Rancho Santa Fe is a community where exceptional homes demand an equally exceptional level of planning, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. For more than four decades, Steigerwald-Dougherty, Inc. has worked with homeowners, architects, designers, and experienced tradespeople to build and transform distinctive residences throughout San Diego County.

Founded in 1981, our company has completed well over a thousand projects while building a reputation based largely on referrals and long-term client relationships. We believe that reputation comes from a straightforward approach to construction: understand the project, plan carefully, communicate clearly, surround ourselves with skilled people, and never compromise the quality of the work.

For homeowners in Rancho Santa Fe, Steigerwald-Dougherty focuses on three areas of residential construction: custom home construction, comprehensive whole-home renovations, and complete second-story additions.

Custom Homes Built for Rancho Santa Fe

Rancho Santa Fe is unlike most residential communities in San Diego County. Large properties, distinctive architecture, mature landscaping, private roads, established neighborhoods, and individually designed residences give the area a character of its own.

Building a custom home here requires more than following a set of plans.

The home must respond to the property, the owner's vision, and the architectural design while bringing together structural requirements, building systems, specialty materials, interior finishes, exterior spaces, and the work of many skilled trades.

Steigerwald-Dougherty brings more than 40 years of construction experience to that process.

We work closely with homeowners and their professional teams to coordinate the many elements required to turn an architectural vision into a finished residence. From early planning and site preparation through construction, finish work, and final completion, our focus remains on careful execution and lasting quality.

Custom Home Construction in Rancho Santa Fe

A custom home should reflect the people who will live in it.

Every family has different priorities. Some homeowners place greater emphasis on entertaining and indoor-outdoor living. Others want privacy, generous family spaces, home offices, guest accommodations, specialized kitchens, technology, or rooms designed around hobbies and personal interests.

That individuality is what makes custom residential construction different from production building.

Our role as the builder is to take the plans, specifications, and design intent and bring them together through experienced construction management and skilled craftsmanship.

That requires continuous coordination among the homeowner, architect, interior designer, engineers, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors, and specialty trades.

There may be thousands of individual decisions involved in building a custom residence. Our responsibility is to manage those details while never losing sight of the home as a whole.

Whole-Home Renovations in Rancho Santa Fe

Some exceptional homes don't need to be replaced. They need to be thoughtfully reimagined.

A comprehensive whole-home renovation can transform an existing Rancho Santa Fe residence while preserving the qualities that made the property desirable in the first place.

These projects may involve substantial changes to the floor plan, structural modifications, new kitchens and living areas, primary suites, updated mechanical and electrical systems, windows and doors, exterior improvements, technology, and completely new interior finishes.

Unlike new construction, renovation requires the construction team to understand and work with an existing structure.

Conditions discovered behind walls, beneath floors, or within older building systems can affect decisions throughout the project. Experience matters because solving those conditions correctly requires more than simply following a new set of plans.

Our objective is to integrate the old and new successfully so the completed residence feels cohesive rather than remodeled in pieces.

Complete Second-Story Additions

There are circumstances where a homeowner loves the property and location but the existing residence no longer provides enough space.

A complete second-story addition can substantially increase usable living area while allowing the family to remain in the home and community they value.

These are complex residential construction projects.

The existing structure must be evaluated, new structural requirements coordinated, building systems extended or replaced, and the new floor carefully integrated with the architecture and layout below.

Depending upon the design and property, a second story can create space for additional bedrooms, bathrooms, a primary suite, offices, family areas, or other uses without sacrificing valuable portions of the property.

The goal is not simply to add square footage.

The finished addition should look and feel as though it belongs to the original home.

Building in Rancho Santa Fe Requires Careful Planning

Exceptional residential construction begins before construction starts.

Rancho Santa Fe properties can present considerations involving site access, topography, existing structures, landscaping, utilities, drainage, architectural requirements, construction logistics, and neighborhood-specific standards.

Understanding these conditions early allows the construction team and design professionals to identify potential challenges and develop appropriate solutions before they become problems in the field.

Understanding the Property

Every property is different.

Site conditions, existing improvements, access for construction equipment, neighboring properties, mature landscaping, and the location of utilities can all influence how a project should be approached.

We believe understanding the site is an important part of understanding the project.

Working With Architects and Designers

The finest custom homes are collaborative efforts.

Steigerwald-Dougherty works alongside architects, interior designers, engineers, consultants, landscape professionals, specialty contractors, and other members of the owner's team to execute the design as intended.

Good communication between the construction and design teams is particularly important on sophisticated residential projects where materials, systems, and architectural details must come together precisely.

Construction Management

A large custom home or comprehensive renovation may involve dozens of subcontractors, specialty trades, suppliers, consultants, inspections, deliveries, and important homeowner decisions.

Experienced construction management brings those moving pieces together.

Our responsibility is to coordinate the work, maintain communication, address problems as they arise, and continually protect the quality of the finished project.

Craftsmanship Is More Than What You See

The most noticeable elements of a completed home are naturally the finishes: cabinetry, stone, millwork, flooring, fixtures, doors, windows, and architectural details.

But those elements represent only part of a well-built home.

Quality construction begins with the work that will eventually disappear behind walls, ceilings, and finished surfaces.

Framing, waterproofing, mechanical systems, electrical work, plumbing, insulation, preparation, installation methods, and countless other details contribute to how the home performs for years after construction is complete.

At Steigerwald-Dougherty, we believe every person working on a home contributes to the quality of the finished project.

Whether someone is excavating, framing, installing a sophisticated building system, hanging a door, or completing detailed finish work, the expectation remains the same:

Do the work with care.

It is the philosophy that has guided our company for more than four decades.

Experience You Can Rely on From Planning Through Completion

Building a custom home or undertaking a major renovation requires hundreds of decisions, careful coordination, and a construction team capable of managing the details from beginning to end.

Our approach begins with understanding the project, the property, and the homeowner's goals. We work closely with the professional team and experienced tradespeople to help keep construction organized and moving forward while maintaining the quality standards expected of a custom residence.

Throughout construction, our attention remains on the work itself—proper execution, experienced supervision, communication, problem-solving, and craftsmanship at every stage.

From the elements hidden behind the walls to the finishes that define the completed home, we believe every part of the project deserves the same level of care.

That commitment has guided Steigerwald-Dougherty since 1981..

More Than 40 Years of Relationships Built Through Construction

Steigerwald-Dougherty has never measured its success solely by the number of projects completed.

Much of our business over the years has come through referrals. Homeowners have introduced us to friends and family. Architects and designers have trusted us with their clients. Previous clients have returned when another construction need arose.

Some of those relationships have continued for decades.

We don't expect the relationship with a homeowner to end simply because construction has been completed. Our intention is to remain a resource for our clients for as long as they would like us to be.

For us, that is part of what it means to build generationally.

Our Rancho Santa Fe Custom Home Portfolio

The best way to understand the quality of a builder's work is to see the work itself.

Every project photograph displayed on the Steigerwald-Dougherty website represents actual work completed by our company. Our portfolio reflects more than four decades of residential construction experience throughout San Diego County.

As we continue documenting our Rancho Santa Fe projects, this section will feature selected custom homes, comprehensive renovations, additions, and construction details that demonstrate the craftsmanship behind our work.

Based in Solana Beach. Building Exceptional Homes Throughout San Diego County.

Steigerwald-Dougherty is headquartered on South Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, where our company has deep roots in San Diego's North County coastal community.

Our work extends throughout the region, including Rancho Santa Fe and many of San Diego County's established residential communities.

Homeowners interested in seeing more of our North County experience can learn about our approach as a custom home builder in Solana Beach, including our work in custom home construction, whole-home renovation, and major residential additions.

Our portfolio also includes completed residential projects in La Jolla and Point Loma, where our project pages provide a closer look at actual Steigerwald-Dougherty craftsmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions About Building in Rancho Santa Fe

How long has Steigerwald-Dougherty been building custom homes?

Steigerwald-Dougherty was founded in 1981 and brings more than 40 years of construction experience to residential projects throughout San Diego County. During that time, our company has worked with hundreds of clients and completed well over a thousand projects.

What type of residential projects does Steigerwald-Dougherty undertake?

Our residential focus is custom home construction, comprehensive whole-home renovations, and complete second-story additions. We concentrate on substantial projects where our construction management experience, established trades, and attention to detail provide meaningful value to the homeowner.

Does Steigerwald-Dougherty work with architects and interior designers?

Yes. Custom homes and major renovations are collaborative projects. We work closely with architects, interior designers, engineers, consultants, suppliers, specialty contractors, and other professionals involved in the design and construction process.

Can Steigerwald-Dougherty renovate an existing Rancho Santa Fe home?

Yes. Comprehensive whole-home renovation is one of our primary services. These projects can involve extensive changes to an existing residence, including structural modifications, reconfigured interiors, new building systems, exterior improvements, and completely updated finishes.

Do you build second-story additions?

Yes. Steigerwald-Dougherty undertakes complete second-story additions that incorporate substantial additional living space into an existing home. These projects require careful structural, architectural, and construction coordination to successfully integrate the new space with the original residence.

When should we involve the builder in the planning process?

Early involvement can be beneficial on custom homes and major renovations. It allows the builder to become familiar with the property, plans, construction requirements, and owner's objectives while there is still an opportunity to identify potential construction considerations before work begins.

Discuss Your Rancho Santa Fe Custom Home Project

Building a custom home or substantially transforming an existing residence is a significant undertaking. Choosing the right builder means finding a team that understands not only construction, but also the responsibility that comes with being entrusted with someone's home.

For more than four decades, Steigerwald-Dougherty has approached that responsibility with the same principles: careful planning, experienced construction management, skilled craftsmanship, clear communication, and a commitment to doing the work correctly.

If you are considering a custom home, whole-home renovation, or complete second-story addition in Rancho Santa Fe, we welcome the opportunity to learn about your property, your plans, and what you hope to accomplish.

Discuss Your Project

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427 S. Cedros Ave. #202 | Solana Beach, CA. 92075 | (858) 259-5100

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