General
What areas of Michigan do you serve?
We serve Benzie, Manistee, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Wexford counties — most of Northwest Michigan from Traverse City south through Frankfort, Manistee, and Cadillac.
If you're unsure whether your project is in our range, reach out or call us at 231-409-5375.
Are you licensed and insured in Michigan?
Yes. Gerhard & Sons is a licensed residential builder in the state of Michigan and carries full general liability insurance. We're happy to provide documentation before any project starts.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes — estimates are always free. We'll visit the site, talk through what you're trying to accomplish, and give you a written quote before any work begins. No pressure, no obligation.
How far in advance should I reach out to schedule?
It depends on the season. Spring and summer book up fast — if you have a project you want done before fall, reach out as early as possible. Fall and winter schedules tend to have more availability, especially for interior work.
Do you work on existing homes, or only new construction?
Both. We do new construction from the ground up, and we also handle additions, remodels, and repairs on existing homes. Whether it's a new foundation for a garage addition or a full kitchen remodel in a 1970s ranch — same attention to detail either way.
Can you manage multiple phases of a project?
Yes — and that's one of the real advantages of working with us. We can handle concrete, framing, windows, and interior finish work without you coordinating between multiple contractors. Fewer calls, fewer handoffs, fewer things that fall through the cracks.
Do you pull permits?
Yes. For projects that require permits, we handle the permitting process. Working without required permits creates problems when you sell the home and may void homeowner's insurance for covered losses — it's not worth cutting that corner.
Do you work in the winter?
Interior work — finish carpentry, cabinet installation, remodeling — continues through winter without issue. Concrete work depends on temperatures: we can pour in cold weather with proper precautions, but we won't pour in conditions where the concrete can't cure correctly. We'll always be straight with you about what's feasible in a given season.
Concrete & Foundations
What's the frost depth in Northwest Michigan and why does it matter?
Michigan building code requires footings to be placed a minimum of 42 inches below grade in Northwest Michigan — that's how deep the ground can freeze in a hard winter. Footings poured above frost depth will heave and shift as the ground freezes and thaws, cracking the foundation above it.
Every foundation we pour is placed at or below the 42-inch minimum. No shortcuts.
What's the difference between a slab, crawlspace, and full basement?
Slab: A single poured concrete pad with no space underneath. Lowest cost. Works well for garages, sheds, and additions where you don't need a crawlspace or basement.
Crawlspace: Foundation walls with a shallow space (typically 18–48 inches) below the floor. Accessible for mechanicals — plumbing, HVAC — but not livable space.
Full basement: Deeper foundation walls that create a fully enclosed space below the home. The most expensive option but adds usable square footage and is common in Michigan for whole-home builds.
How long does it take to pour a concrete foundation?
The pour itself typically takes one day. But that's not the whole timeline — site preparation, forming, rebar placement, and coordinating the concrete truck add several days before the pour happens. After the pour, concrete needs time to cure before you can build on it: 7 days minimum, 28 days for full design strength.
Realistically, from breaking ground to framing-ready is 2–3 weeks depending on weather and soil conditions.
How do I know if my slab needs raising or full replacement?
If the slab is structurally sound but has settled — sunken, tilted, or uneven but not cracked through — slab raising is usually the right call. It's faster and significantly cheaper than tear-out and repour.
If the slab is cracked badly, crumbling, or was poured incorrectly to begin with, replacement may be necessary. We'll give you an honest assessment either way.
Interior & Finish Work
What's included in finish carpentry?
Finish carpentry covers everything that makes a house look complete on the inside: door casings, baseboard trim, crown molding, window trim, built-ins, closet systems, stair railings, shiplap and board-and-batten accent walls, and cabinet installation.
It's the detail work that separates a professional job from one that just looks done.
What types of remodeling do you do?
Kitchen and bathroom remodels are the most common. We also do room additions, finished basements, laundry rooms, and mudrooms.
The best first step is a conversation — bring us in to look at the space and we'll tell you honestly what's involved and what it's likely to cost.
Still have a question?
We're happy to answer anything that isn't covered here. Call 231-409-5375 or send us a message.