Buying & Fixing a House in Portland, Oregon

May 15, 2006 9:56 AM

Can anyone recommend home inspectors and/or renovation contractors in Portland, Oregon?

I just had my offer accepted on a house in SW Portland (Bridlemile area, 97221) so I need to arrange a home inspection. Also, I'll be replacing the kitchen, so I need to find a competent contractor. There were some good suggestions in this thread, but apart from the Housmaster franchise, no names were mentioned.
If you've had a Portland-area house inspected and you were happy with your inspector, or if you had work done and were happy with your contractor, please post their info. (Also, if you were unhappy, tell me whom to avoid!)
Thanks!

posted by spacewrench to home & garden (3 comments total)

I'm not from Oregon, but there is a site at www.angieslist.com that allows users to review all types of contractors from their area, giving them grades on various aspects of their performance and commenting on their work. Very useful, and I believe they are offering a free 1 year membership right now. It doesn't cover the whole country yet, but take a look!
posted by XSteveMurphy at 10:37 AM on May 15, 2006

I used a great home inspector in the Willamette Valley for my two home purchases up here. He was insanely detailed, and I felt good about buying the homes.

He wasn't perfect -- we later found out he missed a minor thing a buyer's inspection found (an underpowered circuit breaker) of a hosue we sold, but he caught everything else. His rate is around $400 or so and I know a friend used him closer to portland, so I'm sure he will travel. Email me for his contact info.
posted by mathowie at 11:37 AM on May 15, 2006

When we moved from Canby to Oak Grove two years ago, we used a home inspector named Don Hatch. He seemed competent and had good communication skills. His report was awesome. (We bought an old house, and I use his report as a checklist of things I need to fix.)
posted by jdroth at 1:31 PM on May 15, 2006