Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 01:42 pm
Oregon could be described as a woodsy version of San Francisco. It houses a tech scene that has been affectionately termed the ‘Silicon Forest,’ and much of the state’s renown comes from its mix of tech and ecology. The Beaver State hosts temperate rainforests, volcanos, deserts, and, arguably, the most stunning coastline you will find on the planet. Even its most populous city had been given a rather flowery nickname: The City of Roses. Historically the city is known for having the largest wagon-wheel network to states and cities across the west. Perhaps Oregon has always been associated with the natural attractions it offers to the rest of America.
And Oregon’s construction industry has been in front of the rest when it comes to green building. From homes to office spaces, many were constructed with the intent to lessen resource waste and reduce energy consumption. It’s no surprise that many of Portland’s contractors are proud green builders, and most residential and commercial projects employ construction techniques that are environmentally neutral, or even beneficial. And there’s no noticeable decline in quality; Portland homes are gorgeous and built to last. So if there’s a plan to head on down Oregon Trail to make permanent port in Portland, these contractors will help you build a home and settle in.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Portland, check out our cost guide article.
Buckingham Resources LTD
1915 NW Stucki Ave, Ste 400, Hillsboro, OR 97006
Founded over 30 years ago in Bend, Oregon, Buckingham Resources have demonstrated a deep understanding of architectural principles, design aesthetics, leading edge technological advancements, and energy-efficient features. The firm manages large custom home projects, making it exceptionally skilled in project management skills and careful team coordination. Rooted from its extensive and vast experience, it implements a perpetual commitment to unsurpassed construction excellence then blends it with the team’s love and appreciation for art.
Buckingham Resources has been synonymous with market leadership, uncompromising quality, innovation, and personalized service. It has created countless distinctive living spaces that reflect the unique lifestyles and preferences of clients. The firm strives to keep pushing the boundaries of design and impeccable craftsmanship.
Olson & Jones
9442 SW Barbur Blvd., Portland, OR 97219
Since 1982, Olson & Jones has been providing construction services to Portland and its suburbs. The firm couples an excellent eye for detail with its extensive experience in remodeling and home construction. Besides its punctuality, clients can count on Olson & Jones for excellent customer service and project management.
Clients can view updates through the firm’s web client to either ensure that everything’s going according to plan, or if there are new changes a client wants to discuss. Its recognitions include a Chrysalis Award and a Contractor of the Year award from National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). An example of the firm’s work is its Irvington Craftsman Revival, stunning family home with a clean, inherent exterior that contrasts with its impressive interior.
Shelter Solutions
1973 SE Duncan Dr., Hillsboro, OR 97123
Shelter Solutions is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) design-builder that has been building homes of varying sizes since 2010. Its founder, Joe Robertson, has been building for more than 40 years, designing ADUs for the greater Portland Metro area. Joe accepts a limited number of projects to ensure that each one is given personal attention throughout the entirety of the process.
Each home shown in the firm’s portfolio offers a graceful take on craftsman-style homes. As for its ADUs, the firm has specifically designed them to complement the house it’s connected to. Robertson’s management has brought him acclaim as a Custom Home Builder of the Year in 2007 by the National Association of Home Builders.
Winsome Construction
117 NE 5th St. Suite D, McMinnville, OR 97128
Winsome Construction is a firm that specializes not only in residential construction but also in commercial and timber frame-based projects. With a name stemming from the Old English word for happiness or charm, the firm brings that positive energy to its delightful and aesthetically-pleasing homes. Winsome is also known for being an Insulated Concrete Forms home builder, responsible for the construction of more than two dozen concrete form projects.
The firm is run by the husband and wife team of Shan and Wendy Stassens, both handling different aspects of the job. Before acquiring his contractor’s license in 1990, Shan grew up in a family of craftsmen, starting with his grandfather, who started a construction company back in the 1940s. Wendy, on the other hand, is a real estate broker who worked with renowned green architect Will McDonough and has varying university degrees related to Environmental Science. As a team, the two have built impressive homes throughout Oregon, and have appeared in publications including Oregon Home and Salem Magazine.
Lifestyle Homes
15555 Bangy Rd. Suite #302, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Years before Mike Arnett established Lifestyle Homes, he was a carpenter for his father, who ran Bear Construction in Portland. Working for his Dad, he began learning the tricks of the trade and later became a construction supervisor. In 1991 he finally started his own firm. Mike firmly believes in the “Responsive Homebuilding” philosophy.
When it comes to Lifestyle Homes, expect excellent homes that are green-built with detailed architecture, supervised by people who are committed to its clients. The firm’s portfolio boasts a wide variety of home styles from modern farmhouses to mahogany craftsman, many featured in Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Tour of Homes events. Aside from being the past president of the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Portland, Mike was also profiled as a leader of the green building movement by The Oregonian and has appeared in several publications, including Oregon Home Magazine, Portland Business Journal, and Oregon Builder Magazine.
Cellar Ridge
109 NW 5th St., McMinnville, OR 97128
Being a fourth generation builder, John Mead’s talent comes out of a combination of experience and professional insight. John’s firm, Cellar Ridge, works primarily on custom homes, vineyards and wineries, and they’ve also handled commercial projects. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, John understands the physics and science behind building construction and applies that knowledge to his firm’s projects.
He also has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration which has enhanced his leadership and management over the firm. With a dedicated owner like Mead, there’s no questioning Cellar’s integrity. As for the dazzling homes Cellar Ridge has built, Portrait of Portland, Authentic City, and Oregon Wine Press have all eagerly featured Cellar Ridge’s work.
Legend Homes
1103 SW Sylvia St., Corvallis, OR 97333
With over 10,000 homes built throughout the state of Oregon, Legend Homes has proven itself as a dependable custom home builder. The firm’s exceptional homes are known for their smart designs and comfortable atmospheres. Legend Homes is an advocate of promoting and building affordable energy efficient homes and knows the value of reducing the carbon footprint of the firm’s households.
President Jim Chapman has been in the industry for more than 30 years and has been acknowledged as Builder of the Year by the Oregon HBA, the Willamette Valley HBA and the HBA of Metro Portland. His firm has also been recognized with awards for Best Single-Family Home, Green Building and a Silver Merit Award.
Stone Bridge Homes
4230 Galewood St. # 100 Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Kelly Ritz established Stone Bridge Homes with ecstatic enthusiasm in 2006, heading into the industry with her head high. Eventually, she received the honor of Executive of the Year by Portland Business Journal. Kelly knows that the housing market is competitive, and having an edge is vital. Her firm specializes in home building, servicing areas in Oregon and offering special homes with energy efficient assets and beautifully designed architecture that leaves clients in awe. For most homes from Stone Bridge, the real treasure is within the interior design. You can see and feel how much thought Kelly’s team put into the space, the structure, and the overall composition.
The firm won Best Interior Finish – $800,000-$899,000 from COBA Tour of Homes back in 2018. Stone Bridge was also honored with several other recognitions from COBA Tour of Homes such as Best of Show, Best Landscaping, and Best Kitchen.
Cascade West
5687 South 6th Way, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Cascade West is a custom home builder that offers a wide range of high-quality homes at competitive prices. They’ve built more than 1,300 homes in its 28 years, with a dedicated team of professionals they provide a comprehensive building experience from the ground up. Their homes have made appearances in yearly Parade of Homes events, and the firm has won 20+ industry awards for its work on floor plans, kitchens, master suites, architecture and overall Best of Shows.
The firm favors working on open-concept homes with natural light, much like its work on the 2018 ‘The Cadence’ project, a home built with fun and tranquility in mind. The house features a generous fireplace, custom cabinetry, a beautiful double island kitchen, huge outdoor living spaces, and a gorgeous stone-textured bathroom.
Renaissance Homes
16771 Boones Ferry Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Rediscover what fine living means with Renaissance Homes, an Oswego-based firm that constantly pushes for efficient residences that create stress-free environments. These homes were built with style and simplicity, with an interior composition that calls for leisure. The firm got its start back in 1984, when Randy Sebastian established the firm after graduating from Portland State University.
Growing up in Oregon, he knew the trends and house style preferences of the region, and by refining and improving his home building process, his firm’s reputation grew. Years after its founding, Renaissance home became one of Portland’s acclaimed homebuilders, winning the 2018 NAHB Best in America Living Award, as well as 40 Street of Dreams awards and 6 Best of Shows. Sebastian pushed for Living Green building processes; he wanted more energy efficient houses, to enable greener, cleaner lifestyles.
Mountainwood Homes
8324 SW Nimbus Ave., Beaverton, OR 97008
Mountainwood Homes is an award-winning firm with over 25 years of experience working in the home construction industry, owned by certified master builder Robert Wood. Besides its assortment of remodeler awards, the firm was also honored with various 2017 Association Excellence awards and a Guildmaster award from GuildQuality. Mountainwood prefers an “all under one roof” service approach to its work, eliminating setbacks and promoting communication between the team and the firm’s clients.
An example of Mountainwood’s impressive work is its Canyonwood project, a collaboration that resulted in a rustic-barn exterior design, influenced by Timberline Lodge. The firm serves most areas in Oregon, though its offices can be found within Portland and Beaverton.
Cooper Design
720 NE Flanders St. Suite #200 Portland, OR 97232
Cooper Design has passionately served Portland for twenty-five years. The firm is committed to providing the best custom homes and providing dependable client support. The firm works on green homes, historic preservation, and home remodeling. Cooper Design’s sleek, modern homes also encompass functionality. Cooper Design is a green builder and has constructed a LEED certified home.
One such home is its Vancouver Craftsman, custom home with sustainable bamboo floors, an efficient heat pump, and a solar water heater. The firm has earned a positive reputation with its clients, who often cite the firm’s punctuality and trustworthiness. Whether a client’s in the market for a bungalow, a custom home, or a master suite, Cooper Design’s got it covered.
New Energy Works
2609 SE 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
There’s no such thing as too much timber for New Energy Works. One look at the firm’s portfolio and it’s clear that the incorporation of wood is more than for structural integrity. The firm’s wide variety of energy-efficient homes feature a fresh take on existing styles, delivering a unique aesthetic to many of its projects, thanks to its small design department. The firm partners with builders for timber framing and heavy timber needs. This dedication is not only reserved for timber framing, but for the firm’s clients.
The firm is responsible for many of the timber-framed homes across the United States and is a member of the US Green Building Council. If you are looking for a firm that utilizes timber for any variety of creative, artistic interior, or exterior composition building projects, New Energy Works is the firm for the job.
Westlake Development
9206 SE Idleman Rd., Happy Valley, OR 97086
From working with roofs to building properties, Gerald Rowlett’s a man dedicated to his craft. Besides establishing Westlake Development Group, he also founded the Building a Better America Council back in 2012. Its goal was to promote locally-made materials. Three decades after its founding, the firm has continuously delivered quality homes to its clients, and has earned awards for its construction and remodeling.
These homes cover a variety of architectural styles that blend modern and contemporary finishes. Westlake is also experienced with steep slope construction, utilizing extensive geotechnical investigation to assure land suitability before laying down a project’s foundations. The firm has also collaborated with Kengo Kuma, a renowned Japanese architect, to create an elegant Japanese-American home for the 2017 Street of Dreams
Green Hammer
721 NW 9th Ave. Suite# 195, Portland, OR 97209
For Green Hammer, the importance of healthy living is an absolute priority in the firm’s design methodology. Green Hammer takes pride in being one of the pioneers of green building in Oregon, building one of the first LEED-Platinum homes in the nation. The firm even led the Capaces Leadership Institute project, which led to the first commercial passive house office space, also an American first. This passion can be traced back to its founder, Stephen Aiguier, who founded the firm in 2002. Under his leadership, the firm has built nearly four-dozen green homes that have received a number of green building certifications.
Each of the firm’s homes is spacious and clean, with a penchant for woodwork, embodying the firm’s advocacy for nature. Green Hammer has received recognition for their work, ranking 9th in Oregon Business’s top ten Oregon green businesses to work for, and 21st in the magazine’s 2015 100 Best Green Workplaces.
Hammer and Hand
1020 Southeast Harrison St., Portland, OR 97214
Hammer and Hand is renowned for energy efficient homes and environmentally thoughtful construction methods. Hammer & Hand is a traditional builder that adjusts to the specifications of the client and the partner architect regarding the design.
In its early days, the firm exclusively remodeled historic Portland homes, under the supervision of its founder and CEO, Daniel Thomas. As work expanded, so did its talents. For the firm’s passion for its craft, it was honored with several awards and recognitions, including two Golden Nugget Awards from Builder Magazine. It also has several Green Home Awards from Green Builder Magazine and one Housing Innovation Award from the U.S. Department of Energy. The firm has also been an accredited member of 19 national and regional organizations with seven certifications.
How can I find a home builder or contractor near me?
Read our latest articles on the best home builders and remodeling contractors in and around Portland. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Custom home builders in Oregon
Residential general contractors in Portland
Bathroom remodeling contractors in Portland
Kitchen remodeling contractors in Portland
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
