Not all construction firms are created equal. At Hamish Murray Construction, we bring together careful planning, architectural integrity, and a willingness to go the extra mile for our clients.
We also focus on flexibility. Some firms mandate that you work with their specific architect, choose from their plans, and lock into their processes. We believe that your home should be all about you. We’re happy for you to choose your own architect/designer or work with one of our long-standing partners, and you can bring your own plans or work with our extended team to develop them. Our aim is for you to be comfortable with not only your finished project, but with every step along the way.
No construction project is without its challenges, but our depth of understanding and experience helps us avoid surprises and overcome obstacles with minimal impact on your budget and timeline. In fact, the City of Portland thought so highly of our expertise that it invited Hamish Murray Construction to participate in its Field Issuance Remodel program, a mark of our success that gives us a dedicated inspector for all compliance-related services. As a client, you benefit because we can accelerate the overall process and give you top-quality, consistent inspections for every facet of each project.
Our Team
We’ve handpicked our team of employees over time so that our clients get to work with a talented group of professionals who have both the expertise to handle special needs and the attention to detail to make every project shine.
We make sure one of our project managers is involved right from the start; things run better when whoever handles the scoping and bidding is the same one who sees the project through to its successful completion.
For more about our team, read this spotlight conversation here from our blogs.
Hamish Murray
Owner
A native Kiwi, Hamish Murray grew up and graduated university in New Zealand, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He moved to the US in 1996 and began helping his father on a “fixer-upper”. Intrigued with the work, he continued to develop his carpentry skills and founded Hamish Murray Construction in 2000. Across his career, Hamish has worked on a wide range of residential and commercial remodel and new construction projects. He is a member of the HBA's PRO (Home Builders Association’s Professional Remodelers Organization) and the BIA (Building Industry Association of Clark County) and holds a sustainable building advisor certification through the US Green Building Council. Hamish, his wife, Kara and their two sons live in a 1910 craftsman that he has carefully remodeled as his family has grown. As is common for those of us lucky enough to call Oregon home, Hamish has a passion for nature and spends his free time leading scout hikes and campouts with his boys' troop, playing league bocce in the park with his wife and exploring new wonders while traveling with his family. And, whenever he can, he keeps up with the national rugby scores back home.
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Kara Murray
Owner
Raised in the Portland area, Kara Murray holds a degree in International Studies and German and specialized in finance before officially joining Hamish Murray Construction in 2009. She brings her background to bear in the development of Human Resources and Strategic Planning at HMC, overseeing finances, benefits, long-range planning and projections. Kara is an ardent traveler, keen on meeting new people and experiencing different ways of life. Her interests in bridging cultural divides and bringing people together dovetail with her enthusiasm for developing partnership opportunities with clients and craftspeople to create strong and thoughtful project results. Kara lives and travels with her husband, Hamish, and their two sons.
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Kim Lowman
Office Manager
Kim Lowman came onboard Hamish Murray Construction in 2014, after working for six years as a personal assistant to a CEO of a local outerwear/sportswear company. She serves as full-time office manager. Kim grew up in Southern Oregon but moved to the Portland area in the 80s. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time at the beach with her two dogs, attending concerts and traveling with her 3 daughters.
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Karisha Alba
Executive Assistant
Born and raised in the Philippines, Karisha graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality. Her journey in the Customer Service industry began in 2012, progressing through roles in Front Desk Agent, Guest Relations, and Reservations. Since early 2022, she embraced remote work, excelling as a Personal Assistant, Recruitment Specialist, Quality Assurance Specialist, and now an Executive Assistant. Outside of work, she channels creativity into crafting handmade soaps and scented candles during her free time.
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Jason Zerba
Project Manager
Jason Zerba joined Hamish Murray Construction Inc. in April 2021 and brings with him 13 years of experience in a residential construction business. His experience includes custom home renovations for clients, handling all aspects of project management and supervising on-site workers and trade partners. Jason also has hands-on construction experience with a focus on custom tile and stone work. Jason is a native Oregonian and he and his wife, Lyndsay, have three wonderful children. Their family loves to travel, especially to tropical places, and they stay very active, including road cycling, motorcycle riding, snowboarding, camping, and just appreciating the great Northwest outdoors.
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Eric Stevenson
Site Superintendent
Born and raised in the Portland area, Eric has always had a love and appreciation for the Pacific Northwest. Most weekends he can be found outdoors, whether it’s hunting for shed antlers, foraging, fishing, backcountry snowboarding, SCUBA diving, or just enjoying nature. In 2012, Eric graduated from The Divers Institute of Technology and began a career as a commercial diver, divemaster, and free-diving instructor. Although it was a unique and interesting opportunity, Eric left his diving career and moved back to greater Portland, OR to be closer to family. In 2016, he and his brother began a small business building custom furniture and retrofitting camper vans and vintage trailers. This business helped Eric hone his innate eye for detail and gain new abilities and interests in project management. Prior to joining Hamish Murray Construction, Eric was employed for three years as a Lead Project Manager for a smaller, local construction group, which helped him to develop a solid understanding of the residential construction and remodel process.
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Carlos Saca
Site Superintendent
Transplanted from Florida, Carlos discovered a welcoming community in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon. During his off time, Carlos lives with his wife and two cats in their 1926 bungalow where they share an interest in computers, home projects, and watching classic movies. Professionally, Carlos brings eight years of expertise and a master’s degree from the architecture field, specializing in the design of high-end custom homes. His transition to the construction side of homes embodies a commitment to gaining hands-on insights into the home and a dedication to achieving the perfect balance between classic and modern architecture.
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Paul Gogan
Carpenter
Paul Gogan is a native of Dublin, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in 1992. He has worked in construction for more than 10 years, with a particular interest in finish carpentry. Paul started working for Hamish Murray Construction in 2006 and performs a wide range of tasks, from framing to finish work. In his spare time Paul loves to trail run and hike the Oregon wilderness with his wife.
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Oscar Luna Rendon
Carpenters Assistant
Oscar Luna was born in the rich soils of Oaxaca, Mexico and raised in the Pacific Northwest. With 7 years of experience in the plant nursing industry, he then found a particular interest in carpentry and decided it was time to try something new. He was hired by Hamish Murray Construction in 2022 and has since enjoyed growing and learning within the company. In his free time, Oscar enjoys snowboarding, walking his two Australian Shepherds, going to the gym, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
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Ian Murray
Carpenters Assistant
Ian Murray, a dedicated carpenter with two years of experience in related seasonal positions, brings a genuine passion for woodworking to our team. Outside of work, Ian attends University of Oregon and enjoys backpacking, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and board games, showcasing a well-rounded approach to life. His commitment to craftsmanship and continuous learning enriches our company culture.
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