Luxury custom homes on the San Francisco Peninsula — designed and built by the same hands for over 35 years.
Steve Peterson founded Custom Homes of Woodside with a singular vision: to bring together the precision of architectural design and the soul of traditional craftsmanship. With formal education at Cogswell College in engineering and architecture, studies at the Academy of Art University, and a four-year carpentry apprenticeship with Local 22 Carpenter's Union in San Francisco, Steve brings a rare combination of artistry and structural mastery to every project.
For over 35 years, CHOW has been the trusted builder for discerning homeowners across the Peninsula — from Woodside estates to San Francisco residences to coastal retreats in Half Moon Bay.
Steve designs and builds every project. No hand-offs, no miscommunication — one vision from sketch to final nail.
Mike Wallin: 27 years. This isn't a revolving door. Our team's loyalty is built on shared standards and mutual respect.
Local 22 apprenticeship. Cogswell engineering. Academy of Art design. A rare combination you won't find anywhere else.
You know where every dollar goes before ground breaks. No surprises, no hidden costs — just honest building.
From concept to completion, we manage every detail of your project with precision and care.
Ground-up custom home construction — from contemporary to traditional — tailored to your vision, lifestyle, and site.
Whole-home remodels and strategic renovations that transform existing spaces while honoring their character.
Architectural design and space planning that balances form, function, and the way you actually live.
Commercial kitchen and dining room design with the same attention to detail we bring to our residential work.
Transparent, detailed budgeting from day one — so you know exactly where every dollar goes before construction begins.
Bespoke millwork, cabinetry, and built-ins crafted with old-world joinery techniques and modern precision.
A proven approach refined over 35 years of building exceptional homes.
We listen. Understanding your lifestyle, aesthetic, and goals shapes everything that follows.
Steve translates your vision into architectural plans — balancing beauty, function, and buildability.
We navigate local regulations and approvals so you don't have to. Peninsula jurisdictions are our home turf.
Our seasoned crew brings the plans to life with meticulous craftsmanship and transparent communication.
Every detail inspected, every system tested. We hand you the keys to a home built to last generations.
I first met Steve Peterson when he was eighteen years old. He came to me wanting to learn the craft of building. What I found was a young man with a natural understanding of structure and space — an old world knowledge as a joiner carpenter that you simply cannot teach. Over the decades, I have watched him grow into one of the finest builders on the Peninsula.
A selection of completed projects across the San Francisco Peninsula and beyond.
Building exceptional homes across the San Francisco Peninsula's most distinguished communities.
A small, dedicated team with decades of shared experience building exceptional homes.
Local 22 carpentry apprenticeship. Cogswell College engineering. Academy of Art design. 35+ years building custom homes on the Peninsula — with a crew that stays because the standards never drop.
Budgets, job costing, payroll, contracts. The financial clarity that lets the field team focus on craft.
Construction Management, Chico State. Commercial + residential experience. Keeps every project on track from permits to punch list.
27 years with CHOW. On-site quality and schedule — nobody knows our standards better.
Scheduling, permits, client communications. First point of contact — keeps everything moving smoothly.
Whether you're envisioning a new custom home, planning a renovation, or exploring what's possible with your property — we'd love to hear from you.