Doing good work for good people.
Who we are
We are a group of craftsmen from a variety of backgrounds and experiences who care deeply about what we do.
At our core, we are problem solvers.
Keaton Hudson
Owner
Brennan Sampson
Carpenter I
Derek Chism
Carpenter II
What motivates us
Good work. We are passionate about the pursuit of uncompromising quality, diligent in detail, and concern ourselves with sound, lasting solutions to complex problems. If quality of work is first—forming deep, long term relationships with those in our industry is second.
We pursue good because we aim to be great.
When we got started
Skål was formed in 2017 while Keaton still had a part time job working remote for an office design company. It wasn’t until late 2019 that Skål was the sole focus of his time. The company name is Danish for ‘cheers’, a nod to Keaton’s Danish heritage and a moniker that underscores the value of relationships.
“Cheers”
“Skål”
Where we operate
Skål is based in Portland, Oregon. We’ve regularly set up on jobsites from Cannon Beach to Hood River, and Wine Country to SW Washington—and we would travel further for the right fit. We are licensed to work in both Oregon and Washington states.
How we get work done
Diligently, with a high degree of detail, while seeking out trustworthy trade partners. This trust and consistent communication between the builder, designer, and sub is vital to any project's success. There are hundreds, often thousands of details and decisions to consider in construction, and we are intentional about making sure each relevant one is carefully considered, rooted in durability, and implemented responsibly.
Why we do it
Because we care. Too often, details get overlooked and quality suffers at the expense of speed and higher bottom lines. We care about doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.
FAQs
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Just like the chewing tobacco brand. “Skoal.”
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Our owner is ¼ Danish. His grandmother came over from Aalborg, Denmark in the 1960s. The name, meaning “cheers” in Danish is not only an homage to family heritage, but also a nod to community building—something we value deeply.
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This is the first question virtually everyone always asks. We don’t. Finish carpentry and cabinetry fall into two different scopes, and effectively two different trades. The lines can blur sometimes, but cabinet makers usually come before us or simultaneously in a job schedule. On occasion, we will take on a one-off, small built-in.
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At this time, we do not. But we are happy to recommend some very talented design agencies we love working with.
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We do not and we have no plans to, but we are happy to point you in the direction of some of the talented subcontractors we partner with who do.
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We make a conscious effort to prioritize our working relationships within our industry: builders, designers and architects dictate the majority of our schedule. These connections provide us with business year after year, and often multiple times within a given year. We do reserve some time in our schedule for the discerning homeowner; those who understand what this work takes and the cost associated with it. We take on homeowner direct work based on best fit.