Updated: Sep 09, 2025
Location and Projects
Address
12257 Business Park Dr, Truckee, CA, 96161
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Sandbox Studio Photos
Sandbox Studio Construction
SANDBOX is an award-winning, comprehensive design firm based in Truckee, California near Lake Tahoe. Originally founded in March of 2001, SANDBOX specializes in residential design, engineering, commercial improvements and interiors, with an affiliate graphic design company, SDBX. Founded on the belief that our clients will benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach, our team of highly-talented individuals with diverse backgrounds brings a blend of perspectives and skills that keeps our work original and timeless.
While creating innovative design is a mantra at SANDBOX, serving our clients' needs is paramount. We strive to create spaces that enrich the lives of their owners — spaces that are aesthetically inspiring, highly functional, sensitive to the environment and finish on time and within budget. Together, these goals can only be achieved through thoughtful design, careful attention to detail and effective management of the process.
Designing and building a custom home is an intensely personal and sometimes daunting process — one that requires good working-relationships between all parties involved. At SANDBOX, we are professional, yet down-to-earth people with a sense of humor. We educate our clients on options then take the time to listen to their feedback. We encourage client involvement throughout the design process. Our in-house engineering capabilities provide a distinct advantage when translating the design into cost-effective construction methods. Having completed numerous successful projects, we have developed close relationships with regional planning agencies, community design review committees, as well as many fine contractors and suppliers in the area. All of this combines to make designing and building a home a smooth and fun process.
Our proven ability to provide a high-quality, creative product with superior client service has gained SANDBOX significant recognition in the Lake Tahoe area and beyond.
From BuildZoom:
Sandbox Studio at 12257 Business Park Dr, Truckee, CA 96161, (Employee: Scott Gillespie) has a BuildZoom score of 115 and ranks in the top 2% of 336,931 California contractors.
If you’re thinking about hiring them, we recommend double-checking their license status with your local licensing authority. Alternatively, use our bidding system to be easily matched to qualified, licensed professionals in your area.
Sandbox Studio Services
Start a project today:
Sandbox Studio Contact Information
Phone Number: (530) 583-8822
Address: 12257 Business Park Dr, Truckee, CA 96161
Sandbox Studio Truckee
Quality
115
98th percentile
Pro tip:
We generally recommend hiring a contractor with a score higher than 95.
Sandbox Studio has a BuildZoom score of 115, which places them above 98% of 336,931 contractors in California.
Activity
|
4 projects
|
2025 |
|
6 projects
|
2024 |
|
4 projects
|
2023 |
Our building permit records indicate that Sandbox Studio has worked on at least
14.0 projects over the past 3 years.
This is an overview of this contractor's activity. Click here to access our complete licensing and building permit database.
This is an overview of this contractor's activity. Click here to access our complete licensing and building permit database.
Experience
|
8 projects
|
Home Additions |
|
8 projects
|
New Constructions |
Analyzing permits over the last 4 years shows that Sandbox Studio mostly works on
new construction
and home addition
projects.
Pricing
|
3 projects
|
$5k-$20k |
|
2 projects
|
$20k-$50k |
|
2 projects
|
$50k-$100k |
|
1 project
|
$100k-$250k |
|
1 project
|
$500k-$1mil |
|
9 projects
|
$1mil+ |
The typical size of their permits is approximately $498,433. This graph shows the distribution of these job values.
Pro tip:
For more details about their pricing, check out their recent activity to see how much they have charged for different types of work.
This is a sample of this contractor's permits. Click here to access their complete permit history.
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2024-10-04
Outsourced to shums coda for plan review. detached garage on separate permit 22-02185 ***new sfd**** living area--------------------7, 131 sf garage------------------------1, 269 sf covered porch/terrace-----893 sf uncovered porch/terrace--1, 366 sf verified by shums coda 5/20/22 622 cwm 617 bear bin 623 fire pit 625 spa special inspection detached 1 car garage----462 sf separate perm... see more
Valuation:
$1,478,786
Permit #:
BLD22-02170
Status:
complete
Fee:
$29,746
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2022-03-11
Voluntary 3rd party plan review/approval by apex new 2 story single family residence with 2-car garage 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. living area-----------------3417 sf garage-----------------------994 sf covered deck------------466 sf uncovered deck--------710 sf square footage verified by apex 617 bear bin required 623 fire pit --removed from scope by applicant. rh 11/30/21 624 bbq buil... see more
Valuation:
$669,880
Permit #:
BLD20-03633
Status:
complete
Fee:
$24,989
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3 000 sq ft or above 5 000 ft elevation
2022-06-17
Second dwelling deck living--------------------1 197sf deck-------------------------62sf covered deck-------------57sf special inspection required for soils deferred submittal for gas schematic **full getotech report approved 11/14** preliminary geotech report approved full geotech required to be approved by foundation inspection
Valuation:
$218,166
Permit #:
BLD22-02511
Status:
issued
Fee:
$5,914
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - additions adu accessory structures pools remodel demolish generators and
2025-05-15
A remodel of an existing single family residence including interior work plumbing electrical exterior siding windows doors and the reconstructon of an existing deck
Valuation:
N/A
Permit #:
BLD25-02758
Status:
canceled
Fee:
N/A
Permit Type:
Addition
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3 000 sq ft or above 5 000 ft elevation
2021-08-23
Voluntary third party review apex new single family dwelling kwok residence living area------------------------------ 4875 sf garage---------------------------------------836 sf covered deck--------------------------1140 sf uncovered deck---------------------- 772 sf verified by apex 08/23/21 **full geotech report approved 11/14/22** pre-geotech only rec'd - no foundation inspection b... see more
Valuation:
$995,724
Permit #:
BLD21-03656
Status:
issued
Fee:
$20,277
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2021-04-02
Voluntary third party apex construction of a new single family residence terraces decks and drive on a previously undeveloped site living area-----------------------4537sf garage/storage----------------1697sf uncovered deck---------------479sf covered deck/porch----------959sf self contained spa----1 gas fire pit-----------------1 structural observation >5ksf and sheet s0.1 special in... see more
Valuation:
$905,579
Permit #:
BLD21-00418
Status:
complete
Fee:
$20,152
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3 000 sq ft or above 5 000 ft elevation
2024-07-22
Outsourced to sums coda for review living ---------------------------4806 sf garage -------------------------923 sf mechanical---------------------56 sf covered decks >30in.-------591 sf uncovered decks >30in.----975 sf sf verified by shums gas burning fireplace=2 fire pits =1 built-in bbq = 1 spa/hot tubs = 1 generator = 1
Valuation:
$1,276,507
Permit #:
BLD24-01172
Status:
issued
Fee:
$31,883
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2021-01-27
Single family dwelling garage decks porch living----------3, 869sf garage----------916sf deck--------------682sf porch-------------433sf verified by apex third party voluntary review by apex special inspection required structural observation required hers verification required for iaq and duct sealing (617) bear bin (623) outdoor fireplace (627) water feature (625) spa (623) fire pit ... see more
Valuation:
$713,639
Permit #:
BLD19-02153
Status:
complete
Fee:
$19,175
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - additions adu accessory structures pools remodel demolish generators and
2023-09-15
Trpa project @ trpa (ersp2023-0707) trpa qexe2023-0988 for demolish demolition of existing residence -1184sf living structure#1 east guest unit - 234sf living 76sf storage structure#3 west guest unit - 237sf living 68sf storage total demolish living: 1655sf total demolish storage: 144sf rebuild/new home bld23-04874 detached garage bld23-05057 detached utility shed bld23-05060
Valuation:
$18,500
Permit #:
BLD23-05053
Status:
complete
Fee:
$200
Permit Type:
Demolish
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - additions adu accessory structures pools remodel demolish generators and
2023-10-16
Trpa project @ trpa (ersp2023-0707) detached utility shed storage-----------------------------288 sf *plans for the shed are in the main set of drawings after the detached garage demolish existing residence bld23-05053 rebuild new home bld23-04874 detached garage bld23-05057 special inspection required for soils and welding detail plan changed approved 6-4-24 (bj)
Valuation:
$14,357
Permit #:
BLD23-05060
Status:
issued
Fee:
$355
Permit Type:
Accessory
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - additions adu accessory structures pools remodel demolish generators and
2023-10-16
Trpa project @ trpa (ersp2023-0707) detached garage and exercise room (half bath) garage/storage area----------------------------------------341 sf living area------------------------------------------------------229 sf *detached garage plans are in the main drawings after the main house rebuild/new home bld23-04874 detached utility shed bld23-05060 demolish permit bld23-05053 special... see more
Valuation:
$77,112
Permit #:
BLD23-05057
Status:
issued
Fee:
$1,012
Permit Type:
Accessory
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2024-10-07
Detached 1 car garage----462 sf to go with new single family dwelling permit bld22-02170 under review by shums coda new two-story residence plus detached garage. 5 bedroom 5 baths two 1/2 baths 4 total garage spaces. 7, 187sf conditioned living area 1, 731sf unconditioned 455 detached garage. 893sf covered porches/terraces 1, 366sf uncovered porches/terraces. 1 spa 2 gas firepits corr... see more
Valuation:
$21,141
Permit #:
BLD22-02185
Status:
complete
Fee:
$552
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - additions adu accessory structures pools remodel demolish generators and
2025-07-07
Trpa project @ mou rebuild of existing deck replacement of existing siding reconfiguration of interior partition walls and fenestration. construction of a new exterior fence
Valuation:
N/A
Permit #:
BLD25-04171
Status:
canceled
Fee:
N/A
Permit Type:
Alteration
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: limited review - electrical mechanical plumbing roof solar etc
2022-11-16
Original permit # bld21-02752 reviewed by third party consultant apex compliance. hvac system has been revised title 24 cf1r docs updated to match new system new replacement: replace existing # of systems: 1 duct affected: 0 system type: package unit
Valuation:
$1,000
Permit #:
BLD22-07265
Status:
canceled
Fee:
$171
Permit Type:
Alteration
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2020-11-19
Voluntary third party review by apex single family dwelling garage decks living----------------3, 568sf garage----------------971sf porch------------------529sf structural observation req'd >5k sf special inspection required full penetration welds high strength bolting single pass fillets alternate methods approved for ufv per jeff t. 7/26/19 ***esd note: prior to issuance of final oc... see more
Valuation:
$682,571
Permit #:
BLD19-02850
Status:
complete
Fee:
$18,718
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2020-08-05
Vol 3rd party plan check = apex new single family dwelling; single story; two bedroom; two bathroom and detached two car garage living area = 1451sf garage/storage = 823sf deck = 668sf bear bin box insp required per tsd backwater valve is required per section 710.1 of the plumbing code unless they can prove otherwise ufv approved per tim w special inspection required revised sheets a1... see more
Valuation:
$302,272
Permit #:
BLD19-02833
Status:
complete
Fee:
$17,122
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3, 000 sq ft or above 5, 000 ft elevation
2020-02-21
Single family dwelling living---------------------3, 201sf garage---------------------677sf deck------------------------355sf porch-----------------------155sf voluntary third party review by broadspec special inspection required alter design for underfloor venting approved. bd 10/5/18
Valuation:
$578,392
Permit #:
BLD18-04027
Status:
complete
Fee:
$19,088
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3 000 sq ft or above 5 000 ft elevation
2025-07-24
Outsourced to apex for review. jw r-3 u vb sprinklered sq ft verified by apex new sfd-----------------6262 conditioned----------5257 unconditioned------1005 covered----------------890 uncovered------------1047 sra very high: wui required structural observation required special inspections required - see si form gas meter fire sprinkler defensible space inspection by truckee fpd photov... see more
Valuation:
$1,583,391
Permit #:
BLD25-03517
Status:
issued
Fee:
$32,246
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - additions adu accessory structures pools remodel demolish generators and
2023-08-25
Demolish kitchen in existing structure constructed in 2019/2020. this is because there is a new single family dwelling proposed and since the existing structure is over 1200 sq ft it can't have a kitchen
Valuation:
N/A
Permit #:
BLD23-05291
Status:
expired
Fee:
N/A
Permit Type:
Demolish
Building Type:
N/A
Residential: full review - new home - greater than 3 000 sq ft or above 5 000 ft elevation
2023-10-16
Trpa project @ trpa (ersp2023-0707) construction of new 1 story single family residence w/detached garage and utility shed living area---------------------------------------2 831 sf uncovered deck/porch-----------------------1 064 sf covered deck/porch------------------------------94 sf storage-unfinished--------------------------------24 sf special inspection for soils (various) & we... see more
Valuation:
$748,898
Permit #:
BLD23-04874
Status:
issued
Fee:
$9,130
Permit Type:
New
Building Type:
N/A
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Sandbox Studio License info
License Not Required
| Status | Not Required |
- BuildZoom verified in September, 2020 that this contractor does not need a license to be a contractor in California.
This is a sample of licensing data; click here to access a complete history.
115
BuildZoom Score
85
Permits
- Building permit records show that Sandbox Studio has worked on 85 permitted projects.
Sandbox Studio Employees
SG
Scott Gillespie