Portland is home to the DIY spirit. From artists to craftsman to every kind of maker, Portland is a community that celebrates and supports the DIY mentality. For homeowners, do-it-yourself home remodeling and repair projects are no different.

With a can-do attitude, the right resources, and a little elbow grease, Portland homeowners can complete all kinds of home improvement projects. Check out the top Portland resources below to get the tools, materials, education, and workspace you need to finish your next big project.

Photo courtesy of Northeast Portland Tool Library

Tool Library

Got a home improvement project in mind, but don’t have the tools for it? You could spend a small fortune on tools you may only use a few times. You could also ask a handy neighbor or a friend. But if those options aren’t viable, you could visit a Portland tool library.

Tool libraries rent tools (instead of books) at no charge to local residents. That’s right. You can get access to all kinds of tools for free, including tools for:

  • Carpentry and woodworking
  • Gardening
  • Electrical and mechanical
  • Drywall and masonry
  • Carpet
  • Cement
  • And much more

The libraries are run by generous volunteers who are also available to share tips and advice. Some also offer workshops and other events to help you learn more about DIY home projects.

Check out the tool library closest to your Portland neighborhood:

  • North Portland Tool Library
  • Northeast Portland Tool Library
  • Southeast Portland Tool Library
  • Green Lents Community Tool Library

Find out more about the tool sharing movement spreading across the country.

Photo courtesy of The Rebuilding Center

The Rebuilding Center

Why buy new when there are so many places in Portland to get salvaged or reclaimed building materials? The Rebuilding Center is one of many community resources that provides used building supplies, salvage wood, and materials for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and more.

Using salvaged or reclaimed building materials for your DIY home remodeling project offers many benefits, including:

  • Affordability of materials
  • Support the local economy
  • High quality, strong materials
  • Unique character
  • Keeps building materials out of landfills

Check out more building material resources in Portland:

Find what you need, donate what you don’t, and connect with Portland’s DIY community.

Fix-It Fairs

Fix-It Fairs are free events throughout Portland that offer a ton of valuable information, resources, and services to local residents. Events are held multiple times per year, across many different neighborhoods.

At a Fix-It Fair, you can find exhibits and hourly workshops on topics such as:

  • Water and energy savings
  • Home safety
  • Neighborhood and community resources
  • Recycling
  • Weatherizing your home
  • Gardening and homesteading
  • Yard care and composting

Plus, you can get free minor appliance or clothing repairs, free minor bike tune-ups, and a free lunch. Free lunch!

You can find out when the next event is happening by visiting their Facebook page.

Photo courtesy of Resourceful PDX

Resourceful PDX

The Resourceful PDX program aims to help Portland locals find tools and resources to save money and avoid waste while conserving natural resources. They run an online publication that is full of ideas about how to buy smart, reuse, borrow, and repair.

In partnership with Reuse Oregon and the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Resourceful PDX connects residents with resources in their neighborhoods. If you’re looking for DIY home remodeling resources in Portland, Resourceful PDX is a great place to start.

BONUS Resource: EnviroTest

Portland has so many great resources available to DIY-minded homeowners. At EnviroTest, we love the DIY spirit. But sometimes, you need professional assistance. Especially when it comes to asbestos.

If you are starting a DIY home remodeling project, you should know that the Portland Metro transfer stations will not accept construction debris containing more than 1% asbestos.

Metro is required by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to obtain asbestos test result reports in order to accept construction waste, including:

  • Flooring
  • Walls
  • Siding
  • Ceilings
  • Insulation
  • Electrical
  • Drywall
  • Interior textures
  • Insulation
  • Stucco
  • Gaskets
  • Roofing materials
  • And more

Fortunately, you can get an asbestos survey from EnviroTest in as little as 30 minutes and receive results and reports the same day.

Learn more about asbestos testing before you tackle your next DIY home remodeling project, or contact us today to schedule a test. At EnviroTest, we hope our asbestos sampling services can be just another great resource for homeowners in Portland.