General Contractor Serving Portland, OR
I See Construct serves homeowners in Portland, Oregon with ADU construction, full home remodels, garage builds, and home additions. Based in nearby Battle Ground, WA, we are a licensed contractor familiar with Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) permitting and Oregon residential building code. Portland ADU costs typically range from $130,000 to $375,000 due to Portland's specific requirements, and we guide homeowners through the city's permitting process from beginning to end.
At a Glance
$130,000 to $375,000 for ADUs; $60,000 to $250,000 for remodels; $40,000 to $130,000 for garages
6 to 16 months for ADUs (Portland BDS review runs longer); 2 to 12 months for other project types
Services We Provide in Portland, OR
ADU construction
Detached backyard cottages, attached ADUs, and garage conversion ADUs in Portland neighborhoods
Full home remodels
Gut remodels and kitchen and bath renovations on Portland bungalows, craftsmen, and mid-century homes
Garage builds
Detached garages and replacement garages common in inner Southeast and North Portland
Home additions
Room additions and second-story expansions on Portland single-family homes
Portland Neighborhoods We Serve
We serve homeowners across Portland including North Portland neighborhoods like Kenton, St. Johns, Arbor Lodge, Humboldt, and Boise, Northeast Portland neighborhoods including King, Sabin, and Beaumont-Wilshire, and Southeast Portland neighborhoods such as Woodstock, Reed, Sellwood-Moreland, and Mount Tabor.
Many Portland homes in these neighborhoods are craftsman bungalows, Tudor revivals, and mid-century ranches built between 1920 and 1970. These homes are excellent candidates for ADU additions, full gut remodels, and secondary structure builds. We assess each property individually given the age-related conditions common in Portland's housing stock.
Portland BDS Permitting Process
All residential construction within Portland city limits is permitted through the Portland Bureau of Development Services. Portland BDS has specific ADU regulations that were significantly updated in 2018 and 2020, making detached ADUs easier to permit than they were previously. Portland now allows ADUs on all single-family and some multi-family lots without owner-occupancy requirements.
Portland BDS permit review for ADUs and additions typically runs longer than Clark County, often 8 to 16 weeks or more for complex projects. We submit complete applications with all required drawings to minimize review comments and get to construction as quickly as the process allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We serve Portland homeowners across North, Northeast, and Southeast Portland. We are licensed in Oregon and familiar with Portland Bureau of Development Services permitting requirements. Our base in Battle Ground, WA is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from most Portland neighborhoods.
ADU construction in Portland typically costs between $130,000 and $375,000. Portland has specific permitting requirements, system development charges, and utility connection fees that contribute to ADU costs being slightly higher than in Clark County, WA. We provide detailed project estimates after reviewing your property and Portland zoning.
Yes. Portland is one of the most ADU-friendly cities in the United States. The city allows detached ADUs on most single-family lots without owner-occupancy requirements, and removed most restrictive barriers to ADU construction beginning in 2018. Size limits, setback rules, and system development charge waiver eligibility vary by lot and zone.
The Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) handles all residential building permits within Portland city limits. BDS reviews ADUs, additions, remodels involving structural or mechanical changes, and new garage construction. We handle all permit applications and communication with BDS on your behalf.
Yes. Portland bungalows, craftsmen, and early 20th century homes make up a significant portion of our remodel work in the city. These homes often need updated electrical panels, plumbing replacements, insulation improvements, and structural repairs in addition to cosmetic renovation. We assess the full scope during the estimate walkthrough.
Building in Portland?
Call us or fill out the form. We will come out, look at your property, and tell you exactly what is possible.