Experienced Deck Builder in Portland, OR
LGC Remodeling is based in Battle Ground, Washington — a 25-minute drive across the I-5 bridge to most Portland neighborhoods. For 15 years Portland has been roughly 40% of our work. Some weeks we’re building in SE Portland Monday and Tuesday, Battle Ground Wednesday, and NW Portland Thursday and Friday.
Building in Portland means working under Portland Permitting & Development (formerly BDS) and the 2021 Oregon Structural Specialty Code. It also means navigating neighborhood-specific design reviews in some areas, higher permit fees than Clark County across the river, and system development charges that Washington residents don’t face.
But Portland’s housing stock is worth learning. A 1915 craftsman in Sunnyside has completely different framing than a 2010 mid-century-inspired home in Raleigh Hills. The deck that works on one wouldn’t be right for the other.
About the Master
My name is Larry Zagoriy, and for over 15 years I’ve been building decks, patios, and outdoor living spaces across Clark County and the Portland metro.
About 40% of our work is across the Columbia River in Portland. From SE Hawthorne craftsman backyards to SW Hillsdale hillsides, I’ve built in nearly every Portland neighborhood.
I’m a licensed contractor — CSLB #1106627, bonded and insured. Every project I take on, I personally manage from the first site visit through the final inspection. That means one accountable point of contact, no handoffs, no communication gaps. When you hire LGC, you’re hiring me.
Portland Neighborhoods We Build In
Portland’s quadrant system (NW, NE, SE, SW) organizes how we think about projects:
SE Portland (Hawthorne, Sellwood, Mt. Tabor, Brooklyn, Richmond) — dense pre-WWII housing, narrow lots, many 1910s-1940s bungalows and foursquares. Challenges: tight setbacks, older framing, tree-canopy shade changes material considerations. Most common project: 300-500 sqft cedar or composite deck behind a craftsman home. Backyards here are small — design efficiency matters.
NE Portland (Alberta Arts, Hollywood, Irvington, Alameda, Grant Park, Concordia) — similar pre-war housing with some 1950s-60s infill. Alameda and Irvington have tree-lined streets and historic overlays in places. Hollywood and Concordia are where we see more full-scale multi-level projects on larger lots. Common challenge: design review for homes with historic designations.
SW Portland (Hillsdale, Multnomah Village, Raleigh Hills, Burlingame, West Hills / Portland Heights) — hillier terrain, 1920s-2000s housing mix. Many deck projects here involve steep slopes, multi-level construction, or cantilevered sections to reach usable outdoor space. West Hills and Portland Heights have high-value homes where deck budgets run $75K+.
NW Portland (Pearl District, Nob Hill / Northwest Industrial, Slabtown, Forest Park edge) — mix of dense urban (condos, townhomes) and historic neighborhood housing. Fewer single-family deck projects in Pearl / Slabtown (more rooftop decks, condo balcony retrofits), more traditional backyard decks in Nob Hill and Forest Park edge.
N Portland (Kenton, St. Johns, Piedmont) — working-class historic neighborhoods. Gentrification brought many 2015+ renovations that include deck replacements. Typical project: mid-range cedar or composite on a 1910-1940 craftsman or bungalow.
Solid Builds. Straightforward Service.
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Local ExpertiseProudly serving Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, and surrounding areas, Larry’s General Construction crafts solutions that fit your lifestyle and community needs.
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Quality Materials, Lasting ResultsWith Larry’s General Construction, we use only premium materials and proven construction techniques to create outdoor spaces that stand the test of time.
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Reliability and IntegrityLarry’s General Construction honors our commitments, providing transparent timelines, honest communication, and lasting results you can depend on.
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Personalized ServiceAt Larry’s General Construction, every project is tailored to your vision, with attentive planning and collaboration to bring your ideas to life.
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Commitment to CraftsmanshipLarry’s General Construction delivers precision-built decks and outdoor spaces, ensuring every project reflects the highest standard of workmanship.
Portland Permitting — What to Expect from BDS
Portland permits run through Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D), which combined the old BDS operations with related land-use functions. Deck permits follow this framework:
- Permit required when: deck is more than 30 inches above adjacent grade. Portland measures from the ground to the walking surface, not the decking itself.
- Minimum permit fee: $145 (as of July 2024-June 2025 fee schedule), though most residential deck permits run higher based on project valuation.
- State surcharge: 12% added to all Oregon building permits.
- System Development Charges (SDCs): Can apply to projects that increase “impact on city infrastructure.” Most residential deck replacements don’t trigger SDCs. New construction or significant increases in impervious surface might. We verify for each project.
- Plan review timeline: 3-6 weeks typical. Often longer in spring/summer peak. Some projects can use PP&D’s online submittal for a faster track.
- Historic design review: Several Portland neighborhoods have design overlays — the Alameda Ridge, Irvington Historic District, Sellwood Moreland area, and others. Design review adds 4-8 weeks. We handle the submittals and respond to reviewer comments.
- What we handle: full permit submittal, payment of permit fees (itemized on your estimate), state surcharge, any SDC calculations, historic review coordination, and inspection scheduling. You won’t have to call the city during the build.
Portland Deck Pricing — 2025 Ranges
Portland projects typically cost 10-20% more than equivalent Vancouver projects because of higher permit fees, SDCs when applicable, state surcharge, and the fact that Portland labor rates are slightly higher. That said, materials run the same on both sides of the river.
| Project | Typical range (Portland) |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated replacement, 300 sqft | $14,000 – $20,000 |
| Cedar deck, 400 sqft (SE Portland craftsman) | $24,000 – $36,000 |
| Trex composite, 500 sqft with railings | $42,000 – $60,000 |
| Multi-level SW Portland hillside | $70,000 – $120,000 |
| West Hills / Portland Heights luxury project | $100,000 – $250,000+ |
Factors specific to Portland:
- Historic design review adds $2,000-5,000 in coordination/drawing costs
- Tight SE/NE backyards often need material delivery via a specific access route — sometimes requires a smaller crew rotation
- Hillside / West Hills projects typically require geotechnical engineering
- Mature tree protection (required by code in many neighborhoods) adds arborist coordination
Building in Portland — What 15 Years Here Has Taught Us
Portland rain is constant but forgiving. We get more total inches than Battle Ground, but Portland’s tree canopy protects many decks from direct exposure. Cedar ages slower here than on exposed Ridgefield or Battle Ground lots. Composite is still the low-maintenance choice, but cedar is a reasonable option if the deck sits under mature canopy.
Ledger flashing on older homes is often failed. We’ve seen this most often in SE neighborhoods where 1960s-80s additions attached decks to original pre-1950 framing. If you’re buying a Portland home with an existing deck, budget 15-20% for ledger remediation before you assume the deck has more than 5 years of life left.
Backyard access for materials. Portland lots are narrow and fences are universal. We often need to stage materials through the front yard, carry lumber through a side yard, or negotiate with neighbors for access via a shared driveway. Planning this ahead saves days of labor.
Tree protection is real. Portland Urban Forestry regulations require tree protection during construction within the “critical root zone.” We coordinate with city arborists on projects near protected trees — usually means fencing the root zone during excavation.
Roof decks are trending. Older Portland homes, especially in SE and NE, are seeing roof deck conversions above single-story sections or attached garages. These are complex — membrane roofing, code-compliant railings, load path to supports — and we’ve built several. Not every contractor is comfortable here.