If you’re planning a kitchen, bathroom, basement, or room addition in Metro Detroit—especially in Macomb County and surrounding areas—you’re not just buying “a remodel.”
You’re buying access to your home. Your schedule. Your peace of mind.
And in this recent Hire It Done episode, Adam didn’t sugarcoat it: there are “a lot of con men in this business”—guys who talk big, take deposits, and disappear or underdeliver.
So let’s make sure you don’t become the next cautionary tale.
Below is a practical, homeowner-first playbook you can use right now—built from what Adam Helfman and Brian Lee (Metro Home Improvements) discussed on-air—so you can hire a contractor you trust, ask smarter questions, and spot red flags before they cost you thousands.
The real goal: hassle-free home improvement (not “perfect” home improvement)
Here’s the mindset shift you need:
You’re not looking for a contractor who claims everything goes perfectly.
You’re looking for a contractor who stays solution-minded when it doesn’t. Adam said it plainly: “Nothing goes perfect in a contracting business.”
A legit pro expects issues, plans for them, communicates clearly, and fixes problems without drama.
That’s the standard you want in SE Michigan—where permit timelines, seasonal weather, old housing stock, and supply chain delays can all mess with a project.
Start with 3 questions that instantly filter out pretenders
When Brian Lee laid out what homeowners should ask early, it was the exact kind of checklist that saves you from “smooth talkers.” He recommended questions like: How long have you been in business? What do you specialize in? Do you have references and similar jobs I can see?
Here are the three filters I’d use first:
1) “How long have you been doing this exact kind of work?”
Not “how long have you been a contractor.” Not “how long have you had an LLC.”
If you’re doing a Macomb County kitchen remodel, ask:
- How many kitchens like this have you completed in the last 12 months?
- What style and scope? Full gut? Rebuild? Layout change?
Brian’s angle was clear: ask what they specialize in, and make sure it matches your project.
2) “Show me a current job site.”
A confident contractor won’t hesitate.
You’re looking for:
- Cleanliness and organization
- Crew professionalism
- Material protection
- Clear progress and sequencing
- Evidence they manage subs (not chaos)
If they get cagey, that’s information.
3) “Are you licensed and insured—and what does that coverage look like?”
Brian called it out directly: licensed and insured matters. Don’t accept vague answers. Ask for proof. Ask what it covers.
You’re not being “too much.” You’re being smart.
The “use them again” question that exposes the truth
Adam gave one of the best homeowner tactics you’ll ever hear—because it cuts through polite reference-call fluff.
When you talk to a contractor’s reference, ask your normal questions… then finish with this:
“Would you use them again?” Then go dead silent and let the pause happen.
Here’s why it works:
- Happy homeowners answer instantly: “Of course.”
- Unhappy homeowners hesitate: “Uhhh… yeah… I guess…”
That hesitation doesn’t automatically mean “run.” But it does mean there’s a story—and you deserve to hear it before you sign.
Then you do the smart follow-up Adam described: bring it back to the contractor and ask what happened, because every job has issues—what matters is how they handled it.
Why “design-build” can protect you (when it’s done for real)
A lot of contractors say “design-build.”
In the episode, Brian made a key distinction: he called himself a true design-build contractor because he designs with you—live—right at your table.
He described walking in with drafting tools and producing plans quickly—sometimes within 30–35 minutes—then making it interactive:
“The homeowner has the input… would you like a cabinet here… a tub… a standup shower… a niche… We design it with the homeowner’s goals in mind.”
Why that matters to you in SE Michigan:
You avoid the “three visits and a disappearing act”
Adam nailed the homeowner attention-span reality. Many contractors drag you through:
- first visit “to look”
- second visit “to measure”
- third visit “to present”
- fourth visit “to revise” …and by then, you’re exhausted—or they ghost you.
A real design-build process keeps momentum while your priorities are fresh.
You see decisions before demolition
When you finalize layouts and elevations early, you reduce:
- change orders
- “I didn’t realize it would look like that” moments
- delays from indecision
- budget creep
You get more confidence in pricing
Brian said something that homeowners should tattoo on their brain:
If a contractor can’t price confidently because they don’t know their overhead and labor, that’s not your problem—it’s a warning sign.
“Profit and overhead” isn’t a dirty word—chaos is
Homeowners sometimes chase the lowest number because it feels safe.
In reality, the lowest quote often hides the biggest risk.
Brian explained that profit and overhead pay for the non-glamorous stuff that keeps your job from going sideways—insurance, licensing, job management, and the ability to fix problems without begging you for more money.
So instead of asking, “Who’s cheapest?” ask:
- Who can explain the scope clearly?
- Who plans the sequence properly?
- Who has systems and staff?
- Who has staying power?
In Metro Detroit, you don’t want a contractor who “wins the bid.” You want one who finishes strong.
What projects are homeowners booking in 2026 across Metro Detroit
Brian didn’t give one prediction—he gave five project categories he’s already seeing in appointments:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Room additions (including kitchen/addition combos)
- Basements
- Outdoor living spaces (“staycation” demand)
That mix makes sense in SE Michigan: people want more function, more comfort at home, and more usable space—without moving.
If you’re planning any of these, your contractor choice matters even more, because the scope and coordination get real fast.
Want a vetted option in Macomb County? Here’s who was featured
The guest on this recent Hire It Done episode was Brian Lee of Metro Home Improvements, known as Macomb County’s Favorite Home Improvement Company – Metro Home Improvements.
At Metro Home Improvements, they focus on full-service renovations with expert craftsmanship and quality materials—especially:
- kitchens
- bathrooms
- finished basements
- dormers
- complete additions
They’re built for homeowners who want a smoother process and a finished result that holds up. They also handle insurance restoration work (fire, wind, storm, hail) when projects get more urgent.
📞 Contact Metro Home Improvements at (586) 929-0224 for a free consultation.
Your quick “don’t get burned” checklist before you sign anything
Use this like a final gate:
- You asked how long they’ve been in business and if they specialize in your project type
- You confirmed license + insurance (not just “yeah yeah we have it”)
- You saw similar projects (photos, addresses to drive by, or video portfolio)
- You called references and asked: “Would you use them again?” (then stayed silent)
- They explained scope clearly and didn’t act weird about overhead/profit
- You felt respected—no pressure, no “sign today or else” behavior
If you can check most of those boxes, you’re already ahead of 90% of homeowners.
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