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General Contractor in Portland, OR
Family-owned. Vancouver-based. Trusted.

IVY Contracting is a licensed general contractor serving Portland, OR homeowners from our home base just across the river in Vancouver, WA. For 15+ years we've built custom homes, ADUs, additions, and full remodels for Portland families — and handled the exterior work that keeps Pacific Northwest homes standing strong through the wet seasons. We cross the river routinely, we know Portland's building code, and we've navigated the BDS permit process more times than we can count.

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Why Portland Homeowners Choose IVY Contracting

  • Licensed in Oregon — fully credentialed to work throughout the city and Multnomah County

  • Cross-river convenience — we're often on-site in East, North, and Northeast Portland faster than west-side contractors

  • Owner on every project — Tim is your direct point of contact, from estimate through final walkthrough

  • Small team, personal attention — you're not one of dozens of active jobs at a large firm

  • 3D visual renderings included on every major project — see the finished space before we frame a wall

  • Written proposals, written change orders — no mystery invoices at the end

  • Family-owned, referral-driven — most of our Portland work comes from client recommendations

Serving Portland's Neighborhoods

Portland's housing stock is one of the most diverse in the country — from turn-of-the-century Craftsman bungalows to mid-century ranches to modern infill. Each era has its own construction quirks. Here's where we work and what we typically see:

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Southeast Portland (Sellwood, Hawthorne, Woodstock, Mt. Tabor)

Craftsman bungalows and 1920s-30s classic Portland homes. Beautiful bones, but often needing sensitive updates — knob-and-tube replacement, seismic upgrades, kitchen expansions, primary suite additions, and window replacements with wood-clad units that respect the original character. ADUs are common here (Portland's zoning is favorable and lot sizes support detached builds).

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Northeast Portland (Alberta, Beaumont, Irvington, Grant Park, Alameda)

Mix of Craftsman, Tudor, and mid-century homes. Popular projects: full kitchen and bath renovations, second-story additions, ADU builds (attached or detached), and comprehensive exterior packages (roof + siding + windows in one project).

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North Portland (St. Johns, Kenton, Overlook, Piedmont)

Vintage Portland homes on smaller lots with growing demand for ADUs, additions, and full remodels as neighborhoods continue to appreciate. We handle a lot of dry-rot repair and full siding replacements here.

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East Portland (Montavilla, Lents, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Parkrose)

Mix of mid-century and 1970s-80s homes, plus newer infill. Common needs: roof replacement, siding upgrades, kitchen and bath remodels, and additions to accommodate growing or multi-generational families.

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Northwest Portland & Pearl District

Historic and modern mix. High-end remodels, condo interior work, and premium finish work. Extra care with material selection, matching original detail, and coordination with HOAs where applicable.

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Southwest Portland (Multnomah Village, Hillsdale, Garden Home)

Established residential areas with premium homes on sloped lots. Popular projects: high-end kitchen and bath remodels, additions, custom outdoor living spaces (decks, covered outdoor rooms), and select custom home builds.

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West Portland Hills

Larger lots, premium homes, complex sites. Popular projects: custom outdoor living, additions, high-end remodels, and select custom builds.

Services We Provide in Portland

 

Portland Permits & Building Codes

Every project in Portland runs through one of the country's more rigorous permitting processes. We handle it start to finish:

  • Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) — for properties inside city limits

  • Multnomah County — for unincorporated areas outside Portland proper

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We're familiar with BDS's process, common inspection sticking points, and the paperwork required for each project type. You don't call BDS. You don't stand in line. You don't decode zoning maps. We do.

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Common Portland-specific requirements we handle:

  • ADU zoning, setback, and utility connection requirements (Portland's ADU code is homeowner-friendly but detail-heavy)

  • Historic district review (Alameda, Irvington, Ladd's Addition, etc.)

  • Seismic bracing on older homes — critical in Portland

  • Oregon energy code compliance

  • Stormwater management requirements on new impervious surface

  • Tree preservation ordinances (Portland protects mature trees aggressively)

  • Design review in select neighborhoods

What Portland Homeowners Ask Us

How much does a home remodel cost in Portland, OR?
It varies significantly by scope and finish level. Kitchen remodels typically run $40,000–$120,000+. Bathrooms $18,000–$50,000. Full home remodels $175,000–$600,000+. ADUs $200,000–$400,000+. Portland's labor and permitting costs typically run 10-20% higher than Clark County. We provide firm written proposals after on-site consultation.

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Do you build ADUs in Portland?
Yes — ADUs are one of our most-requested Portland services. Portland's zoning code is among the most ADU-friendly in the country, and demand is high (rental income, aging parents, adult kids returning home). We handle everything from initial design and 3D rendering through BDS permitting, construction, and utility connections.

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How does working with a Vancouver-based contractor affect Portland projects?
It doesn't affect quality, licensing, or availability. We're licensed in Oregon and cross the river routinely. Being based in Vancouver, we often have shorter response times to East, Northeast, and North Portland projects than west-side contractors driving through downtown traffic.

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Do you know Portland's permit process and BDS?
Yes. Portland's permitting is more rigorous than most jurisdictions — plan review, structural review, energy code review, sometimes design review. We know how to prepare submittals correctly the first time and keep projects moving through BDS.

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Do you handle historic homes in Alameda, Irvington, or Ladd's Addition?
Yes. Historic Portland homes need contractors who understand both the character worth preserving and the systems that need modernizing. We handle knob-and-tube replacement, seismic upgrades, period-appropriate trim, wood-clad window replacements, and coordination with historic review boards where required.

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Do you offer 3D renderings for Portland remodels?
Yes. Every major project — custom homes, ADUs, kitchen and bath remodels, additions — includes high-end 3D visual renderings so you see the finished space before construction starts.

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Can I combine multiple exterior projects — roof, siding, and windows together?
Yes, and it's usually the smartest approach for Portland's climate. Combining exterior work saves on setup costs, permits, and coordination, and ensures the flashing and moisture management details integrate correctly. One contractor, one warranty.

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Are you licensed in Oregon?
Yes. IVY Contracting is a fully licensed and insured Oregon general contractor. License numbers, insurance certificates, and Portland client references available on request.

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How quickly can you start a Portland project?
Depends on scope and Portland's permit queue (which fluctuates). Small exterior projects can often start within 3-5 weeks. Larger remodels, ADUs, and custom builds typically require 2-4 months of design, permitting, and scheduling before construction begins. We'll give you honest timelines during the estimate.

Other Areas We Serve Nearby

Hazel Dell • Salmon Creek • Brush Prairie • Battle Ground • Hockinson • Ridgefield • La Center • Camas • Washougal • Woodland • Vancouver, WA • Gresham

 
 
 

Every consultation is free. Every proposal is written and firm. Every project is personal. If you're a Portland homeowner planning a project — big or small — we'd like to hear about it.

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Licensed & insured general contractor in Portland, OR. Family-owned.

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