Diamond Certified Company Report

A Plus Builders LLC

Diamond Certified Company Report

A Plus Builders LLC

Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i
Company Credentials i
  • Workers Compensation
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
  • Legal & Finance
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 16 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

John S.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

1 of 16

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Well, they do a good job.

They are always in communication.

Eric C.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

2 of 16

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

It was a very easy process and everything got taken care of properly.

The attention to detail and nothing gets forgotten

Erik L.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

3 of 16

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

It was a great experience and they were very professional. I would hire them again.

The quality of the work, great communication and creative thinking on the project

Read All 16 Survey Responses at Ratings View
Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE
Diamond certified company PROFILE

Anh Nguyen, Owner

A Plus Builders LLC builds custom homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), remodels kitchens and bathrooms, and provides other construction services for residential and commercial clients in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. As a full-service builder, the company has the in-house capabilities to manage every phase of the construction process, from the initial designs to the finishing touches.

Owner Anh Nguyen credits much of A Plus Builders’ success to its ability to bring its customers’ construction visions to life while staying realistic about their budgets. “Most of our clients want to create comfortable places to live without spending too much money, and that’s exactly what we strive to accomplish,” he says. “Ultimately, it’s not about how much a project costs—it’s about the value of building something that’s durable and aesthetically pleasing.”

Mr. Nguyen utilizes his architecture background to help A Plus Builders’ clients fine tune their projects to meet specific requirements. “Because of my experience, I know how much certain materials cost and I can explain how different aspects of a job can be shifted to be more efficient,” he explains. “From the beginning of the process, I work hard to ensure our clients get what they want.”

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COMPANY REPORT NAVIGATION

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED CAPABILITIES ON A Plus Builders LLC

COMPANY CONTACT
Service AREA

Santa Clara County
San Mateo County

SERVICES PERFORMED

Custom Home Building
Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
Framing
Finish Carpentry
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Property Development
Construction Management

DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED ARTICLES ON A Plus Builders LLC

A Plus Builders remodeled this kitchen.

Company Profile

A Plus Builders LLC builds custom homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), remodels kitchens and bathrooms, and provides other construction services for residential and commercial clients in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. As a full-service builder, the company has the in-house capabilities to manage every phase of the construction process, from the initial designs to the finishing touches.

Owner Anh Nguyen credits much of A Plus Builders’ success to its ability to bring its customers’ construction visions to life while staying realistic about their budgets. “Most of our clients want to create comfortable places to live without spending too much money, and that’s exactly what we strive to accomplish,” he says. “Ultimately, it’s not about how much a project costs—it’s about the value of building something that’s durable and aesthetically pleasing.”

Mr. Nguyen utilizes his architecture background to help A Plus Builders’ clients fine tune their projects to meet specific requirements. “Because of my experience, I know how much certain materials cost and I can explain how different aspects of a job can be shifted to be more efficient,” he explains. “From the beginning of the process, I work hard to ensure our clients get what they want.”

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Company Philosophy

“Our clients are very important to us, so we’re committed to providing them with high-quality craftsmanship and the best possible value, regardless of the size of their projects. Our primary goal is simple: build beautiful homes that fulfill all of their needs.”

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Comparative Summary

Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for remodeling contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For A Plus Builders LLC, the key to keeping clients happy is simple: provide them with helpful expertise throughout every step of their projects. “We focus on helping our clients fine tune their requirements so they get the results they want, and a big part of that is being involved from the beginning of the process,” says owner Anh Nguyen. “We’ll help them shop for finishes and materials, and we can even talk to their architects to determine what it will take to achieve their goals.”

A Plus Builders has been building custom homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, and providing other construction services for residential and commercial clients in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties since 2016. The company has the training and equipment to manage every phase of the construction process, from the initial designs to the finishing touches.

Unlike remodeling contractors that delegate project management responsibilities to less experienced employees, A Plus Builders provides every job with the hands-on expertise of Mr. Nguyen himself. “I’m a one-man show when it comes to project administration and execution,” he affirms. “We also have a project manager, but I personally do every high-level cost proposal so I can make sure it includes everything the client expects. I also make myself available to answer questions and deal with issues whenever they arise.”

Another distinguishing feature of A Plus Builders is its dedication to bringing each client’s construction vision to life while staying realistic about their budget. “Ultimately, we want to help people create comfortable places to live without overspending,” says Mr. Nguyen. “How much a project costs is less important than the value of building something that’s long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing.”

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Industry Info

When building a custom home, plan for your comfort and future value.

Building a custom home can be stressful and exciting at the same time. After all, not everybody gets to experience working with architects and designers, conferencing with builders, and finally seeing their dream homes take shape. According to experts like Anh Nguyen, owner of A Plus Builders LLC in Portola Valley, there are ways to approach the custom home building process that will both increase your immediate happiness and protect your investment if you decide to sell your house in the future.

Homeowners who make the best planning decisions want comfortable places to live in, but they don’t want to spend too much or too little to get it,” explains Mr. Nguyen. “They understand that if you eke by with the bare minimum, you’re going to pay the same amount in labor, but if you go to market in five years, buyers probably won’t like the finishes. Smart homeowners would rather pay a little more to have something nicer.”

It’s also wise to choose your contractor early so they can advise you on things like site selection, architect designs and finish choices. “This is the best way to create your ideal living situation while also thinking about how you’ll have a certain dividend down the road if you want to sell your property,” says Mr. Nguyen. “Also, forward-thinking homeowners tend to enjoy the process more.”

Here are some more ways to get a great home now while keeping an eye on the future:

  • Consider your goals. If you’re building your forever home, make smart choices now while positioning your home for higher value in case you change your mind later. Choose materials and fixtures that offer better value, like custom cabinets.
  • Consider smart features, solar, and passive energy-saving strategies that provide intrinsic value now and in the future.
  • Spend wisely. Prioritize items that provide the most value for your dollar.
  • Ask your contractor to suggest ways to make your home more usable, adaptable and value-retaining. If you hope to build room additions at some point but can’t afford it now, install foundational items that will make it easier and less expensive to expand in the future.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will it cost to complete my construction project?

A: It depends on a variety of factors, but we’ll give you a bid for your specific project before work begins.

Q: How long will it take to complete my job?

A: We’ll give you a time estimate based on the type of work, the materials we need to use and other details. We’ll also explain any change orders and what those might add to the current construction schedule.

Q: What happens if there’s a change order or an unexpected expense?

A: If there are unforeseen conditions or change orders, we may have to modify our plans. We’ll discuss it with you and explain the cost difference for materials, time and labor, installation, and other factors.

Q: What’s the lead time for materials?

A: Right now, there are manufacturing and shipping delays for many different products, so it depends on the materials that your project requires. For example, if you make changes to windows and doors during the process, certain brands will take longer to reorder than others.

Q: Will the cost of materials go up?

A: These days, the cost of materials is unquantifiable—your bid could be solid for a week and then things could change. If you’re concerned about the cost of materials or planning for future work, let us know and we’ll discuss it with you.

Q: Can you help me find durable options that provide long-term benefits?

A: Yes, we’ll provide you with numerous options and explain the pros and cons of each.

Q: What are passive home strategies?

A: Passive home strategies help you reduce the energy load on your home. It’s a really cool movement and we’re hoping to take some of our projects in that direction. Construction costs are high right now, especially in the Bay Area, so many people don’t get the opportunity to explore those strategies. But for marginally more money, you can find passive energy strategies that reduce your energy load, like installing a passive roof.

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SELECTED PHOTOS FROM A Plus Builders LLC

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Anh Nguyen

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE
  • Anh Nguyen is owner of A Plus Builders LLC, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (408) 852-7940 or by email.

Anh Nguyen: A Balanced Perspective

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

PORTOLA VALLEY — With a combination of architectural training and hands-on experience, Anh Nguyen brings a balanced perspective to the residential remodeling industry. “My background is in architecture and design,” he explains. “I did design and planning for the City of San Jose, and from there I took a job with the federal government managing large projects like building courthouses and federal buildings. After a while, I missed being out in the field and getting my hands dirty, so I decided to switch gears and get into residential remodeling. I started my company very small and handled most of the work myself, and over time we’ve expanded into a larger firm.”

Today, as owner of A Plus Builders LLC, Anh says his favorite part of his job is helping clients get what they want at a price they can afford. “Often, I’ll get customers whose visions are a bit far-fetched from a budget standpoint, so I enjoy helping them get as close to those visions as possible. To achieve this, I work closely with them at the design phase and help them select products and design features. At the end of the day, it’s very satisfying to deliver something they’re happy with at a price they can afford.”

A resident of Menlo Park (where he lives with his wife and three daughters), Anh spends his time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “I’m currently in the process of building two houses for my family, including a vacation home in Mariposa,” he details. “I’ve been developing that property for a while and we’re already starting to enjoy it, but there are still a lot of finishing touches I need to do.” Anh is also passionate about martial arts—he’s been practicing judo and jiu-jitsu for many years, and he recently got his daughters involved as well.

When asked what sets his company apart from the competition, Anh references his well-rounded expertise. “I have an uncommon combination of technical knowledge and on-the-job experience,” he says. “A lot of contractors have plenty of experience working in the field but lack proficiency in architectural design. Likewise, a lot of architects are great at drawing plans, but they lack an understanding of what it takes to actually build something. Having a master’s degree in architecture and many years of hands-on building experience enables me to envision projects and execute them in a practical way.”

When asked what he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Anh says he would continue to be involved in his company but in a different capacity. “My dream is to have multiple properties in a variety of architectural styles and use them to showcase our work. Whenever we have a client who is considering a certain feature or an architectural style for their home, they could stay at one of the properties as a ‘test-drive’ to try it before deciding to build it for themselves.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Savoury’s in Mariposa.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Belize.

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: My all-time favorite show is “Frasier,” followed by “The West Wing.”

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The future.

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Expert articles
  • DIY Cabinet Hardware Installation

    PORTOLA VALLEY — Are you remodeling your kitchen or bathroom? New cabinetry is often the most expensive aspect of remodeling these areas of the home. Fortunately, there are ways you can save money on this aspect, one of which is do-it-yourself hardware installation.

    To install cabinet hardware, you’ll need a drill and a Kreg Jig kit, both of which can be purchased at any hardware store. A Kreg Jig kit snaps onto the cabinet fronts and acts as a guide that enables you to drill holes into the door/drawer fronts. After drilling the holes, you can easily install the cabinet hardware. Doing this yourself (instead of having your contractor do it for you) is a great way to cut costs on your new kitchen or bathroom cabinets without sacrificing quality.

    Read moreRead less
Expert video tip
  • Video: Cost-Cutting Tip For New Cabinetry

    Complete Video Transcription

    PORTOLA VALLEY — Anh Nguyen: A good expert tip I can give is the cabinet hardware for kitchens and vanities in the bathrooms. Simple Kreg kit you can buy, and it just snaps onto the fronts of the cabinets. And you drill the holes and install your own hardware. Save some money and not have to work with a contractor, who probably doesn’t want to do that anyways.

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A Plus Builders LLC WEBSITE AND EXTERNAL FEED
Diamond Certified RATINGS ON A Plus Builders LLC
Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i

Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials i
  • Workers Compensation
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
  • Legal & Finance
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 16 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

John S.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

1 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Well, they do a good job.

They are always in communication.

Eric C.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

2 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

It was a very easy process and everything got taken care of properly.

The attention to detail and nothing gets forgotten

Erik L.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

3 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

It was a great experience and they were very professional. I would hire them again.

The quality of the work, great communication and creative thinking on the project

Heidi M.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

4 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very fair pricing and very fast, they really want to make the client happy.

I felt that they were very flexible.

Andrea C.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

5 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are reliable. They do good quality work and offer a good price.

They came to me with solutions instead of problems.

Julie S.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

6 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are reliable, honest and reasonable.

I trust them to show up on time and to deliver the work they say they will at the price they quote. They are fast.

Sharon C.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

7 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I would highly recommend them.

The work was really excellent and the communication was good.

Wesley L.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

8 of 16

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were very on top of their stuff and they provided a good price point. They explained everything that they were going to do pretty clearly.

They completed their project on time.

Jennifer L.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

9 of 16

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were extremely helpful. They gave a lot of helpful and practical advice. They were very reasonable in working with us and meeting our needs for cost. They were willing to adapt to our wishes.

They seemed to be very practical and they listened to what they believed our needs were. They answered our questions promptly.

Bob O.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

10 of 16

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were great.

The estimate was roughly what it worked out to be and the quality of the work was pretty good.

Bill G.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

11 of 16

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They came in and they got the job done. I was happy with their work.

Everyone was very nice and they worked very hard.

Tiffany L.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

12 of 16

Quality 8
8
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Good quality work

Good quality work

Ann L.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

13 of 16

Quality 8
8
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They got the job done quickly.

They were very responsive.

Rebecca R.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

14 of 16

Quality 8
8
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They work very fast and the guys on the crew are friendly and respectful.

They are wonderful to work with. They communicate pretty well and they get problems solved pretty quickly.

Serene D.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

15 of 16

Quality 6
6
Loyalty No
CRITIQUE

If they are looking for a cost competitive project, they would be a good resource, but the individual would have to do a lot of hands on management.

They are very competitive with their pricing.

Kevin W.

VERIFIED A Plus Builders LLC CUSTOMER

16 of 16

Quality 6
6
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

It is a mix of good and bad. When the work was performed, it was executed quickly, but the communication was challenging and at times, it seemed like we had to manage the communication with them when it should have been the other way around.We had some issues with the workmanship as well.

They were flexible. They provided recommendations, creative solutions and their pricing was competitive.

Read All 16 Survey Responses at Ratings View
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