Who we are

Sam Kaler | Founder, JAWA Builders

With over 15 years of experience in construction management, Sam brings deep industry expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and a passion for craftsmanship to every home renovation project. His love for building started early—at just six years old, he was scouring the neighborhood for spare lumber to construct his own backyard treehouse, much to his parents’ surprise when they discovered his impressive (and slightly nerve-wracking) carpentry skills.

Sam went on to formalize his passion by earning a degree in Construction Management from the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction at Auburn University. During his summers, he honed his skills working on residential construction projects in East Setauket, Long Island. After one winter detour as a ski instructor at Deer Valley, he joined Mortenson Construction, one of the nation’s top construction firms. As a Project Manager in their Sports and Hospitality division, Sam played a key role in high-profile projects like the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Target Center renovation, and the construction of the JW Marriott at Mall of America.

In 2017, he moved to San Francisco and joined Truebeck Construction, where he worked closely with tech startups to develop their office spaces. Within the first year, one client was so impressed with his work that they recruited him to lead their Construction and Real Estate team, where he oversaw award-winning projects on multiple continents. Over the course of his career, Sam has directly managed over $250 million in construction projects, with total project budgets exceeding $1 billion—experience that has given him a deep understanding of quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

With the arrival of his daughter, Sam decided to shift gears, stay in California, and focus on what he loves most—helping clients bring their visions to life. As the founder of JAWA Builders, he specializes in high-quality renovations, working on homes and businesses throughout the Bay Area. Whether you’re looking to transform a kitchen or living space, reimagine your entire home, or modernize a commercial space, Sam brings the same level of expertise, professionalism, and enthusiasm that has defined his career.

Reach out today—he’d love to help make your home everything you envision.

Owner of JAWA Builders

  • Ann Wallace

    DESIGN ASSOCIATE

    Ann assists the JAWA team remotely on design-focused elements of the business. She assists in sourcing materials for projects, provides layout review support to ensure JAWA delivers the best outcomes for its client’s needs, and manages trade relationships for the team.

Q & A with Sam

  • One of my main strengths is my ability to ask questions to understand your goals, timeline, and budget. From there, I help scope the work, offer design and material guidance, and create a detailed plan. Through this process, I will help ensure your project meets your goals while staying within budget.

    Communication is key—I stay in close contact throughout the project to ensure everything goes smoothly.

  • I am fully licensed by the California State Licensing Board. I am also bonded and insured. I have a bachelor's degree in Construction Management and over a decade of hands-on experience managing large-scale commercial construction and high-end residential renovations.

  • I've always had a passion for building and problem-solving. My professional career started in commercial construction, but I shifted toward residential work to have more personal, creative, and rewarding client relationships.

  • I've worked with homeowners, real estate investors, Airbnb hosts, and property managers—everyone from first-time buyers to seasoned remodelers. I love helping clients at any stage of homeownership.

  • We recently completed a full bathroom renovation that took four weeks from demo to final finishes. We took the space down to the studs, installed new tile, quartz surround, a custom vanity, and updated fixtures. The transformation was dramatic, and the client was thrilled.

  • Look for someone who's communicative, transparent, and takes pride in their work. A great contractor should not only execute but also guide you through the process with integrity and expertise.

  • Think about your goals, budget range, timeline, and how involved you want to be in the decision-making process. It's also helpful to collect inspiration photos and prioritize must-haves vs. nice-to-haves.

Contact us

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