Grand Rapids built its reputation on furniture and craftsmanship, and that history is still visible in its housing. It features Victorian homes in Heritage Hill, Craftsman bungalows in Eastown and East Hills, and solid mid-century houses spread through neighborhoods like Alger Heights. It’s one of the largest concentrations of historic residential architecture in Michigan, and for homeowners, that’s both the appeal and the challenge. These homes have character that newer construction can’t replicate, along with layouts, systems, and square footage that weren’t built for how families live today. A remodel in Grand Rapids is almost always a balancing act between preserving what makes the house special and updating what makes it livable.

A home in Heritage Hill carries different considerations than one in East Hills or Alger Heights — different construction eras, different original craftsmanship, different expectations from neighbors and historic district guidelines where they apply. What ties them together is that most of Grand Rapids’ housing predates the modern floor plan. Kitchens were built as closed-off, utilitarian spaces. Bathrooms were an afterthought. Additions over the decades sometimes solved one problem and created three more. The remodeling conversation here starts with understanding the specific history of the house in front of us, not applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Opening up a closed-off kitchen in a century-old Grand Rapids home is one of the most common — and most transformative — remodels we do. It’s rarely as simple as knocking down a wall; older homes often have structural and mechanical considerations that newer homes don’t. Done well, the result honors the home’s original character while giving the family the open, functional kitchen that modern life actually calls for.

A lot of Grand Rapids’ older homes were built with one, sometimes two, small bathrooms for a family size and daily routine that looked very different a century ago. Updating them well means working within tight original footprints, older plumbing, and sometimes historic district guidelines, while still delivering a primary suite or bathroom that functions the way a modern household needs it to.

Grand Rapids’ established neighborhoods often come with smaller, tighter lots than the surrounding suburbs, which makes an addition a more deliberate decision — a second-story expansion, a rear addition that respects the home’s original massing, a finished basement to add livable space without changing the footprint at all. We look at the whole property before recommending anything: the home’s original architecture, the neighborhood’s character, and whether the investment matches how the family plans to use the house going forward.

A remodel is not a transaction. It’s a years-long relationship between a family and a home that likely has decades — sometimes a century — of history behind it. We treat that history with respect: asking questions before offering solutions, planning around how the household lives, and staying present well past the day the crew packs up. Grand Rapids’ older homes deserve a remodeling partner who understands what makes them worth preserving in the first place.

Home Specialists proudly serves homeowners throughout Grand Rapids — including Heritage Hill, East Hills, Eastown, Alger Heights, and neighborhoods citywide — as well as communities throughout West Michigan and the Lakeshore.

If you’re ready to talk through what your home needs, reach out and let’s start the conversation. Call Home Specialists at (616) 453-4552 or connect with us online.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Lee VandenBerg 
 
 
 
  
Home Specialists made sure our remodel came together exactly the way we hoped. Their professionalism, integrity and dedication to their customers was clearly evident every step of the way. Our home was in good hands with the team at Home Specialists.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Erin Gabriel 
 
 
 
  
We just wrapped a remodel of our screened-in porch (turning it into an enclosed sunroom) with Home Specialists LLC and the entire experience has been great from start to finish. They've been very responsive and proactively gave us project updates. They also finished the job relatively quickly, despite some winter weather disruptions. Overall, it's been a great experience and we are loving the new space!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Patty Story 
 
 
 
  
Home Specialists staff were professional with a beautiful job well done.  Before contacting Home Specialists I had requested quotes from 4 other contractors with little or no success.  I had given up on my project when I attended the GR Home & Garden show and I had a conversation with Pella Window staff who recommended Home Specialists.  I contacted them, I received a visit from the staff within a day and within a reasonable time, a valid quote compared to other quotes.
I can't thank them enough for fulfilling my dream of a sunroom with access to an outdoor area which I will enjoy for many years to come.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Scott Hassing 
 
 
 
  
Crew replaced windows on a stone house and done incredible work, would recommend and I am planning on using them for future projects
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Macaila Schlaff 
 
 
 
  
Mike and his team were fantastic! We’ve worked with various teams on home projects and home specialists went above and beyond to be efficient, pay attention to detail, and do a great job! Plus they cleaned up which was greatly appreciated.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Robert Lyons 
 
 
 
  
We needed a main floor laundry and main floor full bath to support our "age in place" plans. The kitchen needed an update as well. Working with Home Specialists and Align Cabinetry exceeded our expectations! Every aspect of the process, from initial consult through final finishing touches, was handled with professionalism, courtesy, respect and understanding by the staff and subcontractors. Our expectations were managed through clear communication every step of the way. The quality of craftsmanship is outstanding, but it is the quality of the relationship built that made all the difference. Thank you Align Cabinetry and Home Specialists!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Nancy Crawley 
 
 
 
  
Home Specialists LLC did an excellent job on the extensive remodeling of our primary bathroom with an eye towards aging in place.
The staff communicated regularly with me and kept the project on schedule. I appreciated the friendly and calm demeanor of employees despite, I’m sure, lots of hectic days.
I highly recommend them.