Woman-Led Design-Build Remodeling
Home Remodeling Contractor in Portland, OR
Kitchens, bathrooms & whole-home renovations: one team designs, budgets, permits & builds it all under a single contract.
Founded by Deb Zsarko. Licensed in Oregon (CCB #252663) and Washington, with 30+ years in the trade.
Design-Build Home Remodeling in Portland, OR
A remodel puts a lot in a contractor's hands: your house, your savings, months of your family's routine. Z Squared Holdings is a woman-led home remodeling contractor in Portland, OR, founded by Deb Zsarko, and that shapes how we work. Many of the homeowners driving remodel decisions are women, and they tell us it matters to hire a builder who listens first and designs around how the household actually lives.
Design-build means you sign one contract and deal with one accountable team for design, budgeting, permits, and construction. You get fixed decision points instead of open-ended change orders, a schedule you can actually plan around, and one person to call with every question.
Our Remodeling Services
Design-build for every room in the house
Kitchen Remodeling
$45,000–$85,000+
Most remodeling budgets, and most family life, end up in the kitchen. Open a closed-off galley, add an island, or gut the room to the studs; layout, cabinetry, finishes, and permits all run through one team, so nothing falls between contractors.
Bathroom Remodeling
$35,000–$90,000+
Waterproofing, ventilation, and drainage have to be right before the pretty parts can last. We build bathrooms for Pacific Northwest moisture and daily use: curbless showers, heated floors, and aging-in-place layouts that still work in twenty years.
Hall baths: $35K–$70K · Primary baths: $60K–$90K+
Basement Finishing
Most Cost-Effective SF
Finishing the basement often buys the cheapest square footage in a Portland house, but moisture, egress windows, insulation, and ceiling height all carry code implications. We check those constraints first and tell you what the space can honestly be, before you commit.
Whole Home Renovation
Full-Scope Design-Build
One team plans structure, systems, and finishes across the entire house instead of you sequencing contractors room by room. It usually costs less than piecemeal remodeling, we phase the work around your life, and the same people stay accountable from first sketch to final punch list.
Our Remodeling Work
Portland kitchen & bath projects by Z Squared
Remodeling Older Portland Homes
Portland's older housing stock, the 1900s–1940s bungalows and four-squares in Alberta, Sellwood, and Irvington, was built well but wired and plumbed for another century. Open the walls and you'll often find knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, or an unreinforced foundation.
We plan for that. Your estimate flags the likely surprises for a home of your era, and your proposal spells out how we handle what we find, so an old-house remodel doesn't turn into an open-ended one.
Permits Handled, Not Your Homework
We draw the plans, pull the permits, and schedule every city inspection
Portland requires permits for any remodel that touches plumbing, electrical, or structure
Unpermitted work surfaces at resale, so every job is documented and inspected
One design-build contract, so no finger-pointing between designer and builder
Licensed in Oregon (CCB #252663) & Washington
Our Design-Build Process
One team, one contract, start to finish
Free Estimate
We walk your space, listen to what you want, and follow up with a straight answer on scope and cost.
Design
You choose materials and finishes with our in-house designers at fixed decision points, so the price you approve is the price you pay.
Permitting
Plans drawn, permits pulled, inspections passed. Permitting is our job, not your homework.
Construction
The crew that designed your project builds it and stands behind it, demolition through final walkthrough.
Honest Numbers Up Front
Remodeling in Portland runs 15–20% above national averages because of material costs and local code. We'd rather tell you at the first meeting than surprise you at the last one.
Because design and construction live under one contract, your selections are priced into the proposal before demolition starts, not discovered halfway through the job.
Portland Remodeling FAQs
Common questions answered
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Portland, Oregon?
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Most full kitchen remodels in Portland run $45,000 to $85,000. Layout changes, custom cabinetry, or structural work can push past $100,000, and Portland pricing sits 15–20% above national averages. We confirm a realistic range during your free estimate, before any design work starts.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Portland, OR?
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A hall bathroom remodel in Portland typically runs $35,000 to $70,000; a primary bath, $60,000 to $90,000 or more. Plumbing relocation, tile scope, and fixture choices move the number most. Because we design and build under one contract, those costs are fixed in your proposal before construction starts.
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in Portland?
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Yes. Portland requires a permit whenever a kitchen or bathroom remodel touches plumbing, electrical, or structure, which covers nearly every full remodel. Cosmetic updates like paint or new cabinet doors usually need none. We prepare and pull every permit and coordinate city inspections for you.
How long does a whole-home remodel take?
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Plan on six to twelve months from design kickoff to final walkthrough, with construction itself running four to eight months depending on scope. Design, engineering, and Portland permit review take time up front, but that work is what keeps the build on schedule. You get the full calendar, with fixed decision points, before work begins.
Can I live in my house during a remodel?
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Often, yes. Most homeowners stay put through a kitchen or bathroom remodel with a temporary kitchen or a second bath. For whole-home renovations that open walls and systems throughout the house, moving out is usually easier on you and faster for the crew. We help you weigh both options during planning.
How do I verify a remodeling contractor's license in Oregon (CCB)?
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Search the contractor's name or license number on the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) website; it shows license status, bond, insurance, and complaint history. Z Squared Holdings LLC holds Oregon CCB #252663 and a Washington license as well. Run that check on any remodeler you're considering, including us.
Get a Free Remodeling Estimate
Tell us about the kitchen, bathroom, basement, or whole house you want to change. We'll walk the space, talk through your budget, and tell you what the project really takes. No pressure, no obligation.
Reach out today to get your free estimate on the calendar.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD
Tamar Feinkind
Home Owner
I worked with Deb Zsarko twice, first to renovate a 1 bedroom condo – kitchen, flooring, and paint – and the second time to completely gut a 1500 sq ft house. Five years on, we feel lucky to have worked with Deb to redo our 1940 house. The work she does lasts, and she considered things in terms of aesthetics that we had never thought of. She works with top of the line people, as well. Mostly, she's a person of her word! And that's rare in this business.
Mae-Fay Koenig
Home Owner
Deb did an incredible job with our master bathroom and walk in closet remodel! She's pretty accurate with her estimates and timeline which is a rare thing to find. Deb has a wealth of knowledge and experience with all things related to home construction and remodels. If she was still local to us, we would have had her tackle our kitchen remodel as well. Highly recommend Deb to anyone who wants a stress free remodel!