Frequently Asked Questions
Palazzo Custom Homes specializes in building its custom, Portland
vintage style homes on an infill basis. As your neighbors, we recognize
that this may cause some level of anxiety for residents in a neighborhood
where a new home is being constructed. We hope that these answers to frequently
asked questions that we receive are helpful in defusing any anxiety or concerns
you may have about a home being constructed in your neighborhood. We are
regularly updating this site to address the more common questions that we
receive.
Q: How do I get information about what is being constructed on a site in my neighborhood?
A: There are several sources that you can consult when you have questions about development
in your neighborhood. First, we recommend that you talk with your local Neighborhood
Association, specifically the chairperson of your Land Use Committee. These individuals
frequently talk with the city’s Bureau of Development Services, and can likely get
answers to your questions when that information is available. We strive to work with all
Neighborhood Associations to the greatest extent possible to resolve issues before they
occur. You may also contact the city’s Bureau of Development Services, who should
be able to tell you what the city has approved for development on that site.
You should not approach employees or subcontractors on the job site itself. They are not
equipped to answer any questions you may have, and could inadvertently raise the level of
anxiety you may have by providing incorrect information. As a result, our company has a
policy that our employees and subcontractors are forbidden from discussing the project
with neighbors. Understand that they are not being disrespectful to you or the neighborhood
by refusing to discuss the project. Please give them the same respect and courtesy that
you would expect from them.
Q: I have a complaint about the conduct of the subcontractors working on the job site. Who
should I contact?
A: We would strongly encourage you to never engage in a direct confrontation with a
subcontractor. These types of confrontations, usually when a neighbor is angry, rarely
produce constructive results. There are other more constructive (and legal) paths
available to you.
First, you may phone our company headquarters at 503-288-7458 to register your
complaint. Those complaints are immediately relayed to our Construction Manager to take
appropriate steps to remedy the issue.
Second, if you feel that you are not getting resolution to your complaint, you should
contact your local Neighborhood Association. We have worked closely with Neighborhood
Associations in the past to constructively resolve these kinds of issues.
Finally, please be aware that we have all of our subcontractors agree to a strict code
of conduct while out at a job site. This conduct includes observing all city noise
ordinances, refraining from the use of profane language at a job site, and respecting
property boundaries. In the rare event an accident occurs and one of our subcontractors
inadvertently damages a neighbor’s fence or landscaping during the construction
process, we always return the condition of the fence or landscaping to at least
its original condition, at our expense.
Q: Are you going to demolish the existing house to build new homes in its place?
A: In general, we always strive to retain existing structures on property we acquire
whenever possible. However, if a home is dilapidated to the point where it is not
economically feasible to remodel and sell it, we may have no choice but to demolish
the existing home. In that event, we build vintage style homes of the highest quality
that we strongly believe fit the character of the neighborhood. Our homes are green
certified, meaning homes of superior construction that are environmentally friendly
and consume less of our natural resources (gas and electricity.) These homes enhance
the value of the other homes in the neighborhood, whereas a dilapidated home does the opposite.
Q: Are you going to remove all trees and other bushes/shrubs when you build a new home?
A: Again, we strive to retain as many of the existing trees and bushes/shrubs as possible
when we acquire a property for construction. In a number of instances, we have moved the
footprint of our new homes forward or backward on the lot to accommodate the retention of
existing trees. However, we may be limited by building regulations such that we have no
option but to remove the existing trees or other foliage that interferes with the footprint
of the new home. We analyze this on a case by case basis.