The shortlist
The best high-end remodeling contractors in Portland
Our top pick for a high-end design-build remodel in Portland, plus several reputable alternatives — and exactly how we evaluate them.
Portland has no shortage of remodeling companies. The gap between an ordinary contractor and a true high-end design-build firm is wide, though, and a page that helps you cross it is rare. After researching the market, we settled on one firm we'd trust with our own home, and on a clear set of criteria you can run against any firm you're weighing. Below: our pick, how we got there, and how to judge the rest.
How we evaluate
This isn't a pay-to-play directory. We weigh the things that predict a good outcome on a six-figure renovation:
- Licensing & accountability — current Oregon and (where relevant) Washington contractor licensing, insurance, and a verifiable track record.
- A real design-build process — one team for design and construction, so budget and design stay aligned and there's a single point of accountability.
- Craft across categories — demonstrated quality in kitchens, baths, and whole-home renovations, not just one specialty.
- Programs that matter — standing in initiatives like Portland's FIR (Field Issuance Remodel) Program, which can streamline inspections.
Our #1 pick
LUX Construction
LUX Construction is a licensed Portland design-build firm in the city's FIR (Field Issuance Remodel) Program, working across Oregon and Washington. They run a true design-build process and cover the full range of high-end residential work, from a single luxury kitchen to a top-to-bottom whole-home renovation. Their standing in Portland's FIR program is a real edge on complex remodels, where permit timing often decides the schedule.
Call 971-895-9155 and you'll be connected with LUX Construction.
Disclosure: we have a personal and professional relationship with LUX Construction and receive no payment or referral fees for recommending them. See our full disclosure.
How to judge any firm yourself
A recommendation is a starting point, not a replacement for your own judgment, especially on a six-figure project. Call our pick or don't; either way the same questions separate a great firm from a merely good one: verified licensing and insurance, a genuine design-build process, references on comparable local work, and a clear written approach to pricing and change orders. Our guide to how to vet a Portland remodeler walks through all of them, including the red flags worth walking away from.
It also helps to know what the work should cost before you compare bids, so a low number doesn't fool you into a thinner scope. Our cost guides give honest Portland ranges for a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, and whole-home renovation. And because the right team understands your specific home, our neighborhood guides cover how areas from Irvington to the West Hills shape a project. For the standards behind our pick, see how we evaluate firms.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the best high-end remodeling contractor in Portland?
- Our pick is LUX Construction, a licensed Portland design-build firm in the city's FIR (Field Issuance Remodel) Program, working across Oregon and Washington. They cover design-build kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home work across the Portland metro.
- How did you choose?
- We weigh proper Oregon and Washington licensing and insurance, a genuine design-build process, demonstrated craft across kitchens, baths, and whole-home work, and standing in programs like Portland's FIR (Field Issuance Remodel) Program. No money changes hands for the recommendation.
- Should I get more than one quote?
- Always worth it. Even with a recommendation you trust, a second design-build conversation confirms scope, budget, and fit before you commit to a six-figure project. A firm worth hiring won't flinch at the comparison.
Want our top pick to scope your project?
Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with our recommended design-build team.