The Best Commercial Contractors in Portland, Oregon

Finding a dependable contractor for a commercial project in Portland, Oregon, is crucial due to the region’s unique emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly construction practices. A skilled contractor familiar with Portland’s green building standards can implement environmentally conscious techniques, ensuring compliance with local regulations and minimizing the project’s ecological footprint while delivering high-quality results. When embarking on a commercial construction project in Portland, Oregon, navigating the sea of available contractors can be daunting. The average project cost ranges from $100,000 to $1 million—and can soar as high as $1.75 million for larger, more elaborate builds. Potential delays can further complicate the process, with projects stretching up to 45 weeks.

Portland, home to a vibrant community of approximately 635,067 residents, boasts a median home value of $549,900, reflecting its thriving real estate market. According to data from the local building department, the city is a hub of commercial activity, with 78 contractors dedicated to commercial projects. These professionals cater to various construction needs, from small retail spaces to large-scale industrial complexes.

Whether developing a new office building or renovating an existing space, finding a reliable contractor is key to bringing your vision to life. This guide will help you find the best construction companies in Portland, Oregon.

Overview: The Best Commercial Contractors in Portland, Oregon

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more.

BnK Construction Inc. 

45 82nd Dr. Suite #53B, Gladstone, OR 97027

Projects for the residential, commercial, retail, dental, and medical sectors make up a large percentage of BnK Construction’s portfolio. The firm started its general contracting practice over 25 years ago. Since then, it has helped local and national brands conceptualize and construct spaces representing their brands and their core vision. Bunk Sandwiches, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Blue Olive, and 18/8 Men’s Salon are just some organizations that have relied on the firm’s efficient and high-performing delivery method. 

Another example of the company’s commercial construction work was completed for a Cold Stone Creamery restaurant. The construction of the restaurant space reflects the firm’s ability to deliver interior and exterior spaces that embody its client’s unique brand. The warm palette of beige serves as a soft canvas for the nostalgic and familiar colors of the store’s creations. Its contrasting lines of dark frames and metalworks hint at the ice cream parlor chain’s contrasting red and black branding. Its open layout promotes movement and provides a comfortable space for dining.

O’Brien Design + Build

208 NW 21st Avenue, Suite #201, Portland, OR 97209

O’Brien Design + Build launched its services as a general contractor that caters to the custom and complex needs of the commercial and residential sectors. The firm’s portfolio highlights wineries, breweries, hotels, retail and grocery spaces, and single-family residences. It uses the latest construction and design technology to take on architecturally and structurally demanding projects. 

The firm’s Fresh Foods commercial project is among its most commended works. The company led the architecture and construction teams for the client’s Cannon Beach location. The client already worked with the company to complete the food brand’s Manzanita commercial center. Like the first design-build project, the new store was designed with customers in mind. Instead of just being a typical grocery store where people shop, it accommodated a coffee and soup bar where patrons could interact and spend time. The store also features stunning coastal views.

INLINE Commercial Construction

18880 SW Shaw Street, Aloha, OR 97007

INLINE Commercial Construction is one of the biggest general contractors serving the commercial market. Building Design + Construction magazine featured some of the firm’s work for the public and private sectors. Large companies like KeyBank, as well as other institutions from the healthcare and academic industries, have relied on the firm’s full-service delivery method. The 2020 Associated General Contractors Construction Safety Excellence Awards honored this Portland construction company.

For telecommunications company Verizon, the firm led the remodeling and construction of Verizon Wireless’s Murray Scholls Town Center. The project for the 1,123-square-foot space involved upgrading all its interior finishes to align the design and color palette with the brand’s signature style. Included in the upgrades are a brand-new ceiling grip, display cases, cabinets, carpets, and interior paint. A stock room and a restroom at the rear part of the store were also part of the work. 

Hammer and Hand

1020 SE Harrison St. Portland, OR 97214

Since it launched its services over 25 years ago, Hammer & Hand has been delivering an award-winning construction practice to the region’s residential and commercial sectors. In addition to numerous Gold Nugget and Green awards for its single-family home projects, the firm’s work for the commercial sector has also earned several Outstanding Remodeling Achievement Awards in recent years. Many of the firm’s projects as a commercial general contractor are products of partnerships with leading designers and architects in the field. One example is the firm’s tenant improvement work for Danner’s Union Way location. 

The project, built for the Lacrosse Footwear brand, was a collaboration between the company and designers Michelle Jeresek and Brian Pietrowski. Set in earth tones and natural materials, one of the most interesting aspects of the build is its use of native wood, including western maple, which is all sourced from the Pacific Northwest.  Another highlight of the store’s interior is its living wall, where the Danner pops out of its green canvas. For the display sections, the firm used custom-milled brass shelving hardware. The best spot in the store is its custom madrone dressing room, which was inspired by a teardrop camping trailer. 

Siteworks Design Build

240 SE 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97214

Siteworks Design Build has been serving the commercial and multi-residential industry. What started as a one-man operation became one of the region’s highly commended firms. Today, a number of organizations and publications have recognized the company’s contribution to shaping Oregon’s urban centers.  One of the firm’s most notable projects in Portland is the Pine Street Market. The work has been commended by the design and building community, and WestJet Magazine and Pine Street Market Press featured the project in recent years. In 2016, it won major retail development awards from respected industry institutions, including NAIOP and The Portland Business Journal. 

As a landmark commercial hub in the city, Pine Street Market accommodates restaurant spaces and high-tech and creative workspaces. The firm’s design-build nature allowed it to provide a full-service delivery method and to lead the project’s architectural and general contracting team. One of the challenges to the work was to install new seismic upgrades while staying faithful to its historic architectural context.

Essex General General Construction, Inc.

17400 SW 65^th Ave. #100, Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Collaboration is at the center of Essex General General Construction, Inc.’s general contracting practice. Its process allows clients to work with entrepreneurs and developers to integrate their brands’ identities into every project. The company’s work for the residential, industrial, and commercial markets has been well-received by the building community since the firm’s inception. In recent years, Oregon Business Magazine featured the firm’s services, highlighting how it has gone above and beyond to support those less fortunate in the community.

One of the firm’s most interesting commercial projects was The Midtown building in Eugene’s midtown area. The project is a seven-story building with underground parking. It includes 40 luxury condominiums, the headquarters for the Eugene Ballet, and eight other performing arts organizations. Essex’s work on this project and others were recently honored by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Community Trees for their efforts to preserve street trees. The firm saved all but two trees at this site. The two trees were milled and used for architectural clouds in the building. Additionally, Essex specializes in CMGC projects from Southwest Washington to Roseburg, Oregon. Another project of note is The Overland in Tigard, Oregon. This mixed-use multifamily project will provide 219 apartments.

Russell Construction

20915 SW 105th Ave. Tualatin, OR 97062 

Russell Construction delivers commercial general contracting services. Since its inception, it has established a reputation for projects championing sustainability, performance, and material efficiency. As a member of the USGBC, it has delivered projects that passed the LEED Gold Certification, a testament to its energy efficiency and eco-friendly practices. 

The firm has worked with leading brands from a wide spectrum of industries. These include renowned retail and commercial brands, including GAP, Royal Oaks, and US Bank. Outside the region, the firm was the chosen contractor to perform the major remodeling upgrade of Washington’s 91,659-square-foot Moses Lake Town Center. The transformation and redesign helped the commercial center to accommodate four new retailers. 

Skanska USA Building, Inc.

1010 NW Flanders Street, Suite #500, Portland, OR 97209

Skanska USA Building, Inc. is a construction and development company headquartered in New York. It expands its services through its 29 offices. The firm is known for championing sustainability, with over 350 projects that hold LEED accreditation. ENR named the firm among its Largest Building Contractors by Revenue and Largest Heavy Contractors by Revenue rankings. The company has served a wide range of industries through its sustainability techniques and overall comprehensive delivery methods. 

One of its most iconic works can be found in Georgia. In 2014, in Atlanta, Encore Real Estates selected the firm to lead the full renovation of Walgreens Co’s Olympia location.  The project included the extensive structural update of the historic 31,800-square-foot Olympia Building, known for its iconic Coca-Cola sign. This presented an exciting challenge in transforming the structure’s interior and exterior spaces since the site is a registered historic location and a landmark in Atlanta. The firm had to make sure that the sign remained operational and the wall’s stone-clad façade remained intact. Additional work on its exterior included structural support improvements, the installation of new bike racks, as well as a transformation of the Decatur and Edgewood sidewalks. The project also produced a 4,650-square-foot basement stock area and equipment rooms. 

Anderson Construction Company

6712 N Cutter Cir. Portland, OR 97217 

Anderson Construction offers a concept-through-completion approach with its comprehensive delivery methods. The firm’s design-build nature also allows it to take on technically complex and high-value projects for some of the biggest markets in the country. The firm’s seven decades of service have established its award-winning reputation in the industry. The firm has been consistently included in Building Design + Construction’s annual Top 100 US Contractors rankings in recent years. In 2020, its Side Yard project won recognition through the US Woodworks Wood Design Award. Similar structures of the same quality continue to build the firm’s reputation as a leading general contractor for the commercial market.   

One of the firm’s most notable projects is Hilton Hotel Inc.’s Downtown Portland location. The firm partnered with international architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to complete the 350,000-square-foot commercial build. The 22-story building accommodates 455 guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, and full-service fitness and athletic facilities. The hotel also houses an indoor pool. A dedicated two-level garage provides 350 parking spaces for guests. The highlights of the commercial structure are the hotel’s convention center, which is the largest facility of its kind in Oregon and includes a grand ballroom hall that can host over 1,170 people. 

Swinerton

342 SW 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97204

For over 130 years, Swinerton has dominated the country’s construction industry with its multidisciplinary approach to building, design, and construction management. The firm is one of the biggest companies in the US, and it has its own research and development initiatives to develop innovations in its building processes. Unsurprisingly, the firm has helped clients from over 20 market sectors complete some of the most complex structures throughout the US. Swinerton was named a finalist in Hospitality for DJC Oregon’s TopProjects in 2022, positioning itself as one of the leading commercial general contractors in Portland, Oregon.

As a commercial general contractor, it has delivered landmark restaurants and entertainment centers in different cities. Emerald Queen, 7 Brothers Hotel and Restaurant, Merlake Restaurants, Line and Lure, Yakama Legends Casino, Swinomish Casino, and Clearwater River Casino & Lodge are just some of the biggest establishments that relied on the company’s multifaceted approach to building. Projects of similar value and complexity from the firm’s regional and national portfolio have consistently caught the attention of the industry. ENR, for instance, continues to include the firm among its annual rankings for construction excellence and outstanding building practices. 

Bremik Construction, Inc.

1026 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214

Since Bremik Construction’s inception, it has stayed true to its vision of delivering sustainable and high-performing structures for a wide spectrum of markets. The firm’s portfolio includes projects for the residential, healthcare, corporate, commercial and retail, academic, and industrial sectors. Some of these projects have been designed or have passed the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED accreditation for energy efficiency and green design. This level of expertise and its decades of reliable practice have helped it win clients from the country’s biggest brands and developers.  This Portland construction company received Restore Oregon’s DeMuro Award in 2020.

In Sandy, Oregon, for instance, the company was hired by Suburban Auto Group to provide installation upgrades for its 19,600-square-foot Chevrolet location. The firm partnered with Axis Design Group for the commercial space’s architecture and design work. The project included the construction of a canopy that will accommodate a new space for a covered car display. The automotive store’s entrance portal and the brand’s newly installed signage were updated. For the building’s interiors, the company focused on updating finishes. These include updates on the flooring, walls, desktops, and new branding. High-performance lighting and interior glazing made the indoor space more modern and polished. The resulting structure stays faithful to the colors and themes of the General Motors brand.

R&H Construction

2019 NW Wilson Street, Portland, OR 97209

R&H Construction’s over 40 years of construction experience with over 14 market sectors is highlighted by a long list of accolades from the industry’s biggest institutions. Oregon Business Magazine and Portland Business Journal have featured the firm’s milestones for years through their 100 Best Companies rankings and Most Admired Companies Award. The firm is also a strong advocate of green construction and was recently included on the 100 Best Green Companies list. It received the Sustainability at Work recognition from the city of Portland. Its work for the commercial sector embodies the combination of quality construction and sustainable techniques. 

For a project for Market of Choice, the firm was tasked with constructing several of the supermarket chain’s locations across Oregon. Partnering with Glas Architects, the company delivered commercial builds that feature different products, service highlights, and distinct designs and finishes. NW Portland location, for instance, houses a wine and beer shop and a juice bar. Its SE counterpart introduced a coffee bar, a brick pizza oven place, and a wine and beer shop. Bend’s location includes a two-tiered cafe with a fireplace and an additional outdoor plaza. The building’s sustainability features include LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and refurbished casework. A MudHen Water Reclamation System was used to complete the concrete polishing process. 

Balfour Beatty

1455 NW Irving St. Unit #400, Portland, OR 97209

Balfour Beauty’s over 135 years of multi-awarded construction practice makes it one of the most established companies in the country. Awards and rankings from the Engineering News-Record (ENR), local and national Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and Design-Build Institute of America are just some of the institutions that have highlighted the firm’s outstanding work. The company currently serves over 20 sectors, including the commercial market. The firm’s diverse portfolio comprises projects from loyal clients and referrals. As a commercial contractor, the company has worked for some of the country’s biggest brands. Microsoft, Hyatt Regency, and Ritz Carlton have trusted the firm’s comprehensive delivery method. In 2017, Balfour Beatty was awarded the Interior Design/Tenant Improvement Award of Merit by Engineering News-Record, solidifying its reputation as one of the best construction companies in Portland, Oregon.

Cabela’s Incorporated has also been working with the firm for years to build several outdoor outfitter retail company locations. After creatively overcoming the challenges of permitting and exterior facade revisions, the firm produced a commercial structure that embodies the brand’s vision and its focus on customer experience. One of the project’s highlights is a mountain display of taxidermy animals and several aquariums. Included in the building are offices, service areas, and conference rooms. 

Lorentz Bruun Construction

3611 SE 20th Ave. #300, Portland, OR 97202

Lorentz Bruun Construction is a family-owned general contracting company currently in its third generation of leadership. Since its inception, it has developed its design-build delivery method to address the architecture, construction, and construction management needs of the commercial, residential, healthcare, industrial, and historic renovation industries. The firm also incorporates green construction practices into every project. The firm has recently been named one of the Top 100 Greenest Companies in Oregon, a recognition from the Oregon Business Journal. The same publication included the firm in its Top 100 Companies in Oregon ranking.

As a commercial general contractor, it has completed many landmark projects in Oregon. In Portland, the firm led the 24th & Thurman project. The work included revitalizing the 11,000-square-foot undeveloped industrial warehouse that was once used as an X-ray facility. The firm partnered with Skylab principal architect Jeff Kovel to transform the space into a more modern, expansive, structurally updated structure. 

Ordell Construction

29771 E Enid Road, Eugene, OR 97402

Ordell Construction delivers various services, including general contracting, metal building and metal distribution, steel fabrication, and concrete and drywall installation. This range of expertise has helped the firm complete a diverse portfolio of complex projects. As one of the most established general contractors for the commercial sector, the firm’s over 40 years of operations have allowed it to develop lifelong relationships with some of the biggest commercial brands in the country. 

Retailer chain Bi-Mart, for instance, has been working with the firm since the 1960s. Together, they have produced more than 65 store locations. Some of its most unforgettable partnerships, which exemplify the firm’s efficiency and familiarity with the brand’s quality standards, are its countless pharmacy remodeling projects, each of which has been completed in a single night.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the commercial contractors in the Portland, Oregon area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.