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The Best Healthcare Contractors in San Diego, California

9 Min Read

San Diego, California is regarded as a powerhouse in the healthcare industry. It is the home of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which is known for its scientific and medical research and education. As a result, San Diego consistently ranked among the cities with the best hospitals in the country In its high-performing healthcare system: residents have great access to multifaceted medical and surgical care.

If you are interested in building your own healthcare facility, you probably already know that it is a complex structure that requires meticulous planning and flawless execution. Its construction requires collaborative teamwork to ensure that each project contributes to the safety and well-being of patients, staff, and visitors. It should also cater to government standards: healthcare facilities are one of the most important places in a community.

Our list below includes seven of the best healthcare contractors working in San Diego, California. These firms have a long history of providing their services and are well-versed in healthcare construction. We chose them after we considered their portfolios, professionalism, experience, and expertise. Among their projects are some of the leading healthcare facilities working in San Diego.


DPR Construction

5010 Shoreham Place, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92122

DPR Construction exists to Build Great Things. Operating in Sacramento since 1990, DPR is a self-performing contractor focused on highly complex and technical projects. The firm’s core markets include the advanced technology, commercial, healthcare, higher education, and life science sectors. From small tenant improvements to large-scale multi-million-dollar complexes, DPR focuses on fulfilling customer needs and providing the highest possible value.

Project by DPR Construction

The Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center and UCSD Thornton Hospital Expansion was completed through the collaborative efforts of DPR Construction, RTL Architects, and UCSD. The firm and its partners worked on these projects using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and a staff of professionals and specialists who collaborated effectively and creatively. The center featured intensive care units (ICU), an 18-room emergency department, an echocardiogram room, operating rooms, laboratories, and research facilities. The center is a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building with a Gold rating.


McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

9275 Sky Park Court, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92123

McCarthy Building Companies began as a lumber company in 1864. 159 years later, the company is a multi-billion dollar firm that provides construction services across a diverse range of sectors in the United States, Netherlands, South Korea, and Singapore. The firm is experienced in the construction of healthcare facilities. This type of project is worked on by a team of designers and construction professionals who understands the unique challenges of a medical facility. Its team works collaboratively to help clients achieve their objectives through extensive planning and construction. The firm is committed to providing durable facilities that meet the standards of the client and maximize patient care and safety.

Project by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

McCarthy Building Companies built the Rady Children’s Hospital Patient Care Pavilion in San Diego. The 279,000-square-foot facility is the only dedicated child-specific healthcare in the county and is among the first LEED-Certified buildings. The facility features surgical, neonatal, and cancer centers, as well as operating rooms, intensive care units, and more. The firm outfitted the facility with an indoor-quality monitoring and management system to ensure a clean, safe environment. Adhering to its commitment to sustainability and the standards of the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC), the system mentioned is paired with high-efficiency air conditioning and mechanical equipment for sustainable and lower operating costs. The facility also is designed to maximize the natural light and has a green roof system to manage rainwater runoff from the roof.


Hensel Phelps Construction

9404 Genesee Avenue, Suite 140, La Jolla, CA 92037

Hensel Phelps Construction began operations in California in 1989 but has been in the industry since 1937. Its substantial experience has given the company a robust amount of knowledge and expertise, allowing it to exercise excellence in all aspects of its process. The firm offers development, construction, and facility management services. Its project approach involves innovative planning practices combined with top-notch construction technology and world-class craftsmanship. This approach ensures projects meet high-quality standards and the goals and objectives of the clients.

Project by Hensel Phelps Construction

Over the years, Hensel Phelps Construction has accumulated a healthcare portfolio worth over $10 billion. Among these projects is the LEED Platinum-certified building Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center. It is an energy-efficient full-service hospital built through an integrated approach that focuses on patient comfort and safety, as well as sustainability. The facility covers 20 acres of land and features operating rooms, laboratories, an emergency department, ICUs, a pediatrics unit, a 10-room imaging unit, and a pharmacy. Its sizable outdoor space includes trees and water features to encourage wellness and healthy living among the staff, patients, and visitors.


Kitchell Contractors, Inc.

9330 Scranton Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121

Kitchell Contractors is passionate about its work and builds projects on the foundation of commitment, transparency, and communication. The firm is an employee-owned company that has been providing development, program management, construction, and facilities management for 73 years. It serves a wide range of markets including the healthcare, hospitality, industrial, and civic markets. Recently, one of its healthcare projects was recognized with an Award of Merit from the Engineering News-Record (ENR) California. Kitchell Contractors has achieved its success by staying abreast of developments in the healthcare construction industries and maintaining quality through all phases of its projects.

Project by Kitchell Contractors, Inc.

The firm completed the building and renovation of the UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center. The 616,500-square-foot center features 12 levels of healthcare facilities, including a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), postpartum units, a cancer center, laboratories, a pharmacy, and medical and surgery rooms. The firm and its partners designed, procured, and engineered the installation of the curved glass panels that cover the building’s curtain wall. These panels allow natural light into the hospital, creating a calm, serene environment for the well-being of the patients.


W.E. O’Neil Construction

201 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite 380, Solana Beach, CA 92075

W.E. O’Neil Construction is an industry-leading firm that offers general contracting, construction management, and pre-construction services. The firm was established in 1925 and has grown to accommodate a variety of projects in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, and Texas. The firm’s dedication to its team and to developing client relationships has led to consistent success. These values allow the firm to concentrate on projects and provide effective tailored solutions through a strategic planning process. W.E. O’Neil Construction has remained consistent in its work and service over the years. The firm generates more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue, with repeat customers accounting for 80% of its business.

Project by W.E. O'Neil Construction

The Ridgeview Health Center is located on the hills of Scripps Ranch. The 37,096-square-foot facility offers assisted living, health care, memory care, and 24-hour skilled nursing. Its amenities include a fitness center, salon, library, activity room, dining room, and bistro cafe. The interior design prioritizes a clean and comfortable environment for its patients. The building has an open area at the center for a day of wellness under the sun.


Pacific Building Group

9752 Aspen Creek Court, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92126

Pacific Building Group is a full-service construction company that specializes in tenant improvements and new construction. Since 1984, the firm has delivered projects with a personal approach based on a foundation of excellent service and integrity. The firm fosters a culture that embraces communication and the discussion of new ideas, including industry trends, new products, and innovative solutions. The firm’s extensive portfolio features projects from a number of different industries including the corporate, healthcare, life sciences, hospitality, institutional, and retail markets. Pacific Building Group is led by CEO and president Jim Roherty, who has over 25 years of industry experience.

Project by Pacific Building Group

Pacific Building Group renovated a new operating room in the existing surgical site of the Shiley Eye Center at UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center. The renovation included a space for recovery beds, patient change areas, an equipment room, and offices. The firm worked on the project in phases so that the center could be in full operation during construction.


Bycor General Contractors

6490 Marindustry Place, San Diego, CA 92121

Bycor General Contractors has been serving San Diego with a comprehensive and client-centered service for more than 42 years. Its pre-construction and construction phases are meticulously planned, and the work is always informed by the client’s goals, the budget, and the management of the project. The entire process is a part of the firm’s commitment to completing projects on time and within budget without sacrificing quality. The firm provides clients with expertise and quality service through its professional team and executive team—the staff has over a century of industry experience. Bycor General Contractors is affiliated with the Associate General Contractors (AGC), the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP) San Diego, and the USGBC.

Project by Bycor General Contractors

Bycor General Contractors completed a Class A tenant improvement project for UCSD Sports Medicine. The facility offers services to people who have suffered sports-related injuries and assists them in recovering. The project included a waiting room, a gym, 15 new exam rooms, and an x-ray room with humidity control.