Cardiff is a hillside looking west, which means almost every remodel here is partly a conversation about views. Where the windows go, how high the roof can be, and whether the second story pays for itself in what you can see from it.
We remodel and build in Cardiff-by-the-Sea — kitchen and bath renovations, additions, decks and outdoor living, and whole-home projects on the steep streets above San Elijo Lagoon.
- Permitting authority
- City of Encinitas Development Services
- Coastal status
- Entirely within the California Coastal Zone
- ZIP codes
- 92007
- Neighborhoods we work in
- Composer District · Cardiff Walk · George Berkich Park area · Cardiff Heights
What we find in Cardiff-by-the-Sea homes
Cardiff’s Composer District and the streets above the beach hold a dense mix of 1950s–1970s cottages, many of them modest houses on lots with outsized views. Second stories and roof-deck projects are common for exactly that reason. Sloped lots mean stepped foundations, retaining walls, and drainage design are ordinary parts of the scope rather than exceptions.
Permitting and planning in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Cardiff is part of the City of Encinitas for permitting and sits inside the Coastal Zone, so exterior work generally requires a Coastal Development Permit under the city’s Local Coastal Program. Height limits and view considerations weigh heavily on second-story design here, and properties near San Elijo Lagoon may face additional environmental review.
What we build in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Home Remodeling & Renovation
From a single-room addition to a full interior and exterior renovation, we guide the project from concept to completion.
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Kitchen Remodeling
A well-designed kitchen is the social center of your home. We handle design, cabinets, counters, lighting and flooring.
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Bathroom Remodeling
Thoughtful planning and attention to detail are the keys to any bathroom remodel — more light, more storage, more usable space.
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Custom New Home Construction
From the first planning conversation to the day you move in — a custom home built to your site, your preferences, and your budget.
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Design-Build
One entity, one contract, one continuous flow of work from first concept through final completion.
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Commercial Remodel & Tenant Improvements
Complete build-outs for office, retail, and industrial space — partition walls, custom millwork, and precision trim carpentry.
Learn moreRemodeling in Cardiff-by-the-Sea: common questions
Will a second story in Cardiff get me an ocean view?
Sometimes, and it is worth testing before you design it. We can stake and measure sightlines from the proposed floor level early on, so the decision is based on what you would actually see rather than what the elevation drawing suggests.
How do sloped Cardiff lots affect construction cost?
Foundations, retaining, and drainage are the main drivers, along with slower material handling on steep driveways. It is very manageable — it just needs to be in the number from the beginning.
Do you build decks and outdoor living space in Cardiff?
Regularly. On a view lot the deck is often the highest-value square footage in the project. Structure, waterproofing, guardrail detailing, and corrosion-resistant hardware all matter more here than they do a few miles inland.
What our clients say about Surfside Developers
We specialize in helping our customers receive the biggest return on their investment — and we’d welcome the chance to give you a custom evaluation of your home.
“The quality of the finished work was great, delivered on time, and within our overall budget. What more can you say than that?”
Our experience with Surfside Developers has been outstanding. They came highly recommended to us by our trusted real estate agent assisting us in a remodel of our recently purchased home. With past contractors our experience has always been a hit or miss proposition, and so we were very nervous about committing to a major renovation on the order of $70K plus. Nevertheless, we were very confident of the plan upon our very first meeting with the owner, Derek Wattenbarger. Derek listened intently to our vision of what we wanted the remodel to accomplish and faithfully carried out the plan. And just as important, Derek provided great insight and advice to improve the execution of our plan when he saw opportunities to do so, as well as cautioning us when some of our original ideas were not economically feasible or may have contained an unforeseen downside. All through the process, Derek was completely straightforward, transparent, and respectful. Communication was terrific. All calls, emails, texts, etc. were returned promptly. He even introduced us to all of the various sub-contractors so that we had an opportunity to establish a relationship with them and communicate the details to the next level. Finally, and probably most importantly, the quality of the finished work was great, delivered on time, and within our overall budget. What more can you say than that? Highly recommended!
Jack and Sue SerrinoDel Mar, California“Derek has done over 25 jobs for my clients over the years and I hope to continue to do business with him in the future.”
Derek has been by far the best contractor I have ever worked with and his ability to listen to my clients and react to their needs is above what I had ever expected. Derek being classically trained and professionally educated shows. Derek’s knowledge of both the practical and the possible allow him to do both small and large scale jobs and for that there is nothing I will not refer his way. Derek has done over 25 jobs for my clients over the years and I hope to continue to do business with him in the future!
Seth O’ByrneSan Diego, CaliforniaWe also build near Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Building in Cardiff-by-the-Sea?
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