ABOUT US

We’re problem-solvers with focus. Project managers with purpose. Team players with one goal in mind: To deliver your project on time, on budget, and on vision.

BUILDING EXPERTISE

Meet Our Team

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. Our aim is for you to be comfortable with not only your finished project, but with the process as well.

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.

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.

OTHER SERVICES

New Construction
Whole Home Remodels
Kitchen Remodels
Bathroom Remodels
Basement Remodels
Home Additions

Hamish Murray

Owner

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), NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industry 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 the outdoors and spends his free time camping and exploring new wonders while traveling with his family. And, whenever he can, he keeps up with the national rugby scores back home.

Kara Murray

Owner

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.

Giles Rickett

Pre-Construction Director

Giles Rickett

Pre-Construction Director

Giles holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Advertising and brings over 25 years of experience in the design/build industry, having served as both a Project Manager and Account Director. He enjoys working at the intersection of the conceptual and the practical - bringing great design into the real world. A skilled communicator, Giles works hard to ensure clients get everything they want in their project with HMC. In off hours, Giles is a cyclist, a snowboarder, an amateur coffee roaster and serves on the non-profit board of the Salmonberry Trail.

Gresi Janin Mata

Construction Estimator

Gresi Janin Mata

Construction Estimator

Gresi comes to HMC with a civil engineering degree and nearly 10 years of experience specializing in project tendering and cost estimation. She has worked across the U.S. and U.K. construction markets, providing accurate cost assessments and insights for successful project execution. Outside of work, she is a proud mother to a one-year-old daughter, balancing her professional life with the joys of motherhood.

Kim McCaffrey

Office Manager

Kim McCaffrey

Office Manager

Kim McCaffrey 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.

Karisha Alba

Executive Assistant

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.

Carlos Saca

Site Superintendent

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.

Dane Behm

Site Superintendent

Dane Behm

Site Superintendent

Based in the Portland-Milwaukie area, Dane brings extensive experience in the construction industry, having started with land development and underground utilities before spending nine years with a local home builder. Dane became part of the HMC team in August 2024. Outside of work, Dane and his wife enjoy traveling around the great state of Oregon in their RV with their dog and he takes pleasure in working on home improvement and landscaping projects. An ideal evening involves relaxing with his wife, a pizza, a favorite show, and his dog by his side.

Erik Schmidt

Site Superintendent

Erik Schmidt

Site Superintendent

Erik brings a blend of architectural training, hands-on experience, and a deep respect for the building process to every project. He loves working closely with the trades and believes the best learning happens in the field—picking up the skills and wisdom only skilled craftspeople can teach. With a calm, collaborative style, Erik keeps jobs moving forward while ensuring every detail reflects care and intention. Off the job site, he spends his time with his partner, family, and dogs—often somewhere deep in the woods, climbing ridgelines, getting a little lost, and not minding one bit.

Forrest Marcum

Site Superintendent

Forrest Marcum

Site Superintendent

Born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in the Portland-Clackamas area since 1981, Forrest brings a deep-rooted passion for building and leadership to every project he takes on. His construction journey began in 1989 on a paving and excavation crew, where he developed a solid foundation in site development and equipment operation. He expanded his expertise working for a commercial contractor, gaining hands-on experience in metal and wood framing, insulation, finish carpentry, concrete work, drywall, and early site management.

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Forrest returned to Oregon and worked in the lumber industry in roles ranging from delivery and dispatch to pricing in lumber and construction materials. He later earned a history degree from Portland State University, where he walked on to the football team and played for two seasons before coaching for three more.

Post-graduation, Forrest stepped into the role of Project Engineer, working on large-scale commercial shopping center developments. He then moved into project management, focusing on hotel construction and renovations. Seeking a more hands-on role, he transitioned to superintendent positions, overseeing the construction of single-family homes, townhomes, and eventually larger multi-family and apartment buildings.

Outside of construction, Forrest has been a dedicated high school football and wrestling coach for many years. He finds balance in life spending time with his daughter, his girlfriend, and her three daughters.

Oscar Luna Rendon

Carpenter's Assistant

Oscar Luna Rendon

Carpenter's 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.

ABOUT US

BUILDING EXPERTISE

Meet Our Team

OTHER SERVICES

Hamish Murray

Kara Murray

Giles Rickett

Gresi Janin Mata

Kim McCaffrey

Karisha Alba

Carlos Saca

Dane Behm

Erik Schmidt

Forrest Marcum

Oscar Luna Rendon

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Blog Posts

How to Work with a Top General Contractor to Achieve Your Dream Home

Portland’s Neighborhood Charm: A Remodeling Haven

How homeowners can work best with designers and architects

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