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5 Best Renovation Contractors in Portland to Transform Your Home
I’ve called general contractors for plenty of everyday fixes, but a full remodel needs a specialist. Finding the best renovation contractor in Portland, OR can save your home from becoming one long construction headache.
That matters even more with an Irvington Craftsman, aging plumbing, or a basement begging to become an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). Portland homes have plenty of character, and plenty of surprises hiding behind the walls!
A strong renovation pro can preserve the original details while handling permits, codes, and modern upgrades. I checked out local contractors to find the ones worth trusting with the big jobs.
How much does it cost to hire a renovation contractor in Portland, OR?
Portland renovation costs usually range from $100 to $400+ per square foot. A standard whole-house remodel may cost $175,000 to over $500,000.
A cosmetic refresh costs around $40 to $75 per square foot. Expect to spend about $15,000 to $50,000.
A mid-range renovation runs about $100 to $200 per square foot. Total costs usually fall between $75,000 and $250,000.
A full custom or structural gut renovation costs $250 to $400+ per square foot. Larger projects may reach $250,000 to $1 million or more.
A second-story addition is usually the priciest option. Rates range from $400 to $800 per square foot, or roughly $300,000 to $700,000+.
1. Square Deal Remodeling
Address: 8603 SE Stark St
Contact: 503-254-4156 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 4.30 PM
A major home addition feels far less chaotic when one team handles the whole circus. Square Deal Remodeling brings planning, design, project management, and construction together through its design-build approach.
They take on sizeable projects such as additions, basement remodels, and attic or garage conversions.
Their team can also coordinate permits and tackle details like ventilation, egress, structural work, and local building codes.
I also like that energy-efficient upgrades can be folded into the project instead of treated as an afterthought. Options may include insulation, windows, lighting, efficient appliances, and even lifestyle spaces like home gyms or yoga studios.
The catch is the price tag, since typical projects on their Houzz profile reportedly range from $50,000 to $500,000. Their office also keeps weekday hours, so weekend consultations may require extra planning.
Another Great Experience: On Time, On Budget, and Handled the Old House Snags!
This was a mid-sized project reconfiguring and renovating the stairway leading to an upstairs bedroom. We worked with Square Deal on a prior project (kitchen renovation and related improvements), and that project turned out very well, so we had no concerns choosing Square Deal for this project. The latest project also turned out great — on time and on budget. We hit a few snags, but our house is relatively old (1919), and the Square Deal reps had warned us that we won’t know exactly what we are dealing with until we do some demolition.
- Stephen Redshaw, Google Review
A Bathroom Masterpiece with Top-Notch Communication
Chris and Anne took our amorphous ideas about a bathroom remodel and created a masterpiece which delights us every time we walk in. We wanted to keep the thirty-year-old vanity countertop and cupboards; they gave us a bathtub, shower, toilet, tiled floor, and fixtures to complement. Subcontractors were respectful and did top-notch work. Chris was always available to answer questions and deal with concerns, which were few. I would not hesitate to call Square Deal again.
- Andrew Klossner, Google Review
2. Craftsman Design and Renovation
Address: 837 SE 27th Ave
Contact: 503-239-6200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Older Portland homes have plenty of personality, and Craftsman Design and Renovation doesn’t bulldoze it in the name of progress. They specialize in updating character-rich properties through a coordinated design-build process.
Their team pays close attention to original doors, built-ins, fixtures, trim, and molding. Whenever possible, they preserve or repurpose those details while making new additions look like they’ve always belonged.
You’ll have a dedicated contact during design and another during construction, with the design team staying involved throughout. That continuity helps keep the original vision from getting lost once the hammers come out.
The catch is that this careful approach takes time and serious money.
Bathroom remodels average around $100,000 to $150,000, while the design phase typically lasts 12 to 16 weeks and requires an upfront retainer before a firm construction price is available.
Hired Twice! Beautiful Results for Our Historic Home
We have hired Craftsman Design and Renovation twice to work on our 1909 Piedmont home, first on a second-floor addition and kitchen remodel, and again to remodel an interior bathroom. Both times they were extremely helpful during the design stage, providing options with cost guidelines and discussing aesthetic styles. When the project advanced to execution, they took care of our home and stuck to the schedule, and were very explicit about changes to the plan due to issues that arose during construction. We were very happy with the result and get value out of the project every day.
- Joe Leslie-Hurd, Google Review
Innovative Solutions and True Craftsman Details for Our 1920 Home
The Craftsman team was great to work with from design to punch list.
We remodeled our dining room, kitchen, pantry, and bathroom with Craftsman several years ago. We are very proud of the results and found the whole team easy to work with. They provided an innovative solution to open up two walls, actual craftsman details in our 1920 home, great advice on appliances, and stayed on schedule and on budget. Nate was a pleasure to work with.
- G Hunter, Google Review
3. ELM Construction
Address: 12300 SE Mallard Way Suite 265
Contact: 971-318-5112
Hours: Daily, 8 AM – 8 PM
A major renovation is much easier to manage when the contractor keeps a close eye on the moving parts. ELM Construction Services emphasizes direct owner involvement and in-house capabilities to help keep projects on track.
Their interior work covers kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and full-home updates. They can rethink cabinetry, appliance placement, islands, storage, and traffic flow so smaller kitchens feel less like a daily obstacle course.
ELM also tackles Portland’s rain-ready exterior needs, including roofing, siding, gutters, skylights, and decks. Homeowners can choose cedar or low-maintenance composite decking, along with durable quartz countertops indoors.
The downside is that ELM doesn’t clearly explain which tasks are handled by its own crew and which are subcontracted.
That makes it harder to know who’ll be working in your home, how closely each trade is supervised, and whether outside contractors could affect scheduling or consistency.
Helped us Create Our Dream Kitchen
ELM Construction helped us create our dream kitchen through their renovation services. The entire process was well managed, communication was excellent, and the final kitchen design is both elegant and practical.
- Colton Foster, Google Review
Completed Perfectly
Our kitchen renovation project with ELM Construction was completed perfectly. They stayed within our plans, communicated clearly, and delivered beautiful results with outstanding craftsmanship.
- August Turner, Google Review
4. Neil Kelly Company
Address: 804 N Alberta St
Contact: 503-288-7461
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM | Saturday by appointment only
Going green is much easier when your remodeler already speaks fluent sustainability. Neil Kelly is a Certified B Corporation offering design-build remodeling alongside solar, energy-efficiency, and home-improvement services.
Its Portland Design Center gives homeowners one place to discuss kitchens, additions, roofing, solar panels, battery storage, and energy-management systems. That’s handy when your renovation wish list starts growing extra branches.
The company also has a long history with greener materials, including FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood, formaldehyde-free cabinetry, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) finishes, and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified projects.
For smaller jobs, its handyman team handles repairs, carpentry, installations, maintenance, and minor upgrades.
The catch is that sustainable features aren’t automatically included in every remodel, since they depend on your chosen materials and project scope. The Design Center also publishes weekday-only hours, with Saturdays strictly by appointment.
The Perfect Design Team and Skillful Craftsmanship
Janel Campbell is the perfect designer for older people. She knows her stuff and is fun to work with. Paul Louis goes above and beyond as project manager, and it was a pleasure to work with Cale Johnson again. Everything was done on time. They always clean up after themselves. The tile guys were very skillful. We couldn’t be happier with our renovation.
- Sarah McCarty, Google Review
A Strong Finish That Even Saved Us Money
I worked directly with Wes Showalter and Michael Johnson on my renovation. Michael had a couple of things that helped cut my overall costs. It was a bit of a slow start, but Wes and his team did a great job on finishing strong. Glad I chose Neil Kelly on this one.
- Jeremy Bartlett, Google Review
5. Tommy Builders
Address: 5441 S Macadam Ave
Contact: (503) 440-9845 | [email protected]
Hours: Available 24/7
Big renovations feel less intimidating when you’re working with a smaller team instead of a corporate maze. Tommy Builders presents itself as a family-rooted contractor backed by three generations of craftsmanship.
They handle whole-home remodels, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, ADUs, and new construction. Kitchens can include custom layouts and cabinetry, while bathrooms lean into spa-inspired finishes.
The team also manages plans, permits, and inspections for larger projects. Beyond remodeling, they offer flooring, painting, and vinyl, fiber-cement, or wood siding.
The catch is their published info focuses mainly on residential remodeling and gives little detail about commercial capabilities.
Office and retail clients may need to spend extra time confirming whether Tommy Builders has the right experience, permits, insurance, and capacity for stricter business-property codes and scheduling needs.
Incredible Bathroom Renovation in Just One Week! 10/10
Tommy Builders did an incredible job on my bathroom renovation. Helped me fix up my bathroom in just a week! The staff and workers were very professional and helpful with the whole process. I definitely recommend working with them. 10/10
- Ari Reef, Google Review
Top-Tier Craftsmanship from a Truly Reliable Team
I recently hired Tommy Builders for a home renovation project, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. From the very first consultation to the final walkthrough, their team was professional, punctual, and extremely detail-oriented. They communicated clearly throughout the entire process, stuck to the timeline, and stayed within budget.
What stood out most was the quality of the craftsmanship. Every part of the project—framing, drywall, tile, paint, and finishes—was done with care and precision. They clearly take pride in their work, and it shows.
If you’re looking for a reliable, skilled, and trustworthy contractor, would absolutely recommend Tommy Builders.
- Adam, Google Review
