We just wrapped up a kitchen and bathroom renovation with Detroit Build a few weeks ago and it couldn't have been a better experience! This is a long review, but I tried to include what would have been helpful when I was looking for the right contractor to work with before our project started. I reached out to the team late last summer and scheduled a time for an initial consultation in September 2020. Several members of the team came out, including Seabrook, the owner, and Rebekah, a designer with Whiski Kitchen. One thing I loved about that initial experience is that we discussed absolutely everything up front - the design concept, how far we should go with the scope of the project, the timeline (we entered into this project when I was 4 months pregnant - whoops), budget, etc. Then, Rebekah took everything I was looking for and turned it into a beautiful digital rendering that we tweaked a bit from there (for the record it looks EXACTLY like how our actual kitchen turned out!). I was really blown away by how much time and care they put into the project before we had even signed a contract or committed to anything. This process between the initial meeting and signing the contract took a couple of months but it was well worth it in the end and the back and forth up front saved us so much time once the project was underway. Work started a couple weeks later! During our early conversations Seabrook jokingly told us that no matter who we work with for this reno, we were going to be miserable while the house was torn apart, but it seriously wasn't that bad! I give so much credit to Detroit Build for how smooth the process was for many reasons, but most notably: - The team is pretty exceptional at project management and did an excellent job of ensuring there were almost no unused days while the project was underway. We chose to leave the house every day while the team was here (except Saturdays) and of the 12 weeks they were working, there were maybe only 4-5 days when I came home and couldn't clearly tell what had been done that day. They also wait to start demo until materials (such as cabinets) start to come in so you don't spend any time waiting on deliveries, which felt really important given that EVERYTHING is backordered at the moment. - Kristy was my main point of contact during the renovation and she's the absolute best - I miss texting with her every day now that our project is over! I didn't have a day-by-day project schedule or plan to go off of which I actually really liked because this business can be incredibly unpredictable and it's easy to feel disappointed when things don't get done on the exact day you're expecting them to. Instead, I had near-daily updates from Kristy via text - especially after the rough inspection was done, and a general idea of when we'd see major milestones completed and I always felt like I was in the loop/knew what to expect. - They were transparent about how the timeline and cost would be impacted if I made changes to the plan while the project was underway so we could weigh all aspects into our decisions. That said, we added quite a few elements (including painting two additional rooms outside of the initial scope) and the project ended right on time! - I just love the Detroit Build team and everyone they work with, both direct employees and subcontractors. Everyone was so kind, respectful and treated our 100-year old home like it was their own. The team even made recommendations for the design based on things they knew we'd need when we had a baby that I would never have thought of! They really treated our project with care and made us feel like a priority. At the end of the day, no renovation is going to be 100% perfect. I work in project management personally and I make mistakes, so it would be unreasonable for me to expect that anyone I hire wouldn't occasionally do the same. What set this crew apart was how they handled it when there was a concern or a miscommunication (though there were so few). In fact, the team proactively pointed out issues to us (like a small scratch on our tub) that they believed to be their fault that I hadn't even noticed. At the end of the day those experiences just showed me how much Seabrook and his team care about taking care of clients. We couldn't have asked for a better team to work with during this renovation - I hope this has been helpful if you're considering DB for an upcoming project! We'll definitely hire them again in the future. read more

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Let's start with the positives: The owner of Detroit Build came out and looked at the job and was very helpful. The workers who came into our house were very kind and friendly. They covered all of our floors leading up to the bathroom (remodel). The completed job matches our original plan. They were able to make adjustments when things were not going according to plan. They were able to obtain all the materials we picked out. Anytime we reached out to our Project Manager he was able to respond and give us information in a timely manner. Since we don't have a garage, they were able to provide us with a trailer which held all of our materials on site. Negatives: They gutted the bathroom as planned. When they laid the floor, they never covered it with paper so they continued to remodel the bathroom walking on the newly installed floor. Seems like not a big issue, but it's winter and they were dragging in dust, snow, ice and salt onto our new black floor. All of the debris was falling onto the new floor. Due to the fact that multiple people are working on multiple jobs, mistakes were made and workers had to come back out to fix errors made. Part of why we went with Detroit Build is because they had a design team. We were still required to go out and find the materials on our own. Our assumption was they would take care of this step. While our Project Manager did get back to us, we had to reach out weekly to get updates. At the end of the project the only cleaning that was done was construction cleanup. We were disappointed to find out that they did not have a cleaning company to take care of this job. It wasn't a clean and pristine feeling that you would expect with a remodel. We had to call and get a "deep clean" on our newly remodeled bathroom. read more

Detroit Build remodeled our main bathroom and delivered a good job; communication before and during the project was excellent; towards the end of the months-long project it tapered off a bit (probably because the contractors got used to us working from home and somebody always being there). A slight miscommunication occurred likely in the quoting stage already, where I may not have picked up on a bidet seat being installed where I wasn't expecting that to happen. But that would also explain the higher re-quote that I approved, so there's that. We came to like it anyways and are happy with it. Kevin was a great Project Manager; whenever I saw something that needed improvement, Kevin took care of it. Their Showroom in Royal Oak to pick designs / tiles etc. is definitely a plus. The job was billed exactly as quoted; if there is something I would recommend doing would be a formal, final walk-through at the end of the project. There are a few very minor things I would have wanted to at least discuss or have some advice on. Overall I'd highly recommend Detroit Build and would work with them on a future job any time. read more

Deteoit Build are true craftsman. My new bathroom is amazing and was done to perfection. Seabrook and his team have delivered a high end and masterful bath remodel. This team brought my ideas to reality. Thanks so much! Jay read more

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I have a family of five and we only had one bathroom. I looked into getting an addition and they are just so expensive right now so I contacted Detroit Build about adding a bathroom in our unfinished basement. We really had low expectations. I was expecting a dingy bathroom to fit the basement. The ceilings are only 6' but we're short people so it works. I think the crew at Detroit Build did an amazing job! They far surpassed my expectations! Check out the before and after pics. We've had this bathroom for several months now and I can hardly remember life before it was here. read more

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I did not have a good experience with DB They've done several neighbors and friends home so I decided to call. George came out to inspect my saggy floor issues and he left saying he's going to send out an Architect that was in May. He NEVER got back with me. I called several times and he just now called saying my paperwork was underneath all his paperwork so I feel as if he pretty much threw me to the side and sum me up as if I can't afford whatever he thought it would be. I was approved for a loan as a HOMEOWNER that will cover what I need. He's still saying he'll try to get my estimate and to call him back it already been 3 months and I still gotta wait for an estimate... I know they do good work but the way I've been treated is terrible. Guess my needs aren't a priority in George's eyes read more

We hired Detroit Build for a straightforward kitchen remodel this summer. Based on our experience, we would recommend them to others, but with caution. Overall, the quality of work was good, and the price was competitive among the other companies/contractors that we were considering. Maybe this is how it is with all contracting companies (especially during Covid), but it took nearly two months to get the project started after our initial meeting. During this time, we were only communicating with the ladies in the front office, who were nice but didn't give us the impression that they a) wanted our business or b) knew what was going on. Eventually we found out that the delay was due to some cabinets being slow to arrive, which wasn't Detroit Build's fault. Once we started communicating with Seabrook directly, things improved. Seabrook was responsive, clear, and knowledgeable, and we were usually able to get enough information from him, including work details and what time workers would arrive etc. All the contracted workers were respectful, though they varied in punctuality and cleanliness. We liked all of them, especially Perry and John (carpenters), who were always on time. One glitch that we felt was not okay was an unexpected confusion about the countertop we'd picked out at least a month before the project started. A few days before it was to be installed, Seabrook asked us whether we had wanted granite or marble, but we had actually chosen quartzite (and it had been priced into our deposit). We couldn't understand why/how this mixup occurred so late in the game. It got sorted out, but it was strange. Our initial meeting with Detroit Build (where they provided an estimate) was beginning of July, and we signed a contract and paid a deposit end of July. Work started beginning of September and was completed in 3-4 weeks. We are VERY happy with our kitchen, and everything has been functional so far. If you have a tight/inflexible schedule, I might not recommend Detroit Build. I would also caution that allowances in their initial estimates tend to be on the low side (their allowance for the cabinets we ordered was $400, but they ended up costing over $1000.) Besides for these things, we enjoyed the experience and are grateful for Seabrook and his team's hard work! read more

Detroit Build - General Contractors Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

OMGoodness the bathroom glass project is wonderful, thank you! We love how it turned out! The glass delivery guy, and Calvin who installed are fantastic too. Calvin was kind enough to also hang my new mailbox too and wouldn't accept anything for it either. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and Detroit Build already; your follow up, attention to detail, timeliness, pride in craftsmanship; and the quality of communication and people you work with. Truly grateful and I look forward to moving forward with the house. Thank you again for making it such a positive experience. read more

2 stars because the person I talked to was nice on the phone, but sheesh $45,000 for a kitchen remodel? Was pretty much told it's $45,000 starting or to kick rocks. That's crazy. We went another business and they were able to meet all of our needs for $20,000 (demo, garbage removal, electrical, plumbing, countertops, cabinetry installation, appliance installation, etc.) read more

Detroit Build performed a basement remodel at my home and did a fantastic job. Everyone I dealt with, from the estimator to the office staff to all the workers on the job site, was polite, friendly and responsive. The workers thoroughly cleaned the job site after each phase of the job, without disruption to my basement or my family. They did a first class job and I will definitely plan to call on them in the future. read more

I don't know who said their prices are competitive. I just call them and the lady said their price for a kitchen reno starts at 40k . Lol insane Not to mention the rudeness of the lady on the phone , screaming like a crazy person. read more

I met Seabrook- the owner, to receive an on-site estimate for the rehab of my fire damage home on the northwest side of Detroit. Upon attempting to enter my home, we were met with the issue of not being able to successfully unlock the padlock which had secured the chain on the front door. The only option was to break open the chain with a tool- one that neither one of us had! Even-though his time was limited, Seabrook offered to escort me to the local hardware store to purchase the tool needed. Upon returning, we both worked at breaking open one of the links to the chain with a pair of chain pliers. After 30 minutes were successful and proceeded with the walk-through. Seabrook walked the entire house, including the badly damaged burn areas, all while sporting a stylish pair of trousers and dress shirt! The most impressive thing is that he did it without getting one stain! Given all of the obstacles encountered throughout the entire process, he remained cool, calm and collected. In addition, he was able to provide the estimate right on the spot! Thank you Seabrook. You are a true professional. read more

Edited 12/16 - Five months post project and we are still having electrical issues. Complete re-wiring of kitchen electrical has been problematic from the start. Also basement drain was torn up for a bathroom install, and it was placed in a spot that renders it useless as they did not smooth the floor and account for the drain to be at a low point. Lowered to 2 stars. I fully regret hiring Detroit Build. A solidly indifferent experience working with Seabrook and Detroit Build. It was an arduous process that ended with a parting of ways where I believe both parties were relieved it was over. That's not a ringing endorsement. The work done was inconsistent- some areas great, other a severe lack of attention to detail. Communication ranged from great and prompt to accusatory emails to complete gaslighting. They were the only company available to come out and estimate last spring - Seabrook seemed willing to work with us on aspects we wanted to complete ourselves Was that true? ...Yes, Was it easy?...No. Overall Not that bad... but not good either... In the moment I could have written a much more scathing review - in retrospect, it was what was it was. The best review I can muster now is a shrug and a " would not recommend" Edited 12/16 - Five months post project and we are still having electrical issues. Complete re-wiring of kitchen electrical has been problematic from the start. Also basement drain was torn up for a bathroom install, and it was placed in a spot that renders it useless as they did not smooth the floor and account for the drain to be at a low point. Lowered to 2 stars. I fully regret hiring Detroit Build. read more

Highly recommend Detroit Build for all of our building needs, big or small. They recently finished a covered outdoor patio for us and I was blown away by the quality and workmanship. Thanks Detroit Build...will definitely call you for any future projects! read more

I would have given them 5 stars but the estimate "phase" took at least two months. It was a very small job and should not have been so complicated. The quality of the work was very good otherwise and they are very responsive!! read more

Overall, we enjoyed working with Detroit Build. I really appreciated the quick responses from Seabrook to our inquiries. We would email on a Sunday afternoon, and get a response that evening. Brian was a huge help in keeping the pieces moving and connecting together. The sub-contractors that they hire do a quality job, and will ensure customer satisfaction. As the customer, you do need to make sure you monitor the progress, ask questions, and know what you want as a final product. Don't expect them to read your mind if something doesn't look right to you. I'll say that there are some flaws in the work, but those nuances get muted as you live in the space. We've referred them to some family and friends, and would go back to them for future remodels. read more

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I love the final kitchen BUT if Detroit Build does not improve their planning / communication skills ... Consider very carefully before you select them! If George will be your Project Manager --RUN. I never knew when anyone was coming, poor knowledge of what needed to be done, commit to things and not follow through! When I spoke with the Owner (Seabrook), he was sorry I "felt" like I was not being communicated with ... Eventually, when the lead craftsman (Dave) was working our kitchen... I WAS being communicated with!!!! I cannot say enough about the quality of the design and the Designer (Melissa), Kitchen install/ carpenter (Dave), Electrician (Dwight), quality of the materials. Detroit Build completed the job before Thanksgiving which was absolutely needed (5 weeks past schedule). read more

Not great. - Plumbing wasn't done correctly and in its entirety the first time; had to be re-done after the new light and kitchen ceiling were ruined from water damage. I had to replace the new light myself. New kitchen cabinets, fridge, and countertops were coated in plaster dust after walls had to be ripped-up to replace the plumbing. Per the contract, this plumbing was supposed to have been replaced first, but was just not done, without explanation. - Masonry repair outside was done with door propped open after I moved all my stuff it, which then also got coated with concrete dust. - Wrong countertop was installed. - Took twice as long as quoted (12 weeks instead of 6). - Plaster repair didn't use a drop cloth when repairing a ceiling over hardwood floors that I had just pulled carpet off of. Generally, Seabrook just seemed disorganized/overwhelmed with other work and my house got put on the back burner. He never seemed fully aware of what work was supposed to be done without me reminding him and asking for timelines on things. When hiring a contractor, I expected to get someone who was going to manage the process and ensure quality, not just hire out the work and never actually see what was being done. Edit: my brand new roof also started leaking within 6 months. Guessing they skimped on the water & ice shield, but no way to be sure at this point... read more

We worked with Detroit Build for our kitchen renovation and couldn't be happier with the result! From the get-go, they were extremely thorough in explaining the process, assisting us in selecting our design and finishes. They were timely, responsive, and great at their craft. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to go through a renovation. read more

Waited for over 30 days from the point of going to the company to set up an appointment for an estimate for a bathroom remodel. However on the day of the appointment someone called to say they were going to have to cancel because the person who was coming out got Covid. They said they would call at a later date to reschedule. However no one ever called to reschedule the appointment. I think this is very unprofessional. Glad I didn't use them because this could be a sign of how they work. read more

Best experience I could ask for! I could not have asked for a better outcome of our project. Our home was completely repainted indoors and the results are nothing short of stunning. Working with the Detroit Build team was easy, timely, and the whole process left me feeling extremely comfortable and confident with the work being done. I will be telling everyone I know how amazing Detroit Build was and I will continue to use them for all future project. I cannot say enough good things. read more

Detroit Build - Before and after. - General Contractors Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

We had a leaky roof at the fireplace. Seabrook provided a quote to install a cricket and new flashing. The cricket is a permanent solution that directs snow and water away from the chimney. The cost was very reasonable and the work was done in a very timely manner. I highly recommend Seabrook and Detroit Build for your construction needs. read more

Hired these guys to redo our master bath in a home we bought after just moving to Detroit. Very little communication--never knew when people were coming, the subcontractors had no information, totally unorganized, and the work had to be redone multiple times. Was told this was a 6-week project, but it was 4-5 months, and when it was done, fixtures were falling off from not being properly installed, the tub had no running water at all. The excuse was always the age of the house, but the shower nozzle falling off, and the new toilet leaking has nothing to do with the age of the house. It is six months later and we are still paying others to fix their mistakes. Seems like it was a lack of project oversight--I'm guessing because our project was small in comparison. But it was a lot of money for us and I had hoped for a better experience. Aesthetically it looks good but the craftsmanship was mixed at best. read more

As a real estate agent, I need someone I can count on to do quality work in a timely fashion. I recommend and use Detroit Build for numerous situations. They have helped me out with inspection issues and renovations many times. Extremely helpful, available and knowledgeable. Detroit Build has literally been my go-to for reliable, realistic quotes and great workmanship. Since they have several trades with several different experts, they are my "one stop shop". read more

The only reason I gave 2 stars is that they got someone to do the job in a short period of time. Other than that our experience was not good. This company sub contracts out the work and have no idea who they are hiring. The guy that showed up to our house was later every day, only worked for an hour or two a day and didn't get the job done to completion. To top that off he lost an item in our home and he had to cover the cost for it. When calling Detroit Build they never returned our calls or cared much that we had an issue. We would never use them again. read more

I have so much regret over using Detroit Build about 2 years ago. They came recommended from my realtor so I thought they would be fine but I am still paying the price years later. They broke a window in my yard and left the shattered glass. They poured plaster down my bathtub drain which then hardened. The plaster repair was shoddy and I have had to redo it. When I asked them to redo the plaster, they told me it was fine. The air conditioner they installed stopped working after 2 years (and the first year it was barely used). The contractors left garbage throughout the house, including fast food cups and bags. The foundational work they did is already cracking. They wrote things on the walls. In retrospect, I should have fought to have the work done to my standards, but I so desperately wanted them out of my house that I accepted the poor work they did, which I immensely regret as I am still correcting their mistakes. read more

We are very happy with the overall experience with Detroit Build. In preparation for our second child we knew we needed more space. They took our half finished basement, removed a dividing wall, created a new living space, dedicated storage room, and a beautiful full bath / laundry room with stackable washer and dryer. Seabrook and his team were always polite, responsive, and flexible to changes as the project went on. We will recommend to family and friends. read more

If you're thinking of going with another contractor, don't! Choose Detroit Build! You will not be disappointed!!Seabrook Satterland is a wealth of knowledge, and each team he puts together is no different. The office staff is extremely courteous and helpful; Jamie Sachs is a gem. My husband and I hired Detroit Build to do extensive work in our 1938 home; specifically plumbing, electrical, drywall/plaster repairs, and tiling, as we were renovating a kitchen and two bathrooms among other things. Detroit Build came in after we'd had a terrible experience with a contractor that we had to fire! But, Detroit Build did not let us down. In fact, THEY SAVED THE DAY! They did a wonderful job on our home, offering us all the experience they have in working on older homes like ours. Simply put, they are professional, organized, and honest. Detroit Build is staffed with people you can easily consult with and rely upon. Each trade appeared to our home on time and on the days that they'd promised to be there. I never had to wonder when the job would be done; Seabrook always kept us well informed of what was being completed in relation to our desired timeline. If you're looking for a team of polished professionals that you can trust, with reasonable prices, experience working with or without a renovation loan, and with as much passion for doing the work as you have for your home, call Detroit Build. We certainly will for our additional projects in the near future! read more

Detroit Build and Seabrook came to rescue when our previous contractor completely ruined our master bathroom. Knowing that we are on a tight budget, Seabrook was kind enough to give us a discount as well. After ripping of all the tiles, Ben did a wonderful job retiling the entire bathroom. The most impressive part is they had to squeeze the work in with such short notice just to ensure we can move in on the planned date. When they say they are gonna finish the work by certain date, they deliver it. Kevin and the plumbing team even came to our place and stayed as late as almost mid-night to finish the work. Seabrook is really quick in responding my text messages and phone calls. Helping out all types of questions I had. I would definitely recommend them to anyone and everyone. Thanks so much for giving us such a beautiful bathroom. read more

I have an older property that needs a good amount of repair and upkeep. Detroit Build has always been reliable, flexible and fair in their approach. Not to mention their work has always been high quality. I highly recommend them! read more