A Trusted Contractor for Whole Home Remodels in Portland

You love your neighborhood. Your home has good bones. But the layout or the aesthetic just isn’t working. Whether you bought a fixer-upper or just need a complete cosmetic refresh, a whole home remodel can be the right choice.
 
Here are some reasons why you might consider a whole home remodel:
  • The home wasn’t designed for how your family lives today.
  • The house needs structural or layout changes, not just cosmetic updates.
  • You’re planning to stay long-term and want the home to grow with you.
  • Previous renovations feel piecemeal or inconsistent.
  • You love the location, but the house no longer meets your needs.

If you’re considering a whole home remodel, the best option might be to speak with someone about your current home and your goals.

We’ve helped many homeowners navigate this process and can offer expert guidance whether you choose to remodel your whole home or not.

What Goes Into a Whole Home Remodel?

If your home no longer fits your lifestyle, but you love your neighborhood, a whole home remodel allows you to redesign your space without moving.

Unlike room-by-room renovations, a whole home remodel creates architectural cohesion. Every space is planned together, ensuring your kitchen, bathrooms, living areas, and structural upgrades work seamlessly as one unified design.

In Portland, many whole home remodels involve updating homes built between 1900–1980 to meet modern living standards while preserving architectural character.

Whether you're in Laurelhurst, Irvington, Sellwood, Eastmoreland, or SW Portland, a comprehensive remodel can modernize layouts, improve energy efficiency, and dramatically increase comfort and long-term value. 

A whole home remodel (also called a whole house renovation) typically includes:

  • Comprehensive layout redesign: Reworking floor plans to improve flow, usability, and connection between spaces.
  • Kitchen and bathroom remodeling: Updating key living spaces as part of a unified design rather than isolated projects.
  • Structural changes: Removing or modifying walls, adding beams, or reconfiguring spaces to support new layouts.
  • Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC updates: Modernizing outdated systems to improve safety, efficiency, and comfort.
  • Flooring and finish continuity: Creating a cohesive look throughout the home with coordinated materials and details.
  • Custom storage and built-ins: Thoughtful solutions that reduce clutter and maximize usable space.
  • Accessibility and aging-in-place features: Designing with long-term needs in mind, without sacrificing style.

When Does a Whole Home Remodel Make Sense?

Many homeowners consider a whole home remodel after realizing their current house no longer fits their needs—but they still love the location, neighborhood, or lot. In these cases, remodeling can be a compelling alternative to moving.

A whole home remodel may make sense if:

  • You love where you live but not how your home functions

  • Comparable homes in your area don’t offer the layout or quality you want

  • You want to avoid the cost, competition, and stress of buying in today’s market

  • You’d rather invest in improving your current home than starting over elsewhere

Moving may be the better option if:

  • Your lot or zoning limits meaningful improvements

  • The home’s condition requires more work than makes financial sense

  • Your needs can’t realistically be met through remodeling

At Lamont Bros., we help homeowners think through this decision honestly. Our goal isn’t to push you toward the biggest project—it’s to help you determine the path that best supports your lifestyle, long-term plans, and investment.

Cost and Timeline for a Portland Whole Home Remodel

A whole home remodel is a major investment, and Lamont Bros.’ design-build approach is structured to create clarity around both cost and timeline from the beginning.

By integrating design, estimating, and construction under one team, projects are typically delivered with less than a 5% budget variance and minimal schedule deviation.

Cost Considerations

The cost of a Portland whole home remodel depends on home size, structural complexity, system upgrades, and finish selections.

Rather than relying on generalized per-square-foot estimates alone, Lamont Bros. begins with a feasibility and design phase that aligns scope with budget early in the process.

Key cost factors include:

  • Structural modifications and layout changes
  • Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades
  • Finish level and material selections
  • City of Portland permitting requirements

Use our whole home remodel cost calculator as a starting point, but note that final investment ranges are refined during design to prevent surprises during construction.

Timeline Overview

Because whole home remodels affect multiple systems and spaces, planning is critical. A typical project timeline includes:

  • Design & Planning: 6–12 weeks
  • Permitting: 4–12+ weeks depending on scope
  • Construction: 4–8+ months

Older Portland homes or major structural changes can extend this timeline. Our integrated project management model helps maintain predictable scheduling through proactive planning and dedicated on-site supervision.

portland whole home remodel

Featured Whole Home Remodels

More Projects
Southwest Portland Flood Restoration
Whole Home

Southwest Portland Flood Restoration
West Hills Whole Home
Whole Home

West Hills Whole Home
Woodlawn Custom Home
Whole Home

Woodlawn Custom Home
Beavercreek Exterior Timber-Framed Makeover
Whole Home

Beavercreek Exterior Timber-Framed Makeover

Meet Our Portland Home Remodeling Team

 

 

 

Portland | Whole Home Remodeling

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a whole home remodel cost in Portland?

The cost of a Portland whole home remodel depends on square footage, structural complexity, system upgrades, and finish selections.

Homes requiring layout changes, foundation work, or full mechanical updates will naturally fall on the higher end of the investment range.

During the design phase, a detailed scope and selections process allows for accurate budgeting before construction begins, helping minimize surprises.

Use our cost calculator for more insight: Whole Home Cost Calculator

How long does a whole home remodel take?

Most Portland whole home remodels take 6–12 months from initial design through final completion.

The timeline includes architectural planning, permitting with the City of Portland, and construction. Larger structural changes, historic overlays, or specialty material lead times can extend the schedule, which is why early planning is essential.

Do I need permits for a whole home remodel in Portland, OR?

Yes. Structural, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work require permits through the City of Portland.

Permit timelines vary depending on project scope and city workload. An experienced local design-build team manages the application and inspection process to keep approvals moving efficiently.

Can I live in my home during a whole home renovation?

For smaller phased remodels, partial occupancy may be possible. However, most whole home remodels involve system shutoffs, structural changes, and significant dust and disruption. Temporary relocation is typically recommended for safety, efficiency, and faster project completion.

Is it better to remodel or move in Portland?

In many established Portland neighborhoods, remodeling can be more cost-effective than purchasing a new home—especially when factoring in transaction costs, higher interest rates, and moving expenses. Remodeling also allows you to customize your existing home to fit your lifestyle while staying in a neighborhood you already love.

What adds the most value during a whole home remodel?

Open floor plans, updated kitchens and bathrooms, energy efficiency improvements, and modernized structural systems typically provide the strongest return on investment. Improving natural light, storage functionality, and flow between living spaces also increases both daily livability and resale appeal.

What is the first step in starting a Portland whole home remodel?

The first step is a consultation to evaluate your goals, priorities, and preliminary budget. From there, a feasibility and design phase develops floor plans, scope details, and realistic cost expectations. This structured planning phase ensures that construction begins with clarity and alignment.

Will a whole home remodel improve energy efficiency?

Yes. Many Portland whole home remodels include insulation upgrades, window replacements, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and modern electrical systems. These improvements can lower long-term utility costs while increasing comfort and indoor air quality.

How do I choose the right contractor for a whole home remodel?

Look for a licensed, insured contractor with extensive whole home renovation experience and a clear, documented process. A design-build firm, such as Lamont Bros. Design & Construction offers added value by integrating architecture, budgeting, and construction under one team—reducing miscommunication and cost overruns on complex projects.

The Lamont Bros. Difference

Award Winning Craftsmanship

Lamont Bros. has earned recognition as a multi-award-winning Portland design-build firm, including the NARI Remodeler of the Year award and Houzz Best Service every year since 2016.

Client-Verified Excellence

Lamont Bros. maintains a 4.8-star average rating across Google, Houzz, and Yelp, reflecting consistent client satisfaction across hundreds of completed remodeling projects.

20 Years of Experience

Since 2008, Lamont Bros. has completed 850+ remodeling projects across the Portland metro area, including kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and ADUs in Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Oregon City.