Michigan Home Remodeling Costs 2025 — Wright’s Renovations
Honest numbers. Hard-won craftsmanship. Real Southeast Michigan context — not national clickbait.
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What makes Michigan pricing different?
From Ypsilanti’s mid-century layouts to Birmingham’s custom millwork, price is a function of scope, finish level, and the realities of SE-MI permitting and labor. Use the ranges below to budget with confidence; your exact price is set during design once scope is locked.
Kitchen Remodels — Where craft meets daily life
| Tier | What’s included | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Keep layout; replace cabinets, counters, lighting; minor electrical | $45K–$75K |
| Reconfigure | Layout change; semi-custom/custom cabinetry; upgraded surfaces; relocate roughs | $85K–$140K |
| Custom & Expansion | Structural changes; ventilation redesign; premium appliances/finishes; possible footprint increase | $150K–$250K+ |
Decision shortcuts
- Keep layout → save ~$15K–$25K
- Move walls/services → budget +20%
- Full custom + structural + mechanical → budget +40%
Michigan insight
Cabinetry can absorb 35–45% of a premium kitchen. Oakland/Washtenaw labor runs higher than West MI; we plan around Ann Arbor’s inspection cadence rather than fight it.
Timeline
10–16 weeks, driven by cabinet lead (often 10–14 weeks) and inspections. We schedule trades to cabinet ETA to avoid idle time.
Bathroom Remodels — Comfort, function, and ROI
| Tier | Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hall / Guest | Tile swap, new vanity, fixture upgrades, existing plumbing lines | $28K–$55K |
| Primary Bath | Layout rework, larger shower, premium tile, lighting, ventilation | $55K–$95K |
| Luxury Suite | Heated floors, steam, stone, custom glass and millwork | $100K–$160K+ |
What moves the needle: Tile coverage + fixture tier. Fully tiled primaries (180–220 sf) commonly land $300–$700/sf depending on selections and layout changes.
Practical tip: Selling within 5 years? Keep plumbing lines fixed. Forever home? Move once, do it right, enjoy daily.
Basement Finishing — Livable space below grade
| Tier | Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Finish | Family room, storage, lighting, no bath | $70K–$125K |
| Entertainment Build-Out | Wet bar, media zone, gym, half/full bath | $120K–$185K+ |
| Full Lower-Level Suite | Bedroom with egress, full bath, kitchenette or wet bar | $185K–$250K+ |
Michigan factors
- Radon mitigation: +$1.5K–$3K
- Sump reroutes / under-slab runs: +$2K–$5K
- Egress window system: +$4K–$7K (R310)
Timeline
12–16 weeks from framing to punch-list; concrete and inspection sequencing set the pace.
Value multiplier
Adds 600–1,000 sf of livable space; often ~55–65% ROI when aligned to neighborhood value.
Additions & Whole-Home — Expanding the footprint
| Type | Typical size | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sunroom / 3-Season | 150–250 sf | $40K–$90K |
| Family / Office Addition | 250–450 sf | $80K–$180K |
| Kitchen Expansion | 200–400 sf + tie-in | $120K–$250K+ |
| Whole-Home / Gut | 1,200–3,000 sf | $250K–$750K+ |
Cost reality
$300–$450/sf is typical for SE-MI design-build additions; high-finish re-massing can approach ~$600/sf. Foundation choice and HVAC zoning swing ±15%.
Structure & envelope
- Truss vs. stick-frame impacts ~$12–$18/sf
- Crawl vs. full basement adds ~25–45%
- Make-up air and ventilation are modeled, not guessed
Scheduling
Washtenaw ~3 weeks; Wayne/Oakland ~5+ weeks for key inspections. We plan critical path around municipal calendars.
Materials & Finish Matrix
Kitchen material matrix
| Element | Typical source | Cost impact | Michigan tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry | KSI, Merillat, Starmark | +$10–35K | Lock selections early (10–14 week lead) |
| Countertops | Cambria, Silestone, Granite | +$4–12K | Quartz dominates ~60% of installs |
| Flooring | Engineered wood, Porcelain, LVP | +$3–8K | Avoid site-finished hardwood below grade |
| Lighting | Kichler, Visual Comfort | +$2–5K | Match Kelvin temperature across zones |
Bathroom tiers
| Tier | Tile | Fixtures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Porcelain | Delta / Moen | Best resale ROI on a budget |
| Mid | Porcelain + Stone | Kohler / Hansgrohe | Balance of design and durability |
| Luxury | Full stone | Brizo / Graff | Custom glass, lighting integration |
Basement smart upgrades
- Subfloor systems (membranes/panels) for moisture control
- LED lighting at consistent color temperature
- Egress windows compliant with code R310
- Resilient channel for sound control under living spaces
Michigan sourcing checklist
Transparency speeds decisions and shortens lead times. Here’s who we trust and why.
| Category | Verified supplier | Location | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry | KSI Kitchen & Bath | Ann Arbor / Brighton | Semi-custom specialists with dependable pipelines |
| Stone & Countertops | Great Lakes Granite & Marble | Redford | Broad slab inventory for early selection |
| Tile & Flooring | Virginia Tile | Livonia | Designer-grade material, trade pricing |
| Lighting | City Lighting Products | Detroit | Spec fixtures with Michigan-stocked inventory |
| Plumbing Fixtures | Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery | Ann Arbor | Access to premium lines with coordinated spec |
| Lumber & Exterior | ABC Supply / ProBuild | Ypsilanti | Reliable framing and envelope supply |
| HVAC / Ventilation | Young Supply Company | Livonia | Make-up air and code compliance done right |
| Windows & Doors | Marvin Design Gallery | Ann Arbor | High-R solutions for SE-MI climates |
| Paint & Finishes | Sherwin-Williams Pro | Ann Arbor | Consistent finish libraries for sub onboarding |
| Electrical Supplies | CED | Detroit | Breakers, lighting controls, and wiring availability |
ROI & lifecycle economics
| Project | ROI range | Long-term advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 50–70% | Energy efficiency, central lifestyle hub, resale magnet |
| Bathroom | 55–65% | Moisture control, daily comfort, suite value |
| Basement | 55–65% | Livable square footage without expanding footprint |
| Additions | 60–80% | Functional footprint growth and appraisal lift |
| Exterior envelope | 65–85% | Energy savings and curb appeal |
Michigan-specific homeowner FAQs
Why are SE-Michigan prices higher than national averages?
Labor rates, inspection intensity, winter seasonality, and older-home waterproofing needs all increase scope and schedule versus national calculators. We price with current SE-MI trade data and supplier lead times.
Can we phase work to spread investment?
Yes. We stage structural → mechanical → finish across quarters to balance cash flow while preserving warranties and inspections.
How long will my remodel take?
Kitchens: 10–16 weeks. Bathrooms: 6–10 weeks. Basements: 12–16 weeks. Additions: 16–28 weeks. Cabinet lead time and municipal inspection cadence dominate timing.
How do we keep costs predictable?
Early discovery demos, camera inspections, and allowance-locked contracts. Schedules built around cabinet ETA and inspections to avoid mid-project surprises.
How Wright’s makes it work
- Design-led discovery. Every number starts with your space, goals, and finishes.
- Transparent allowances. Cabinets, counters, tile, lighting, and plumbing itemized from day one.
- Digital oversight. Weekly reporting via JobTread + Asana — no ghosting.
- Construction discipline. Trades scheduled to cabinet ETA and municipal calendars.
- Post-project audit. 60-day walkthrough verifies performance and feeds our cost database.
Let’s build something beautiful together
You don’t need another estimate. You need clarity, accountability, and a partner who thinks in systems — not guesses.
We’ll educate you, build with you, and deliver craftsmanship you’ll show off for decades.
