks for itself.
Client referrals bring Howard Construction into new markets — Napa Valley estates, Calistoga wine country homes, and selected San Francisco residences. The company earns Houzz Pro verification and begins accumulating the five-star review record it holds today.
Following the devastating North Bay fires, Howard Construction plays an important role in helping families rebuild in Santa Rosa, Sonoma Valley, and surrounding communities. Phil and his team bring the same care and precision to fire rebuilds as to any custom project — helping clients not just rebuild, but build better.
With more than 500 completed projects and 25 years in business, Howard Construction continues to operate the same way Phil started — personally involved in every project, transparent with every client, and committed to delivering work that outlasts the contract and exceeds every expectation.
Philip Howard is one of Northern California's most respected general contractors — a third-generation builder whose reputation has been built entirely through the quality of his work and the loyalty of his clients. In 25 years, he has never run a single advertisement. Every project Howard Construction has ever won came from a referral, a review, or a neighbor who saw the work and called.
Phil holds a California Class B General Contractor license and carries full liability and workers' compensation insurance on every project. He personally oversees every Howard Construction job — from the initial site visit through the final punch list. When you hire Howard Construction, you are hiring Phil Howard. He answers his own phone. He is on your job site. He is accountable to you directly, not through a project manager or an assistant.
Phil is particularly known for his ability to manage complex, evolving projects — budgets that shift, scopes that expand, unexpected conditions that demand real-time problem-solving. Clients consistently praise his calm, decisive leadership when challenges arise, and his unwillingness to pass problems to someone else. In his own words: "Every problem on a job site is my problem to solve. That's what you hire me for."
Rich has served as Phil's lead foreman for over a decade and is the day-to-day operational backbone of Howard Construction. On larger projects, Rich is on site from the first day of demo to the day of final inspection — managing the crew, coordinating subcontractors, maintaining site cleanliness, and keeping every detail on track.
What distinguishes Rich isn't just his construction knowledge — it's his character. Multiple client reviews mention Rich specifically, praising his professionalism, his sensitivity to neighbors during noisy phases, and his genuine respect for the homes and families he works around. He treats every site as if it were his own home, because that's the standard Phil holds everyone on this team to.
Every credential Howard Construction holds exists for one reason — to protect you. Here is our full record.
General Building Contractor license. Active, bonded, and insured. Verifiable at CSLB.ca.gov. We provide our license number on all estimates and contracts without being asked.
Accredited with the Better Business Bureau, Greater San Francisco region. A verified track record of resolving client concerns and operating with integrity.
North Coast Builders Exchange member — a professional trade association serving the North Bay construction industry since 1961.
Top-rated Houzz Pro profile with consistent 5-star verified client reviews. One of the most trusted profiles in the Sonoma County construction category.
General liability and workers' compensation insurance on every project. Certificates of insurance are available on request before any work begins.
Howard Construction serves homeowners throughout the North Bay and Northern California. We know the local permit offices, building codes, climate conditions, and trusted subcontractors in every market we serve.
Remodels, ADUs, pools, and additions throughout the Valley of the Moon and surrounding communities.
Custom construction in Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Rutherford, and throughout Napa County.
Our hometown. Kitchen remodels, additions, pools, decks, and complete custom builds across Santa Rosa.
Selected high-end residential remodels and additions in San Francisco and Marin County.
Home construction, ADUs, and remodels in Calistoga and the northern end of Napa Valley.
We make the estimate process as easy and pressure-free as possible. Here is exactly what to expect after you reach out.