Design-Build in Clarkston, MI
Reschka Design Build serves Clarkston-area homeowners with high-end main-floor remodels, custom home construction, and large additions. From the estates along Deer Lake and Waldon Road to the custom homes in Independence Township's rolling countryside, we bring design-build craftsmanship to a community where property size, natural surroundings, and construction quality set the standard.
Why Clarkston Homeowners Choose Design-Build
Clarkston and the surrounding Independence Township area occupy a unique position in Oakland County — far enough north to feel rural, close enough to the I-75 corridor to remain connected, and home to some of the county's most impressive residential properties. The homes here tend to be larger than in Birmingham or Royal Oak, the lots are measured in acres rather than fractions of an acre, and the construction scope matches the scale: custom homes on wooded parcels, estate-level remodels of 3,000- to 6,000-square-foot homes, and large additions that take advantage of the land available.
The remodeling work we do in Clarkston reflects these characteristics. Where a Birmingham project might involve opening one wall between the kitchen and living room, a Clarkston project often involves rethinking the entire main-floor circulation — connecting the kitchen to a great room, reconfiguring the mudroom and laundry entry from the garage, adding or expanding a screened porch, and integrating outdoor living spaces that take advantage of the property's natural setting. The scale is larger, the systems are more complex, and the design must account for how a family uses a home where indoor and outdoor living are closely connected.
Custom home construction is also a significant part of our Clarkston-area work. The availability of buildable lots — both wooded parcels and open acreage — makes Clarkston one of the few Oakland County communities where ground-up custom homes are a regular part of the market. These projects start with site evaluation, septic and well planning (many Clarkston-area properties are not on municipal water or sewer), and architectural design that responds to the topography and tree coverage of the specific parcel. Our design-build approach manages all of this under one contract.
For homeowners with horse properties, agricultural outbuildings, or large accessory structures, Clarkston's township zoning allows for a range of construction that would not be permitted in more densely zoned communities. We work with Independence Township's building and zoning departments regularly and understand the local code requirements for both residential and accessory construction.
What We Build in Clarkston
Reschka Design Build brings the same single-contract design-build approach to Clarkston that we use across Oakland County — one team, one schedule, one accountability structure from design through construction.
Main-Floor Remodels — Starting at $120K
Kitchen-centered main-floor transformations where layout, flow, and structural integration matter. We open walls, improve circulation between kitchen and living areas, and manage the full scope from design through construction under one contract.
Custom Home Building — Starting at $700K
We build custom homes in Clarkston and throughout Oakland County — on vacant lots, teardown sites, and select infill properties. Every custom home project starts with design-build planning that aligns architecture, budget, and site constraints before permitting begins.
OUR WORK NEAR CLARKSTON
The projects below represent the scale and quality of remodel and addition work we deliver across Oakland County. Clarkston-area projects typically involve larger homes and more extensive scopes than the Oakland County average.
What Clarkston Clients Say
Hear from homeowners we've served in and around Clarkston.
"The remodel and addition at Hazelhurst felt seamless. They found a smart way to pull the front porch into the footprint, and the finishes came out better than I expected."
Remodeling Investment in Clarkston
| Service | Starting Investment |
|---|---|
| Main-Floor Remodel | $120K+ |
| Custom Home | $700K+ |
| Large Addition | $175K+ |
Clarkston-area projects tend to be larger in scope and square footage than the Oakland County average, which is reflected in overall project investment. Properties on well and septic systems may require additional site work. Longer material delivery distances from Troy can add modest logistics costs. We account for all of these factors during pre-construction budgeting.
Building in Clarkston: What You Should Know
Most residential properties in the Clarkston area fall under Independence Township's jurisdiction rather than the small Village of Clarkston. Independence Township operates its own Building Department and processes residential permit applications on a rolling basis. Plan review for remodels typically runs two to four weeks, and custom home permits may take longer depending on scope and site complexity.
Properties on well and septic systems — which is common in the Clarkston area — require Oakland County Health Division approval for any work that affects the septic system or requires a new well. Additions that increase the bedroom count or bathroom fixtures may trigger septic system evaluation and potential upgrade requirements. We coordinate with the Health Division during pre-construction to confirm that the existing systems can support the proposed scope or identify upgrade requirements early.
Independence Township's zoning code is generally favorable for residential construction on larger parcels, with setback requirements that are easier to meet on properties measured in acres. Wetland and environmental regulations may apply to parcels near lakes, streams, or designated wetland areas — Oakland County and EGLE both have jurisdiction depending on the specific conditions. We evaluate all site-specific regulatory requirements during pre-construction and coordinate submissions as part of our services.
Frequently Asked Questions — Clarkston
How much does a main-floor remodel cost in Clarkston, MI?
Main-floor remodels in the Clarkston area typically start at $140,000 and reach $300,000 to $500,000+ for estate-scale projects involving multiple rooms, structural changes, and high-end finishes. The larger home sizes common in Clarkston mean more square footage to address, which directly affects material volumes and labor hours. We establish detailed budget ranges during pre-construction.
Does Reschka Design Build build custom homes in Clarkston?
Yes. Clarkston and Independence Township are among our primary custom home markets. The availability of buildable lots — wooded parcels, open acreage, and lakefront properties — makes ground-up custom home construction feasible here in ways it isn't in more built-out Oakland County communities. Our design-build approach manages site evaluation, septic and well planning, architectural design, permitting, and construction under one contract.
What about properties on well and septic in Clarkston?
Many Clarkston-area properties use private well and septic systems rather than municipal water and sewer. Any construction that increases fixture count or bedroom count may require Oakland County Health Division review of the existing septic system. We coordinate this during pre-construction and identify upgrade requirements — if any — before construction begins.
How long does a large remodel take in Clarkston?
Estate-scale remodels in the Clarkston area typically run 16 to 26 weeks of active construction, following a pre-construction phase of 10 to 16 weeks for design, selections, permitting, and trade scheduling. Custom home construction runs 10 to 14 months depending on size and complexity. Total remodel duration from consultation to completion is typically 8 to 12 months.
Does Independence Township zoning allow large additions?
Generally, yes. Independence Township's zoning code and the larger parcel sizes common in the Clarkston area make additions more feasible than in tighter Oakland County communities. Setback requirements are typically easier to meet on properties measured in acres. We confirm zoning compliance during pre-construction and coordinate any variance applications if needed.
Serving Clarkston from Troy
Our Troy office is approximately 30 minutes from Clarkston, making site visits, design consultations, and project management coordination convenient throughout your build. We maintain active projects across Oakland County simultaneously, so Clarkston homeowners benefit from the same team and trade relationships as every other community we serve.
Planning a Project in Clarkston?
Tell us about your home and what you're hoping to accomplish. We'll determine whether it's a fit and outline what working together would look like.