whole house
whole house
Complete Whole House Remodeling for Historic Homes
Whole house remodeling for Portland homes built before 1980 is at the heart of what we do. Whether you’re planning a phased renovation or a complete overhaul, we bring decades of experience preserving architectural integrity while meeting the needs of modern living. Your historic home gets an approach shaped around its own history.
A full-home remodel is a chance to make the most of your home, improving the spaces that fit your daily life while protecting its character and heritage. We design holistically, working closely with you on a cohesive plan that enhances function, performance, flow, and look. Whether we’re updating layouts, restoring period details, or bringing in modern conveniences, we treat every project with respect for the home’s original craftsmanship.
A project this size benefits from our experience with phasing, which keeps the work running smoothly and on budget. From structural improvements to custom cabinetry, doors, and windows built in our Portland workshop, every element is made to last and to bring daily joy.
If you’re weighing whether to tackle everything at once or work in stages,
our guide to planning a whole house remodel in phases walks through your options.
A whole house remodel doesn’t have to happen all at once.
Whether you're tackling everything in one go or planning a thoughtful transformation in phases, we’ll help you create a cohesive vision—and bring it to life, step by step.
A whole house remodel doesn’t have to happen all at once.
Whether you're tackling everything in one go or planning a thoughtful transformation in phases, we’ll help you create a cohesive vision—and bring it to life, step by step.
“We have used Arciform for the remodel of our 1909 home in Portland Heights. Our project involved most of the house, in 3 phases over the course of a few years. We are absolutely thrilled with the end result. Arciform is a highly professional team, from start to finish.”
Lynn, Portland, OR
“It has been wonderful working with you and all your team on our project. We appreciate all the hard work, skilled, creative and artistic talent Arciform has brought to our project, and the Ammi S. Nichols House is shining a little brighter every day for your contributions. We appreciate your professionalism, kindness and thoughtfulness and will look forward to continuing on this journey together.”
Pam & Chris, Portland, OR
“I can't say enough about how much I value this company, a true family. If you want to remodel an older home, you won't find better than this.”
Gretchen N., Portland, OR
“Arciform is known for their attention to detail, and they did not disappoint. From the custom windows with rope & pulley hardware to the matching the leaded glass in the kitchen to the existing style, everything looks like it has always been here (albeit locked in a time capsule).”
Dan Volkmer, Portland, OR
“Our experience with Arciform was very positive. They came in in the middle of a job that had failed, and managed very professionally to save the day. Their craftsmen were talented! and there was thorough oversight and attention to detail. They worked graciously with an outside architecht who was a friend of ours, which for many is not easy to do. We were thoroughly happy and would call on them again.”
Barnes E., Lake Oswego, OR
How to Plan a Whole-House Remodel, Even if You Are Doing it in Phases
Thinking about remodeling your entire home but not ready to tackle it all at once? Learn how creating a master plan for your home can help you prioritize projects, align renovations with your budget and lifestyle, and ensure each phase contributes to a cohesive final result.
Phased Whole-House Remodel FAQs
Why would I phase my whole-house remodel?
You don’t have to phase a whole-house remodel, but if you are planning on living in the spaces while construction is happening, phasing the remodel can make it much more comfortable. Also, your budget may not allow you to do the entire project in one go. Phasing allows our clients to parcel out the project into more digestible chunks.
How do you recommend I phase my whole-house remodel?
Our suggestion is to phase projects from the outside in and the top down. Making sure the roofing, gutters, downspouts, siding, site grading and foliage are at their best helps prevent damaging the interior, which is frustrating when the spaces have just been newly remodeled. In multi level homes, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC lines often run downward to utility rooms in garages or basements. If you start at the top, you avoid having to open up or work around brand new surfaces to add or access systems. Structural changes on upper levels also trickle downward and likely affect lower levels.
Having a conversation about what needs repairs or updates in the near future also helps with investment planning.
Should I design the entire remodel upfront, or by phase?
Arciform suggests that, at a minimum, we create a conceptual plan of all your remodeling goals. We encourage you to dream big and then prioritize your dreams into must-dos, want-to-dos, and would-be-nice-but-not-necessaries. This helps to approach each phase holistically and helps you manage your circumstances, whether it be accommodation during the remodel, health considerations, family planning and/or finances.
How do you/I manage scope creep?
Scope creep is when little projects get added to the original scope and cause cost increases and scheduling delays.
One of the reasons Arciform encourages thorough up-front planning and research is to help reduce scope creep along the way. By considering the big picture from the beginning, we can take advantage of opportunities that will make future phases more attainable. We also present a la carte budget ranges for ideas early on, to help you manage your wish lists. This reduces the during-construction-brainstorms, which can delay construction progress, can cause domino effects that compromise overall form and function and will often mean cost increases.
What is the best advice when starting a whole-house remodel?
Arciform encourages you to consider first why you purchased the home and to embrace what you love about it. We consider the home part of the design team. It has a lot to bring to the table, especially style wise. If you can embrace some of the home’s less common characteristics and make them work for you, not only does it save money, but it adds character and individuality to your project.
How to Plan a Whole-House Remodel, Even if You Are Doing it in Phases
Thinking about remodeling your entire home but not ready to tackle it all at once? Learn how creating a master plan for your home can help you prioritize projects, align renovations with your budget and lifestyle, and ensure each phase contributes to a cohesive final result.
Phased Whole House Remodel FAQs
Why would I phase my whole house remodel?
You don’t have to phase a whole-house remodel, but if you are planning on living in the spaces while construction is happening, phasing the remodel can make it much more comfortable. Also, your budget may not allow you to do the entire project in one go. Phasing allows our clients to parcel out the project into more digestible chunks.
How do you recommend I phase my whole house remodel?
Our suggestion is to phase projects from the outside in and the top down. Making sure the roofing, gutters, downspouts, siding, site grading and foliage are at their best helps prevent damaging the interior, which is frustrating when the spaces have just been newly remodeled. In multi level homes, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC lines often run downward to utility rooms in garages or basements. If you start at the top, you avoid having to open up or work around brand new surfaces to add or access systems. Structural changes on upper levels also trickle downward and likely affect lower levels.
Having a conversation about what needs repairs or updates in the near future also helps with investment planning.
Should I design the whole remodel up front or by phase?
Arciform suggests that, at a minimum, we create a conceptual plan of all your remodeling goals. We encourage you to dream big and then prioritize your dreams into must-dos, want-to-dos, and would-be-nice-but-not-necessaries. This helps to approach each phase holistically and helps you manage your circumstances, whether it be accommodation during the remodel, health considerations, family planning and/or finances.
How do you/I manage scope creep?
Scope creep is when little projects get added to the original scope and cause cost increases and scheduling delays.
One of the reasons Arciform encourages thorough up-front planning and research is to help reduce scope creep along the way. By considering the big picture from the beginning, we can take advantage of opportunities that will make future phases more attainable. We also present a la carte budget ranges for ideas early on, to help you manage your wish lists. This reduces the during-construction-brainstorms, which can delay construction progress, can cause domino effects that compromise overall form and function and will often mean cost increases.
What is the best advice when starting a whole house remodel?
Arciform encourages you to consider first why you purchased the home and to embrace what you love about it. We consider the home part of the design team. It has a lot to bring to the table, especially style wise. If you can embrace some of the home’s less common characteristics and make them work for you, not only does it save money, but it adds character and individuality to your project.
How to Plan a Whole-House
Remodel, Even if You Are Doing it in Phases
Thinking about remodeling your entire home but not ready to tackle it all at once? Learn how creating a master plan for your home can help you prioritize projects, align renovations with your budget and lifestyle, and ensure each phase contributes to a cohesive final result.
Phased Whole House Remodel FAQs
Why would I phase my whole house remodel?
You don’t have to phase a whole-house remodel, but if you are planning on living in the spaces while construction is happening, phasing the remodel can make it much more comfortable. Also, your budget may not allow you to do the entire project in one go. Phasing allows our clients to parcel out the project into more digestible chunks.
How do you recommend I phase my whole house remodel?
Our suggestion is to phase projects from the outside in and the top down. Making sure the roofing, gutters, downspouts, siding, site grading and foliage are at their best helps prevent damaging the interior, which is frustrating when the spaces have just been newly remodeled. In multi level homes, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC lines often run downward to utility rooms in garages or basements. If you start at the top, you avoid having to open up or work around brand new surfaces to add or access systems. Structural changes on upper levels also trickle downward and likely affect lower levels.
Having a conversation about what needs repairs or updates in the near future also helps with investment planning.
Should I design the whole remodel up front or by phase?
Arciform suggests that, at a minimum, we create a conceptual plan of all your remodeling goals. We encourage you to dream big and then prioritize your dreams into must-dos, want-to-dos, and would-be-nice-but-not-necessaries. This helps to approach each phase holistically and helps you manage your circumstances, whether it be accommodation during the remodel, health considerations, family planning and/or finances.
How do you/I manage scope creep?
Scope creep is when little projects get added to the original scope and cause cost increases and scheduling delays.
One of the reasons Arciform encourages thorough up-front planning and research is to help reduce scope creep along the way. By considering the big picture from the beginning, we can take advantage of opportunities that will make future phases more attainable. We also present a la carte budget ranges for ideas early on, to help you manage your wish lists. This reduces the during-construction-brainstorms, which can delay construction progress, can cause domino effects that compromise overall form and function and will often mean cost increases.
What is the best advice when starting a whole house remodel?
Arciform encourages you to consider first why you purchased the home and to embrace what you love about it. We consider the home part of the design team. It has a lot to bring to the table, especially style wise. If you can embrace some of the home’s less common characteristics and make them work for you, not only does it save money, but it adds character and individuality to your project.
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