Methodology
From introduction to enjoyment in Norway
Step by step
Do you dream of a luxurious wooden vacation villa nestled in the heart of the Norwegian countryside? Portula guides you every step of the way, from design to completion. We build high-quality wooden homes in unique locations, entirely under our own management by our own skilled craftsmen and using only Norwegian materials. You’ll have a single point of contact; we take care of everything. This ensures that your investment in a dream villa is hassle-free and transparent.
See how we work
1. Preparation
Every home starts with a good conversation. During this phase, we get to know you and your housing preferences, explore the options together, and—if you’d like—take you to Norway so you can experience it for yourself.
Personal introduction
A personal conversation as a starting point
We’d love to start with a personal meeting at our office in Apeldoorn. There, you’ll meet Erik or Werner, with whom you can discuss your housing or investment goals at your leisure. We’ll tell you more about living and investing in Norway and introduce you to Portula’s enthusiastic team. That way, you’ll discover all the possibilities and meet the people who are ready to help you make them a reality.
Trial living in Norway
Experience Norwegian life for yourself
Have we sparked your interest in a second home in Norway? If so, we’d love to take you on a discovery tour. Together, we’ll travel to Norway, where you’ll visit various lots in unique locations—by the water, on a mountainside, or nestled among the pine trees. During this trip, you’ll not only get to know the country better, but you’ll also have the chance to try living in one of the homes we’ve built. That way, you can experience for yourself what it’s like to own a home in Norway: peace, space, and the pure outdoor lifestyle.
“Nature spoke for itself—this will be my second home.”
2. Design phase
In this phase, you bring your dreams to life. Together with our draftsman and sales assistant, you will work step by step on the design and materials, so that your villa becomes exactly as you want it. At the same time, we will arrange all the necessary permits and formalities so that everything goes smoothly.
From ideas to your own dream villa
From inspiration to design
Once you’re back in the Netherlands, we’ll invite you to our office again. With your mind still full of impressions from Norway, you’ll work with our architect to design your dream villa. You decide what the home will look and feel like, and we’ll translate that into a design that’s perfect down to the last detail.
Would you like a completely custom design? That’s possible, but perhaps one of our twelve standard homes already appeals to you so much that just a few minor adjustments are all it takes to make it your own unique home.
View model homes
Composing materials
Your dream villa, down to every detail
During the design phase, you will meet our sales assistant Melanie. She will guide you every step of the way so that the home feels completely like your home. Once the design is in place, the choice of materials starts. Wide exterior panels in modern style or do you prefer traditional Nordic? Wooden frames or frames with a more luxurious aluminum finish? As with the design, anything is possible.
Formalities
Carefree start in Norway
After signing the offer and recording the permit drawing, we start applying for the necessary documents. Thanks to our experience and good contacts with the Norwegian government, we can fully assist you in obtaining permits, arranging a D number and all related formalities.
3. Construction phase
The construction phase is where your home literally takes shape. Step by step we build your villa, with an eye for detail, care for nature and space for your personal wishes.
Construction preparation
We make your plot ready for building
As soon as everything is finalized, we’ll begin construction. We’ll start by preparing the lot for building. Because every location is unique, we assess what’s needed on a project-by-project basis: which trees can remain standing, which rocks need to be blasted away, and how can we create a level building site without compromising the natural environment? We always do this with respect for nature and with an eye toward preserving your view.
Pouring foundation
The foundation for your home
Before the foundation is laid, we agree with the Norwegian plumber that the plumbing plan will be laid exactly as defined in the technical drawings. Everything is carefully prepared so that the concrete can be poured and the construction of your home really gets underway.
Start wooden construction
Your dream villa takes shape
Construction of the house begins as soon as the building kit is delivered from our Norwegian sawmill. First we install the exterior walls, followed by the roof. Once the house is wind and watertight, the windows are installed and the roofing and exterior cladding follow. Then we continue inside with the finishing touches.
We build by hand, craft and with attention, while our sawmill ensures that all parts are perfectly cut to size in Norway. All the materials we use come from Norway and are of the highest quality.
Construction meeting
Full involvement during construction
About halfway through construction, we'll invite you to an on-site construction meeting. There you will meet with our local project manager, sales supervisor, electrician and plumber. Together you will look at the home under construction and discuss the lighting plan, kitchen layout and bathroom layout. Where necessary, you can make minor adjustments.
During this meeting, we’ll also decide on the best spot for the patio, taking into account the view and the sunlight. This is exactly what we find so important: the personal commitment and attention to detail that ultimately show through in the final result.
Finish in the home
Every detail counts
Next comes the finishing phase: the moment when your home truly comes to life. We start by installing the floors and wall panels, followed by the ceilings, tiles, and the finishing touches on the interior walls. Every detail is carefully crafted, exactly according to the choices you made earlier.
The kitchen is being assembled, the plumbing fixtures are being installed, and the pipes are being connected. The fireplace—which many consider the heart of the home—is also taking center stage. This is the phase in which the home begins to take on its own character.
Furnishing
From home to atmospheric interior
Your dream villa can be furnished. Have you ordered furniture from Norway? Then we'll make sure it's delivered now. Rather not hassle with boxes, choices and layout? That is also possible. You can leave the complete furnishing to an interior design studio that we work closely with. They make sure your home is completely ready to live in, down to the last cushion on the couch.
Have you ordered a hot tub? It too can be placed on the patio of your new home.
4. Completion
As soon as your home is ready, we’ll invite you to the festive handover ceremony in Norway. This is the official moment when the construction phase is completed and your home truly becomes yours.
Invitation to completion
The highlight: completion in Norway
Before we welcome you for the handover, we’ll make sure everything is ready. The home will be thoroughly cleaned, furniture will be delivered if you’ve chosen that option, and you can already start decorating—from window treatments to home accessories.
Step inside your dream home
The big day has arrived: your home is ready! Together with our project manager, you will walk through your new home during the delivery to check everything. We'll take the time to go over everything and answer your questions right away.
After completion, the best part begins: trial living! Many of our clients stay a few days in their new home to experience everything at their leisure. During trial living, you really get to know your home and can note any areas of concern for the completion list.
After a few days we will contact you again. We are very curious about your first experiences and want to make sure that everything is to your satisfaction. Together we will make sure that your new house really feels like home.
"The first step into our home immediately felt like coming home."
5. Aftercare
You can continue to count on us even after the project is completed. We’ll make sure that any issues identified during the final inspection are resolved quickly and thoroughly, so your home continues to be just right.
Commitment that goes beyond
Security, even at a distance
We’ll send you a list of reliable local service providers, such as a plumber or electrician, in case you need on-site assistance later on. That’s certainly reassuring, especially if you don’t live in Norway permanently.
Are you thinking about renting out your home (in part)? If so, we’ll connect you with a rental partner who will assist you with the entire process, from key management to cleaning. This way, your home will not only be well-maintained but will also generate a return on your investment.
6. Enjoy
Your dream villa is finished, now the real enjoyment begins! Whether you are staying there yourself or letting others enjoy it with you, you have chosen a place where time slows down and coming home really takes center stage. A property in Norway is more than an investment; it is a thoughtful choice for peace, space, unspoiled nature and pure quality.
Carpenter speaking
"I have been proudly building luxury vacation villas for Portula for over 15 years. Each home is unique and completely custom, which makes my job challenging and incredibly fun. The craftsmanship required for some of the more complex designs challenges me and gives me satisfaction every time."
Marek Boharewicz
About us
From personal passion to professional construction company
Erik and Adla, the founders of Portula, began building their own dream wooden villa in Norway in 2004. What started as the creation of a personal vacation home grew into a full-service construction company that guides clients every step of the way, from choosing a lot to completion and rental.
In 2019, Werner joined Portula as the third owner. With his experience and fresh perspective, he has contributed to further growth of the company as well as the team. Since then, we have expanded our services and helped even more people realize a second home in Norway.
From our headquarters in Apeldoorn, we work closely with our clients to create personally designed, unique dream villas. You can read more about our story and the team behind Portula here.
