Testimonials

“I used Alder Construction, owned by Conor McMahon to replace a deck off my kitchen. From the project's inception, Conor took care of permitting and design, either on his own or with subcontractors. Permitting was painless as Conor handled it every step of the way. He always kept me informed as to key decisions and timeline. His positive attitude extended to his workers, all of whom were diligent, courteous and thorough. I was especially impressed by how clean they left the job site at the end of the day. I highly recommend Alder Construction for any major project you are considering.”

Andy Coblentz, Outer Richmond

“Five stars, without hesitation. Conor is the contractor everyone hopes to find.

His creative problem-solving saved us on many occasions. When issues arose, his solutions didn't just fix the problem, they improved the project. As an engineer and a designer, my husband and I both have high (and very different!) standards, and he cleared every bar with ease.

On top of delivering exceptional quality, he was a true professional: thoughtful to our neighbors and his crew kept the site clean throughout. Hiring him was one of the best decisions we made!”

Emily Scott, Noe Valley

“Five stars, without hesitation. Conor is the contractor everyone hopes to find.

His creative problem-solving saved us on many occasions. When issues arose, his solutions didn't just fix the problem, they improved the project. As an engineer and a designer, my husband and I both have high (and very different!) standards, and he cleared every bar with ease.

"We loved working with Conor and his team on two projects. They are dependable and do their work with integrity. Their subcontractors have solid expertise. There will always be new information and decisions that need to be made. We can count on Conor for pragmatic advice while being budget conscious, and he was always receptive to feedback or ways to make the relationship work better."

Ava W, St Francis Wood

“Conor conquered a tough dry rot project in our garage with fantastic results. Always mindful of the budget, he found creative ways to improve rather than replace the existing structure. His team was efficient, kept the neighbors happy, and the finished product exceeded our expectations. I would use Conor again in a heartbeat.”

Kerri & Merritt, Inner Richmond

“When I was looking for a General Contractor, Conor McMahon at Alder was recommended by a friend of a friend. My job was a small 100 sq.ft. complex repair with at least five sub-contractors. Conor embraced my tiny job which lasted about 5 weeks. His attention to the detail of protection was most impressive. His team was very respectful and conscientious. Conor was on site daily with excellent recommendations for subs in my price range. As my husband says, I give Conor 5 STARS in a second!” 

Eileen Peterson, Sausalito

“Alder Construction (Conor) was fantastic to work with during the rebuild of our condo after a major flood caused extensive damage to the unit. He moved quickly to provide quotes, get the project started, and guide us through selecting finishes and materials for the floors, kitchen, and bathrooms. Throughout the entire process, he maintained clear communication, provided regular updates, and made what could have been a very stressful experience feel manageable and organized. We really appreciated his professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail, and we’re very happy with the final result.”

Scott James, Mission District

“Working with Alder Construction is a phenomenal experience start to finish. Conor is hands on and has very high standards of workmanship. His goal is to achieve the best possible result for his clients every time and he over delivers. I highly recommend Alder Construction.”

Maureen Kosewic, St Francis Wood

“I went through multiple iterations with my previous GC to hide speakers behind acoustical fabric and make it look good. The original builders gave up and multiple iterations with other trades failed to deliver something that looked good and were properly hiding the speakers. Eventually I got introduced to Conor and the team over at Alder construction and they immediately started to brainstorm over potential solutions and then executed on the one that we believed would solve the problems. Within a short time, the team started to execute on the plan and even when we hit a snag that the original molding was not going to cut it, Alder was able to find the original maker the molding and have everything remade like new. The end result is we have a great looking wall with speakers hidden and you can't even tell. I highly recommend Conor and his team.”

Paul Saab, Atherton

“Working with Conor and the team at Alder Construction was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Conor made me feel comfortable, informed, and supported throughout the entire process.

Conor is incredibly responsive, transparent, and thorough. He was always reachable, hands-on, and genuinely cared about every detail of the project. I always felt like my questions and concerns were taken seriously, and communication was clear from day one.

What stood out most was Alder’s commitment to quality and accountability. If an issue came up, they addressed it quickly and made sure it was resolved properly. Their attention to detail and professionalism are hard to find, and it’s clear they take great pride in their work.

I would absolutely recommend Alder Construction to anyone looking for a trustworthy, high-quality contractor.”

Lori Gubin, Bernal Heights

“Alder Construction delivered a beautiful renovation on my 100+ year home. Bringing in a modern comforts especially through a fully redesigned kitchen and bathroom while protecting the existing character and charm. Throughout the coordination with me, the architect, custom builders, and more throughout kept everything on track.

The attention to detail still delights me 3+ years on! Who you pick to work with is so important through a renovation process, can’t recommend Conor and team highly enough!”

Alison McPhail, Inner Richmond

“Conor and his team delivered impeccable results for our beloved 109 year old home. In addition to high quality work, on-time results, and minimal disruption to our home life, he saved us time and money. He suggested off-the-shelf millwork (to replace the original that needed to be replaced) vs. replicating the original. I doubt anyone would ever notice the difference in the millworker on our second floor vs. the original on the first floor. He also sourced other quality vendors including one that installed A/C. The results are brilliant and the experience an absolute delight. We will be calling on Conor and Alder Construction for future projects!”

Jenny Buttimer, St Francis Wood

“I used Alder Construction for an extensive residential remodel in 2024. Conor and team were fantastic to work with. The job was done on schedule and within budget, and the quality of the work was fantastic with great attention to detail. As with all remodels, there were surprises, and I appreciated Conor's partnership in thinking through options and approaches. Additionally, throughout the process, he was proactive in sharing suggestions that made the end result even better. As a final note, I will share that he and his crew were sensitive to the impact to neighbors and always respectful and considerate. I had multiple neighbors tell me after I moved back in how great Alder Construction had been throughout the project. I would hands down use Conor again for my next project - highly recommend!”

Maggie Paige, Haight Ashbury

“Conor and Alder Construction stepped into a complex construction repair project mid-stream and handled it with complete confidence. We consider ourselves detail-oriented, yet he caught issues we had missed and proactively flagged them — exactly the kind of contractor you want on a complicated job. And in a world where getting a timely response feels like a luxury, Conor actually answers his texts.”

Anneke Seley & Jack Oswald, Telegraph Hill

“Conor and the Alder Construction team were exceptional. The quality of the work was outstanding, but what really stood out was the care, attention to detail, and pride they brought to the project every day. Conor was thoughtful, responsive, and a genuine pleasure to work with. I couldn’t recommend Alder more highly for residential construction in San Francisco.”

Christopher Kelly

“Working with Connor, was a genuine pleasure from start to finish. He cared deeply about doing things right, not just getting them done, and that showed in every decision made throughout the build. He brought a collaborative spirit to the process, was always open to creative problem solving, and never shied away from a challenge. As a designer, finding a contractor who truly embraces the partnership makes all the difference, and that's exactly what working with him felt like. I would work with him again without hesitation and recommend him wholeheartedly.”

Eva Bradley, Eva Bradley Studio

“As an architect specializing in custom residential remodels, I've learned that the best projects are built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the design vision. I've collaborated with Conor and his team at Alder Construction on a few residential remodel projects in San Francisco and they have become one of my most trusted construction partners. Conor possesses traits of a great contractor: professional, highly organized, design-minded, and reliable. He is one of the few contractors I work with whom I consistently recommend and want to work with. Everyone on his team including his subcontractors, is top-notch and reflects the same level of professionalism and attention to detail that he brings to every project. What I appreciate most is their attention to detail. They respect the design vision while bringing valuable construction expertise, often suggesting practical refinements that enhance the finished product without compromising the architecture. Their craftsmanship is consistently outstanding, and they treat every home as if it were their own. Just as importantly, they understand that remodeling is a deeply personal experience for homeowners. They communicate clearly, treat clients with kindness and respect, and help make what can be a stressful process feel collaborative and enjoyable. That level of professionalism builds confidence and makes all the difference. I recommend Alder Construction to anyone considering a custom residential remodel and look forward to collaborating with them on future projects.”

Aaron Lim, Aaron Lim Design

“We have completed two residential projects with Alder Construction. Both times, Conor has managed the project and done an excellent job with the standard professional duties of a GC (managing scope, budget, schedule, supervising his subs, tracking changes, keeping close communication with us and the Client). What sets him apart is his deep care for long-lasting, well-built houses and his love for people. He is great at guiding clients through the sometimes-tough decision making when there is scope creep due to unknown conditions (that often occurs in older homes). He has been beyond generous with clients to help them put their house back together in the best way possible and make the new work shine. We love working with Conor and Alder Construction and look forward to our next project with them.”

Bonnie Bridges, STUDIO BBA

“I love working with the Alder Construction team. Their professionalism, creativity, and positive attitude made working with them a great experience. They really care about the details and were easy to collaborate with. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, top-notch team.”

Kash Vinjamur, Mosaic Architects & Interiors

“I have worked with Conor on several residential remodels throughout San Francisco and the East Bay, and every project has been an excellent experience. He is a talented craftsman whose attention to detail is increasingly rare. Just as importantly, he delivers outstanding value to clients. His work is of the highest quality while remaining efficient and cost-conscious. Conor’s craftsmanship and communication make it clear that he genuinely cares about every project he takes on. He collaborates thoughtfully with architects, clients, and crews alike and helps the entire team work together more effectively. His ability to foster collaboration consistently makes each project stronger. I would trust Conor and his team with any project and recommend them without hesitation.”

Michael Ford, Poppy Architecture & Design