Every so often, someone asks me if I have a big public spreadsheet of all my favorite contractors, electricians, landscapers, junk haulers, designers, handypeople, and magical home-fixing humans in Portland. I do not. And that is very much on purpose.
This is not because I’m trying to be mysterious. It’s not because I want to gatekeep the best home vendors in Portland like some weird little goblin sitting on a pile of referrals. It’s because I have spent well over a decade building this network carefully, using it constantly, taking notes on who did what, who communicated well, who was worth the money, who was chaos, who was amazing but impossible to get ahold of, and who I would trust in my clients’ homes without a second thought.
Maria calls it my golden Rolodex, which is deeply funny because she was born after rolodex’s stopped being a thingand should not know what a Rolodex is. But she’s not wrong.
This list matters to me. And I’m protective of it because I’m protective of my people on both sides. I only want good clients going to my vendors, and I only want good vendors going to my clients. That kind of curation is the whole point.
These Are Not Random Real Estate Vendor Referrals
If I send you someone, it is not because they bought an ad, sent me a gift basket, or exist somewhere on page three of Google under “contractor list Portland.”
They make it onto my list one of two ways: either I’ve used them myself and had a good experience, or my clients have used them and reported back that they were great. And yes, I keep notes. A lot of notes.
Notes like:
- wildly talented, but hard to get ahold of
- crazy affordable
- expensive, but absolutely beautiful work
- newly licensed, but has done excellent work for years
- amazing communicator
- not for a rush job
That part matters to me just as much as whether they’re technically good at the work.
Because being “Lauren-approved” is not only about whether someone can fix the thing. It’s also about whether they communicate well, whether they are kind, whether they show up how they said they would, and whether I feel good sending my clients to them in the first place.
And yes, values matter too. I always note when someone is female-owned, queer-owned, or BIPOC-owned. A lot of my clients care deeply about who they hire and where their money goes, and so do I. If I find out someone is not safe, not kind, or not aligned with the kind of community I’m trying to support, they are off the list. Full stop.
Why I Want You To Text Me Instead Of Grabbing A Generic List
I know this would probably be more “efficient” if I just published a giant vendor directory somewhere on my website and called it a day. But honestly? That would be worse for you.
Because most of the time, when a client reaches out and says, “Hey, do you have a plumber?” what I actually need to ask is:
- Why?
- What’s happening?
- Is this actually a plumber problem?
- Is this an insurance claim?
- Do you still have a home warranty?
- Are you trying to patch something up, remodel something, or fix something that should not be ignored?
That context matters. Sometimes you need an electrician. Sometimes you think you need a handyperson and I’m like, absolutely not, please do not let a handyperson touch that. Sometimes you’re about to spend a weird amount of money on something that does not need to happen. Sometimes you’re about to cheap out on something that really should be done right.
That is why I prefer people to text or email me first. Not because I’m trying to make it harder. Because I’m trying to make it better.
I just had a client text me asking for a junk hauler. Easy. I sent over a few favorites, noted which one was BIPOC- and queer-owned, and they were booked for the next day. That is how I want this to work: fast, helpful, tailored, done.
Please Bother Me!!
One thing I hear from past clients all the time is, “I didn’t want to bother you.” PLEASE bother me. Truly. Because a lot of times, by the time people decide they “don’t want to bother me,” they’ve already made three confusing decisions, hired someone random off the internet, or started spiraling in a direction I could have helped them avoid in two texts.
Your realtor does not have to become a stranger the minute you close.
In my mind, this is an ongoing relationship. I am still happy to be your first text when your gutter is leaking, when your bathroom contractor ghosted you, when you need a tree person, when you’re wondering whether to paint before renting, or when you’re halfway into a house project and suddenly not sure if you should keep going.
Sometimes I’ll say, yes, absolutely, spend the money. Sometimes I’ll say, no, do not spend money on that. And sometimes I’ll say, okay, but the answer changes depending on whether you’re staying forever, renting it out in a few years, or planning to sell. Those are three completely different decisions, and I want to know which lane you’re in before I point you toward the right person.
This Is Also Why The Right Match Matters
Not every vendor is right for every job. Some are perfect for a budget-conscious fix. Some are better for design-forward work. Some are better for older Portland houses. Some are worth every penny if the project is complex. That’s why sending over a generic PDF of “best home vendors Portland” is just not how I like to do it.
I would rather match you with the right person for your house, your timeline, your budget, and your tolerance for nonsense.
I’m also going to say this plainly: this is a client resource. I’ve spent years building this network, testing people out, keeping notes, and protecting the quality of who I send to whom. So no, I generally don’t hand my vendor list to people who aren’t my clients. I’ve done that before, and it can feel a little shitty when someone wants my vendors but doesn’t actually want to work with me. This list is part of the care I offer the people I actually work with.
If You’re My Past Client, This Is Your Reminder
You are still allowed to text me. Actually, encouraged. If you need a contractor, cleaner, designer, handyman, landscaper, electrician, plumber, junk hauler, or some oddly specific house person that only homeowners ever need, start with me.
And if you’re a past client and you’re not already in my private Facebook group, Lauren’s Friends with Benefits, send me a message and I’ll add you. It’s one of the few reasons I’m still on Facebook, and it’s full of past clients swapping recommendations, tradespeople chiming in, and people generally helping each other out in a way I find very cute and useful.
So no, I do not publish my full vendor list publicly. Private by design, baby. But if you need someone good, text me first. I probably have a name, a note, an opinion, and at least one strong feeling about who you should call.
