Our house, built in 1923 and last renovated in the late 80s, badly needed structural repairs and renovation. We also decided that it was time to do what we had talked about for years, i.e., tearing down the old garage and creating two large studies.

We were looking for solid, high-quality work. Never having been involved in this kind of project, we sought advice from friends and then met with design/build companies and architects. RDB came highly recommended. What was important to us in selecting RDB were three things: 1. Gary Rochman met with us for long initial conversations, taking us on to visit several of the construction projects that RDB was working on at the time or had just completed, and introducing us to members of his team. This was critical in assuring us of the stellar quality of their work. 2. We soon realized that hiring a design/builder would make the whole project run more smoothly. 3. Finally, we were really impressed with the atmosphere at RDB, which combines professionalism with friendliness.

The design process was great. RDB developed several different options and walked us through them. We selected our preferred design months before the pandemic started in March 2020. This initial design included a new garage with exercise room and a study. We decided against plans that would have located this study in the house. RDB steered us in this direction without insisting, and it was the correct choice. Due to the pandemic, several new issues arose. First, we asked RDB to split up the project and work on the new garage first, since we did not want to move out of our house during the height of the pandemic. Gary Rochman was extremely flexible listening to our concerns and adjusting to our preferences. Working during the pandemic RDB took great precautions to assure the safety of the work site. RDB then began work on the second project as soon as it became possible again.

Communication with us during the construction was and is ideal. The lead carpenter on our jobs, Mike Sokol, responds quickly to texts about any issues that arise. During the weekly meetings, usually led by Glen DiGaetano, the production manager, RDB kept us informed of their progress and any unexpected problems. Olivia Dee, the interior designer, always provided us with tasteful suggestions. Everyone on the team was willing to explain the process in great detail and with great patience.

All the people working for the contractors whom RDB hired were excellent. Well supervised by Mike Sokol, they worked very hard and very fast.

Given the structural conditions of the property and age of the house and poorly executed prior repairs there were several unforeseen problems with the driveway and basement that had to be addressed above and beyond the agreed upon price. This was dealt with honestly and clearly.

We would highly recommend RDB for any job, big or small. They are spectacular. Everything they build is both solid and beautiful.

We have done five projects with RDB, and each one has been totally positive. We recommend them all the time!

Gary was great from the start. He personally visited the first meeting, and was honest, open, and up-front. We felt like he would be selecting us as much as we would be selecting him, which gave us comfort that we would be well-taken care of. Susan was patient and accommodating and creative during the design phase, with just the right amount of push-back. Glen and Brian at the site were such a joy at all times, even during technology challenges (haha), and never wavered in their commitment to deliver above expectations. They all truly put their names on the project and owned it, and indeed still do.

We had been thinking about renovating for years, but no one was ever able to come up with a design that really met our needs. Gary and his staff took such a creative approach to our redesign and were able to get us almost everything we were hoping for, all within our budget. We love our new kitchen and first floor!

We have already referred our neighbor to Rochman D/B

Rochman Design-Build are the perfect group for projects where the highest quality in design and construction and excellent project management are important. Busy families benefit greatly from their guidance, excellent communication, and project management. We greatly appreciated their respect for the fact that they are our home and not the other way around (they understand and act in ways that show they know that it's a home people live in, not a "job site").

Our experience with Rochman Design-Build was outstanding, exceeding all expectations. We are extremely pleased with our home remodel project. If you are looking for excellence in all areas, from design, communications, quality of work, timeliness, and professionalism, look no further than Rochman Design-Build!

You can really trust them. If their was a difference of opinions they would work through that. They were very realistic. Above and beyond. They are a great bunch of people.

If you're researching Ann Arbor remodeling firms, you probably already know that Rochman Design-Build is not the least expensive option. That's undeniable. However, our experience was that for the premium price, you will receive impeccable quality and care through the entire process: from a thoughtful, creative design stage where they help guide you through the hundreds of selections you'll need to make (which they make fun and easy rather than overwhelming and exhausting!) to weekly on-site progress meetings during the build itself (so you catch small issues before they become major misunderstandings/problems), and an incredibly prompt and courteous response to changes you might request or questions that arise along the way. We could not be more thrilled with the results - and are still amazed that they completed the project only 8 days later than the original 23-week schedule indicated (and, PS: the delay was totally because of us; we added extras along the way). Highly recommend.

Rochman Design-Build did an amazing job on our remodel. We have an old house that presented a lot of challenges, each of which they were able to address. We love our new home, and can't wait to hire them on our next project.

We are extremely satisfied with our major house renovation with Rochman. This was our second project with them and we are delighted with the results.

We are thoroughly pleased with and continue to enjoy the work they did in our home; and are delighted to spread the word when we receive compliments! Gary could be depended on to respond to calls or emails in a timely manner, Even now, decades later I can call him with questions or concerns; and he still is very appreciative of our business, and expresses his gratitude!! I believe he truly cares about the relationship he builds with his customers. I was very impressed when, before he started the project, he wanted to know the names and ages of our children, and still/ to this day cares to ask about them. He/ they did 3 projects for us, and got to know our preferences, so I could trust Gary to make choices for us.He has a superb eye for design, and we found him to be highly gifted in designing and building.We are grateful to God for Gary/ Rochman Design Build, and wish them His blessings always!

I have used Rochman Design-Build several times for different projects, including a major renovation, and they consistently do an exceptional job. They approach the job with professionalism, pride in their work and a motivation to ensure satisfaction in the homeowner. They are on time and within budget. .

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Craftsmanship is meticulous and beautiful; care and consideration was given to our daily experience while the project was ongoing; team is very responsive to questions and demonstrates complete commitment to the project's success and clients' satisfaction.

Lead Source

Lead Source - Recommendation of previous clients.

Excellent company and wonderful personnel.

We had a great experience with RDB! In terms of design, Gary and Wayne really took time to learn about preferences my wife and I had, and what styles we liked. To help us stay within our budget, several options were presented to us (each with projected costs) for certain parts of the project. Once the work started, our project took approximately four months to complete and the work adhered almost exactly to the initially proposed timeline. When the excavation began, some existing water damage was discovered (due to improper water drainage when the hose was built); RDB fixed them, and did so free of charge! and this was not a trivial amount of extra work. Throughout the project, Jay and Glen held weekly meetings with us, in order to update us on the current status of the project, and to advise us on the next phase. This was really helpful, as were the periodic reminders in between meetings. We have two toddlers, and Jay was really careful to clean everything up and the end of each day. he also screened or boarded off various areas (which o/w would have been fine to leave open), just to make sure the kids didn't end up where the weren't supposed to be. My wife and I are so pleased with our addition! The product is excellent, and the staff made the process run really smoothly.

We are extremely happy with our recent remodeling project with RDB from design through construction and all final completion details. The workmanship and quality are consistently excellent. We would absolutely use Rochman Design Build again and highly recommend them.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Excellent with communications and follow through. The project once started had continuous movement and if there were short delays they were communicated to me. Very high quality workmanship. Excellent design skills that blended the old and new seamlessly.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - Our expectations were very high and RDB met or exceeded them. We would happily work with them again. The weather was our worst problem during construction and RDB dealt with it as well as possible.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Design and quality of work combined with consistently good communication.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We viewed many of their projects on home tours over a number of years, plus the recommendation of friends who had worked with them.

We've had Rochman Design-Build work for us on 8 different occasions and they've all been exceptional.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - this project was executed smoothly and there were no elements that fell short of my expectations.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - customer service, professionalism, access, accountability, attention to quality

Gary and his team are fantastic individuals who excel in quality design and workmanship. We would choose them again for another project in a heartbeat.

Rochman Design-Build is highly professional with knowledgeable staff. The lead time to discuss the scope of the project, the ideas of the clients, the cost of the project and to reach decisions about the specifics of the project are thorough and result in clear expectations about the project. Meetings were scheduled weekly during the construction period to assure that we were aware of the progress and to discuss any issues between parties. Written notes from previous meetings, any new issues and project schedules were regularly reviewed. All the staff members with whom we worked demonstrated pride in their work, thoroughness in addressing issues and a positive, can-do attitude. We have worked with Rochman Design-Build on two other major remodeling jobs and have been consistently pleased with the process and delighted with the outcomes.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - None

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Rochman Design-Build's attention to detail and great craftsmanship are notable. The trades people who were on the job expressed their pleasure in working with Rochman Design-Build and specifically commented about the high quality expected and the reasonable timelines (not being rushed to get their work done quickly). We also found that any additional requests were treated respectfully and responded to promptly with information about effects on timelines and the additional costs so that there were no surprises.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We first used Rochman Design-Build in 1997 for a kitchen remodel. The referral came from another contractor.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Rochman Design-Build is a high quality, very professional, creative company. The owner is an effective listener, a great manager of processes and people, hires quality staff members and conveys a genuine interest in satisfying the client with a beautiful finished product. We have been pleased with each remodeling experience with Rochman Design-Build. We will continue to recommend this firm to others who are interested in remodeling and want to work with pros! We are delighted with our beautiful kitchen and family room remodeling job.

We hired Rochman Design and Build to construct an addition to our house which consisted of adding an upstairs bedroom, increasing the space to the mud room, adding an exercise space, and adding a guest bedroom to the basement. Gary, Glen, and Brian were phenomenal at making our vision come to life. They were professional, communicated well through all aspects of the project, and it really felt like they wanted our feedback and responded to any concerns that we expressed. We truly felt that they went the extra mile with regard to making sure that we were well-informed and comfortable during construction. For example, they were sensitive to the fact that we had 3 young kids at home and made sure that our washer and drier were available during construction. We absolutely love the high quality of the work and feel that they have transformed our home into a more comfortable living space. We highly recommend Rochman Design and Build.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - Couple of drafting errors that led to corrections that delayed project.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - the quality of the work. Communication. Loved the lead carpenter.

Lead Source

Lead Source - Ann Arbor parents listserve

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Absolutely love the quality of the work and would recommend RDB to others.

Rochman Design-build has now completed three successful remodeling projects for us. All three were completed on time and within or under budget. Their people, from design to construction, were great to work with, and the quality of the work was outstanding. I can't say enough about how pleased we are with our kitchen and bathroom remodeling thanks to everyone at Rochman Design-Build.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - Absolutely none, if anything Rochman exceeded my expectations!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The quality of work and the care that went into what the Rochman people did for us. Everyone in the organization did a great job.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We and our neighbors have worked successfully with Rochman Design in the past.