We do not currently offer financing directly, but we’ve worked closely with MSUFCU and Dart Bank for many years and know they offer excellent financing options.

Whether you’re considering a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), construction loan, or second mortgage, we can provide the documentation needed for your lender. The financing specialists at MSUFCU and Dart Bank can help you determine which option is best for your project.

At R. L. Rider Remodeling, we’re a full-service design-build company. That means we help with everything from design and material selections to permits, trade coordination, and project management.

When we only complete the rough shell of an addition, many of those services can’t be fully utilized. In most cases, permits must cover both the rough and finish work, meaning the remaining coordination and responsibility falls on the homeowner.

Our goal is to make your remodeling experience as smooth and stress-free as possible by managing your project from concept to completion.

R. L. Rider Remodeling specializes in interior home remodels, additions, decks, and new home construction. If foundation repair is needed during a project, we would be able to organize a team of trade partners to help stabilize the existing foundation before making the desired renovations.

If you are looking for just foundation repair, or to tackle the foundation repair before completing an interior remodel, we would recommend checking out a list of qualified contractors registered through the Home Builders Association at hbalansing.com.

Yes! We’d be happy to discuss your project and determine if we’re the right fit.

R. L. Rider Remodeling is a design-build remodeling company, not a restoration contractor. Our projects are carefully planned in advance, while restoration work often requires immediate response to water, fire, or storm damage.

If you’re using an insurance claim as an opportunity to remodel or upgrade your home, we may be a great fit. We can help you select upgraded finishes such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and more while completing your renovation.

Please note that homeowners are responsible for communicating directly with their insurance company. We can provide documentation generated through our estimating software, although we may not be able to accommodate insurance companies that require specialized estimating programs.

If your home has experienced significant damage, we also recommend contacting a restoration company before settling your insurance claim. They can help identify repairs and code requirements that may not be included in the initial insurance estimate.

Yes, but our team is designed to manage remodeling projects rather than small repair jobs.

If your project requires design assistance, trade coordination, or multiple phases of work, we’re likely a great fit. However, for simple repairs that only require a few hours of carpentry, hiring a handyman or independent carpenter may be the more cost-effective option.

Absolutely! We have extensive experience replacing shower units.

From helping you select the right shower system to pulling permits and coordinating the carpenters, plumbers, and painters, we handle the entire process from start to finish. Keeping everything under one roof means you’ll have one team managing your project from beginning to completion.

Yes! Phasing a project is often one of the best ways to help homeowners accomplish their remodeling goals while staying within budget.

We’ll help you prioritize the work and create a plan that allows future phases to be completed efficiently when you’re ready. Our goal is to set your project up for long-term success.

Yes.

For any remodeling project that requires permits, we’ll handle the entire permitting process, including scheduling all required inspections. If there’s ever a question about permit requirements, we’ll work directly with your local municipality on your behalf.

We have an experienced in-house team of designers and draftsmen who create construction drawings, floor plans, elevations, and renderings for our projects.

Because most of our projects fall below the square footage requiring stamped architectural plans, an architect is only brought in when necessary. Our licensed residential builders are experienced in structural design and work with structural engineers as needed to ensure every project meets code and engineering requirements.

Yes!

Our skilled in-house design team works closely with our production team throughout the entire project. This collaborative approach ensures your design is not only beautiful, but also practical and buildable by the craftsmen who will bring it to life.

R. L. Rider Remodeling is a full-service design-build company focused on providing complete remodeling solutions from concept to completion.

While we have a highly skilled team of carpenters, labor-only projects typically don’t utilize our design or project management services. We generally find that projects work best when homeowners are using at least two of our core services — carpentry, design, and trade coordination. Otherwise, it may be more cost-effective to hire a framing or finish carpenter directly.

We’re always happy to work with trusted trade partners whenever possible.

If you have a preferred installer or contractor, we’ll gladly reach out to see if they’re interested in working with our team. Keeping project coordination under one company often leads to a smoother, more efficient remodeling experience.

If you’d prefer to coordinate certain portions of the work yourself, we’ll be happy to advise you on how to phase the project so everyone’s work fits together as seamlessly as possible.

Yes! We offer free in-home consultations and transparent estimates so you can better understand your project’s scope before moving into the design phase.

Our goal is to identify the major aspects of your project early, helping make the remodeling process as smooth and predictable as possible.

The cost of a remodeling project depends on several factors, including the scope of work, material selections, installation requirements, and the condition of your existing home.

In older homes, it’s common to encounter necessary upgrades to wiring, plumbing, framing, or other systems to meet current building codes before finish materials can be installed.

Our team provides transparent estimates that clearly outline material allowances, labor, and trade costs so you understand where your investment is going. During the design phase, we’ll help you make selections that fit both your vision and your budget while keeping communication open every step of the way.

Yes!

You can verify our licenses through the State of Michigan by visiting the LARA license lookup.

• Cameron Smith — Residential Builder Individual — License Number: 2101176922
• CA Smith Construction — Residential Builder Company — License Number: 2102200610
• Michaela Swope — Residential Builder Individual Salesperson — License Number: 352200621

Yes! R. L. Rider Remodeling proudly offers a 3-Year Hassle-Free Warranty on all labor and materials supplied by us, including work completed by our trusted trade partners.

Great! We’d love to take a look.

Depending on where your plans originated, there may be structural, design, or budgeting considerations that need to be addressed before construction begins. Our team can help refine your plans and turn them into detailed construction documents ready for your project.

Absolutely!

We know life doesn’t stop during a remodel, and it doesn’t have to. If you’ll be away, we can set up a secure lockbox system so our team can access your home while you’re gone.

Throughout the project, our carpenters will post daily progress photos and updates to your client portal, and you’ll have a dedicated project manager available to answer any questions. No matter where you are, you’ll be able to stay informed every step of the way.

Every R. L. Rider Remodeling client receives access to a dedicated client portal throughout their project.

From the portal, you can:

• Communicate directly with our team
• View your project schedule
• Access renderings, plans, and project documents
• Make material selections during design
• Review daily progress updates from our carpenters

Your client portal keeps everything in one place, making it easy to stay informed from the initial design phase through project completion.

With today’s competitive housing market, for most projects, remodeling is better than moving; however, we consider a handful of factors when assessing projects to let our homeowners know if a project doesn’t make sense. Purchasing a new home can make sense if you need more square footage than it is possible to add on to your existing home, or if you need to be closer to school, work, or family — but many of those homes will still need cosmetic tweaks, like a bathroom or kitchen remodel. The team at R. L. Rider Remodeling can consult you on your options and provide a transparent, honest assessment of your current home conditions and the feasibility of remodeling versus the functionality of moving or building new.

Some of the items we consider when talking with homeowners include:

• Is the proposed scope of work functional? If not, is there an alternative solution that achieves the same goal?
• Is the required investment for the project going to exceed the long-term value of the property? We want to consider what you’ve already invested, what you plan to invest, and what the return on your investment will look like if/when you want to sell your home.
• How long do you plan to stay in your home? We know you don’t have a crystal ball, but in an ideal world, what does your home timeline look like? The longer you plan to stay, the longer you get to enjoy the project and the more likely you will increase your return on investment.
• Do you have other considerations for keeping your current home — location to school, work, or family? Sentimental value? A great interest rate? There can be a whole list of reasons you may prefer to stay in your current home instead of moving.

Every homeowner we work with is unique in their approach to their remodeling project and what makes sense for their investment in their home. If you’re aging in place and have deep sentimental value to staying in your home, you may not prioritize return on investment. But if you are just starting out and considering selling within the next 5 years, return on investment may be your #1 priority. The team at R. L. Rider Remodeling can help you determine the best steps forward for your home remodeling project through our expert consultations and transparent pricing!

For most projects, living in the home during the remodeling project is no big deal! The construction team at R. L. Rider Remodeling will utilize a combination of site protection measures to help ensure the areas that aren’t under construction stay as dust free as possible. This could include flooring protection, Zip walls, duct covers, or painters plastic from point of entry to the work site. No two projects are the same and may require different methods of site protection — it is something that will be discussed on site with your Project Manager. We can install a lock box at your home so our team can come and go during business hours to keep your project rolling. Our crews operate Monday through Friday, 8AM – 5PM, so you can enjoy your peaceful weekends.

If you are considering a kitchen remodel, we can move your fridge into a secure location where you can continue to have access throughout the project. Many homeowners utilize other cooking sources like grilling, slow cooking, or using hot plates during their kitchen remodels to minimize the disruption to their lifestyles. For bathroom remodels, if you don’t have another bathroom in the home, we recommend utilizing the showers at work or the gym. In certain cases, we can re-set the toilet at night to allow for a semi-functional bathroom. Ask the team at R. L. Rider Remodeling how you can live in your home during your remodeling project!