Dexter Builders

Project Manager Jerry Tyrrell made our dream kitchen and family room addition a reality. Great attention to detail and follow up.

Anthony and Nathan are the most straight to the point and honest people I've had the opportunity to associate with!

We were very pleased and completely satisfied with the work that Dexter Builders did in renovating the front of our house. The work was done with great care and professionalism and everyone was responsive to all of our questions throughout the process. We recommend Dexter Builders highly!

Update: I recently spent almost $1000 to have my shower plumbing fixed. My less than a year old shower was draining extremely slowly and so I called my preferred plumber (a fully licensed, large local company). The plumber who came out said the number of turns added by Dexter Builders' updates would have required additional venting to be up to code and function properly, which they DID NOT do. Also, a toilet moved during the remodel wobbled and had to be remounted correctly. Even more reasons NOT to use Dexter Builders. I did not bother to contact the company about these problems since the project manager had told me the last trip they would make to my house (to fix caulk that continually cracked/pulled away) was in early April.

This was a remodel of the only full bathroom in my home, and I was told it would take 4-6 weeks. I did not have a working shower for a full 2 months after the start of the project. As a summary of my experience, the majority of the contractors were unpleasant, did questionable work, contractors damaged other parts of the bathroom while completing tasks, and working with the project manager to get issues resolved was difficult since she would only communicate via email. There was no oversight of the work done by individual contractors, so I had look for mistakes/damage after each and report to the project manager myself. I paid Dexter Builders high price because I believed I was paying for someone with knowledge and experience to take care of these things. I would NOT recommend Dexter Builders to anyone. What follows is a more detailed description of my experience.

The project manager set foot on-site once to collect the first check and put up notices. After that she only communicated via email. Attempts to contact her via phone were never answered and I never received her voicemail. As the project progressed, her emails grew increasingly terse/unprofessional.

The grouting done in the shower was dismal (see photos). Initially, the grout around the drain was in such bad shape that the city inspector said it wouldn’t pass final inspection. After the drain was corrected, I requested the tilers return to fix the grout in other places where the grout was poorly applied (had pinholes, gouges, was missing in some spots, and cracked in corners) They sent someone, but problems remained so I requested they return. I was told that they had come too many times (keep in mind it was only ONE extra trip at this point, the previous two were to fix THEIR mistake with the drain) and they would only come one more time, because they were located too far away to come more than that. I had to contact my tile supplier to get directions on how the issues could be corrected and relay them to DB. After less than a week of use I noticed that the grout was already crumbling around the drain. DB sent someone out to caulk around the drain. In the process of clearing the grout out they gouged my shower drain (see photos).

The flooring contractors cut the vinyl tiles inside and left the mess. The amount of flooring needed was underestimated and tiles that appeared cracked were installed.

Wooden shoe trim was installed in front of the shower, with gaps between the shoe trim and floor where water could get under. I had to contact DB to have them replace it with something waterproof and caulk. They did correct it, but I was disappointed they didn’t have the knowledge to complete it correctly the first time.

Permits were requested on time, but there was no follow-up. I inquired when an inspection was scheduled, and the project manager informed me she didn’t know because she didn’t make the appointment. I had to contact the city to get the exact time and the city employee informed me that the contractor hadn’t let them know if my project was ready for a final inspection, so the city took the initiative to contact them and schedule it so all my permits could be closed. If it had been left up to DB and their contractors, my permits probably would have remained open long after the project was completed.

Jeff and Mike did a fantastic job on my bathroom demo today. They were very professional, kind and cleaned up after themselves. I can’t wait to see the finished bathroom! Thanks guys and Dexter Builders!!

We cannot praise Dexter Builders enough for their FANTASTIC vinyl siding job on our 2-story home. The project went smoothly, from the initial quote through to the completion of the job. Everyone was very professional, friendly and easy to work with. I would give Dexter Builders more than 5 starts, if I could. I talked them up with friends, during the project, and would highly recommend them to anyone who asks.

Randy from Dexter builders email me last week indicating that they would be coming on Monday to do my porch rebuild project. This was sooner then they quoted as they were scheduled to come the end of October. We were all super pleased. They sent Matt and Jake who came to the house this morning and immediately started working on our porch rebuild. Matt took time out to explain to me what they were going to do and how it would be done. I appreciated that he took me through the process. They did what they said and answered some hard questions like "will this stay for a few years?", Matt said more than a few. I am happy with the work and the company. This was my first time using Dexter Builders and I can say I will certainly call on them again for other projects.

We called them after a hail storm in June, they came to our house looked over the 2 buildings that damage, the roof,siding and gutters were damaged. They came out fixed everything cleaned up everything. Great company to work with. I have some other type of work needed i will be calling them back out.
Great job. Thanks Anthony.

All around positive experience. Very happy with the final product. Competitive pricing & good communication throughout the process - we will be using Dexter Builders and working with Tony & crew in the future.

This TINY project has been an awful experience. They sold us on their knowledge of building locally, doing significant renovations, and using a project management portal so you always know the status. From where I am sitting, none of what they said appears to be true. They have struggled to find the right contacts to complete the work that they scoped, and seem to give up before they have even started accepting the slightest resistance from zoning or others rather that leaning in with curiosity to learn more and help me get my job done. I have to continuously follow-up with them to get any information. They are not forthcoming about anything going on, the dog has constantly eaten their homework, and are an unsettling combination of unaware and unaccountable. This is a poor, and potentially dangerous, approach for home construction.

Description of Work:
I requested a feasibility study to learn construction constraints re: a significant home remodel. They scoped a project and committed to complete it in two to three weeks (August 2022). I paid up front for the work. In December 2022 they declared the project complete and we met by phone to review their findings. On that call, I requested that they address the gaps between what was presented versus in the scope of work. They were unaware of the gaps prior to my identifying them (not tracking contracts at all?) and expressed no regret. It is now February 2023, about 6 months after starting and the work remains incomplete. I thank my lucky stars that I did not hire Dexter Builders for the big job due to lack of communication, project controls, or knowledge of construction in our area (Livingston County) which have presented obstacles to their progress. I regret that I did not have a lawyer review the agreement I signed. I have no confidence that they will ever finish this work. UPDATE: The refunded a portion of the feasibility project rather than complete it. I found a better builder to work with on my rebuild project.

Services Performed: Yes - partial

Cost: $5,400

Hire Again: No

We had a really poor experience with Dexter Builders. We hired them to do a kitchen and bath remodel. Poor communication and poor planning led to lots of mistakes during the project, and lots of conflict with our project manager. It was a very stressful 6+ months for us because of this. One of our biggest disappointments was Tony Push, a partner in Dexter Builders. We appealed to him for help early on, after too many screaming matches with the project manager had us fed up. He said he'd come talk to us. He never showed up until the very end of the project, when we were having yet another conflict with our project manager about yet another Dexter Builders mistake. Even then, Tony was very confrontational and unprofessional, leaving me feeling like he wouldn't have helped matters even if he had shown up months earlier when we first asked for help. I would not recommend Dexter Builders to anyone.

Jake Manderfield and his crew just completed replacing badly cracked concrete in my home. When he made the estimate he noted that the porch foundation was inadequate, and the roof had a slight tilt. This had escaped me, my family and the house inspector. The new concrete includes a deep footer to stabilize the porch and roof now! In addition to a quick and professional job the crew returned to repair the damage caused by an Amazon driver walking across the wet concrete while making a delivery. Jake took my call and immediately had the crew over to fix it and everything is perfect. I highly recommend Dexter Builders!!

Had a serious project with someone running into my garage through a brick wall.
Dexter builders were great. Not only did they present a reasonable bid, they did a wonderful job. We had to use the framing guys, the Dexter block guys, drywall and finish carpenters. Every one of them were professional, personable and proficient at their skills.
Scott LaCoe did an amazing job at coordinating the entire project. Even with construction materials delay they kept us informed and the project moving along. Marcus was the initial carpenter who supported that apart of the building well. The framing guys arrived with the new windows that needed installed. Then the Brick guys came and Greg was a master at his brick-laying craft. This was followed by the drywall guys who made the repairs disappear. Mark who was the finish carpenter was an absolute perfectionist at his job, the wood work looks amazing. Steve the painter followed with his excellent finishing work.
My wife and i are so thankful we hired these guys. All of their specialties are inhouse or are contracted to guys they know well. The work was done excellently and their work ethic and professionalism was unmatched. They finished the job for the estimated cost. only delay was getting the windows in from the supplier due to COVID19. We are very thankful for Dexter Builders, if we have another construction job they will be our first call. I would recommend them to you without any reservations.

I deal with A LOT of builders getting my home refurbished. They are the only one who has actually done what they say they will do. I've used them for a number of projects, and I have yet to be disappointed. I have an custom interior stone wall they'll be installing next. Very interested to see what they do with it.

Dexter Builders did a nice job of reconfiguring our garage access from two small doors with a post in-between into one large garage door. There were initially some issues obtaining a permit from the city because of structural implications. Dexter Builders did a great job of going back and forth with the city and ultimately solving the issue so our project could go on as scheduled. We are happy with the overall look and would use Dexter Builders again.

Professional, knowledgeable and punctual. Gave us great advise on our kitchen garden window and backsplash. Couldn't be happier with the expertise of the entire staff. Rachel was a dream to work with and went the extra mile to be sure we were taken care of. She got back to us quickly with even the smallest question. Definitely check out Dexter Builders!

Thank you for a superb job! I've had many remodeling jobs done over the years, large and small, so I appreciate you following through on every detail, the quality and professionalism of your work and sticking to the timeline promised. All the staff and crew have been outstanding to work with. The kitchen changes are beautiful. Thanks again!

Dexter Builders was responsive initially and throughout the construction of the attached 3-season room. The preliminary sketches were helpful. Sometimes there was confusion in the handoff among the different kind of builders involved (e.g., what would have been a noisy interior roofing material, and residual cement poured on the ground.) It was my own naivety in not asking for a mockup of the windows, which are awkward to open and close. It would have been helpful had there been more prospective preparation of the exposed room and attached walls (e.g., a well attached tarp to protect the interior from rain and wind.) But each time there was a problem, the appointed contractor followed through, coming to the site and seeing through resolution. Other neighbors closely watched the construction and sought out Dexter Builders for similar projects to their home. My sincere thanks for the difference Dexter Builders addition makes to our home.

They do fantastic work, have great attitudes, and make sure you get exactly what you want and more. Highly recommend this company for your renovation needs.

The Dexter Builders crew has taken care of a few big and small projects for us at work and at home. Excellent results on all fronts. They come right out and never quibble about a little punch list item here or there, making it comfortable to work with the team.

Thank you to Dexter Builders! We recently had your team come out to fix some dry wall holes caused by our puppy who thinks wood corners are chewable and you also replaced some rotted wood beams outside our house and did an amazing paint job as well! Your team were so nice and accommodating. Highly recommend this crew and the amazing work they do!

They were prompt, affordable, and did good work. They heeded all of our requests (within reason) and our house is more efficient and guest friendly as a result.

Only complaint is that their app doesn't seem to function too well; their photos wouldn't upload, nor their schedule. The only thing that showed up were the invoices. But I'm still happy with the result, so I won't harp on that too much (just something they should look into fixing.)

Dexter Builders built us a great new deck. The old one had seen much better days and was demolished by their crew in short order. Working up an improved footprint with Dexter Builders went well. We appreciated the ideas they brought to the table and they provided some excellent advice on tradeoffs in materials and design. The final price was within the range we had been quoted by others. Based on our prior experience with Dexter in a kitchen remodel, we knew we would be happy going with them. The build when well - crew was considerate of our needs and kept the grounds clear of debris. A few extras/design changes were well accommodated and we now enjoy our backyard from the perspective of our finished deck.

Dexter Builders are the best! I have a 120 year old Historic house in Ann Arbor, with a wrap around porch, including 4, 12 ft. columns with attaching rails between. Early summer of 2018 a rail had broken between two columns due to rotting. Three columns needed to be replaced and adjoin two rails. I called carpenters and builders, no one wanted to do this project because they were not equipped and mostly did not want to deal with the Historical Dept. of the City of Ann Arbor. I recently had a roof put on at another property and used Dexter Builders, who did a great job. I called Anthony Wash from DB to see if he could take this project on, he said “no problem”. The communication was great, always letting me know each step, the attention to detail to try to replicate the existing columns was great and the ability to deal with the City of Ann Arbor. The end result is just great. I recommend Dexter Builders for any rebuilding or remodeling projects.

Kathy’s level of incompetence is delightful. No communication, consistently ordering the wrong parts, and she will just make excuses if you happen to get her on the phone. 4 months into a botched job. If you use this clown house of an operation then you deserve to loose your money and mind. Enjoy.

Last summer we had a new roof put on by Dexter Builders. The work was fast and very high quality. SO... This fall we had new siding, shutters and rain gutters put on. Once again it was done as fast as possible with great attention to detail. We were very pleased with both jobs and would highly recommend their services. Larry and Cecilia Robinson, Whitmore Lake.

Update November 2019 - I'm updating this review to five stars based on another significant remodel Dexter Builders did for us in 2019---this time a master bath renovation. Project Manager Rachel did a great job keeping us informed as the project proceeded. She very effectively handled coordination and follow up with vendors, subs, and tradespeople keeping our project progressing smoothly. My previous comments about DB from 2018 still apply.

2018 - Dexter Builders did a significant remodel to a 25-year old home we purchased this year. They removed interior walls, installed wood flooring, built a new laundry room, added new kitchen cabinets, did extensive electrical, plumbing, and mechanical upgrades, and installed a new roof. All of their service personnel and sub contractors were polite, hardworking, and skilled in their craft. The project manager and senior management were attentive to our needs and responded quickly when the occasional difficulty arose. We thought the price charged was fair and the company ethical in its business dealings. We would use them again.

Dexter Builders are absolutely wonderful! Every project we have them do they always exceed our expectations. Great communication from start to finish. Honest up front pricing and quality work. Look no further for any project. You have found the best!

My girlfriend and I inquired about having a loft built. Scott LaCoe came out and spent over an hour taking notes and measurements. She was told it would be a few weeks to get the estimate. We were fine with that. This was on July 5. and it is now almost September 5!! When we've called to follow up and ask if out estimate was ready, we were simply told, "No." Is this typical? What a terrible way to run a business. Why waste our time to begin with, if you're not interested?

Excellent experience. From start to finish, I found everyone helpful and knowledgeable. They remodeled my bathroom and built two new closets. The work is very well done, they were responsive to all of my questions, finished the project on time and left the house cleaner than when they started!

We wish we could give more than 5-stars. Dexter Builders far exceeded our expectations in every way. We had a major basement renovation done on a 1960s ranch and they completely transformed it into a beautiful living space. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail is impeccable. On top of that, they are so easy to work with and have incredible communication about your project. Any small issue that came up was addressed and fixed immediately by our project manager, Gary. They even worked around my kids nap schedules! Their whole team is so friendly and made our dreams of transforming an old house a reality. We will be using them for renovating the entire house in the future.

HORRIBLE! WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER! My husband and I asked for a bid on residential new construction several months ago. I took in construction prints and met with rep (Paul Lopez). After a month we were told (via email) the bid was almost done then never heard back. Calls and emails went un-answered. When I finally got the rep on the phone, he sounded annoyed we still wanted our bid. Then he sent a "price" via email with NO actual bid or break down. When we still wanted to see the bid another email was sent advising the "new" price was now 150k more (than the already 635k for a 2000 sq foot ranch!!). The final "bid", via one line email (for a 2000 sq foot ranch, new construction - mid level finishes) was over 780k. That's over $350 a square foot. Unreal. And they were unwilling to give an ACTUAL WRITTEN BID! When asked to see the bid and what cost that much we never heard back from rep (Paul Lopez). How can we even try to make adjustments to the plans if we don't know what the cost breakdown is? Makes no sense. And we had bids from other builders who managed to put numbers on paper! I called and spoke with an office assistant (didn't catch her name or title) who spoke with one of the owners. She called me back and said "bids take a lot of work" (isn't that part of your job??!!) and sometimes they want to make sure the clients budget can afford it (or something to that effect). Are you kidding me?! If YOU don't want to do YOUR job as a construction company and give a bid then be a man about it and TELL PEOPLE that UPFRONT, BEFORE wasting THEIR time coming in and talking to you. We couldn't get anything on paper. The customer service was horrible. I am appalled at this company and will NEVER consider them for anything. I feel like Paul Lopez shouldn't waste people's time if he is going to make judgement of them up front then tell people you don't want bothered before even meeting people. I've never had such unprofessional, rude, and off putting experience before with any company. What made you, Paul Lopez, decide others deserved an actual bid, but we did not??!! DESPICABLE. I will tell everyone I know, including friends, family and coworkers never to consider your "company". Maybe this is just how things are done in the construction realm, but from a large, local building company who touts themselves as having this great reputation this is unacceptable. I see reading these reviews we are not the only ones to get this treatment. Sounds like they are in the habit of "picking and choosing" who they think deserves a bid. "You're wasting my time" is exactly how I feel.....
So, you can rest assured I will make sure I pass this message along to everyone I can!

Jeff, Tony and the entire staff have been excellent to deal with. I've used them twice and been fully satisfied both times. The first time was a small job, when a tree branch fell on my roof. The second time was a major renovation. Both times they did the job they promised. Highly recommended.
Even after 4 years, they are quick to respond to issues that arose. An air conditioner problem was quickly resolved, even though they used a sub-contractor for the work. Their 5 Year Guarantee means something. Thanks!

I called for an estimate - They came out on July 14th - said expect my estimate in the next 1 to 2 days. I sent an email a week later. Called the day after that. Sent another email to the office manager and finally got a reply July 27th - I think the estimater was mad that I contacted his office manager, because this is my 6th estimate for the job and the estimate was for $18,484 - the lowest bid was Lowes at $4,200 then a few in the $5,000 to $6,000 range and Fingerle Lumber was the former highest bid at $7,400. Fingerlee is a known reputable business normally on the pricey end - not sure how Dexter Builders came up with a bid 250% higher other than a non personal way to say, "Screw you." They guy said in the email he told me it would be 1 to 2 weeks before I got my estimate, but every other company gave me the estimate before they left my house.