whole house

whole house

We specialize in whole house remodels of Portland's historic and vintage homes.

A whole house remodel is an opportunity to reimagine your home, improving spaces that embody your lifestyle while preserving its character and heritage. With decades of experience in period restoration and remodeling, at Arciform we design holistically, collaborating closely with you to create a cohesive plan that enhances functionality, performance, flow, and aesthetics. Whether updating layouts, restoring period details, or integrating modern conveniences, we approach every project with respect for the home's original craftsmanship and architectural integrity.


This significant investment benefits from our expertise in project phasing, minimizing disruptions and avoiding costly rework. From structural improvements to custom cabinetry, doors, and windows crafted in our Portland workshop, every element is designed for longevity and daily joy.


Start reimagining your Portland home and schedule your complimentary whole-house design consultation today.


Enjoy a sampling of our whole house remodels below and see the full project stories in our portfolio!

Enjoy a sampling of our whole house remodels below and see the full project stories in our portfolio!

Enjoy a sampling of our whole house remodels below and see the full project stories in our portfolio!

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.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE

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.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE

“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

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.

Trusted by Leading Preservation and Remodeling Organizations