finish carpentry

Solving problems is what finish carpenters do!

You think wrapping gifts is hard? Check out how we “cope” with this corner!

This is a particularly tough spot to install base trim of the tiny corner created by the wall section. So, there are basically two ways to make two pieces meet in an inside corner:

1. You use a miter saw to cut both pieces at a 45 degree angle to make your 90 degree corner. Most DIY and handyman jobs go this way and they usually fill the gaps with putty or some other ugly solution.

2. The other method is “coping.” Coping, in this case, is a little different than coping with gift wrapping. Coping is basically when you cut the shape of the base trim profile out of the back of the piece that overlaps the corner. It will get the two pieces lined up almost perfectly. Once we were done lining it up, we just needed to cut one piece to match the shape of the base trim. Once that little piece was slotted into place, the corner was done!

Coping takes more skill but results in a much better corner that retains the shape of the trim - it looks consistent and classy - just like the gifts you wrapped!

A smart looking home office in Okemos

The desk, wainscoting, cabinets and the overhead stationary organizer here represent what finish carpenters do best! These features come together to create a beautiful aesthetic, set off by the layered crown molding and hardwood floors. This goes beyond simply putting a room together - this is what loving the home you’re in looks like!

Our company specializes in finish carpentry and our real passion is high end trim carpentry like the den you see in these photos. The wainscoting and crown molding is the work of our Owner, Jesse Zischke and Bryan Janes, of Bryan Janes Construction, a company we work with regularly on new construction homes. In the 20+ years we’ve been in business, we’ve put together great relationships with some of the best craftsmen in the trade.

If you’re looking to treat yourself or a loved one to transforming a room a room you love like this one, give us a call and we will get started. Designing the perfect space could be the perfect gift!

Creating more space with a beam replacement

Low beams limit your space. This is a pretty typical problem that can be solved by a knowledgeable builder.

The first thing we do is find out if the beam bears any weight. If so, then we will reinforce the ceiling with temporary walls. This allows us to get the beam out so we can install the new beam - in this case, we installed a new larger beam. To do so, we cut a gap in the ceiling joists to fit the beam. Then we installed and framed in studs on the ends to support it.

Don’t let low beams or small rooms hold back your home’s potential. Professional builders can help you design new layouts for the home you’re in!

Custom range hoods: The mantle of the kitchen

We just couldn’t wait for paint to show you this custom range hood. The hood over your stove serves a couple useful purposes in your home:

A good range hood vents outside, keeping cooking odors from invading the entire house. I know steaks can smell nice, but it’s no fun to smell broccoli you cooked yesterday when you walk in the door

The hood also serves as the centerpiece to your cabinet design and even your kitchen depending on the layout. A well crafted range hood can have the same effect a stylish mantle has around the fireplace in your living room.

We will make sure we get back to you with more photos of this kitchen centerpiece once it’s painted like the cabinets, which were also installed by our team.

Master bedroom cabinets offer solutions for small bedrooms

This custom, built-in shelf system for a master bedroom is a great example of what’s possible when a homeowner really wants to customize their home to meet their exact needs! The cabinets have roll-out shelves for ease of access and organization of all their non-hanging clothing, though hanging bars would also be possible in a similar design. The shelf is there for phones, alarms, drinks or jewelry. This opens up a smaller master bedroom because it eliminates the need for dressers. With this and a closet, there is more room to move around.

When we make built-ins like these, we take the measurements, create the parts at our warehouse, install the unit in a day or so, then schedule it to be painted. It’s easy, suits your unique needs and won’t turn your home into a construction zone.

Customs Stairs and Balusters with Storage

Custom balusters like these can add a unique element to your home. It’s a small expression, but a noticeable one for friends and family who visit. Custom work like this is done by a finish carpenter.

As the name implies, finish carpentry is the final step in the remodeling process. It involves the installation of finish woods and trim. A finish carpenter installs features like crown molding, baseboards, windows, stairs, and other design elements. Focus and detail are important skills a finish carpenter needs. Other tasks that you might hire a finish carpenter to do would be to build and install custom cabinets, stairs, and decking.

While Zischke Builders is a general contractor, the heart of our business, for years, has been finish work. With a couple of experts on staff, we are often sought out by customers and other contractors for our finish work and have been recognized as the best in the Lansing area.

A Balcony Deck For A Great View!

Balcony-construction.jpg

We had the opportunity to replace an upstairs deck just in time for Summer and you couldn’t have asked for better weather as we finished. Seeing this deck with its commanding view of their lovely yard has me dreaming about barbecues and family time!

There’s still tons of warm weather ahead of us, so if you’re on the fence about a deck, it’s time to make the call and get living!

Built-in Features: A luxury YOU can afford!

We recently finished this built-in bookcase/ cabinet combo on a home we have been working in. There are a ton of great benefits that come along with having a built-in feature installed in your home.

1. They free up space in your home and also dedicate a space toward something you truly enjoy - that could be an entertainment area, a book case or even storage.

2. They tie in with the trim and baseboards in your room or home to truly make the built-in feature look like a part of the overall design of your home. I’ve installed quite a few in my own home and always get compliments from friends who come over!

3. They are inexpensive. A built-in feature like this bookcase/ cabinet combo costs about as much as a high end piece of furniture and will last much longer than a similarly priced piece of furniture.

Zischke Builders specializes in finish carpentry, including built-ins. A specialist can even tie your existing trim into a new built-in feature - so it pays to hire the right person for the job.

If you’d like to explore getting a built-in feature in your home, call (517) 242-4353 or email zischkebulders@gmail.com to schedule a free estimate. We can even facilitate estimates online in order to maintain social distancing.

A Fantastic Home Remodeling Job! Kitchen, Dining, Floors and More!

Anyone that tells you a remodel will go flawless is lying. There are too many variables and unknowns in a large project that only get revealed during the remodel. The best we can do is expect the unexpected and be ready to switch gears at the drop of a hat. That’s why you want somebody like me with decades of experience who works with only the best professionals in the business.

We recently finished a huge kitchen/ dining room remodel. The homeowner had been wanting to remodel the space since they moved in during the 1980’s. I felt super proud and thankful that they chose to go with my company. They’d seen our work on Facebook and I think that is what set their heart on using us.

They wanted to go with a more modern style cabinet design that had to be pretty custom in order to accommodate filling the existing cubbies in the brick wall. Luckily, I have a close relationship with Nate the owner of Grant Designyard. We set up a meeting with the homeowner and together were able to come up with a design that fit their kitchen.

I was able to sketch a design on the computer based on what walls they wanted removed to open up the space and with their approval, we were off to the races.

The homeowners wanted to save a little money by doing their own demo work so we of course worked with them. They had had a pretty significant belly to their dining room floor so the first thing we had to do after demo was sister in floor joists next to the bowed ones. This resulted in such a quiet and sound floor that the homeowners decided to have us do it to every floor joist throughout the kitchen and living room as well. This was perfect for the ¾” hardwood to come into the living room and dining room and for the vinyl tiles going in the kitchen and entries.

From there, we moved to the insulation and drywall.

Next was the paint and priming followed by new, more modern trim to compliment the new kitchen.

We spent a lot of time with all the subs on site putting our heads together to make sure everything turned out smoothly. This would allow us to finish the project without after-thought trim pieces or any cover-ups. For example, the custom vent in the back of the cabinet. We had Servicemaster come in and soda blast decades of build up from the brick wall while we got to installing cabinets. Nate had to do some meticulous install with the cabinet pull installation. He fabricated a custom jig to router out the doors and drawer fronts so the handles would sit flush.

From there it was pretty much down hill getting the flooring installed, the final trim up and everything painted.

The Quartz counters got pushed back just before Thanksgiving and since the homeowner was having company, we had my countertop guy build an entire kitchen of laminate tops to temporarily go in. He also installed a sink and faucet for a week when the quartz showed up.

The tile backsplash came next with the appliances and range hood installation.

We got the place all cleaned up and the final touch was a custom made bench seat by In Stiches custom fabrics.

The transformation is absolutely stunning. As with any remodel, there were some hiccups, but experience allows us to come up with creative solutions and push through any hurdles to get to the desired outcome.

Anyone that tells you a remodel will go flawless is lying. There are too many variables and unknowns in a large project that only get revealed during the remodel. The best we can do is expect the unexpected and be ready to switch gears at the drop of a hat. That’s why you want somebody like me with decades of experience who works with only the best professionals in the business.

If you are interested in a project like this, call (517) 242-4353 or email zischkebuilders@gmail.com and I will get you a free estimate. Let’s get to work.

#Stairsaturday? Probably not a thing!

Starting off the weekend with an update on a staircase (can we make #stairsaturday a thing?). We put up new treads, risers and added a section of railing at the top of the stairs.

I love simple updates that make a house feel new. Updates to a home’s stairs go a long way. You go up and down your stairs many times every day you are in your home. (not just on #stairsaturday - still not a thing).

Have a great weekend!

Doing things the 'Hard Way'

My business has always been centered on the needs of the homeowner and working with the BEST professionals. These cabinets were built on the CNC machine you saw a video of last week. Note I said cabinets - NOT doors. This required us to reverse build the cabinets to match the original doors.

This allowed us to match the upper cabinets with those below the counter. This is important because we wouldn’t be able to replace the lower cabinets without breaking the granite counter top because whoever installed it wasn’t a professional. This would have also likely destroyed the backsplash.

I know this is the “hard way” to do things, but If it meets the needs of the customer and fits their budget, then it’s the right thing to do. It’s also a great example of what’s possible when you have serious professional craftsmen working in your home to solve problems others would have walked away from.