Build a custom home on your own lot in the Portland area
If you own a lot, or have one in mind, J Roderick Young Custom Homes will build your custom home on it. We are a full-service builder for the Portland area and SW Washington: we check the land, help with the design, handle permits, build the house and hand it over finished. You work with the owner, Jeremy Young, from the first walk on the lot to the last walk-through. The first meeting costs nothing.
Licensed in Oregon since 1991 (CCB #78423) and registered in Washington (L&I JRODERY881BC).
What building on your own lot means
Building on your own lot means you supply the land and we build a house designed for it, instead of choosing from homes a developer has already placed in a subdivision. The house can follow a published plan you like, a plan your designer draws, or a plan we develop with you. It is placed on your lot to suit its slope, sun, view and utility connections.
Most of our clients come to us at one of three points: they already own land, they are about to buy a lot and want a builder's eye on it first, or they are still looking. All three are fine. If you are still looking, we track lots and land in Oregon and Washington for clients as a no-cost service. See land, lots and permits.
Who this is for, and who it isn't
You own land, or are about to
A lot in Happy Valley, Clackamas County, the wider Portland area or Clark County, WA. We look at it with you before you commit to a design.
You want one builder for everything
Land checks, design, permits, the build and the finish, managed by the owner rather than passed between departments.
You care about the finish
The company began as a finish contractor in 1991. The woodwork, walls and exterior are where the difference shows.
Not the right fit
If you want a move-in-ready house this month, a resale or a new home already standing in a subdivision is faster. We'll tell you that honestly.
What's included when we build on your land
A full-service build. Every step below is part of the job, not an add-on.
Lot review
Where the house should sit, how the ground behaves and how utilities reach it. These are the decisions that cause the costliest mistakes when they're rushed.
Design help
We work hand in hand with you and your architect or residential designer, or start from a published plan. See design and house plans.
Permits
We prepare and steer the permit process with the city or county your lot sits in, in Oregon or Washington.
Construction
Framing, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, finish work and tile by subcontractors we have worked with for years, managed on site every day.
Turnkey finish
Finished woodwork, walls and exteriors, sealed concrete and a walk-through before move-in. See turnkey finish.
Written one-year warranty
After a full year in the home we come back, walk through it with you and correct any building problems. See our warranty.
What changes the price of building on your lot
We don't publish a price per square foot, because on your own land the lot moves the number as much as the house does. You get a detailed, accurate estimate with option pricing before anything is signed.
| Cost driver | Why it matters on your lot | When you'll know |
|---|---|---|
| Site work | Slope, soil, excavation, retaining walls and the length of the driveway. | After we walk the lot together |
| Utilities | Sewer or septic, water or well, power, and how far each has to run. | Lot review, before design is final |
| Fees and permits | City or county permit fees and system development or impact charges on new homes. | During permitting |
| Size and plan | Square footage, rooflines, ceiling heights and how complex the shape is. | In the estimate |
| Finish level | Cabinetry, counters, flooring, fixtures, trim and paint. Option pricing shows each upgrade's cost. | In the estimate, line by line |
The consultation and the rough estimate cost nothing. Price is confirmed in a detailed estimate before any work starts.
One of our recent homes, inside and out
A board-and-batten farmhouse with white oak cabinetry, a waterfall quartz island and black-framed windows. More homes on the projects page.
From a client who built with us
Posted on Google in October 2022 by a client whose new custom home J Roderick Young Custom Homes built.
“Jeremy Young is the most hard working custom home builder that you can find. His professionalism reflects in his attention to detail in all facets of the custom home he builds. My wife and I knew that we knew the moment we first met Jeremy that his honesty and integrity was evident. He is so positive and easy to work with that it made building our beautiful home a pleasurable experience, Jeremy is now our builder and friend for life. Thank you Jeremy for our beautiful home! Bill & Cathy King”
How building on your lot works, step by step
The full version is on the process page.
STEP 1
Free consultation
We meet, talk through what you want and walk your lot. No cost, no obligation.
STEP 2
Design and estimate
Plan, placement on the lot, and a detailed estimate with option pricing so you can hold your budget.
STEP 3
Loans and permits
Once financing is arranged and permits are issued, we break ground.
STEP 4
Build, then hand over
Dig-out to finish, managed on site daily, then a joint walk-through a week before completion.
Questions people ask before they call
Do you build on land I already own?
Yes. Building on the client's own land is the core of what J Roderick Young Custom Homes does. We build on lots in Happy Valley, Clackamas County, the Portland area and Clark County in Washington, and we walk the lot with you before design starts.
What if I haven't bought land yet?
That's a good time to call. We can look at a lot before you buy it and point out site costs you might not see. We also track lots and land in Oregon and Washington for clients as a no-cost service.
Can you build from a plan I already have?
Yes. We can build from your plans or ours, including published plans. Our name is listed with Alan Mascord as a builder of several of their published plans. We'll look at how the plan fits your lot and budget first.
How long does it take to build a custom home on my lot?
Plan on design and permits first, then construction. Once permits are issued and we break ground, the build itself usually takes at least six months. Lot conditions, permit timing and the size of the house change that, and we give you a schedule for your home with the estimate.
How do your estimates work?
The consultation and a rough estimate are free. Before anything is signed you get a detailed, accurate estimate of your home with option pricing, so you can see what each upgrade costs and keep the budget where you want it.
Where to go next
- Land, lots and permits
Checking a lot before you buy and steering permits.
- The building process
Every stage from the first meeting to the one-year walk-through.
- Areas we build in
Happy Valley, Clackamas, Portland, Oregon City and Vancouver, WA.
Ready to talk about your house?
Bring your lot, your plans or just an idea. Jeremy Young meets you, walks the land and prices the house in detail, with option pricing. The consultation costs nothing.