FAQ

Straight answers about hiring Boss PDX, a licensed general contractor in Portland, Oregon (CCB #232383). Below: licensing, pricing, deposits, subcontractor markup, permits, scheduling, and our service area from Portland to Lincoln City. If your question is not here, contact us — we reply the same day at 844-BOSS-PDX.

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Yes. Boss PDX is a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor: Oregon CCB #232383 and Washington license BOSSPPL793RN. Every project runs under one licensed lead carpenter and one project manager, and work is walked and signed off in person. Verify our Oregon license anytime through the Construction Contractors Board at oregon.gov before hiring us — we encourage it.

What is your scope of work?

Boss PDX has worked across residential and commercial construction in Portland, Oregon since 2020: full gut renovations, commercial buildouts, garage conversions, framing, excavation, concrete, and outdoor living projects. Everything between the studs and the reveal. See the full list at our services page, or ask us whether your project fits.

Can I afford your services?

Boss PDX prices competitively for the Portland market, and many customers find our quotes fit their budget. Materials and level of detail move the number most — the same bathroom can price very differently in stock versus custom finishes. We work with a wide range of budgets, and every project starts with a free written scope and estimate, so you know the real number before committing to anything.

Where do you operate?

Boss PDX serves the Portland, Oregon metro area and parts of the Oregon Coast. Core cities: Portland, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Wilsonville, Tualatin, Tigard, Sherwood, Newberg, McMinnville, and Lincoln City. If your project sits outside those cities, contact us — coverage depends on project size, and larger builds justify a longer drive.

Do you do in-home consultations?

Yes. The Boss PDX consultation is free: one licensed lead, on your property, listening. We walk the site, assess the scope of work, and follow up with a written report detailing what the project needs. That document becomes the basis of your fixed written scope and estimate. Book one through the free estimate form or call 844-BOSS-PDX.

Do you offer handyman services?

Boss PDX takes handyman work case by case, with priority given to clients who have used our remodeling services before. We are a small Portland crew — one lead carpenter and one project manager per job — so small standalone repairs compete with full renovations for schedule. Past clients get first call. If you have a punch list, send it over and we will tell you honestly whether we can fit it.

Do you obtain permits needed for work?

Yes. Boss PDX handles permitting directly with your local planning department — Portland, Tigard, West Linn, or wherever the project sits — and secures the permits the job requires before work that needs them begins. Permitted work means inspected work, done to code, documented for resale. Permit fees appear as a line item in your written scope, not a surprise later.

Do you work on the Oregon Coast?

Yes. Boss PDX renovates primary and second homes on the Oregon Coast, including Lincoln City. Coastal work brings its own realities — wind exposure, moisture, corrosion-resistant fasteners and finishes — and we build for them. Scheduling works the same as metro projects: written scope, fixed contract, one lead carpenter on site. Contact us with the property address and we will confirm coverage.

Can you help with landscaping too?

Yes, as part of a renovation project. Boss PDX folds landscaping into the overall scope: tree removal, grading, new sod, hardscape, and general site cleanup after construction. Pairing it with the build means one contract, one schedule, and a yard that is finished when the interior is. For patios, decks, and covered structures, see outdoor living.

When can you start my project?

Typically a few weeks from a signed contract. Two things happen before Boss PDX puts you on the schedule: you sign the contract, and you make the down payment — typically 50%. The deposit funds material orders and locks your slot with our crew and trade partners, so the start date holds. Once both are done, you are on the calendar and we confirm the start date in writing.

How long will my project take?

Depends on scope, but Boss PDX runs a process built to beat the old "twice as long, twice as expensive" rule. Three things keep timelines honest: every selection — down to paint colors and faucets — is chosen before work starts; our 41 named trade partners get on site fast when specialty work comes up; and we pressure-test your target timeline against the actual scope before signing. Your contract carries the schedule in writing.

Do you use subcontractors?

Yes, where the trade requires it. Boss PDX always subs out plumbers, electricians, roofers, and engineers — licensed specialists doing licensed work. We pull them from our roster of 41 vetted trade partners rather than whoever is available that week. These trades come up more often than most homeowners expect, so the consultation identifies exactly who your project team needs before the estimate is written.

Is there an additional cost for working with subcontractors?

Yes — Boss PDX charges 15–20% on subcontracted work. That markup covers real management: scheduling the subs, coordinating their timelines against the build, reviewing and paying their invoices, and handling all subcontractor paperwork in-house. You get one contract, one point of contact, and one party accountable for the whole job instead of chasing four trades yourself. The markup appears in your written scope, not buried in line items.

Do you build garage conversions?

Yes. Garage conversions are core Boss PDX work in Portland: turning an attached or detached garage into living space, an office, or an ADU-style unit. The job usually spans insulation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and permitting — all coordinated under one written scope with our licensed trade partners. Portland's zoning is generally favorable to conversions; we confirm what your lot allows during the free consultation.

Do you do excavation and site work?

Yes. Boss PDX handles excavation and site preparation for foundations, additions, grading, drainage, and utility trenching across the Portland metro. Excavation is where projects hide their surprises — soil conditions, buried utilities, water — so we scope it carefully up front and put it in writing. Any change discovered underground goes through a written, approved change order before work continues.

Do you pour concrete?

Yes. Boss PDX does concrete work throughout Portland: foundations, slabs, driveways, patios, retaining walls, and footings for decks and outdoor structures. Concrete pairs naturally with our excavation and framing work, so one crew carries the project from dirt to structure under a single fixed scope. Flatwork and structural pours are both in range — tell us which at the free estimate.

Do you take on commercial projects?

Yes. Boss PDX builds commercial as well as residential — including multi-site programs like commercial bathroom remodels and ADA-compliance upgrades across several locations for one client. Commercial work runs on the same system: fixed written scope, one project manager, written change orders, licensed trade partners for plumbing, electrical, and engineering. Facilities managers get one accountable contract instead of a stack of vendors.

What do you pride yourselves on most?

Being honest and upfront. Boss PDX is a small Portland construction firm, established 2020 and built on referrals — six years of clients sending us their neighbors. Our slogan is "On time and On Budget," and the system behind it is simple: fixed written scopes, written change orders before any extra work, and a lead carpenter who walks the job with you at the end. That honesty shows in our 4.9/5 Google rating across 60+ reviews.

What makes Boss PDX different from other Portland contractors?

Because the job gets one lead carpenter, one project manager, and one accountable contract — and if you are not satisfied with the result, tell us and we will make it right. From handyman punch lists to complex plumbing, Boss PDX covers what a Portland renovation needs, and staying small means we know every customer by name. Referrals built this company; the work has to earn the next one.

How do I get a free estimate?

Call 844-BOSS-PDX (844-267-7739) or use the free estimate form — Boss PDX replies the same day. From there: a free on-site consultation, a written scope and estimate, a signed contract with the deposit, and a start date on the calendar. Four steps, none of them surprises. We serve Portland, the surrounding metro, and the Oregon Coast, and we are ready when you are.