Custom Home Builder in Rochester, MI
Building In Rochester
Most new homes in Rochester replace an older house on an established street. The city protects its trees, asks that neighbors are told before a house comes down, and keeps building work to set hours.
We work alongside your architect or designer. They lead the design. We help make sure it fits the lot and the city’s rules, keep you informed at every step, and build it with care.
What To Know Before You Build In Rochester
This is what the City of Rochester itself publishes. Each link goes to the city’s own page, which is the one to rely on.
Trees
The city sets the rules for its larger trees. Its page lists a permit before one is removed, with the request going to the City Forester. We plan the home to keep as many trees as we can and handle the application with you.
Source: City of Rochester, Tree Removal. Checked October 11, 2026.
Taking Down An Old House
Whether a house may come down is the city’s decision for each property. The city’s application lists a permit for it, and asks for these first:
- The power, gas and city water disconnected
- A letter to the surrounding neighbors
- A permit to keep soil from washing off the lot
- A fence along the neighbors’ property lines before work starts
As published, the lot is filled, leveled and seeded afterward. We check with the city for your address and work through the list with you.
Source: City of Rochester, Demolition Permit Application. Checked October 11, 2026.
Permits
As the city describes it, new homes go through its Building Department. The city does not publish a review time, so we will give you a realistic picture when we talk. One thing worth knowing: the city’s page says a permit lapses if the work stops for six months, so we plan the build to keep moving.
Source: City of Rochester, Building Department. Checked October 11, 2026.
While We Are Building
The city sets the hours for building work, and they are ours to follow, not yours. The city’s page lists them as weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. As published, Saturday work calls for the city’s permission, and there is no work on Sundays or holidays.
Source: City of Rochester, Construction Work Hours. Checked October 11, 2026.
Water And Sewer
The city describes its public water and sewer on its website, looked after by its Public Works department. We arrange the connection for your new home as part of the build.
Source: City of Rochester, Water and Sewer Department. Checked October 11, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. The City of Rochester decides what is allowed on each property, and its rules change. For anything official, the Rochester Building Department is on (248) 733-3700. We are always happy to check with them for you. This page is about the City of Rochester. Rochester Hills is a separate city with its own rules.
Questions About Building In Rochester
Who looks at a tree removal request in the City of Rochester?
The city sets the rules for trees. Its page lists a permit for larger trees, with the request going to the City Forester. We handle the application with you and plan the home to keep as many trees as we can.
What happens to a Rochester lot after the old house comes down?
As published, the lot is filled, leveled and seeded afterward, and the city’s application asks for the utilities disconnected and a letter to the surrounding neighbors first. Whether a house may come down is the city’s decision for each property. We check with the city for your address and guide you through each step.
What does Rochester say about building work on a Saturday?
The city sets the hours. Its page lists weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday work with the city’s permission, and no work on Sundays or holidays. We follow them on every build.
What does Rochester say happens to a permit if the work stops?
The city’s page says a permit lapses if the work stops for six months. We plan the build to keep moving so that does not come into play.
Is Rochester the same as Rochester Hills?
They are two separate cities, each with its own rules. We build in both, and we have a separate page for Rochester Hills.
This is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. The City of Rochester decides what is allowed on each property. Sources: the City of Rochester pages linked above. Checked October 11, 2026.
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