Home Improvement Projects - Portland Oregon Homes


Helping Families One Home at a Time

Increasing the Value of your Home

Much has been written about remodeling so we will make this brief and to the point. All the experts agree that if you are considering a home-improvement project, it's important to distinguish between increasing your home's value and improving its livability.

If your objective is to improve short-term value - say, to maximize the selling price of our home - small updating projects and effective staging of your home will probably add relatively more to your bottom line than a big redo. Home improvement projects that increase the "livability" will result in you enjoying your home more but most likely they will not increase its value.

Livability Livability is about you and your family. For example, if you think a hot tub will add value to your home, you may be disappointed. It may bring enjoyment to your family but it may not increase the value of your home. Just about any experienced realtor will tell you that they have had a least one transaction in their career where the buyers wanted an existing hot tub removed as a condition of the sale.

How about a swimming pool? In parts of Florida and California, it could be as essential as a kitchen. Whereas in other parts of the country (New England, Pacific Northwest, etc.) the chances of having a pool increase the value of a home is very doubtful. In other words, it all about location.

Projects to Increase the Value of your Home I'm sure you have read numerous "Top Ten Home Improvement Projects" in publications that taut the fact that their projects will increase the value of your home. Did you find any agreement among the lists? From my experience as a realtor in the Portland area, I can cite two things that most buyers appreciate in a home: gardens and decks. So here are two projects that you can consider:

Portlanders love their trees and plants, so a well-designed landscape and garden will most likely increase the value of a home in the Portland area.

A well-constructed and designed deck can add value to your Portland home. The new composite materials such as Trex requires little maintenance and doesn't need replacing for a considerable length of time.

Finding a Contractor

From my experience, contractors are hired by "word of mouth." In most neighborhoods, someone is always doing some remodeling or updating to their home so your "best bet" is to check with your neighbors when you need the services of a contractor or service person.

The realtors in our Windermere office pool their experience and we maintain a list of contractors and service people (carpenters, painters, plumbers, electrical, window washing, etc.) that our clients have used in the past with success. This list is constantly revised and available to our clients only.

The Oregon Attorney General's office publishes a list of the "Top Ten Consumer Complaints" each year. In 2004, "Construction Contractors" were listed as number 10. To view the list, go to Top Ten Consumer Complaints in 2004.

Books on Home Improvement Projects

Home by Design: Transforming Your house into Home Author: Sara Susanka. Taunton Press. ISBN: 1561586188. She outlines 27 design concepts that are key to creating space that is both beautiful and comfortable. This book will help you establish what works and what doesn't. It inspires good ideas.
House Transformed: Getting The Home You Want . . . With The House You Have Author: Matthew Schoenheer. Publisher: The Taunton Press/AIA. ISBN: 1561587117. The seven essential of remodeling are very helpful. The book is perfect for seeing how goals are translated into specific features.
Craftsman National Repair and Remodeling Estimator Publisher: Craftsman Book Company. ISBN: 1572181370. A contractor's reference book that is detailed-oriented. The book is comprised of list after list of labor and materials costs for most any home construction task.

Oregon State Agencies

Oregon Building Codes Division The Building Codes Division (BCD) provides code development, administration, inspection, plan review, licensing, and permit services to the construction industry. These are integral to the safe and effective construction of structures in Oregon. The division was added to the newly formed Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services in 1993.
Oregon Construction Contractors Board The Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is a State agency that protects consumers by regulating construction contracting businesses. Using the Contractors registration number, you can look up registration status, complaints, etc. Or call 503-378-4610 or 888-366-5635 to obtain the information.
Oregon Landscape Contractors Board The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) is a State agency that protects consumers by regulating landscape contracting businesses. Oregon law requires that all landscape businesses who work on residential and nonresidential property in Oregon be licensed with the LCB. To check a license status send an email to [email protected] or call (503) 986-6561.

Local Resources for Home Improvement Projects

Energy Trust of Oregon A nonprofit organization dedicated to changing how Oregonians use energy by promoting energy efficiency and clean renewable energy for Oregon customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, and NW Natural.
Home Builders Association of Portland Provides some hints on selecting a builder and/or remodeling company. It also has a list of remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers and other HBA members who specialize in remodeling.
Neil Kelly Designers, remodelers, and home repair.
Rejuvenation Honoring old houses and their caretakers with period-authentic lighting and house parts is their business. You will enjoy a visit to this store. Located in southeast Portland just across the Hawthorne Bridge.
Winks Hardware With a staff of former hardware storeowners, industry journeymen and women, and national hardware representatives, Winks Hardware employees have a wealth of product knowledge and project application experience. And to facilitate a solution-driven experience, customers receive one-on-one service to help guide them through the correct hardware application. Winks is a real contrast to the "box store" home improvement centers.

Other Resources

Canadian Home Builders' Association This Web site is an everything-you-want-to-know resources about the basics of a remodeling project. But that is just one small part of the site as it covers homes from A to Z.
Fine Homebuilding A comprehensive source of reliable home building information. Fine Homebuilding has eight issues each year plus two special issues: one on Homes and the other on Kitchens and Baths.
Smart Home The world's largest supplier of home automation and smart gadgets for your home.
This Old House Web site associated with the popular PBS television series. The site offers advice on many aspects of remodeling projects.