Question 1

How long does it take to build a custom home in West Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Most Fortis custom homes take 10–14 months from groundbreaking to final walkthrough. West Michigan winters can pause exterior work (foundations, framing, and roofing), so we front-load interior finishes and MEP rough-ins when freeze seasons hit—keeping critical path items moving instead of parking the whole job until spring.

Question 2

Can you build a custom home on a lot I already own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We evaluate soils, drainage, setbacks, and HOA or township rules before design locks. Byron Center, Kentwood, Cascade, and nearby townships each have different permitting rhythms; we handle site evaluation and permit packages so you're not shuttling between the architect, surveyor, and building department alone.

Question 3

Do you handle architectural design, or do I need my own architect?

Accepted Answer

We offer full design-build with trusted architectural partners, and we also collaborate with an architect you've already hired. Design-build means one accountable team owns budget, constructability, and schedule—so details aren't lost between separate design and build contracts.

Question 4

What makes a West Michigan custom home different from a production builder house?

Accepted Answer

Production homes optimize for repeat floor plans and buyer upgrades. A Fortis custom build starts from how your family actually lives—circulation, storage, aging-in-place options, and energy details suited to Michigan's temperature swings—then engineers structure and finishes around that brief instead of forcing your life into a catalog plan.

Question 5

How transparent is pricing on a Fortis custom home?

Accepted Answer

We use progressive budgeting: early cost ranges at concept, refined allowances at design development, and a locked construction budget before major materials order. Change orders are written and priced before work proceeds—no verbal 'we'll figure it out later' surprises.

Question 6

Do we have to move out during a home addition?

Accepted Answer

For most ground-level additions in West Michigan, families stay home. We set temporary walls and dust barriers so daily life continues. Second-story or whole-house structural work often warrants a temporary move for safety—especially when roof openings coincide with freeze-thaw weeks.

Question 7

Will a new addition match my existing house?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We source matching or deliberately complementary siding, roofing, windows, and trim so the addition reads as original architecture—not a bolted-on box. On older Grand Rapids–area stock (brick, vinyl, fiber cement), we dry-fit material samples on-site before ordering full runs.

Question 8

Can you add a second story to a ranch without destroying the first floor?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, if the foundation and first-floor framing can carry the new loads. We start with a structural assessment (including possible footing upgrades) and a temporary weatherproof roof plan. The goal is controlled demolition and rebuild sequences—not a months-long open top during Michigan rain and snow.

Question 9

What's the difference between an addition and an ADU in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

An addition expands the primary dwelling (same occupancy). An ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is a separate living unit—in-law suite, guest house, or detached living space—with its own kitchen/bath rules and local zoning. We clarify which path your township allows before design spends dollars on the wrong product type.

Question 10

How do you keep an occupied home livable during an addition?

Accepted Answer

We sequence noisy/structural work in predictable windows, isolate HVAC return paths when dust is high, and keep a clear path to bathrooms and bedrooms. You'll get a weekly look-ahead so you're not guessing when dumpsters, crane days, or shutoffs land.

Question 11

How long does a kitchen remodel take if we stay in the house?

Accepted Answer

Most full kitchen remodels run 6–12 weeks of active construction once materials are on order. Lead times for custom cabinets and stone often drive the calendar more than labor. We stage a temporary kitchen zone so you're not living out of a microwave for the entire stretch unless you choose a gut that relocates plumbing.

Question 12

Should we remodel the kitchen and primary bath at the same time?

Accepted Answer

If both rooms share plumbing chases or you'll already have dust/noise for weeks, bundling can cut mobilization cost and one prolonged disruption. If budget or decision fatigue is high, we sequence them—kitchen first for daily function, then a spa bath once the house settles back into routine.

Question 13

What finishes hold up best in West Michigan humidity and freeze cycles?

Accepted Answer

For baths, we favor properly waterproofed wet walls, ventilation that actually exhausts outdoors, and flooring rated for moisture. For kitchens, we balance looks with wipeable surfaces and hardware that doesn't seize after salt-and-slush winters. Specs are chosen for how Michigan homes are lived in—not showroom photos alone.

Question 14

Do you handle plumbing, electrical, and permits for remodels?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Kitchen and bath work almost always touches mech, elec, and plumbing. We coordinate licensed trades and the permit inspections your municipality requires so you're not scheduling three contractors who each blame the other for open walls.

Question 15

Can you open a wall between kitchen and living room in an older house?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes—if the wall isn't load-bearing, or if we're prepared to add a beam and posts. We confirm with structural review before demo day. Open-concept is a design choice, not a guarantee; some walls earn their keep for shear or HVAC routes.

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