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Portland metro, Vancouver and Clark County · OR CCB #230588
Garage and basement conversions in Portland and Vancouver
Turn a garage or an unused basement into a guest suite, office, studio or family room without making the house bigger. One local team handles design, permits and the build.
What’s included
Garage-to-living conversions
A legal, insulated room in place of parking: guest suite, office, studio or playroom.
Basement finishing and conversions
Turn unused downstairs space into a family room, guest suite or home office, with insulation and lighting planned in.
Guest suites and accessory living
A comfortable room to sleep in, not just a painted garage or a damp basement.
Offices, gyms and studios
The same conversion path, fitted to how you will actually use the room.
Building science that keeps
Insulation, vapor control, egress, heat and lighting so the new room stays comfortable year-round.
Permits in Portland metro and Clark County
Conversions that change use almost always need a permit. We handle that paperwork.
A conversion instead of a bigger footprint
A lot of Portland bungalows and Vancouver tract homes already have the square footage, it is just parked in or downstairs. Converting a garage or finishing a basement adds a real room without a new foundation or a new roof line.
That only works if the space is insulated, permitted and comfortable. A garage needs a proper floor, wall and ceiling assembly. A basement needs moisture control, egress where required, and enough headroom. We look at those constraints before we talk paint colors.
Harris describes garage conversions as a way to add function without expanding the footprint, and basement remodels as a way to unlock space that is already on the lot. Both are on this page because homeowners often weigh them against each other.
Basement conversions
Harris lists basement remodeling and conversions as a service. We do not yet have basement photos on file that we can confirm are Harris projects, so these frames are marked until real ones are added.
Our 5-step process
The same path we use on every design-build project: we scope the work, design it, pull the permits, build it, and walk it with you at the end.
- 1Initial survey
- 2Design phase
- 3Planning & permits
- 4Construction
- 5Final walkthrough
Built on our word
You are hiring a licensed Oregon contractor, not a revolving cast of subs you never meet. We design, permit and build under one roof, and we keep you posted when something changes.
- Licensed in Oregon as OR CCB #230588.
- Permits and inspections are part of the job, including Portland-metro cities and Clark County work we take on.
- You get a clear scope and a straight conversation about budget before construction starts.
- Financing options are available; we’ll explain what is current when we talk.
We have not listed a Washington contractor license number here because we do not have a confirmed number on file. If Harris has one for Clark County work, it should go in this section before publish.
Get your free conversion consultation
Tell us what you have in mind. We will call or text the Portland office to schedule. Or call 503-610-0739 now.
Videos
A short intro and client interviews belong here. Slots below use real posters where we have them, and a visible placeholder where we do not.
Garage conversion client videoSeward client interview already used on Harris landers (Vimeo 1109193467, about 1:54). Ready to embed on publish.
Intro video neededVIDEO NEEDED: a short intro to garage and basement conversions.
What our clients say
These are Google reviews published on harrisandsons.co and already used on the current Portland kitchen and bathroom landers. The review text does not name a city.
We hired Harris & Sons to remodel part of our house and also build an addition. The project involved 3 bedrooms, 2 walk-in closets, and 2 bathrooms. Throughout the construction process, which had a few unforeseen complications, Harris & Sons worked to meet our expectations, gave us constructive options, and pushed to keep as close to the schedule as possible. They worked with us on controlling overall cost and understood and respected our financial capabilities and limits. In the end they gave us a beautiful and good quality home.
Google review, as published on harrisandsons.co
From our first meeting, Christian Harris stood out. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable about construction and design, but he also brought a level of calm confidence that made us feel like our home was in the best possible hands. He took the time to understand our vision, walked us through every step of the process, and communicated consistently, something that’s rare in the construction world these days.
Google review, as published on harrisandsons.co
We have worked with Christian and his team for numerous projects around our home for the past year. They built and stained a beautiful fence for us, and also built a paver patio and pathway in our backyard. They are consistently friendly, communicative, and deliver high-quality work. Their employees are considerate and helpful. They have excellent follow-through from start to finish, and are exceptionally priced. We would highly recommend this team and we will continue to utilize their skills around our home going forward.
Google review, as published on harrisandsons.co
Where we work
The Portland office takes this work across the metro and across the river in Vancouver and Clark County. The number on this page is the Portland line.
Portland metro
- Portland, OR
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Tigard, OR
- Lake Oswego, OR
- Gresham, OR
- Happy Valley, OR
- Oregon City, OR
Vancouver and Clark County
- Vancouver, WA
- Washougal, WA
- Camas, WA
- Clark County, WA
Questions
Do I need a permit to convert a garage or finish a basement?
In most cases, yes, because you are changing how the space is used. Our team handles permits and inspections for Portland-metro cities and for Clark County work we take on.
Can a converted garage become a small apartment?
Harris notes that garage conversions can be a good fit for an office, gym or even a small apartment. Whether yours can be a legal dwelling depends on zoning, egress and the existing structure. We will tell you what is realistic after a site review.
What about a wet or unfinished basement?
A finished basement needs a dry assembly, insulation and lighting. If moisture is an issue, we address that before finish work. We do not have a published Harris price range for basement conversions, so we quote after we see the space.
Will I lose all of my parking?
Some conversions keep a single bay or move storage. We plan around how you actually park and what the city requires.
Do you work in Vancouver and Clark County?
Yes. This page uses the Portland phone line and covers both the Oregon metro and Vancouver / Clark County.
Ready to plan your conversion?
Tell us what you have in mind. A short note now saves a long back-and-forth later. Or call the Portland office at 503-610-0739.