By Sean Kurtz, Founder — Michigan Rose Construction | LARA Licensed Residential Builder #262300264
Key Takeaways
- Verify the contractor’s Michigan residential builder license before you compare prices.
- A second-story addition is judged first by structure (foundation, framing, roof). A whole-home remodel is judged by coordination (trades, sequencing, systems).
- Get a written scope, payment schedule, and change-order process before any work starts.
- Ask who pulls permits and who handles engineering, and get the answer in the contract.
- Michigan Rose Construction (MichRose) serves Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, and nearby Eastern Michigan communities.
Ready to create more space without leaving the home you love?
Explore Second-Story Additions with Michigan Rose Construction and discover the possibilities for your home.
Build Up or Remodel Inside? Start With the Right Questions
When your home stops fitting your family, you usually have three paths: remodel what you have, build upward, or do both. A second-story addition adds bedrooms or a primary suite without giving up your yard. A whole-home remodel fixes layouts, finishes, and aging systems across many rooms.
Either way, the contractor matters as much as the floor plan. This guide walks through six checks to run before you sign anything.
Verify the License First
Michigan requires a residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license for most residential work above a small dollar threshold. Confirm the current rules and look up any contractor on the state’s license lookup at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Check three things: the license is active, the name matches the company on your contract, and the contractor carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask for certificates, not verbal assurances.
MichRose’s founder, Sean Kurtz, is a LARA-licensed residential builder (license number 262300264), and the company is a member of the Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor. Look up the license yourself. It takes two minutes.
Compare Proposals Line by Line, Not Just the Bottom Line
The lowest bid is rarely the lowest final cost. A solid proposal for a major project should spell out:
- The full scope of work and what is excluded
- Materials, brands, and allowances (and who covers overages)
- Payment schedule tied to milestones
- Who handles structural engineering, permits, and inspections
- How changes are priced and approved in writing
- Estimated start date and duration
If two bids differ by a lot, the gap is usually in scope, allowances, or excluded items. Ask each contractor to explain the difference rather than choosing the cheaper number. MichRose provides written project scopes and proposals, which makes side-by-side comparison easier.
Match the Contractor to the Project Type
| Second-story addition | Whole-home remodel | |
|---|---|---|
| Main risk | Whether the existing foundation and framing can carry a new level | Coordinating many trades and decisions at once |
| Key questions | Who evaluates the structure? How is the roof removed and protected during construction? How will HVAC, plumbing, and stairs connect old and new? | Who sequences the trades? How are electrical and plumbing updates handled behind walls? What happens when hidden conditions appear? |
| Living situation | Often livable during early phases, but weather protection is critical | Plan for stretches without kitchen or bathrooms |
| Typical early step | Structural evaluation and engineering | Detailed scope and finish selections |
Thinking about updating multiple rooms or transforming your home's layout?
Explore Whole-Home Remodeling with MichRose to learn more about your renovation options.
Know Your Local Permit and Review Process
Permit rules vary by municipality, and major projects often involve zoning review, building permits, separate trade permits, and inspections. Start with your local building department:
Ann Arbor adds a wrinkle for many homeowners. If your home is in a local historic district, exterior changes, including an added story, may need review by the Historic District Commission before a permit is issued. Older neighborhoods also tend to have older framing, knob-and-tube or outdated wiring, and foundations that were never designed for a second floor, so early structural evaluation is not optional.
Michigan’s climate matters too. Roof design, insulation, and framing for a new level must account for snow load and winter heat loss, so ask how the contractor addresses both.
Ask directly: who submits the permit applications, who pays the fees, and who schedules inspections? MichRose lists permit coordination as part of its second-story addition services. Confirm exactly what is included in your agreement.
Test Their Communication Before You Hire
Major remodels last months. The way a contractor communicates during the estimate is the best preview of how they will communicate during construction.
Ask:
- Who is my single point of contact?
- How often will I get updates, and in what form?
- What happens when you uncover an unexpected condition?
- Will you get my written approval before any extra work?
Slow, vague answers now rarely become fast, clear answers later.
Get the Warranty and References in Writing
Ask for the warranty terms as a document, including what is covered, for how long, and how to report a problem. MichRose describes a one-year labor warranty covering craftsmanship and installation. Request the current written terms, including exclusions.
Then call references. Ask past clients whether the project finished on schedule, how changes were handled, and whether they would hire the contractor again.
Red Flags to Watch For
- A request for a large upfront payment before any work or materials
- Pressure to sign quickly or “limited-time” discounts
- Vague proposals with no scope detail
- No written change-order process
- An unwillingness to show a license number or insurance certificates
- Suggesting you skip permits to save money
About Michigan Rose Construction
MichRose is a residential remodeling company based in Saline, serving Ann Arbor and surrounding Eastern Michigan communities. Its services include second-story additions and whole-home renovations. Judge it by the same checklist above: license, proposal detail, permit responsibilities, communication, and warranty.
Ready to discuss your project?
Call Michigan Rose Construction at (734) 307-2019 or visit michrose.com to request a free, no-obligation consultation.
Michigan Rose Construction has spent 15+ years helping homeowners throughout Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Saline, and Ypsilanti transform their backyards into beautiful, functional outdoor living spaces. As a fully licensed (License #2601230264), bonded, and insured residential builder, we deliver custom paver patio installations designed to enhance your home’s beauty, value, and long-term durability.
Contact us today:
License #: 26230264
Issued by: LARA
License Type: Residential Builder Co. – Fully licensed, bonded, and insured
Proudly serving Ann Arbor, Michigan, and surrounding communities with premium basement remodeling services since 2010. Our service area includes all of Friendly Neighborhoods in Michigan state.
Note: All cost ranges are estimates and may vary based on specific project requirements, location, and market conditions. Contact MichRose Construction for a detailed quote for your specific needs.
Michigan Rose Construction serves homeowners across Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and throughout Michigan with expert deck construction and maintenance services tailored to our unique climate challenges.
We do not share any client data with third parties. Your personal information is kept confidential and is not disclosed to any outside organizations, except as required by law or with your explicit consent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verify the Michigan residential builder license and insurance, ask for comparable project examples, and confirm who handles structural evaluation, engineering, and permits. Compare written proposals line by line before deciding.
Yes. MichRose offers second-story additions for homeowners in Ann Arbor and surrounding Eastern Michigan communities. Feasibility depends on your home’s structure, local requirements, and budget.
Yes. MichRose coordinates whole-home remodels that can span multiple rooms and building systems. Your scope is confirmed during the consultation.
Almost certainly. Expect building permits and inspections, and possibly zoning or historic district review depending on your property. Check with your local building department and confirm in your contract who submits the applications.
The work to be done, materials and allowances, exclusions, payment schedule, timeline, and a written process for approving changes. Permit and engineering responsibilities should be stated too.
