--- title: "Acheson Builders — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/acheson-builders-pfvwus-pf~1637079731 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1637079731.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Acheson Builders" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/cc730c7d04ab60fb_4164-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, United States" latitude: 42.2794 longitude: -83.784 phone: "(734) 668-1940" website: http://achesonbuilders.com rating: 4.7 review_count: 22 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 92 last_updated: 2026-09-23 --- # Acheson Builders Original Houzz profile: [Acheson Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/acheson-builders-pfvwus-pf~1637079731) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** Ann Arbor, MI - **Serves:** Ann Arbor, Canton, Ypsilanti, Howell, Plymouth, Saline, Whitmore Lake, Brighton, Northville, Chelsea, Dexter, Belleville, Manchester, Barton Hills, Bridgewater, Dixboro, Gregory, Hamburg, Pinkney, Salem, Whittaker, Willis - **Houzz rating:** 4.7 out of 5 (22 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2017–2020), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves One of Ann Arbor’s finest and most experienced full service Design-Build firms – since 1973 – building superior custom homes and home renovations. With personal attention to your needs & dreams, our experienced design team will focus on building a relationship with you while earning your trust and meeting your building or remodeling goals with the BEST possible design, service, and performance. From Jim Acheson: My passion for architecture started as a young child sitting on the porch of our family’s historic country home. I loved the intricacy of design and latticework on the porch filigree. As I grew, I’d frequently be found doodling architectural ideas on scraps of paper. I later went on to study architecture at the University of Michigan and worked summers for a local builder. After 3 ½ years of college, I had to break from school in order to earn more money to keep going. The builder I worked for taught me carpentry skills, but also was impressed by my eye for design. When that builder saw a commercial opportunity he wanted to pursue, he turned over his customer base in residential work to me, and I started my own company from there (way back in 1973!) I love bringing beautiful architecture and building to the Ann Arbor area. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Remodeling - Home Additions - New Home Construction - Home Extensions - Deck Building - Basement Remodeling - Garage Building - Outdoor Kitchen Construction - Flooring Installation - Home Restoration - Porch Design & Construction - Multigenerational Homes - Tile Installation - Custom Home Bars - Countertop Installation - Roof Replacement - Energy-Efficient Homes - Wood Floor Installation - Green Building - Window Replacement - Attic Conversion - Window Installation - Home Gym Design & Construction - Siding Installation - Deck Repair - Exterior Door Installation - Vinyl Flooring Installation - Drywall Installation - Demolition - Wine Cellar Installation - Carport Installation - Trim Work - Sustainable Design - Structural Engineering - Wainscoting - Concrete Flooring - Wood Siding - Fireplace Installation - Cedar Siding - Skylight Installation - Fiber Cement Siding - Floor Leveling - Brick Siding - Wood Stove Installation - Custom Cabinets - Custom Home - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Ann Arbor - Canton - Ypsilanti - Howell - Plymouth - Saline - Whitmore Lake - Brighton - Northville - Chelsea - Dexter - Belleville - Manchester - Barton Hills - Bridgewater - Dixboro - Gregory - Hamburg - Pinkney - Salem - Whittaker - Willis ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 1 million We are skilled at working within your comfortable investment level. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Acheson Builders | | Address | Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, United States | | Phone | (734) 668-1940 | | Website | http://achesonbuilders.com | | License Number | 2102105663 | | Followers on Houzz | 92 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/AchesonBuilders - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/achesonbuilders - LinkedIn — www.linkedin.com/JamesAcheson - Blog — www.achesonbuilders.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Acheson Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/acheson-builders-pfvwus-pf~1637079731) - **Website:** http://achesonbuilders.com - **Phone:** (734) 668-1940 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certified Graduate Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging in Place Specialist; Keppler Award for Remodeling Achievement 2014; Member of the BBB: A+ rated. - Top 3 Home Builders in Ann Arbor by ThreeBest Rated for the 2016 & 2017 year! - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2017–2020), for Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [BRAG Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/brag-ann-arbor-pfvwus-pf~2114550156) - [Home Builders Association of Michigan](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/home-builders-association-of-michigan-pfvwus-pf~1477551635) - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/better-business-bureau-pfvwus-pf~1830530549) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 — 22 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★ — Deborah Keller-Cohen, Dec. 2019** > Acheson has completed multiple projects for us: total kitchen remodel, > screened porch creation, dining room creation, master bed and bath including walk-in closet, powder room and children’s bathroom. The planning and thoughtfulness has been first rate and the workmanship has been top notch. In addition Jim solved some knotty structural issues > with great care. **Comment from Acheson Builders:** > Thank you so much for your review! We always appreciate working with you, and will continue to strive to do even better in the future! **★★★★★ — HU-439184400, Nov. 2019** > Acheson Builders have done several large projects for us over the past 15 years. Major remodeling and smaller jobs. We have always been very satisfied with the work; very respectful; knowledgeable; diligent crew working for Jim and Marilyn. > We highly recommend Acheson Builders. **Comment from Acheson Builders:** > Thank you for your great review! We are so appreciative of your business over the years. I am glad that the projects which we have done for you have been pleasing to you. I will also say that you are wonderful people, and a pleasure to work for as well! **★ — Kyle Scicluna, Dec. 2018** > I do not recommend working with Acheson Builders. I was under contract with them for seven months and was never given a timeline or formal quote. > > In the impressive initial meeting (2/18), Lauren said that we’d be able to complete the project by that summer. Once they cashed my deposit check (3/18), they had Nate come out (4/18) to measure the space. Despite emailing and calling every week, there was no progress being made; they would give me excuses and say there are no updates or they’re working on it. After three months after giving the deposit (6/18), I paid Jim and Lauren a visit in the office to relay my concerns about the project, and they promised me that they would deliver a timeline to me within the next two weeks. They did not deliver a timeline. Jim and Lauren came out to the house (7/18) to see the project again to see which subcontractors they needed to schedule. The subcontractors came out (8/18), and Jim said he’d have the formal quote ready by next week. They did not have the quote ready, and cancelled that meeting a half hour before we were supposed to have it. When they got around to scheduling a new time to meet about the formal quote (10/18), they again cancelled the day of. At that point, I finally gave up and accepted that my project wasn’t going to happen any time soon, if ever. Two weeks later, I paid them another visit asking them to refund my deposit. Jim refused, and instead only refunded half. I asked for the subcontractor’s quotes to be forwarded to me. As of the time of writing (12/27/18), two months later, I’ve sent multiple emails and texts to Lauren to forward me the emails and they still haven’t. > > In the end, all I got was a rough sketch of the kitchen with basic dimensions and nine months of wasted time. Do yourself a favor and find another contractor. **Comment from Acheson Builders:** > We were very apologetic to this client for the delays and for not having been able to fulfill the expected timeline (although we had told the client from the beginning that it would be quite some time before we could pay full attention to their project.) We are sometimes overly optimistic about our timeline. > > We did not “lie” about our timing – we just couldn’t predict the future accurately. We had no idea that the two clients before them would multiply their projects to become exponentially bigger than first expected. (One went from about $50K to over a million – adding on incrementally while we were in the midst of their project, so planning for and/or postponing of their changes was difficult or impossible.) > > We had no idea that in this tight labor market we were going to lose some workers who had been with us for many years, to some large, deep-pocket, subdivision builders. We also didn’t know that the Job Coordinator that we had hired would not work out for us, so we were very short-handed. > > We normally state an approximate schedule, like “we expect to...” or “we hope to have the final price ready by next week.” With short staffing in both the office and the field we were not able to complete the final price as quickly as planned. Also we were interrupted by some urgent issues at current job sites that caused unexpected changes of plans. It is very rare for us to cancel an appointment on the day that it is scheduled. > > We gave a good value for the $475 paid, as we provided over 12 hours of drafting services, creating the as-built drawings as well as preliminary remodeling drawings. We also provided site evaluations, and problem solving for masonry issues, plaster cove problems, structural concerns, heating, plumbing and electrical issues. We later provided the pricing for all the subcontractors that we had gathered, as an additional favor. The client agreed to settle on a $475 refund because of all these things. > > We were very close to being able to actually start this project, within a few weeks or a month, if the client had been patient enough to wait just a little longer. We are sorry that they lost confidence in us. Over 40 years of good reviews and happy clients should tell you that our jobs do not normally get to a frustration point like this. **★★★★ — Lee Harle, Jan. 2018** > We hired Acheson Builders for a kitchen remodel that included a refresh of a half bath and a laundry room. We absolutely loved Lauren McCabe, the designer and coordinator of all purchased items, paint colors, etc. She is amazing, and we would highly recommend Lauren. Lauren and Jim Acheson (owner) were both very professional in all of our interactions with them. They took plenty of time with us at our first meeting, and were careful to understand our requests. The crew, headed by lead carpenter Kevin, did a terrific job. The only criticisms I have are of some of the subcontractors. The painters were sloppy; I am having to touch up areas on the window trim where they left bare wood, and I'm still scraping splatters of paint off of the granite countertops and tile backsplash. The tilers left a hazy film (from the grout) over the glossy tiles in the accent backsplash over the gas cook top, which I can scrape off with my fingernail. That's just sloppy. Also, I was very unhappy with the original floor finish. We ordered unfinished natural maple, which Kevin and the crew did a great job of installing. The finisher was a sub, and his schedule was extremely full, he had to squeeze us between other jobs. It was obvious he was rushed by the quality of the first poly coating, there were rough patches and bubbles in several places. We complained, he apologized and redid the entire floor. So while I'm happy with the professional response and the quick correction, I'm still not happy with the floor. We had factory-finished floors installed in the bedrooms several years ago, and maybe it is not fair to compare factory-finished with on-site finishing. If that is the case, then I can't fault the subcontractor. Keep this in mind if you are considering light-colored hardwood, and be sure to ask questions of your designer. The factory-finished maple has a nice warm, almost peachy color, and the poly finish is absolutely perfect in consistency and shine. The on-site maple is more yellow, which I don't like as well, and the finish is less shiny and much harder to mop clean. I had expected the two finishes to look and perform the same when finished. > Overall, I would recommend Acheson Builders. We fully intend to hire them again in the near future, and are excited about getting to work with Lauren again. **★★★★★ — William Armstrong, Jan. 2018** > Professional and quality work .Project started and competed in the estimated time frame. All the employees were courteous and knowledgeable. Pricing wasn't cheap but you don't get that with the first 3 items. **★★★★★ — Deborah Keller-Cohen, Dec. 2017** > We have worked with Acheson Builders on may projects: total kitchen remodel, creation of a new dining room, creation of screened in porch, master bedroom remodel including a walk-in closet, master bath total remodel, half bath creation, unique storage closet creation and a second bathroom total remodel. The work is thoughtful and careful with careful attention to cost. **Comment from Acheson Builders:** > Thank you so much for this kind review, and we appreciate the time it took for you to post it! We have always enjoyed working for you, and you have a unique and beautiful home to work in! **★★★★★ — M Austin, Dec. 2017** > Jim does a great job of explaining the what and why of the projects he takes on, so that you know the reasons behind the process and any changes that need to be made along the way. The crews are friendly and clean, and do excellent work. > > > In my case, Acheson did custom concrete work (in two phases) to an older garage to improve the structure and keep moisture from entering at ground level. This was not a simple or straightforward job and I'm very happy with the results. As far as I can tell the cost is moderate to high, but very much worth it for a job done right the first time. I highly recommend Jim and the Acheson team. **★★★★★ — Zachary Moen, Dec. 2017** > We hired Acheson Builders to complete a back porch and fence on our historic property on the Old West Side of Ann Arbor. We were very impressed at the quality of the work and the professionalism of the carpenters, who arrived on time every day and were very respectful and polite. We are very happy with the finished product! **★★★★★ — Miles Putnam, Dec. 2017** > Visitors are always impressed with the quality work Acheson Builders did for us. Our home remodel was a very complicated project. We have a Civil War-era house that has been changed considerably over the years by previous owners. We hired Acheson to completely update it. Our local historic district prevented them from changing things that probably should have been torn down and rebuilt from scratch, but they found clever ways of working around all the impediments. Our house is really one of a kind now. **★★★★★ — sleger58, Dec. 2017** > We had a serious leak fixed in both upstairs bathrooms . New toilets, new tub surround, new exhaust fan and new piping. We also had new gutters with leaf guard placed as well as a new window in our basement that had rotted out. It was very exciting to see all those problem areas solved and done so well ! **★★★★★ — Pat Van Riper, Sept. 2017** > Acheson Builders and their workers made my house a pleasure to come home to. The 2nd floor was remodeled and dormers put in to the two upstairs bedrooms along with a new roof on the house and garage and a new porch and front sidewalk. I could not be happier with the project from going over my wishlist and getting my questions answered, asking and getting advise on materials and cost, because let's face it, cost is important, to the finishing up of the porch railings. The workers assigned to my house were on time, happy to answer my questions, cleaned up every day and most important, made me realize I had chosen a good company to redo my house. I would and do recommend Acheson Builders, in fact, I will be calling Acheson Builders again for some more work. **★★★★★ — Bob Slomiany, Jan. 2017** > Acheson recently completed work on my condo, and I am very satisfied. I had a wide variety of different things done, all the way from a new deck to a completely redone bathroom, and it all came together very nicely. They were always professional, gave me helpful suggestions along the way, and kept in close contact throughout the process. I highly recommend Acheson. ## Selected projects - [Whole House Remodel, 2nd Street, Ann Arbor - Old West Side](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whole-house-remodel-2nd-street-ann-arbor-old-west-side-pj-vj~2662012) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 41 - Description: Complete remodel of an 1830's home in the historic district of Ann Arbor, MI. Included an addition, deck, basement finishing, many custom cabinets and built-ins, beautiful staircases and more. - [Kitchen, Dining Remodel with Butler's Pantry, Winsted Blvd](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-dining-remodel-with-butler-s-pantry-winsted-blvd-pj-vj~2448660) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 21 - [Bathroom, Cascade Lane, Ypsilanti](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathroom-cascade-lane-ypsilanti-pj-vj~2448638) - Location: Ypsilanti, MI - Photos: 24 - [Whole House Remodel, Sullivan St Ann Arbor MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whole-house-remodel-sullivan-st-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~1106373) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 22 - [Loft Apartment on Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/loft-apartment-on-liberty-street-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~1096463) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 14 - [Basement & Bar Remodel, Windemere Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-and-bar-remodel-windemere-ann-arbor-pj-vj~1662494) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 16 - [Basement Remodel, Canton Center Rd, Plymouth, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-remodel-canton-center-rd-plymouth-mi-pj-vj~1662502) - Location: Plymouth, MI - Photos: 17 - [Whole House Remodel, Eyebrow window, Newport Rd, Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whole-house-remodel-eyebrow-window-newport-rd-ann-arbor-pj-vj~1106663) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 10 - [Contemporary Kitchen, Parkridge Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-kitchen-parkridge-ann-arbor-pj-vj~1343284) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 5 - [Cottage Kitchen & Full Remodel, Blind Lake, Gregory MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cottage-kitchen-and-full-remodel-blind-lake-gregory-mi-pj-vj~1106377) - Location: Gregory, MI - Photos: 12 - [Full Kitchen Remodel, Brockman Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/full-kitchen-remodel-brockman-blvd-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~1403554) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 17 - Description: Full Kitchen remodel, with custom designed cabinetry and pull down spice racks. - [Studio and Garage Addition, Victoria Ln, Ann Arbor, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/studio-and-garage-addition-victoria-ln-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~1106398) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 3 - [Kitchen Remodel, Carriage Drive, Brighton, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-remodel-carriage-drive-brighton-mi-pj-vj~1106375) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 6 - [Galley Kitchen opened to Dining Room, Arlington Blvd, Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/galley-kitchen-opened-to-dining-room-arlington-blvd-ann-arbor-pj-vj~1102784) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 6 - [Master Bathroom, Timberwood, Ann Arbor, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-bathroom-timberwood-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~1096482) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 12 - [Bathroom Remodel, Shades of Gray, Robin St, Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathroom-remodel-shades-of-gray-robin-st-ann-arbor-pj-vj~894695) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 1 - [Bathroom Remodels, Brockman Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathroom-remodels-brockman-blvd-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~1403552) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 16 - Description: Powder Room and Bathroom remodels, contemporary and beautiful - [Kitchen Remodel, Mast Road, Dexter](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-remodel-mast-road-dexter-pj-vj~1344114) - Location: Dexter, MI - Photos: 3 - [Two Story Addition & Remodel, Michigan St, Ann Arbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/two-story-addition-and-remodel-michigan-st-ann-arbor-pj-vj~1096472) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 9 - [Master Suite Bathroom Enclosure, Juniper Lane, Ann Arbor, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-suite-bathroom-enclosure-juniper-lane-ann-arbor-mi-pj-vj~926454) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 7 [See all 25 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/acheson-builders-pfvwus-pf~1637079731) ## Ideabooks - [mjacheson@gmail.com](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/133885838/list/mjacheson-gmail-com) — 9 ideas - [Unique Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55617258/list/unique-bathrooms) — 23 ideas - [Basements and home bars](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/65353886/list/basements-and-home-bars) — 1 idea - [Color combinations](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45234568/list/color-combinations) — 6 ideas - [Laundry Room Ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45234425/list/laundry-room-ideabook) — 2 ideas - [Window Treatments](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55618355/list/window-treatments) — 4 ideas - [Landscape ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55618269/list/landscape-ideas) — 2 ideas - [Breakfast and Dining area ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45234510/list/breakfast-and-dining-area-ideas) — 1 idea - [Bathroom Storage ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44262829/list/bathroom-storage-ideas) — 1 idea [See all 9 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/mjacheson) ## Community Q&A **Q: Beautiful kitchen! What color gray did you use on the cabinets?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hello Lisa, Thank you for inquiring and for the kind comment! The perimeter cabinets in this kitchen were custom built using Sherwin Williams, Colonnade Gray (\#SW7641). The island shown is also custom built, however painted with Sherwin Williams, Silvermist (\#SW7621). Thank you again and happy planning! **Q: Kitchen floors and countertop** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi- I’m curious what kind of floors (wood vs engineered wood vs faux tile?) is in the kitchen as well as what kind of countertop? A: Hello and thank you for inquiring! The floors are hardwood; Natural Maple, which we finished onsite with a clear polyurethane coating. Also, the countertop is a Silestone quartz top. Thank you again! **Q: what are the brand, color and style of the shingle please?** *(in Photo Questions)* thank you. A: We did this whole house remodel in 2004 and 2005, so nearly 13 years ago. **Q: bar stools** *(in Photo Questions)* love your remodel! I'm here in A2 and would like to know where you found the bar stools. Thanks. A: You are welcome. Unfortunately, here is what the homeowner said: "We got the stools on overstock.com, I do not know the brand off the top of my head, but I would not recommend them to anyone. In the three years we've had the stools, the lever that controls the adjustable height has broken on 3 out of the 4 stools. So, they are at the high height when no one is sitting on the stools, then when you sit down, they sink to the lower height. Terrible! I have been looking to replace them, so you can let the person inquiring know we would sell them in a heartbeat, but the stools should probably end up in the trash." Not exactly good news, but if you want them just for "looks" and not for real use, this homeowner (in Ann Arbor) is looking to get rid of them! Thanks again for contacting us, and let us know if there is anything else you need. Marilyn **Q: Do you know the make of this toilet? Does it have a smooth profile?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: You are welcome. Let me know if we can answer any other questions. Will try to be quicker with the answer in the future! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*