SAN FRANCISCO, CA — May 13, 2025 — When Rothman Construction first opened its doors in 1990, the company operated out of a single-room office in the Mission District with just four employees and a pickup truck. Today, after 35 years of hammering away at the Bay Area construction scene, the firm has announced a major expansion of its kitchen remodeling services while reflecting on its journey to becoming one of the most trusted general contractors in San Francisco.
"We never set out to be the biggest—just the most reliable," says the company's longtime Operations Director, who joined the firm in its second year. "Back when we started, we were just hoping to survive the '90s recession. Now we're designing earthquake-resistant smart homes. Talk about a renovation."
The company's expansion comes in response to a 43% increase in kitchen remodeling requests over the past 18 months, particularly in neighborhoods like Noe Valley, Russian Hill, and the Sunset District where aging homes increasingly need modern updates that respect architectural integrity.
Unlike many contractors who entered the market during recent construction booms, Rothman has weathered multiple economic cycles and built a reputation for what longtime clients call "no-drama construction"—projects that finish on time without the horror stories that typically accompany major renovations.
Marina District homeowner Jeff Berman struggled for two years with a half-finished kitchen after hiring a contractor who abandoned the project. "I was basically cooking on a hot plate in my living room," Berman explains. "Rothman's team not only finished the job but corrected structural issues from the previous work. They even helped with the insurance paperwork when we discovered water damage."
This practical problem-solving approach extends to the company's commercial projects as well. When the historic Golden Era building on Market Street needed extensive repairs after a minor fire, Rothman's team worked nights to minimize business disruption for ground-floor tenants.
"The big corporate builders wanted to shut us down for three months," notes Sara Klein, the building's property manager. "Rothman created a phased approach that kept everyone operational. That's the difference between a contractor who knows San Francisco and one who just works here."
Beyond the Básics: Earthquake Protection
In a region where seismic safety remains a constant concern, Rothman has developed specialized expertise in earthquake retrofitting—often incorporating these critical safety upgrades into aesthetic renovations.
"People don't realize you can do both at once," explains the head of the company's retrofitting division. "We recently finished a Victorian in Pacific Heights where we completely modernized the kitchen while simultaneously reinforcing the entire first floor. The owners got a gorgeous new space without sacrificing safety or historic character."
This practical approach to seismic upgrades has made Rothman particularly popular with owners of older buildings, especially after the company pioneered techniques for retrofitting without displacing tenants—a crucial consideration in San Francisco's tight housing market.
Green Building That Makes Sense
Rothman's approach to sustainability skips the buzzwords in favor of practical solutions that benefit homeowners' budgets as well as the environment.
"We're not interested in green materials that fall apart in five years—that's not actually sustainable," notes the company's materials specialist. "We focus on building science over trends, which is why we started incorporating heat recovery ventilation systems long before they became popular. These systems actually work in San Francisco's climate, unlike some green technologies designed for warmer regions."
This pragmatic philosophy extends to the company's waste management practices, which have diverted over 85% of construction waste from landfills through careful material selection and partnerships with local recycling specialists.
Growing While Staying Local
As Rothman expands its kitchen division with the addition of two new designers and a dedicated cabinet shop in Bayview, the company remains committed to its San Francisco roots.
"We've turned down opportunities to expand to other cities because we believe our value comes from really understanding the quirks of building here," says the company's founder. "We know which neighborhoods have sandy soil issues, which building inspectors prefer early appointments, and which suppliers can actually deliver materials up those ridiculous hills in North Beach."
This local knowledge has made Rothman particularly adept at navigating San Francisco's notoriously complex permitting process, saving clients time and frustration.
Looking Ahead
As the company celebrates 35 years, its leadership acknowledges that construction in San Francisco faces new challenges, from climate resilience to incorporating smart home technology in historic buildings.
"We've never been a company that rests on its reputation," the operations director notes. "Right now we're testing materials that can withstand both earthquakes and increasing wildfire threats. We're also developing staff expertise in battery storage systems as more clients request emergency power options."
For more information about Rothman Construction's services or to schedule a consultation, visit https://www.rothmanconstruction.com/ or call their San Francisco office at (415) 272-5999

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Rothman Construction, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone (415) 272-5999
Email - [email protected]