Top 10 Remodeling Contractors in Rochester, MI
Frequently asked questions about remodeling contractors
The important steps to remember when finding a good local remodeling contractor:
Reviews - Check the contractor’s website and social media to see what their previous clients have said about their home remodeling work.
Past projects - Often, you’ll be able to find pictures of their previous work on their website or social media. If people are really happy with their remodeled home, they often post pictures on social media and then tag the remodeling contractor.
Up-to-date licenses - It would be useful to know what licenses and registration are needed for renovations companies in your state, and then make sure your contractor is up to standard.
Word of mouth - Generally people like to talk, so ask around for recommendations from your friends and neighbors to see if there is a top remodeling contractor in your community. It’s really important to hire someone you can trust, and if they already have a good reputation in your town, you can probably trust that they’ll treat you well too.
Compare prices - You can get a quote from a number of remodeling contractors or renovations companies to see who has the best going rate compared to the best reputation. Check to see how much each is charging for labor vs. the estimated cost of materials for the home remodeling.
Check out this article for more tips on hiring the best remodeling contractor for the job. It has further details on this topic.
Hiring a remodeling contractor can put you in a vulnerable position. Not only are you inviting someone you don’t know into your home, but you’re also allowing them to take your home apart and put it back together.
With this in mind, the following tips are recommended:
- Have a written contract that outlines all the work to be completed and the pricing.
- Note any additions to scope that come up as the project progresses, including additional materials and sizing issues.
- Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured.
- Ask for referrals and follow them up. Ask previous clients what they have to say about the work, including the quality and price, and whether the remodeling contractor stayed on budget.
- Pay attention to the contractor’s style of communication and how he/she is able to communicate about the project. Are they willing to discuss details about their progress? Are they willing to be flexible?
- Get a written estimate from the renovation company or remodeling contractor. Make sure it’s detailed and includes all the supplies needed, the rate per hour of work, and any other factors such as a timeline or special orders.
Depending on the project, you may be required to pay a deposit for the work. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, “Receiving some sort of down payment at signing is a good practice to ensure a customer’s sincere intent to do the project. A payment schedule should be part of the contract language. Typical down payments are 25% to 33%. Sometimes even higher depending on the type of work being done. A down payment is highly recommended when products have to be ordered by the contractor immediately.”
You may be able to negotiate the percentage of the down payment, especially if you have established good communication with them. Ask your remodeling contractor what they expect and work out an agreeable percentage, but never pay the total cost upfront.
While it may be tempting to take on a remodeling project on your own, it's usually wise to hire a professional remodeling contractor for the job. Hiring a pro may save you money down the road because a pro can help you avoid costly mistakes and possible miscalculations. A remodeling contractor will carry liability and workers compensation insurance, which is set up to protect both the homeowner and contractor.
As you consider how to move forward with your home remodeling vision, you’ll have to consider which parts (if any) you can do yourself and what will have to be done professionally. For example, you may know how to paint a room, but don’t have the first clue about drywalling or knocking down a wall. These are things you probably don’t want to just take a swing at yourself.
These are some other issues people sometimes encounter when doing a DIY remodeling of their home:
- Time — When it comes down to it, you simply don’t have the hours to put toward a home remodeling project.
- Effort — What sounds simple enough in theory sometimes turns out to be rather laborious, and is no longer worth the DIY bragging rights.
- Money — You may not save much money with a DIY project because you a) might cause damage, b) may need to redo some of your work, and c) may not get the materials for the same rate as the renovation company.
Having a solid plan up front will make hiring a remodeling contractor well worth your while.
Requirements for contractor licensing vary from state to state. Approximately 35 states require licenses. In some states, requirements for licensing are very lenient, so the licenses might not mean much to the consumer. In other states, a license means the contractor has a good track record.
Make sure licenses are up-to-date when hiring a renovations company or general contractor. Some states require different licensing categories and/or requirements, so it would be wise to read up on those of your state and check to see if your contractor’s license covers the type of work needed. Never hire a remodeling contractor that doesn’t have or can’t produce their license for working in your state, no matter their reason. Most states require that a license be obtained by any remodeling contractor performing work valued over $500.
With a license, the contractor should be up to date on current building codes, safety policies, disposal of hazardous materials, labor and employee hiring, and permitting. If the contractor doesn’t produce the paperwork, you may want to consider going in another direction.
Proof of a license does not always guarantee good work. Other than checking on a remodeling contractor’s license, homeowners should make sure a potential contractor carries liability and workers compensation insurance. Homeowners should scrutinize contractor’s reviews, look at a portfolio of past work, and look into a pro’s local reputation.
There are many factors involved when it comes to hiring a professional home remodeling contractor. Consider variables such as the complexity and size of the space being renovated, the cost and quality of materials, and the number of subcontractors and labor required.
Don’t go by the price itself, however. Though you’ll collect many estimates from remodeling contractors, don’t let price be the deciding factor. If you pay less, you may get less. Beware of any estimates that stand out as being lower (or higher, for that matter) than the rest.
Get several estimates and make sure they’re itemized (time, materials, costs, etc.) so you can compare various quotes. You may find that the higher cost is worth the money.
Some common things that will likely increase the cost of a remodeling contractor:
- Electrical or plumbing work is involved.
- The materials are imported.
- The project is complex (several rooms, a particularly unique design, extra-heavy materials).
- The time of year. Most people do their renovations in the late spring and summer, making it the season where demand allows for higher rates.
Consult the free Porch project cost guides to get an idea about how much a home renovation project may cost in your area.
The benefits of having one general contractor outweigh any other situation, including you trying to juggle all the different aspects of the project yourself. Hire a general contractor to manage subcontractors and schedule all the work.
There are many different types of contractors based on the kind of labor they’re trained in. For example, there are concrete contractors, HVAC contractors, closet contractors, kitchen contractors, and roofing contractors. Once you determine the specific work that needs to be done for your home remodeling project, you can look for a particular kind of contractor. If you need to remodel a whole room, you can get a contractor specific to that or to the kind of material you’ll be using, like drywall or plaster.
Since different types of contractors can potentially work on your home remodel, having a general contractor to outsource is the best way to go. When subcontractors are bringing on a crew, make sure that it’s a solid team and that everyone is on the same page with costs, materials, and the design of the remodeling vision. Everyone should know their work well and be properly licensed according to your state regulations.
Choosing a local remodeling contractor who knows the best local subcontractors is a smart way to go. Contractors and laborers often collaborate, especially in smaller towns. Making good contracting decisions will ensure that you’ll enjoy both the progress and results of your next home remodeling project. Remember that communication is the key to success. Setting reasonable expectations, establishing a good repertoire, and regularly checking in will lead to a smooth, easy home improvement project.
Recent reviews for Rochester Remodeling Contractors
My deck reconstruction was very large. It resulted from the dismantling of a above ground pool that was partially surrounded by an existing deck. The deck was 27 years old and in need of repair. Bill was very fast in getting with me to discuss my proje...
I wish I had read the reviews online before I hired Jamie Craig and Renaissance Restoration. Don't make the same mistake I did. We paid a $6,000 deposit on May 17th, 2020 to renovate a home office. It is now over 5 months later and no work has been done. ...
I have called and left 3 messages inquiring about getting an estimate and nobody has called me back. Very rude. Thankfully I have 2 other companies they replied promptly and are scheduled to come give me an estimate..
READ READ READ all the review everywhere for this company!!! When a person reviewed them and said "Run as fast as you can" that was NOT and understatement!!! One of the owners, Kirk, came out to see what we wanted done and gave us an estimate. He said ...
Seriously RUN AWAY as fast as you can. We would give 0 stars if we could. The owners Tom and Kirk use hundreds of random contractors that are unqualified and unlicensed to perform their work. It seriously took 6 framing sub-contractors, 5 electricians ...
Please do your research before hiring this company. They used to operate under the name Total Home Solutions. They had to dissolve that company as their unsavory business practices caught up with them, earning them an F through the BBB. Today as Rebuildin...
Tom and Leijona Bugbee are at it again working under a new company. I wish I had known about the other companies. My project turned into a complete mess. Unlicensed and unskilled labor caused me to have to fire them after the demo and botched plumbing and...
Rebuilding Michigan is not a trustworthy company. They left me without a bathroom for more than 5 weeks and didn't pull required permits .. Kirk Ramsey and Tom Bugbee are liars... RUN from them.
Rebuilding Michigan is the most unprofessional Compnay out there, Kirk, tom and Leijona are liars and crooks. We hired them to finish our 1000SF basement, work started late, crew are all handymen likely from Craigslist, are changed 4 times, Kirk doesn't p...
Rebuilding Michigan (aka Kirk Ramsey and Tom Bugbee) almost got me ... They destroyed my bathroom leaving me homeless for 2 months and did unlicensed and illegal work that left my home in a dangerous situation. I won a judgement against them for 5,100.0...
Horrible customer service, no follow through, unlicensed contractors, they do not honor their warranty. The project manger quit in the middle of my job and it took two months longer to complete the job then quoted. If you know what’s good for you take you...
Tom and Leijona Bugbee will not stop ripping people off. This is getting ridiculous!! We used them when they were construction collective and it took over a year to get our house back in order. They lie constantly then tom will blame it on leijona when th...
Everything You Need to Know About Rochester Remodeling Contractors
Can I browse unscreened Remodeling Contractors in Rochester?
We do our best to screen all of our remodeling contractors. However, there are still some remodeling contractor professionals in Rochester that have not been pre-screened. This means that their licenses may not be up to date to operate in Rochester or MI. Always be sure to pre-screen them yourself before hiring. Here are some unscreened professionals offering remodeling contractors:
- Asaro Custom Construction L.l.c.:
- Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
- 20th Century Stone Company, Inc.:
- BBB Rating: A+
- Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
- Nazareth Carpentry Shop Inc:
- BBB Rating: A+
- Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
How do I know I am getting a fair price for Remodeling Contractors work in Rochester?
Every Remodeling Contractors job has different requirements. Remember that the price will differ depending on the scope of your project. However, that doesn't mean you have to go in blind. Check out our tips for getting a fair price for Rochester work from Remodeling Contractorsbelow:
- Talk to a few different Remodeling Contractors and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 50 professionals and companies in Rochester for you to compare.
- Before contacting a company, check out the ratings and reviews from previous customers to learn what others have paid, how long the Remodeling Contractors took on the job, and how satisfied they were.
How many remodeling contractors does Rochester have?
There are around 50 companies throughout Rochester to help you with your next remodeling contractors job.
- 15 of them have an A or A+ rating from Better Business Bureau.
All Remodeling Contractors in Rochester, MI
Latest projects near Rochester
I'm flexible
combination of shower and bathtub