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Design-build in Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills Homes, Built Into the Grade They Sit On
Designed, sourced & built under one roof.
Rochester Hills has 340 feet of elevation change across it, thirty individually designated historic properties scattered parcel by parcel, and a tree ordinance whose exemption turns on whether your lot is over an acre. It rewards a builder who checks the address before quoting.
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2014
Founded, and building here since
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In-house design, source & build
Local design-build
Thirty historic districts, and you cannot tell which house is in one.
Avon Township organized in 1835 and became the City of Rochester Hills in 1984. The stock reflects that arc: 1920s bungalows and mid-century ranches in Brooklands to the south, scattered nineteenth-century Greek Revival farmhouses around Stoney Creek and Winkler Mill, then a very large 1980s wave and continued 1990s and 2000s build-out in the north through Great Oaks, Stony Creek Ridge and Butler Ridge.
The terrain is genuinely hilly, from 690 feet in the southeast to 1,032 in the northwest. Walkouts, daylight basements and retaining walls are routine here in a way they are not on flatter ground.
The city's historic designations are parcel-level rather than neighborhood-wide, which means an address two doors from yours can be regulated while yours is not.
What We Build in Rochester Hills
Services
01 - Kitchens
Custom cabinetry and layout work, from Brooklands bungalows to 1990s colonials.
$75,000 – $210,000+
02 - Bathrooms
Primary suites and guest baths, with waterproofing and a flood-tested pan on every shower.
$18,000 – $135,000+
03 - Additions
Additions on sloping sites, where grading, retaining and the tree ordinance all come into play.
$185,000 – $580,000+
04 - Whole-home
Full renovations across a range from 1920s bungalows to 2000s estates.
$375,000 – $1,100,000+
Ranges shown are typical for Rochester Hills. Full tier-by-tier pricing is on each cost guide.
Building in Rochester Hills
Remodeling a Rochester Hills Home: What to Expect
01
Mostly subdivisions, with some older homes mixed in
Most Rochester Hills homes sit in subdivisions built over the last several decades, with dated kitchens, original baths and large basements ready to finish. The city also has older farmhouses and historic homes, which often hide plaster, old wiring and framing that has moved over the years. We plan for whichever house you have during design.
02
Historic districts are scattered across the city
Rochester Hills has many small historic districts, and some cover a single property. Historic district review applies to exterior changes, so most kitchen, bath and basement work goes through normal permits. We check your address at the start of design, and if your project touches the exterior, we plan the review into the schedule.
03
Interior work still needs permits
Moving plumbing, adding a bath, rewiring a kitchen or finishing a basement means building and trade permits through the City of Rochester Hills. We pull every permit and schedule every inspection for you.
04
Design comes first, and your home stays livable
Every project starts with one to three months of design development, so layout, cabinetry, finishes and pricing are settled before demolition. During construction we protect your floors, seal the work area for dust, run negative air, clean up every day and send you a written update every week.
05
One team from start to finish
Every trade except plumbing, electrical and HVAC is Maxwell's own crew, and our licensed partners handle those three. Your designer and project manager stay with you from the first sketch to the final walkthrough, and the work is backed by a five year workmanship warranty.
Requirements change. Confirm current specifics with the Rochester Hills Building Department, Planning and Economic Development, or Forestry before relying on any of the above.
where we work
Where We Work in Rochester Hills
We build throughout Rochester Hills and the surrounding communities: Rochester, Oakland Township, Troy and Auburn Hills.
Great Oaks
Stony Creek Ridge
Clear Creek
Butler Ridge
Fairview Farms
Brooklands
Yorktowne Commons
Parklane
Cumberland Hills
The Ravines
Winkler Mill Pond
straight answer
Two checks before anything else
Is the address one of the thirty designated historic properties, and is the lot over an acre? The first decides whether exterior work needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. The second decides whether a house addition needs a tree permit, which is counterintuitive, the larger lot is the one that loses the exemption.
After that it is usually the grade. With 340 feet of relief across the city, retaining walls, drainage and final grade sign-off are a real part of the scope on sloping sites rather than an afterthought.
We don't reface cabinets and we don't paint them. We're the right fit when the house deserves new cabinetry, proper millwork, and a builder who reads the site before the elevations.
Good to know
Rochester Hills FAQ
How long does a kitchen or bathroom remodel take in Rochester Hills?
Most projects take 14 to 16 weeks of construction after one to three months of design. A single bathroom often takes less time. A kitchen with a new layout takes longer.
Do I need a permit to remodel in Rochester Hills?
Yes, if the work touches plumbing, electrical, mechanical or structure. Cosmetic updates may not need one. We handle every permit and inspection as part of the project.
How do I know if my home is in a historic district?
The city keeps a list of designated historic districts and properties. We check your address during design. If your home is on the list, interior work generally proceeds as usual, and any exterior changes go through the Historic Districts Commission.
Can we live in the house while you remodel?
Usually, yes. We seal off the work area, control dust and clean up daily. For a kitchen remodel we help you set up a temporary kitchen so daily life keeps going.
What does it take to finish a basement in Rochester Hills?
Any basement bedroom needs a legal exit, called egress. You also need moisture control and permitted electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. Many Rochester Hills basements are large and open, which makes them good candidates for a bar, theater, gym or guest suite. We plan the layout and lighting during design.
Do you provide interior design and cabinetry?
Yes. Our design team handles layout, finishes, lighting and fixtures, and we build with Dura Supreme cabinetry in the framed Crestwood and frameless Bria lines. You work with one team from design through installation.
Planning a renovation in Rochester Hills?
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