General contractor in Lake Orion, MI.
Lake Orion sits in northern Oakland County centered on one of the area’s largest lakes. The village has a small historic downtown; Orion Township surrounding it has a mix of lakefront properties, 1920s–50s cottages, newer lakefront estates, and standard subdivisions. The dominant renovation pattern is the lake: seasonal cottages becoming year-round homes, older properties getting full kitchen and bath upgrades, and estates being expanded to take better advantage of water views.
What we do here
Most common scopes
- Lake cottage seasonal-to-year-round conversions
- Lakefront additions and expansions
- Kitchen and bath renovations
- Foundation and mechanical upgrades
Lake property specifics
- EGLE shoreline permit review
- Foundation condition assessment
- Insulation and mechanical upgrades
- Water-view addition design
The building department
- Village of Lake Orion / Orion Township
- Township handles most residential permits
- EGLE jurisdiction near shoreline
- We manage all permit filings
What’s different here
- Lake as the central organizing feature
- Wide housing vintage (1920s to present)
- Seasonal-to-permanent conversion is common
- Northern Oakland County market
Pick a service.
Lake Orion renovation questions.
Are there restrictions on building near Lake Orion's shoreline?
Yes. Orion Township has shoreline setback requirements, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has jurisdiction over work within 500 feet of the ordinary high-water mark. We review both the local zoning and state requirements before estimating. Docks, seawalls, and any fill or structure near the water also require separate EGLE permits in addition to the township building permit.
Can you help convert a seasonal lake cottage into a year-round home on Lake Orion?
That's one of our most common project types in this area. A typical Lake Orion conversion involves assessing the foundation (block or post-and-pier), insulating the floor, walls, and attic to modern Michigan standards, upgrading the heating system, and renovating the kitchen and bath. We often add square footage through an addition at the same time. All of this happens under a single contract with a single point of contact.
What kinds of homes does Orion Township have outside the lake area?
Orion Township has a mix of 1970s–2000s subdivisions alongside the lake properties. These homes are straightforward renovation candidates — kitchens, baths, basements, and additions without the waterfront complexity. The village of Lake Orion has a small historic core as well, with older buildings that sometimes need more careful restoration work.
How long do building permits take in Orion Township?
Orion Township Building Department runs a reasonable process. Standard residential permits typically clear review in two to four weeks. Projects involving structural work, additions, or waterfront setbacks take longer due to plan review requirements. We submit complete applications to minimize back-and-forth and handle all follow-up.