Common questions.
Everything we get asked most often — about estimates, timelines, costs, permits, contracts, living through construction, and what older homes in Oakland County tend to surface. If your question isn’t here, call us.
About the company.
Who is Kaakarli Construction?
Kaakarli Construction is a licensed, fully insured general contractor based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Founded by Chehab Kaakarli, we've been building and renovating across Oakland County and Metro Detroit for over ten years. We handle kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, custom homes, commercial build-outs, historic restoration, basement finishing, and outdoor living projects.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We carry a Michigan residential builder's license and full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We're happy to provide certificates of insurance before any project starts.
Do you use subcontractors?
Yes, for licensed trades — electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — as Michigan law requires. We work with the same electricians, plumbers, and mechanical subs on project after project, so the relationships are established and the quality is consistent. Chehab is on every job site and accountable for every trade.
Are you a local company?
We are. Our base is in Bloomfield Hills and most of our work is within a 50-kilometer radius of there. We know the building departments, the older housing stock, and the permit processes across Oakland County. We're not a franchise or an out-of-state operation subcontracting to local crews.
Estimates & first steps.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. Both the first walkthrough and the written estimate that follows it are free. The estimate typically takes about a week to put together after we've seen the space in person.
How do I get a quote from Kaakarli Construction?
Call us at (947) 247-6458 or send an inquiry through the contact form on this site. We'll schedule a free on-site walkthrough, usually within a week or two depending on our current schedule, and the written estimate follows within about a week after that.
How long does the estimate process take?
From first contact to written estimate, plan on two to three weeks total. The walkthrough is usually within a week or two, and the detailed written estimate takes about a week to prepare after that. For larger projects like additions or custom homes, we may need a follow-up visit before the estimate is complete.
What should I prepare before the first walkthrough?
The most useful things: a rough sense of your budget range (even if it's wide), any inspiration photos or materials you've been collecting, and a clear idea of what's driving the project — are you fixing something broken, improving function, or planning for resale? The more context you share, the more useful the walkthrough conversation is.
Do you work on homes outside Oakland County?
Primarily we work within Oakland County and the immediate surrounding areas. We've done projects in Macomb County and western Wayne County. Call and tell us where you are — if it's close to our usual range, we can almost certainly make it work.
Kitchen projects.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Most of the kitchens we do run eight to twelve weeks from demo day to final walkthrough. The biggest variable is cabinet lead time — custom cabinets alone can take eight to fourteen weeks to fabricate, so we order those before demo starts and work the rest of the schedule around that delivery date.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Oakland County?
Most full kitchen remodels in Oakland County land between $45,000 and $175,000. A meaningful refresh — new countertops, cabinet paint or refacing, updated lighting — starts around $30,000. A full-gut custom kitchen with new layout, custom cabinetry, and premium appliances runs $120,000 to $175,000+. Cabinets are typically 30 to 40 percent of the total. Layout changes and pre-1980 home surprises push the number up.
Can I keep my kitchen usable during a remodel?
Not the kitchen itself — the space needs to be off-limits while we work. We help homeowners set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house with a microwave, mini-fridge, and a hose-fed sink. Most clients tell us they adjust within a few days. We stage the work to minimize how long the plumbing and power are actually out.
Do you handle kitchen design, or do I need a separate designer?
We can do either. For most kitchens, our in-house team handles layout, cabinetry spec, and finish selection. For more complex projects — architect-designed kitchens, significant structural changes, or very high-end bespoke work — we bring in a kitchen designer or architect we work with regularly. We coordinate all of it.
What's the difference between cabinet refacing and full cabinet replacement?
Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts and applies a veneer to the face frames, keeping the existing box in place. It works well when the layout is right, the boxes are in good shape, and you just want a fresh look. Full replacement installs all-new boxes, giving you flexibility to change the layout, add features like pull-outs and soft-close, and get better interior quality. Refacing is typically 40 to 60 percent of the cost of replacement.
Can you remove a wall during a kitchen remodel?
Yes, and we do this often. Most load-bearing wall removals require an engineer's stamp for the beam design. We work with engineers regularly and include that in the project scope. Non-load-bearing walls are simpler. Either way, we get the permit, which protects you at resale and ensures the structural work meets code.
Bathroom projects.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Primary bath renovations typically run six to ten weeks. Secondary bathrooms and powder rooms run three to six weeks. The biggest variables are tile lead time (if custom or large-format tile is specified) and whether you're moving plumbing — relocating a toilet or reconfiguring a shower pan adds time for rough-in and inspection.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
Powder rooms typically run $8,000 to $20,000. Secondary bathrooms run $15,000 to $45,000. Primary baths with a custom shower, soaking tub, double vanity, and heated floors typically run $45,000 to $90,000+. Radiant floor heat adds $2,500 to $5,000. Moving plumbing adds $3,000 to $10,000 depending on complexity.
Can you convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
Yes, and it's one of our most common bathroom requests. A tub-to-shower conversion typically runs $8,000 to $25,000 depending on the shower size and finish level. If you're keeping the footprint, it's a simpler project. If you're reconfiguring the layout or going to a large-format curbless shower, the drain and floor need to be re-sloped, which adds plumbing rough-in work.
What's a reasonable budget for a primary bath renovation?
In the Oakland County market, $45,000 to $75,000 gets you a well-executed primary bath with a custom tile shower, quality vanity, stone or porcelain tile, and modern fixtures. If you add a soaking tub, heated floors, and higher-end stone, plan for $75,000 to $90,000+. The finish level is the main driver — labor costs are relatively consistent; materials vary widely.
Do you handle bathroom tile work in-house?
Yes. Our tile work is done by skilled tradespeople we work with on every project. We don't subcontract tile to whoever has availability — the same hands that do the Bloomfield Hills jobs do yours. For complex large-format or pattern work, that consistency matters.
Additions.
What's the difference between a build-out and a build-up addition?
A build-out expands the ground-floor footprint of the house — extending into the yard. A build-up adds a second story or expands an existing upper level. Build-outs are generally less expensive per square foot because foundation work is simpler. Build-ups require engineering the existing structure to carry the added load, which adds cost but leaves the yard intact. In Birmingham, Huntington Woods, and other tight-lot communities, we do a lot more build-ups because the setbacks don't leave room to build out.
How much does a home addition cost in Michigan?
Most ground-level additions in Oakland County run $200 to $350 per square foot for the construction itself. Second-story additions and primary suite adds typically run $300 to $450 per square foot. Sunrooms and screened additions are on the lower end at $150 to $250 per square foot depending on how they're insulated and conditioned. Garages run $80 to $150 per square foot for detached and more for attached additions connecting to finished space.
Do I need an architect for a home addition?
For structural additions — anything that involves new foundation, load-bearing walls, or a second story — yes, we require engineer-stamped drawings. We work with structural engineers and architects regularly and can bring the right professional in based on the scope of your project. For simpler additions like a deck-to-room conversion or a bump-out addition, we often handle the drawings in-house.
How long does a home addition take?
A straightforward ground-level room addition typically runs four to six months from permit to completion. Second-story additions and primary suites run five to eight months. Custom additions with complex architectural features take longer. The permitting process — typically two to six weeks at Oakland County municipalities — starts the clock before we break ground.
Can I use my house during an addition?
Usually yes. We take precautions to keep the occupied areas of the house usable: weather-tight temporary walls where we're connecting to the existing structure, dust barriers at interior openings, and daily site cleanup. There are phases — particularly when we're cutting into the existing roof or exterior walls — where you'll experience some disruption, and we'll give you advance notice for those.
Custom home building.
What's the process for building a custom home?
It starts with a site visit and program conversation — what you want to build, on what lot, and at what budget. From there we work through design and engineering (usually with an architect), pricing and contract, permit application, and then the build itself. We're the single point of contact through all of it, coordinating the design team, the trades, and the building department.
How long does it take to build a custom home in Oakland County?
Plan on fourteen to twenty-two months from groundbreaking to final certificate of occupancy on most custom homes in Bloomfield Hills and the surrounding market. Design, engineering, and permitting add another six to twelve months before that. Budget eighteen to thirty months from the time you start design conversations to moving in.
What does a custom home cost in Bloomfield Hills?
Typical custom home construction in Bloomfield Hills runs $350 to $500 per square foot for a quality build and $500 to $700+ for luxury-tier work with premium finishes, geothermal, smart-home systems, and custom millwork throughout. Site work, foundation, and lot costs are separate. A 4,000-square-foot home in Bloomfield Hills at mid-range pricing is typically a $1.6M to $2.2M construction contract before lot and design fees.
Can I bring my own architect's plans?
Yes. If you already have a relationship with an architect or have started design, we can work from your existing drawings. We'll review the drawings for constructability and provide a detailed estimate against that scope. Some design changes typically happen during this review — that's normal and part of the process.
Basement finishing.
How much does it cost to finish a basement?
Most finished basements in Oakland County run $25,000 to $65,000 for an open recreation room. Add a full bathroom and the range shifts to $40,000 to $90,000. What drives cost up: adding a bathroom ($18K–$35K add), egress windows for legal bedrooms ($1.5K–$3.5K each), waterproofing before framing, and HVAC extension.
Do I need permits to finish a basement?
Yes, always. Basement finishing requires building permits for framing and electrical at minimum. Add plumbing permits for any bathroom work. Unpermitted basement finishing shows up in home inspections and creates problems at resale. We pull every permit and handle all inspections.
How long does basement finishing take?
Plan on eight to twelve weeks from permit approval to final walkthrough for most projects. Permit review adds two to four weeks before work can start. Projects with a bathroom and egress window work run toward the longer end.
Should I waterproof before finishing?
If there's any history of water intrusion — efflorescence, floor staining, musty smell — yes. We won't finish a basement over an active water problem. For mild moisture, interior drainage and proper vapor barrier detailing may be sufficient. For active infiltration, waterproofing should happen before framing begins.
Permits & construction.
Do you handle permits?
Yes, on every job. We pull the permits, prepare and submit the application package, schedule the inspectors, and stay on site during inspections so you don't have to take time off work to meet them. Permits are included in every project scope we propose.
How long do permits take in Oakland County?
Most residential permits in Oakland County clear initial review in two to four weeks. Larger additions and structural projects require plan review, which can add two to six weeks. Every municipality is a little different — Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, and Troy tend to be efficient; some smaller townships are faster. We know the processes and submit complete packages to avoid back-and-forth delays.
What happens if inspectors find issues?
The inspector notes the issue, we correct it, and we schedule a re-inspection. This is normal and expected on complex projects — it's what the inspection process is for. We handle all of the scheduling and re-inspection coordination. If an inspection reveals a condition that affects the project scope (which occasionally happens in older homes), we discuss it with you before proceeding.
Do I need to be home during construction?
Not typically. Most clients give us a key or a door code for the project duration. We're on site every day, we clean up at the end of every day, and you get a weekly update on progress. You're welcome to stop by any time — many clients enjoy checking in — but you don't need to be there to babysit things.
How do you handle material selection and design choices?
We run a structured selection process: we give you a list of decisions in the order they need to be made, provide guidance on what matters and what's interchangeable, and set deadlines that keep the project on schedule. Selection delays are a leading cause of project extension — we work to prevent that without rushing you on the decisions that actually matter.
Pricing & contracts.
What if costs run over the estimate?
Our contracts are fixed-price up front. The number doesn't move unless you ask for something extra or we run into a genuine structural or mechanical surprise behind a wall. Either way, changes go through a written, signed change order before any additional work happens — never a verbal agreement, never a surprise on the final invoice. For older homes, we also build in a 10 to 15% contingency from the start so the schedule doesn't take a hit when something does come up.
How do change orders work?
A change order is a written document that describes additional work, its cost, and any impact on the schedule. Both parties sign it before the work happens. Common change order triggers: you decide to extend scope mid-project, we find a condition behind the walls that wasn't visible during the estimate walkthrough, or material substitutions are required due to availability. The change order process protects both of us.
What payment schedule do you use?
Our typical payment schedule is tied to project milestones, not calendar dates: a deposit at contract signing, payments at key construction milestones, and a final payment at substantial completion after the walkthrough punch list is resolved. The exact schedule is specified in the contract before work begins.
Do you offer financing?
We don't offer in-house financing. Many homeowners in our market use home equity loans, HELOCs, or construction loans from their bank. We can provide detailed scope documentation that supports those applications and work with your lender on the draw schedule if needed.
Living through a renovation.
Can I live in my home during a renovation?
Usually yes. We put up dust walls and run HEPA air scrubbers, and the crew does a full cleanup at the end of every day so the rest of the house stays livable. The space being worked on will be off-limits. Plan on a temporary kitchen setup elsewhere if it's a kitchen project, or using the secondary bath if we're in the primary. For very large additions that involve significant work on the existing house, we'll talk through what phases will be most disruptive.
How do you protect my home from dust and damage during construction?
We build temporary dust walls at every opening between the work zone and the living space, run HEPA air filtration in the work area, protect existing flooring with Ram Board where trades are moving through, and do a full site cleanup at the end of each day. We also photograph existing conditions before work begins so there's a record if a pre-existing issue is ever confused with construction damage.
How often will you communicate during the project?
You get a weekly written update covering what was completed, what's happening next week, any upcoming decisions needed, and any issues worth knowing about. Chehab is also reachable by phone or text throughout the project. If something significant comes up between updates, we call — we don't save surprises for the weekly update.
Older homes & historic preservation.
Do older homes have more surprises?
Almost always. Most of the pre-1980 houses we work on surface something that wasn't visible during the walkthrough: a panel that needs upgrading, galvanized supply lines that need replacing, a load path that doesn't quite work the way it was framed, or asbestos around an older boiler or pipe. That's why we build a 10 to 15% contingency into every older-home estimate and document what we find at demo.
What do you find most often in pre-1980 homes in Oakland County?
The most common are: 100-amp service panels that need upgrading to 200 amps before new kitchen or bathroom circuits can be added; galvanized steel supply lines that are corroded and should be replaced; plaster walls over wood lath that require different anchoring and patching techniques than drywall; and knob-and-tube wiring in homes from the 1920s through 1940s that needs to be remediated if it's still live. None of these are deal-breakers — they're just things to plan and budget for.
Can you work on homes in historic districts?
Yes. We're familiar with the Historic District Commission processes in Clarkston village, Franklin, Huntington Woods, and Birmingham. Exterior changes visible from the street typically require HDC approval before the municipality will issue a permit. Interior work is generally unrestricted. We help prepare the HDC submission package and know what these boards typically look for.
Do you do plaster repair and restoration?
Yes. Plaster repair is a routine part of our older-home work. We patch, skim-coat, and match texture on existing plaster walls so the repair blends with the surrounding surface. For homes where the plaster is failing broadly — de-bonding from the lath in large areas — we evaluate whether targeted repair or a full re-skim makes more sense for the specific situation.