Our Design-Build Process

Our design-build process is built around one team and one contract, from the first measurement to the final walkthrough. Most remodels fail at the handoffs, between designer, contractor, and trades. We remove the handoffs. Here is how every Woodland Construction Group project moves from first sketch to finished room.

How the Woodland design-build process works

Because design and construction live under one roof, our design-build process keeps your budget, drawings, and build schedule in sync from the first day, with no finger-pointing between a separate architect and general contractor. Each of the seven steps below hands off cleanly to the next, and the same team stays accountable from first sketch to final walkthrough. That single line of accountability is the core advantage of a true design-build process.

1. Initial consultation

We start with an in-depth conversation about how you live, cook, and gather, your needs, and your budget, then visit your home to assess the space and take measurements. This complimentary consult covers feasibility, layout ideas, and realistic 2026 investment ranges for your market.

2. Design and planning

Our in-house design team builds detailed 3D renderings and floor plans, presents multiple layouts, and refines the design with your feedback. Material boards put real samples of cabinetry, countertops, tile, and fixtures in your hands, so every decision is made on physical samples, not screens.

3. Selecting materials

We guide you through cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and fixtures, drawing on established relationships with premium Portland-area suppliers. Showroom visits let you see and test selections, with guidance on durability and how each material performs in daily use.

4. Permits and approvals

We pull every permit through the right jurisdiction for your address, your city building department or Washington, Multnomah, or Clackamas County, and coordinate the structural, plumbing, and electrical plan review. Handling the paperwork ourselves is what keeps the schedule honest.

5. Demolition and structure

With permits secured and materials ordered, we remove existing finishes behind containment systems that protect the rest of your home. This phase reveals the framing and utilities and surfaces any hidden plumbing, electrical, or structural issues before we build.

6. Installation and construction

Licensed plumbers and electricians rough in supply, drainage, wiring, and ventilation, load-bearing changes are framed and inspected, cabinetry is set level and plumb, countertops are templated and installed, and tile, lighting, hardware, and paint go in until every surface is right. We coordinate every required inspection along the way.

7. Final walkthrough

We walk the finished room with you, demonstrate how everything works, and hand over maintenance guidance and warranty documentation. The project is not complete until you are fully satisfied, and our 1-year craftsmanship warranty carries on from there.

Schedule a free consultation   or call (503) 912-2000.

Why homeowners choose a design-build process

Hiring an architect, then bidding the drawings to contractors, is where most budgets slip. A design-build process prices the design as it is drawn, so the number you approve is the number you build. One contract means one point of contact, one schedule, and one team responsible for the result, from permits to punch list. It also tends to be faster: design, ordering, and construction overlap instead of waiting on a separate handoff. For Portland-area remodels, that combination of budget certainty, accountability, and speed is why the design-build process has become the standard for serious whole-home and kitchen projects.

Curious how a design-build process compares to hiring an architect and a contractor separately? The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) explains how professional remodelers work. When you are ready, our team will walk you through every step of the design-build process.