Upon request, we’re posting a list of local Portland, Oregon contractors that we’ve worked with and would recommend again.

Note: We haven’t received any compensation or discounts for posting these names.

It’s always a good idea to do an Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) search when choosing an Oregon contractor to verify their license and any necessary bonding is current. Those listed below were current at the time that we used their services.

Blueprint Designer/Drafter

Jeff at Larson Design. Phone: 503-723-7787.

We loved working with Jeff. He led us through the permitting process, which in Portland is fraught with frustration! He’s also designed plans for a coworker with amazing results.

General Contractor/Remodeler

Jim and Al at Diamond Construction & Remodeling, Inc. Phone: 503-722-7155.

Jim and Al were a pleasure to work with during our major remodel and their quality is superb. Not to mention they were very patient with us over the 7 month project adding the dormer, adding 3 bathrooms, finishing the attic, basement and remodeling the kitchen. Their positive attitudes made the project go really smoothly.

Cabinetry

Myron at Cutting Edge Cabinetry. Phone: 503-289-3044.

Myron designed the cabinets from photographs we provided and made them in our wood of choice (douglas fir). Prices were comparable to mass-produced cabinet brands at Home Depot or Lowes, but much higher quality!

Concrete

Kili at KMT Concrete, Inc. Phone: 503-810-3229.

KMT did all the cutting in the basement for the new sewer line, installed new structural footers to support the weight of our dormer, and poured a foundation under our enclosed porch (now the kitchen pantry).

Carpet Installation

Gary Aldinger at Gary’s Carpet Clinic. Phone: 503-349-5851.

Drywall

Kemper Drywall had the best prices on smooth finish for the price of textured. Phone: 503-692-2838.

They do a lot of commercial work and have great referrals. They were very efficient and they did a much better job than the first company we worked with during phase 1.

Electrical

Mike at Precision NW Electrical. Phone: 503-413-9870.

They upgraded our service, moved the panel and have installed new lights during phase 2. The electricians that worked on phase 1 did great work, but they were very flaky.

Framer

Pimen at JPS Decks & Remodel. Phone: 503-740-6220.

JPS framed the dormer on the back of the house, installed all the structural beams and framing in the main bath, kitchen, and entire basement remodel. Phone 503-810-3229.

Gutters

Alan at Great Northwest Gutter. Phone: 503-925-1035.

These guys do great work and are very reasonably priced!

Hardwood Floor Refinishing

David at Boardwalk Hardwood Floors. Phone: 503-284-9900.

As described in our floor refinishing post, David did a fabulous job on our floors even though they were damaged by carpet cleaner.

Painting

Jesus at Altamirano Construction LLC. Phone: 503-545-7660.

Jesus’s prices could not be beat. He was less than half of our other bids and his guys did precision work.

Jesus was recommended by Jason Rodarte, our neighbor, and owner of Rodarte Design & Remodel, Inc. Phone: 971-645-8788.

Jason is a general contractor who also does great work with historic restorations. We’ve seen his exterior work and it is top notch.

Permaculture Design/Realtor

Erik Blender at Prudential NW Properties. Phone: 503-281-4040.

For good measure, we’d like to list our realtor, who is also a certified permaculture designer. He was great during our inital bungalow search in 2007 and found us this house. Now that he does permaculture, we would like to use him when we start properly landscaping.

Plumbing

Bob Nichols at Nichols Plumbing. Phone: 503-653-2069.

Note: We’ve never been able to use Bob, but several of my best friends have with great results. He also bid our full plumbing replacement before we hired our G.C. and had reasonable prices.

Our phase 1 plumber was full of shenanagans and was generally a huge jerk. So much so, that his apprentice quit at the end of our job. We also speculate that he irreparably damaged our newly refinished kitchen floor by yanking the full fridge out to hook up the icemaker and leaving jagged dents that haunt us. Luckily I don’t have his name or company card anymore.

Sewer Replacement

Ubaldo at Sierra Excavation and Construction. Phone: 503-492-9242.

They were available on short notice and their prices were also half of what our other bids were!

Tile

Jeff and Troy at JR’s Renovation & Remodeling. Phone: 503-456-4155.

Jeff and Troy did amazing work in our three bathrooms and kitchen backsplash. They are very fun to work with! They do general remodeling as well.

Wood Stripping/Refinishing

Wesley at Pasqualle’s Home Remodeling. Phone: 503-901-1857.

Wesley’s crew worked in 110 degree weather with heat guns and didn’t complain, even when I said they could come back when the weather cooled off! They did great workat reasonable prices without damaging any of our woodwork or leaded glass. They also do general remodeling as well.

We also recommend Houck’s Process Stripping Center to dip and strip your woodwork and doors at their location.

9 Responses to “Recommended Portland Contractors”

1. Sharon says:

   July 30, 2010 at 12:51 pm

   Wow!! Thanks so much for this post. I’ve already got it bookmarked!
2. Leslie says:

   July 31, 2010 at 10:24 pm

   That is a great list of resources. I’m sure it took some time to put that list with reviews together- thank you!
3. krista says:

   August 4, 2010 at 5:10 pm

   woot! thank you! may i link to this on my blog?
4. Dawn Peterson says:

   August 6, 2010 at 11:06 pm

   Krista, sure, go for it!
5. Jeana says:

   August 7, 2010 at 9:49 am

   hey! Sierra Excavating is really coming through! sewer shenanigans are not going to cost me my (non-existent) first-borne. thanks for the recommendation!

   also, Bob @ Nichols Plumbing replumbed my entire house and has been my plumber of choice for a decade, I love Bob.

   he also (independently of your recommendation) brought in Sierra for a second estimate after the first sewer estimate came in at more than a year’s worth of mortgage payments!
6. Mary Hall says:

   October 10, 2010 at 3:19 pm

   Hi and thank you for sharing and your place is beeeuuuutifullllllll! So……on to my question, perhaps a bit off topic, perhaps not. Will it be a good use of my money, to buy a home, in need of work? I am single and will need to hire all remodeling. Will I perhaps break even, with a home I customized and love? Could it ever be financially rewarding?
7. Orly Halpern says:

   October 13, 2010 at 12:22 pm

   I came across your site as I was searching for Ubaldo’s number online (He’s done a number of jobs for my clients). I can’t help but comment on your beautiful period-conscious restoration. I’ve already sent your link to a client looking for some fun exterior colors for her 1926 Craftsman Bungalow in the Beaumont neighborhood.
   Thanks for sharing some great info and pics!
   -Orly
8. Dawn Peterson says:

   November 3, 2010 at 10:19 pm

   If you can’t do many things yourself, its probably better to get a house that doesn’t require tons of work other than surface changes like painting and maybe upgraded kitchens and baths if you do have some money to spend. Those areas are typically a good return on investment. When you start having to rip everything out and replace major systems or extensive structural reworking, that really takes away any remodeling “fun” factor. A new furnace, roof, new plumbing and electrical is so expensive but not at all glamourous or rewarding.
9. casey says:

   December 16, 2010 at 6:08 pm

   Hello, my name is Casey Lorenzana with Halo Homes LLC ccb#176519. We are a general contracting company who primarily works for a couple different builders/general contractors… We are good reps for the companies we do work for because were all a team!

   About us: I have been in building my entire life almost. My Father and I built my first house (timber frame) in Colorado when I was 8 yrs old… Among many other things. I started full time at 16 and was a lead framer for Grand Oak Builders by 20 yrs old. By 22 I was licensed and am now 27 with a solid 11 yrs verifiable exp…

   I have developed many different skills very well. I do clean excavation work, foundations/concrete, very custom framing with a emphasis on hand cut roofs, siding (multiple styles and materials), roofing, flooring including laminate, very clean int. and ext. finish work, doors and windows, decks and fences, metal and steel among other various things….

   I absolutely love what I do and am very dedicated to it and to succeeding for my family. I have 2 little ones and they keep me very focused on my goals. So much so that we have stayed very busy through this entire recession because of our quality, fair pricing, customer relations and just plain hard work and keeping builders happy! I have a lot of pictures of new homes and additions.

   I can offer you as little or as much as you like. We could come in occasionally and do various work for you. Or we could be more involved in the team and help you guys maybe take on some big additions and maybe even some new home construction if the opportunity presents itself.

   I dont want you to have to read a whole book here, so I will end it here but would really like to meet with you in person, show you some pics, give you some phone #’s and what not. Just let me know when is a good time and I will make sure to make myself available. Thank you very much for your time and considering working with us,

   Respectfully, Casey Lorenzana
   Halo Homes LLC
   ccb#176519
   cell-503-507-0339

   [Comment has been edited for length.]

   [Note: Dawn has not met or worked with this contractor, but will leave the contact info up for the time being unless negative feedback is reported]