Portland-code-current
Portland's ADU code has evolved frequently. DWV tracks the current requirements — lot coverage, occupancy classification, parking, separate sewer laterals — and applies them at the feasibility stage.

ADUs · detached, attached, garage, basement
An ADU is the best-returning square footage you can add in Portland — when the permits, setbacks, and utilities are handled right the first time. Don runs feasibility before you spend a dollar on design, then takes the build from foundation to certificate of occupancy.
Talk to Don about your projectHe comes out and prices it himself“They also manage the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units which is a great way of adding additional living space to your property. Highly recommend.”
Clement Walsh Landscape Architect, Inc.Industry endorsement · GC + ADUs · June 2025What is included
Don has taken enough Portland ADUs from lot survey to certificate of occupancy to know exactly what your property can carry — and he runs design, permits, and construction as one job.

Selected work




From estimate to closeout
Same protocol on every engagement. Schedule shared before work begins, milestones communicated in writing.
Setback, lot coverage, height envelope, and utility lateral feasibility are evaluated before design begins. The homeowner receives a written feasibility report.
Architectural and structural drawings. The full permit application package is filed with the issuing authority. Corrections are addressed by DWV through to permit issuance.
Excavation, foundation, framing, MEP, finishes. Same standards and inspection cadence as the primary residence.
Final inspection, certificate of occupancy, separate utility meters energized where applicable. The unit is delivered ready for use.
Before / After
A detached garage rebuilt on its original footprint, and a Portland bungalow with new siding, trim, and paint. Each pair is the same house from the same spot.


Detached garage
Full structural rebuild on the original footprint.


Whole-home exterior
Siding, trim, and facade restoration on a Portland bungalow.
Why homeowners hire DWV
Portland's ADU code has evolved frequently. DWV tracks the current requirements — lot coverage, occupancy classification, parking, separate sewer laterals — and applies them at the feasibility stage.
The first deliverable is a written feasibility analysis. The homeowner knows whether the property can accommodate the proposed ADU before any design fees are paid.
Sub-meter and separate-meter installations are coordinated directly with Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, and the Water Bureau. DWV handles the application and scheduling.
ADU construction is held to the same finish standard, the same inspection cadence, and the same warranty as a primary remodel. The unit is built to be habitable for thirty years.
Recent projects
Reviews
FAQ
That is the first question DWV evaluates. A written feasibility analysis reviews lot coverage, setbacks, height envelope, sewer lateral capacity, and parking requirements before any design work begins. If the property cannot support the proposed ADU, the homeowner knows before paying for design.
Ask Don about yours
Will my project need a permit?
Yes · permit required
Full permit suite — zoning, setback, structural, MEP, occupancy. DWV files and addresses corrections.
Service areas
Owner-led across three primary zones, plus the broader metro on a project-by-project basis.
Do we cover your zip?
Primary zone
OR
Lake Oswego's residential stock runs from mid-century ranch through 1970s split-level to current-day lakefront modern. DWV has executed full renovations across the range — and is based in the area, so site visits are direct.
Visit Lake OswegoPrimary zone
OR
Milwaukie's residential stock is heavily weighted toward Craftsman bungalow and mid-century construction. The bones are typically sound; the systems — electrical, plumbing, insulation — are typically what require attention. DWV's whole-home and kitchen-bath work in Milwaukie reflects that pattern.
Visit MilwaukiePrimary zone
OR
SE Portland is the densest pocket of century-old bungalow stock in the metro. DWV has been renovating these homes — Hawthorne, Sellwood, Mt Tabor, Laurelhurst, Richmond, Brooklyn — weekly for the firm's full 17-year history. The pattern is familiar.
Visit SE PortlandFree on-site estimate

“He immediately noticed the floor of the room was slightly sloped, possibly indicating a costly structural problem. This important detail was completely missed by the other two contractors.”
Connie + Jeff (mollyzmum) · Google review