Home Remodeling Blog Articles
Kitchen | Bathroom | Basement | Design | Exterior | Interior | Home Improvement Guides | Remodeling Costs | Additions
Do You Need a Kitchen Designer in Portland?
In Portland, kitchens often come with added complexity. Older layouts, structural constraints, limited natural light, and evolving expectations for how kitchens function all play a role. Homeowners often ask whether they need to hire a kitchen designer or can proceed without one.
This guide explains when a kitchen remodel design service adds real value, when a lighter level of design support is enough, and how to choose the right approach for your remodel.
Composite Decking vs Wood Decks in Portland & Vancouver
Outdoor living spaces are a major upgrade for homeowners in Portland and Vancouver, but choosing the right decking material matters more here than in many other regions. Frequent rain, moss growth, and long wet seasons mean that durability, maintenance, and long-term performance should factor heavily into your decision.
Home Siding Replacement vs Painting in Portland
For many Portland homeowners, exterior maintenance eventually comes down to one key question: Should you repaint your home, or is it time to replace the siding altogether? Both options can improve curb appeal and protect your home, but they solve very different problems. This guide explains how exterior painting and siding installation or replacement differ, what each option can realistically address, and how Portland’s climate factors into the decision.
Sunroom Addition Guide for Portland & Vancouver Homes
Sunroom additions are a unique type of home addition that allows homeowners to add usable space while maximizing natural light and connection to the outdoors. In Portland and Vancouver, where long gray seasons are common, sunrooms are often used to create bright, comfortable living areas that feel separate from, but still connected to, the rest of the home. This guide explains what sunroom additions are, how homeowners typically use them, what factors influence cost, and what climate considerations matter most in the Pacific Northwest.
Basement Remodel Contractors: How to Compare Bids and Scope
Finishing or remodeling a basement is one of the more complex renovation projects a homeowner can take on. This blog is not meant to scare you off of embarking on a basement project, but is more geared to help you navigate the multiple bids you will get and make the right decision when selecting a general contractor for your basement renovation.
This guide is designed to help homeowners in Portland and Vancouver compare contractors and bids with clarity. Rather than focusing on basement costs or design ideas, it breaks down how basement contractors differ, why estimates vary, and what to look for before signing a contract.
Bathroom Remodel Beaverton, OR: Budget, Timeline & Local Planning Tips
This guide is designed to help Beaverton homeowners understand what goes into planning a bathroom remodel locally, including realistic budget considerations, timeline expectations, permit requirements, and how to prepare for construction without duplicating broader Portland bathroom advice.
Kitchen Remodel Lake Oswego: Costs, Design Tips, Permitting & Choosing a Contractor
Kitchen remodeling continues to grow in popularity across Lake Oswego. With high home values, older neighborhoods, and increasing demand for functional, modern layouts, many homeowners are choosing to update their kitchens as home improvement project for both comfort and long-term value. This guide covers typical costs, popular design trends, layout ideas, contractor selection tips, permitting process & requirements, and the timeline you can expect when planning a Lake Oswego kitchen renovation.
General Contractor vs Design-Build in Portland
One of the biggest decisions homeowners face when planning a remodel is choosing between a traditional general contractor and hiring a design-build firm. Both models can produce excellent results for your dream home, but each comes with its own workflow, communication style, and best-fit project types.
This guide explains the differences, when each option makes sense, and how Amplified Renovations operates as a flexible design-build general contractor to support both paths.
Best Home Remodeling Companies in Portland, Oregon: How to Compare Your Options
Finding the right home remodeling company in Portland can be the difference between a seamless renovation and a stressful, costly project. With hundreds of contractors across the metro area, it helps to know what separates a reliable, high-quality remodeling company from the rest.
This guide walks you through what to look for, how to compare remodeling bids, and how to choose the right partner for your project in Portland, Oregon.
Basement Remodel Checklist for Portland & Vancouver
This guide breaks everything down into simple, homeowner-friendly terms so you can evaluate your basement before meeting with a contractor. And don’t worry, almost every basement has issues at first. Low ceilings, narrow stairs, small windows, and moisture are common in older PNW homes. There are usually fixes, work-arounds, or design solutions that help bring spaces up to code.
Kitchen Addition Portland: Costs, Design Ideas & When Expanding Makes Sense
Thinking about a kitchen addition for your Portland or Vancouver home? If your current kitchen feels cramped, outdated, or simply not functional for the way you live today, adding square footage can be one of the smartest and highest-ROI improvements you can make. Unlike a traditional kitchen remodel that works within your existing footprint, a kitchen addition expands your home’s usable space, creating room for a larger layout, better storage, improved flow, and modern features that older Northwest homes often lack.
Dormer Addition Cost in Portland & Vancouver: 2025-2026 Complete Guide
Whether you're hoping to finish an attic, create a legal bedroom, add a bathroom, or bring more natural light into your home, understanding the full cost of a dormer addition is essential. This guide breaks down the true cost of dormer additions in the Pacific Northwest, including structural work, interior finishing, permits, engineering, long-term maintenance, and return on investment.
What Is a Dormer? A Guide for Portland & Vancouver Homeowners
Dormers play a crucial role in how PNW homeowners expand existing homes without increasing the footprint, a major advantage in neighborhoods where lot sizes, zoning restrictions, and historic overlays limit traditional additions. When designed well, a dormer can transform an attic or half-story into a bright, functional bedroom, bathroom, office, or bonus room, dramatically increasing a home’s livability and resale value.
General Contractor Portland: A Complete Home Remodel Guide for Real Estate Agents in the PNW
A comprehensive, agent-focused guide to understanding PNW home construction, common issues, remodel timelines, permitting, ADUs, and high-ROI upgrades. Designed for Portland and Vancouver real estate professionals who want clearer insights, better client conversations, and reliable local data.
Top Questions to Ask Your Portland Bathroom Contractor Before You Start
Planning a bathroom remodel is exciting, but finding the right bathroom remodeling services in Portland can make or break your project. Between vintage plumbing, moisture-heavy Northwest weather, and tight permit timelines, Portland homes present unique remodeling project challenges for general contractors.
Before you sign a contract or hand over a deposit, asking the right questions helps you choose a contractor who’s qualified, transparent, and aligned with your vision.
The Kitchen Work Triangle and How to Design for Pacific Northwest Homes
The kitchen work triangle is a time-tested design principle that defines the most efficient relationship between the sink, stove, and refrigerator, the three most-used points in any kitchen, therefore creating a triangle in the kitchen.
ADU vs Home Addition Portland
While both an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and a home addition expand your living space, they serve different purposes. In Portland, the decision often comes down to how you want to use the space: multigenerational living, rental income, or simply a larger home for yourself.
How To Choose The Best Kitchen Remodel Contractor Portland
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Whether you’re hosting family gatherings, meal prepping during the week, or just enjoying your morning coffee, it’s a space you use every day. A kitchen renovation is more than a facelift; it’s an investment in comfort, function, and long-term value.
How to Winterize a House in Portland & Vancouver
Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, are famous for their lush greenery, mild summers, and… wet, chilly winters. But anyone who has lived through a January ice storm in the West Hills, watched sleet blow across Mt. Tabor, or felt the bitter winds sweeping through Camas knows the Pacific Northwest can deliver sudden cold snaps that put your home at risk.
A Guide to Home Water Damage Repair in Oregon and Washington
Winters in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA are no joke. Heavy rain, melting snow, and sudden cold snaps can expose even well-maintained homes to costly water damage. In 2024 alone, Oregon saw $47.6 million in property damage from winter weather events, with an arctic blast causing $72 million in damage across 16 counties. Washington ranks among the top 10 states for expensive winter weather damage, underscoring the need for proactive preparation.
