About Larsen Hoffman Contractors

Al Larsen and Jim Hoffman were only a few years removed from their graduation at Palo Alto’s Gunn High School when they received an offer to help an acquaintance with the remodeling of his home.  Al and Jim had been close friends since they first met in kindergarten and both had always had a knack for tools.  They excelled in shop class in high school and had already collaborated on the restoration of several cars.  This new project seemed like it would be a nice challenge and, better yet, they would be earning $4.00 an hour.  Before long, the project had ballooned from some small home improvements to a massive addition of a second story, three bedrooms, a family room, and a redesigned kitchen.  By the end of the job, their client had given them a raise of fifty cents an hour. 

Emboldened, Al and Jim eached received a contractor’s license plus Al received his plumber's license and Jim received his electrician's license.  They found plentiful work in a growing Silicon Valley.  For the first ten years, Al and Jim were Larsen-Hoffman, Inc.’s only employees.  The two friends worked only one project at a time and built a steady and consistent clientele through word of mouth and repeat business.  Their personal and hands-on approach gave them invaluable experience and a versatility that has become rare in a society that tends to err towards specialization.

By the mid-eighties, Al and Jim had become family men and realized that it was time to expand their business and hired workers.  Al and Jim each managed a crew to take on more jobs while still maintaining the principles of quality and honesty that had made for so many satisfied customers.

Larsen-Hoffman Inc. has come a long way since two friends began as upstart homebuilders out of their beat-up ’51 Chevy truck.  In over 35 years of business, they have completed hundreds of jobs and countless hours of experience.  With these years of experience, Larsen-Hoffman has gained a level of flexibility and knowledge that comes from building six million dollar properties to installing fences.  They have weathered all the economic booms and busts of Silicon Valley and have deep roots in the Bay Area. 

Sadly, Al passed away in 2009.  Jim continues to carry on the legacy of quality, commitment, and honesty that they forged together over 35 years ago.