The 10 Best Portland, OR General Contractors

Almost all construction work in Portland that is paid for and involves improvements on real property must be performed by a contractor licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. A licensed contractor is not needed if a project is less than $1,000, and the work is casual, minor or inconsequential in nature.

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board sets a high standard for contractor licensing. Applicants must either complete 16 hours of training on relevant law and business practices and pass the Oregon exam, or pass the NASCLA exam for commercial general building contractors and the Oregon exam. Applicants must show proof of workers’ compensation, surety bonds and general liability and property damage insurance, in amounts determined by license endorsement. Violations of this requirement will result in a suspension or loss of license. Licensed contractors are subject to criminal background checks.

Licensed general contractors in Portland are required to hold workers’ compensation and general liability and property damage insurance in amounts determined by their license endorsement. You should request copies of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

Generally, a permit is needed in Portland for all new building construction, the demolition or addition of a room, garage, or any other enclosed structure and most detached structures. Changes to the structure of a building, such as moving, removing or adding walls, and cutting new windows or door openings will always require a permit. Common projects requiring a permit also include work on most porches, patio covers or carports, creating a habitable space from an attic, garage or basement, building or replacing most exterior stairways, replacing more than 15% of existing roof sheathing, building a retaining wall more than 4 feet high, a deck more than 30 inches high, or fences over 7 feet, and most concrete sidewalks, slabs and driveways. If you are unsure whether your project needs a permit, the Portland Bureau of Development Service staff are available at 503.823.7300 to answer your questions.

The Portland Bureau of Development Services issues permits and reviews projects to ensure compliance with all applicable building codes and ordinances. At the start of project planning, you and your contractor should determine who will be responsible for acquiring the necessary permits. The Department offers a variety of methods for acquiring permits depending on project specifics. Some minor projects are eligible for same day, over the counter permits. Other permits may be available online. More details are available on the Portland Bureau of Development Services’ website.

Licensed contractors in Oregon must hold a surety bond to conduct work on residential properties. Bonds range in amounts from $10,000 to $75,000 based on the specific license. This provides homeowners with financial recourse in case of defective work or violations of license regulations.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information, which is gathered from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board; building permit data, gathered from the Portland Bureau of Development Services; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in Portland, Oregon. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Portland. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.