Custom Home Builder in Union City

Union City's housing stock is predominantly composed of tract homes built during the 1970s and 1980s, when the city experienced its most significant residential growth. The Decoto neighborhood features older homes from the 1950s and 1960s, many on larger lots that provide room for additions or detached ADUs. Alvarado, one of the city's original communities, has a mix of mid-century homes and some newer infill construction. Hillview Crest, perched on the hills above the flatlands, offers slightly newer homes from the 1980s and 1990s with elevated views of the San Francisco Bay.

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling are the most requested project types in Union City, as homeowners update the dated finishes and layouts common in 1970s and 1980s construction. ADU construction has surged in recent years, fueled by the city's diverse, multigenerational households looking to house aging parents or adult children nearby. Custom home builds and teardown-rebuild projects are growing in Decoto and Old Alvarado, where older structures on generous lots present opportunities for new construction. Home additions are also popular, particularly second-story additions that preserve yard space while adding bedrooms and living areas.

Building considerations in Union City are generally straightforward compared to hillside communities, since most of the city sits on relatively flat terrain. Properties near the BART corridor may need sound attenuation measures. Older homes in Decoto and Alvarado sometimes contain asbestos or lead paint that must be professionally abated before renovation. The city follows California's streamlined ADU permitting guidelines, which has simplified the approval process for qualifying accessory dwelling units.

Union City homeowners invest in construction and remodeling because the city represents one of the East Bay's best value propositions. Median home prices sit below neighboring Fremont, yet the location offers the same BART connectivity and proximity to Silicon Valley employers. Homes from the 1970s and 1980s are now 40 to 50 years old, and their original kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, and electrical systems are due for replacement. Demographic trends also play a role: Union City's diverse population, with significant Filipino, Indian, and Chinese communities, often prioritizes multigenerational living arrangements that existing floor plans were never designed to accommodate.