What to Look for When Hiring a General Contractor in Portland | EL 45 PDX
EL 45 PDX
General Contractor, Portland OR
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Blog · Hiring A Contractor

Hiring A GeneralContractor.

What actually matters, beyond just getting the lowest bid.

Hiring the wrong contractor is expensive in ways that go beyond money — delays, redone work, and unclear communication all add real stress to a project. A little upfront diligence goes a long way toward avoiding that.

General contractor meeting with a homeowner in Portland, Oregon

What To Check

01Active LicenseConfirm the license is real and currently active, not just claimed
02Bonding & InsuranceProtects you if something goes wrong during the project
03Written EstimatesA clear, itemized scope is worth more than a verbal ballpark number
04Communication StyleHow they respond before you’ve hired them is a good preview of during the project
05Local ExperienceFamiliarity with the area’s housing stock and permitting process matters

Verifying The License Yourself

Anyone can claim to be licensed — the license number is only useful if you actually check it. In Oregon, that’s a quick, free lookup through the state’s Construction Contractors Board. We walk through exactly how in our guide to verifying a contractor’s license.

Where EL 45 PDX Fits

We’re licensed, bonded, and insured under Oregon CCB #260830, and we’re happy to have that checked before you ever sign anything. You can read more about how we work on our About page.

Have A Project In Mind?

Tell us what you’re planning, and we’ll walk you through how we’d approach it.

Request An EstimateCall (503) 560-7435