General Contracting contractors in
Hillsboro, Oregon.
A public directory of general contracting contractor businesses serving greater Hillsboro. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
General Contracting jobs in Hillsboro
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Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Oregon requires General Contractors to hold an Oregon Construction Contractor License. Types: CCB Contractor License (required for jobs $5000+). No exam waiver—must pass Oregon Construction Law exam and CCB trade-specific exam. Licensing Board: Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Renewal every 2 years; continuing education: 12 hours per 2-year period (varies by trade). Workers' Comp insurance proof required. Bonding: $10,000-$40,000 depending on classification.
Permit Requirements
Hillsboro Building Department requires permits for: structural work, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, additions, decks over 30 inches, commercial alterations. Residential remodels $5000+. Applications submitted via Hillsboro's online permit system (ePlans). Typical turnaround: 5-10 business days for plan review. Expedited review available ($150-$300 fee).
Inspection Schedule
Hillsboro requires inspections at: foundation/framing, rough-in (electrical/plumbing/HVAC), insulation/drywall, final. Exterior work (roofing, siding) inspected at completion. Deck inspections occur at post and beam stage, then final. Inspector requests 24-48 hours notice. Failures require correction and re-inspection ($75-$150 per re-inspection).
Insurance Minimums
Oregon requires: General Liability minimum $300,000 per occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate. Workers' Compensation required for any employees (Oregon SAIF or private carrier). Surety Bond: $10,000-$40,000 depending on license class. Excess liability ($1M+) recommended for larger projects.
Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 8/17/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Step 1: Meet Prerequisites
You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have a valid Social Security Number. If you've held a CCB license before, check for any disciplinary history or delinquencies. Register with Oregon Secretary of State if you're operating as a business entity (LLC, Corp, Sole Prop). You'll need an Oregon business license. Source: CCB.
Step 2: Complete Application
Submit CCB Application Form CCB-1 online or by mail. Include: proof of legal entity (articles of incorporation or DBA), personal ID, and initial bonding quote. List your proposed license classification (General Contractor, Residential Contractor, etc.). Specify which services you'll offer. Provide 3-5 years of relevant work history. If you've worked under another license, provide those details. CCB reviews completeness within 5 business days.
Step 3: Secure Bonding and Insurance
Obtain a Surety Bond ($10,000-$40,000 depending on license class). Cost typically $400-$800/year. File proof with CCB. Secure General Liability insurance ($300,000 minimum per occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate). If you'll have employees, register with Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services for Workers' Compensation. Provide proof of insurance to CCB before exam scheduling.
Step 4: Study and Schedule Exam
Study Oregon Construction Law (OAR 812-003) and CCB trade-specific guidelines. Exam covers licensing rules, code basics, safety, dispute resolution, and consumer protection. CCB offers study guides and sample exams online. Schedule your exam through Pearson VUE (CCB's testing vendor). Exams are offered statewide; Hillsboro area has multiple testing centers. Exam fee is $150. Schedule within 1-2 weeks of CCB clearing your application.
Step 5: Pass the Exam
You must score 70% or higher. Exam takes 2.5-3 hours. You'll have 1 attempt; if you fail, retest costs another $150 and requires a 30-day wait. Results post within 10 business days. Once you pass, CCB processes final licensing and issues your wallet card and wall certificate. Your license is valid for 2 years from issuance.
Step 6: Maintain Active License
Every 2 years, renew your license and bonding. Renewal includes completing 12 hours of continuing education (mix of safety, code updates, business topics). CCB tracks your CE hours automatically if you take approved courses. Renew online 90 days before expiration. Renewal fee is approximately $400. Failure to renew on time suspends your license and blocks new work. Workers' Comp insurance must remain active if you have employees.
About This Market
Hillsboro's general contracting market sits in the sweet spot of Portland metro expansion without the saturation you see closer to downtown. Demand is steady—mix of residential remodels, new construction support, and light commercial. Labor costs run high; median hourly wage is $65.89/hr. Competition is moderate but intense enough that you can't coast on reputation alone. Homeowners here have money and expect quality. Projects trending: kitchen/bath remodels, deck builds, basement finishes, roof replacements. Costs are driven by labor availability, material lead times, and permit delays. Winter weather doesn't kill work, but it slows exterior jobs and adds 20-30% to timeline.
To work this market, you need a current Oregon CCB Contractor License—no shortcuts. Get bonded, carry solid liability insurance ($1M minimum), and budget 3-4 weeks for permit review. Hillsboro Building Department is professional but thorough; incomplete submittals get kicked back. Subcontractor licensing matters: all subs must be licensed if their work exceeds $5000. Peak season (June-August) fills fast; book spring work by March. Stay on top of Washington County code updates—they track IBC amendments closely. Your reputation spreads fast here. One bad job costs you three good ones. Margin pressure is real; estimate tight, manage scope creep harder, and keep crews efficient.
- median_hourly_wageBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages data
- licensed_establishments_in_oregonOregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license database and Census of Construction Industries
- licensing_requirements_and_examOregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 812, Division 3
- permit_and_inspection_requirementsHillsboro Development Services Building Department and Washington County Building Code (IBC-based)
- insurance_minimumsOregon Construction Contractors Board bonding and insurance requirements, OAR 812-003-0110
- peak_season_and_market_trendsConstruction industry survey data, local contractor feedback, and seasonal permit filings in Washington County
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum license I need to do general contracting work in Hillsboro?
Oregon law requires a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) Contractor License for any single job over $5,000. There's no exemption for owner-builders in Hillsboro. You must pass the CCB exam covering Oregon Construction Law and your specific trade classification. For general contracting, you'll test on general business practices, code compliance, and safety. Source: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) website and OAR Chapter 812, Division 3.
How long does it take to get a CCB license in Oregon?
Expect 4-8 weeks total. Application review: 2-3 weeks. You then schedule and sit the exam (available within 1-2 weeks). Exam results post within 10 business days. Once you pass, CCB issues your license. Bonding and insurance paperwork can overlap this timeline but must be complete before you're active. Source: CCB processing timelines and applicant handbook.
Do I need permits for every job in Hillsboro, or are there exemptions?
Most work over $5,000 requires a permit. Exemptions are rare and narrow: minor repairs, painting (interior), landscaping under specific conditions. Anything structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, or exterior alteration needs a permit. Deck work over 30 inches high is permitted. Hillsboro Building Department reviews plans for code compliance. Incomplete or incorrect submittals delay approval 1-2 weeks. Source: Hillsboro Development Services permit matrix and IBC standards.
What's the typical timeline from bid to project completion for a kitchen remodel in Hillsboro?
Plan 8-12 weeks. Breakdown: permit review (2-3 weeks), contractor scheduling and ordering materials (2-3 weeks), demolition and rough-in (2-3 weeks), inspections and corrections (1-2 weeks), finish work and final inspection (2-3 weeks). Weather doesn't major impact interior work, but supply chain delays are common. Homeowner change orders add 1-2 weeks per change. Source: industry standards and local contractor feedback.
What's the current wage rate for general contractors in Oregon, and how does that affect project cost?
BLS reports the median hourly wage for general contractors in Oregon is $65.89/hr (approximately $137,051 annually). Labor is your largest cost input. For a $50,000 project, expect 30-40% to go toward labor and crew overhead. Material costs (lumber, fixtures, finishes) vary but typically run 35-45%. Permits, insurance, and overhead round out margins. High-skill subs (electricians, plumbers) run $85-$125/hr. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2023 occupational data.
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