Lisa P. Thomas

Oregon requires anyone who receives compensation for construction activity (including alterations to real estate) to be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

The Oregon Board maintains high standards for contractor licensing. Although they do not require contractors (other than plumbers, electricians and other specialty trades) to have construction training, contractors are required to pass a Board exam prior to receiving their license.

Licensed contractors in Oregon are required to carry general liability insurance. The exact amount is determined by the type of work they do.

Licensed contractors in Oregon are required to carry a surety bond (ranging from $10k up to $75k based on their trade), which provides you with financial recourse in case they perform defective work or violate license regulations.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license status, insurance status, verified work history, standing with local consumer interest groups, verified reviews from other BuildZoom users and self-reported feedback from the contractor.

When it comes to major construction work or even minor alterations to your home, hiring the wrong contractor could result in incomplete or defective work. You may even find yourself dealing with huge liability claims. BuildZoom does the homework for you and helps you hire the right contractor.

In Oregon, it is generally recommended to collect at least three written bids before hiring a contractor. Do not automatically accept the lowest bid - an abnormally low bid may indicate the contractor made a mistake and is not including the same work quoted by their competitors. We've made the bid collection process extremely simple (and free). Just click here to get started.