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Frequently Asked Questions
Your Remodeling Questions,
Answered Honestly.
From your first call to the final walkthrough — here's how we work. The Gencon brothers answer the questions homeowners ask most before starting a remodeling project in Clackamas County.
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Honest Answers Before You Hire
The Questions Worth
Asking Up Front.
A remodeling project is a big decision — emotionally, financially, and practically. The best contractor relationships begin with clear answers to the questions that matter most. Below you'll find honest answers to what Clackamas County homeowners ask us before, during, and after a project.
If you don't see your question here, the answer is one phone call away. We'd rather have a 10-minute conversation than leave you guessing. Call 503-825-0123 or request a free estimate.
Jump to a Topic
Browse questions by category — or keep scrolling to read them all.
01 — About Gencon
Who We Are
A family-owned team rooted in Clackamas County, built around three brothers and a shared standard for craftsmanship.
Gencon is a family-owned remodeling company founded by three brothers — Max, Alex, and Oleg — serving homeowners throughout Clackamas County, Oregon. Our combined experience covers master-level craftsmanship, large-project management, and a design-heavy approach. We're medium-high end: top-level craftsmanship at a reasonable price, with personal accountability you simply don't get from a large general contractor.
Gencon as a family business reflects over 20 years of construction and remodeling experience. Our co-founder Max founded Gencon after operating multiple successful construction companies, including Honest Quality Construction. Co-founder Alex previously managed large-scale multifamily projects at Redwood Construction across the United States, and Oleg apprentices alongside them, bringing fresh energy to traditional craftsmanship.
Yes. Gencon is owned and operated by three brothers. Family ownership means a single set of standards across every project — when one of us shakes your hand, all three of us stand behind the work. That accountability is the foundation of how we operate.
Gencon is based in Clackamas, Oregon. We serve homeowners throughout Clackamas County, including Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, West Linn, Canby, Sandy, and Gladstone. If you're nearby and not on that list, give us a call — we may still be able to help.
Max leads on-site craftsmanship and quality control. Alex serves as your project manager, handling scheduling, communication, and coordination of trades. Oleg supports the build and handles detailed finish work. You'll have direct access to all three of us throughout your project — no layers of office staff between you and the people doing the work.
02 — Getting Started
Estimates & First Steps
Everything you need to know about scheduling a consultation and what to expect from our written estimate.
Call 503-825-0123 or email office@genconnw.com. We'll schedule a free in-home consultation, walk through your project, listen to what you're trying to accomplish, and follow up with a clear, honest written estimate. There's no pressure and no obligation.
Yes. Initial consultations and written estimates are always free for homeowners in our service area. We don't charge to come visit your home, look at your space, or talk through ideas. We believe estimates should be a conversation, not a sales pitch.
For straightforward projects, you'll typically receive a written estimate within 3 to 5 business days of our visit. For larger or design-heavy projects involving custom cabinetry, ADUs, or full whole-home remodels, it may take 7 to 14 days while we line up subcontractor pricing and material costs.
Photos of the space, rough measurements if you have them, and a sense of your priorities and budget range. Inspiration images are great too — Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, Houzz saves. None of this is required, but it helps us make the most of our time together.
We can give very rough ranges over the phone for common project types, but accurate pricing always requires an in-person walkthrough. Every home is different, and we'd rather give you a precise number than guess. The site visit is fast, free, and informative — even if you don't end up hiring us.
03 — Process & Timeline
How Projects Actually Run
Step-by-step process, real timelines, permits, and what happens between signing and the final walkthrough.
Our process has four phases:
1. Free in-home estimate — One of the brothers walks the project with you and listens to your goals.
2. Design and material selection — Layout, cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures, and finishes are locked in before any work starts.
3. Permits and scheduling — Alex handles permit applications and coordinates trades.
4. Build and finish — Max leads the build, Oleg handles finish details, and every installation is inspected before final walkthrough.
Each phase has clear deliverables before moving to the next, so you always know where things stand.
Timelines vary by project scope. A simple bathroom or focused kitchen update typically runs 2 to 4 weeks. A full kitchen gut renovation runs 6 to 10 weeks. Basement finishing typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. ADU construction usually takes 4 to 8 months including permitting. We give you a project timeline up front and update it as the project progresses.
We handle permits. Alex, our project manager, takes care of all permit applications and inspections directly with Clackamas County or your specific city's building department. You don't have to navigate the bureaucracy — that's part of what hiring a licensed contractor includes.
It depends on our current schedule and how long permits take in your jurisdiction. For smaller projects, we can sometimes start within 2 to 4 weeks. Larger projects involving custom orders or permits typically begin 6 to 10 weeks after signing. We'll be straight with you about timing during your estimate.
Ask about license and insurance, who will actually be on-site, how change orders are handled, payment schedule, expected timeline, who handles permits, and what's covered under warranty. Ask for references from recent local projects. A reputable contractor will welcome these questions and give you straight answers — if a contractor won't put answers in writing, that's a signal.
Ready to talk about your specific project?
The fastest way to get real answers is a free, no-pressure consultation in your home.
04 — Pricing & Payment
How Pricing Works
Payment milestones, what's in your estimate, change orders, and financing options for your remodel.
We use a milestone-based payment schedule tied to project progress, not a single large up-front payment. The exact structure is laid out in your written contract before any work begins, so you always know what's owed and when. We never ask for full payment up front.
Estimates are firm based on the scope we've agreed on. The price changes only if you change scope (a change order) or if we discover something unexpected behind a wall — old wiring, water damage, structural issues. In those cases, we stop, document it, give you a written change order with the cost, and only proceed with your approval.
We don't offer financing directly, but many of our clients use home equity loans, HELOCs, or specialty renovation lenders. We're happy to point you toward options that work for your project size, and we'll provide the documentation any lender requires.
Estimates include labor, all known materials, permits, dump fees, and subcontractor coordination. They typically exclude things like new appliances if you're sourcing your own, decorative items, or unforeseen structural repairs. We make every line item clear and walk through the estimate with you before you sign anything.
05 — During Your Project
Living Through Construction
What to expect on a daily basis once the work starts — communication, hours, cleanliness, and changes.
For most kitchen and bathroom remodels, you don't need to move out — though daily life will be disrupted, especially when water or major systems are offline. For full-home remodels, ADU additions, or structural work, you may want to make alternate arrangements for part of the project. We'll be honest with you about what to expect.
Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. We don't schedule loud demolition before 9 AM out of respect for your neighbors. Saturday work happens occasionally if needed to hit a deadline, but only with your permission.
Cleanliness is part of professionalism. We protect adjacent floors and surfaces with drop cloths and plastic sheeting, contain dust with zip walls when possible, and clean the site at the end of every workday. A messy job site reflects messy work — we don't run that way.
Most clients prefer text or email for daily updates, with a weekly check-in call to review progress. Alex coordinates regular updates, and you have direct access to Max for craftsmanship questions. You'll never have to wonder where your project stands.
Changes happen — sometimes you see something during construction that gives you a new idea. We document any change in scope as a written change order with revised cost and timeline impact. You approve in writing before we proceed. No surprise invoices, ever.
06 — Quality, Warranty & Trust
License, Insurance & Standing Behind the Work
Credentials, warranty coverage, references, and what happens if something needs attention after the final walkthrough.
Yes. Gencon is a fully licensed and insured remodeling contractor in the state of Oregon. We carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and we're happy to provide license and insurance documentation in writing before any project begins.
Yes. We provide a written workmanship warranty on every project. Material warranties pass through directly from the manufacturer (cabinetry, appliances, flooring, etc.). If something we built has an issue, you have one number to call — ours.
Absolutely. We'll provide references from recent Clackamas County clients, and you can review project photos throughout our service pages. We're happy to put you in touch with past clients directly — that's a fair test of any contractor's reputation.
Call us. We stand behind our work. If something we installed isn't performing as it should, we'll come look at it and make it right. Family ownership means our reputation is personal — we don't disappear after the final walkthrough.
Carpentry, finish work, and project management are handled directly by Max, Alex, and Oleg. Specialty trades like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC require licensed subcontractors by Oregon law — we use the same trusted partners on every project, and we manage all of them so you don't have to.
07 — Services & Service Areas
What We Build
The kinds of projects Gencon takes on, our design process, and how we handle multi-room scope.
Our specialties include kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, flooring installation, ADU construction, and home additions. We take on full whole-home renovations, single-room remodels, and design-heavy projects. If you're not sure whether your project fits, just ask.
Yes — and we often recommend it. Combining projects saves money on permits, scheduling, and material orders. It also reduces total disruption versus doing two separate remodels back-to-back. Talk to us during your estimate about combining scope.
Yes. Gencon is a design-heavy remodeling company. We bring strong design sensibility into every project from day one — layout, material selection, lighting, and flow are all worked out before we swing a hammer. For larger projects, we partner with independent designers when specialized expertise is needed.
Our focus is remodeling and ADU construction. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) are essentially small new builds, and we have deep expertise there. For brand-new full-size homes, we may not be the best fit — but we can usually point you toward someone we trust.
Ready to Talk?
Still Have a Question?
Every home is different — and your specific question deserves a specific answer. Call or send a note. We respond personally, not from a template.
503-825-0123Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Clackamas, OR · office@genconnw.com