Homeowner guides
Guides
I'm Anthony. I've been building and remodeling around the Portland metro area since 1997, and I do the work myself. I won't be your lowest bid. I will tell you the truth, keep your house clean, and build it to last. Se habla español.
Hiring a contractor
How to Compare Contractor Bids in Oregon
A plain guide to comparing contractor bids in Clackamas County and the Portland metro. Check the CCB license, verify the bond, and read the scope of work, not just the total.
Updated September 23, 2026
Permits
Who Issues My Building Permit? Clackamas County or Your City
Find the right permit office for your Clackamas County project. County and city responsibilities vary; Sandy splits electrical from other building permits.
Updated November 5, 2026
Permits
Can I Pull My Own Permit in Clackamas County?
Clackamas County lets a homeowner apply for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits on their own residence. Structural work runs a different path.
Updated November 5, 2026
Hiring a contractor
Oregon Contractor License Lookup: How to Check a CCB License
Free Oregon CCB license lookup by number, business name, or phone. What active status, bond, insurance, and complaint history mean, and the red flags.
Updated October 19, 2026
Hiring a contractor
Hired an Unlicensed Contractor in Oregon? Why You Can End Up Paying Twice
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Oregon can cost you twice: no bond, no CCB mediation, liens from unpaid suppliers, and injury claims on your property.
Updated October 19, 2026
Costs
Remodel Now or Wait? Tariffs and Rising Costs in 2026
Should you remodel now or wait? What 2026 tariffs and rising material and labor costs mean for Sandy-area homeowners, and when waiting makes sense.
Updated October 18, 2026
Decks
How Long Does a Deck Last in Oregon? Repair vs Rebuild
How long wood and composite decks last in western Oregon's rain, the warning signs to check each year, and how to tell a repair job from a rebuild.
Updated October 18, 2026
Permits
Fence Permits and Height Rules in Clackamas County
Do you need a fence permit in Clackamas County or Sandy? Oregon's 7-foot rule, Sandy height limits, pool fences, retaining walls, and 811.
Updated October 18, 2026
Permits
Do I Need a Deck Permit in Oregon? Clackamas County Rules
Oregon decks over 30 inches above grade need a permit. How that rule works in Clackamas County and Sandy, plus septic setbacks and who pulls the permit.
Updated October 18, 2026
Decks
Cedar vs Composite vs PVC Decking in Rainy Oregon
Cedar, composite, or PVC deck boards for a wet Oregon yard: how each handles moisture, mold, upkeep, and heat, and what the warranties say.
Updated October 18, 2026
Permits
Pole Barn and Shop Permits in Oregon: What "Ag-Exempt" Really Means
When a shop or pole building needs a permit in Oregon, how the agricultural exemption under ORS 455.315 actually works, and why "ag-exempt" gets misused.
Updated September 23, 2026
Contracts
What Belongs in an Oregon Remodel Contract, and How Change Orders Work
Oregon requires most remodel agreements to be in writing. What belongs in the contract, how change orders should work, and what to do if things go wrong.
Updated September 23, 2026
Hiring a contractor
Contractor Stopped Responding? What to Do in Oregon
Steps to take when a contractor goes silent mid-project in Oregon, including the CCB pre-complaint notice, complaint time limits, and bond claim basics.
Updated September 23, 2026