Houseboat

Structural problems in houseboats require a different level of experience than standard residential repairs. Houseboats and floating homes offer a unique way of living on the water, but they also face moisture exposure, access limitations, shifting loads, and long-term wear that can quietly affect the structure over time. For many owners in the Portland Metro Area, Columbia River communities, and Oregon moorages, structural issues are not always obvious [...]

Zero-Threshold Showers in Portland: What to Know Before You Install One Zero-threshold showers, also called curbless showers, are becoming a popular option for homeowners in Portland and throughout the Oregon Metro Area. They create a clean, modern look, improve bathroom accessibility, and can make daily use easier for homeowners planning to age in place. However, a zero-threshold shower is not just a design upgrade. It is a construction [...]

Houseboat remodels have some unique requirements and Capital Builders is well versed in addressing these. We have established a dedicated following among the owners at a few moorages who call us for all their needs.

My first experience with houseboats was 25 years ago when my parents bought a framed shell of a house with windows and a metal roof on a concrete float.  Since helping them with their build-out, we have done numerous houseboat renovations and repairs from window replacement to standing seam roof installation to renovations of kitchens and bathroom to swim float resurfacing.  Last year, we even demolished a houseboat [...]

Knowing how buildings are put together can expedite the demolition process. We dismantled this 700 square foot houseboat and transported it to the moorage parking lot.​..by hand. The entire process took four days including leaving the dock, ramp and parking lot cleaner than when we arrived. We were so quick, polite and responsive that a special meeting called by concerned owners was canceled.

​Our biggest challenge when working on any home is to have our new work seamlessly fit with the rest of the home. To this end on this project, we reused the cabinetry and trim to achieve the owner's goals: reconfigure a continental bath and closet for more effective use of space, replace sinks, counters, tub and flooring to freshen the bathroom, add two high windows to brighten while maintaining privacy....without it feeling out of place with the rest of her home.​

We’ve built a strong following among Portland-area houseboat owners, handling everything from decks and windows to full remodeling and dry rot repair. Working on the water isn’t like standard construction—nothing stays perfectly still. Every detail must be measured and remeasured to ensure a precise, level finish.