Zischke Builders

Zischke Builders We are a General Contractor that serves the greater Lansing, Mi area from St Johns to Jackson.

Services include kitchen remodel, finished basements, bathrooms, additions, built-in shelving, flooring, custom cabinets, decks, finish work and more.

This basement bar got a quick refresh from our team. We removed some dated wallpaper and old faux wood finishes, resurfa...
05/26/2026

This basement bar got a quick refresh from our team. We removed some dated wallpaper and old faux wood finishes, resurfaced and repainted the built-ins, updated the fireplace with a new mantle, refinished the bar area, and brought the whole room together with cleaner colors and trim work.

A lot of homeowners think a basement like this needs a full gut renovation to feel modern again. Sometimes it does. But a lot of the time, the bigger difference comes from updating the surfaces, finishes, and details that are locking the room into another decade.

The goal with projects like this is not just to make it “new.” It’s to make the space feel like part of the home again instead of a forgotten basement from 1994.

This one turned out great and gave the homeowners a completely different feel without rebuilding the entire room.

We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend and a great start to summer here in the mid-Mitten.For a lot of people,...
05/25/2026

We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend and a great start to summer here in the mid-Mitten.

For a lot of people, this weekend is the first real stretch of time spent outside again. Grills firing up, patios getting used, decks filling up with friends and family after a long winter.

We’re grateful for the homeowners who trust us to help build and improve the spaces where those memories happen.

And most importantly, we remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. Their sacrifice is the reason we’re able to enjoy weekends like this in the first place.

Have a safe holiday weekend and enjoy the weather.

This is the month a lot of people step onto their deck for the first real time since winter.Freeze-thaw cycles are hard ...
05/21/2026

This is the month a lot of people step onto their deck for the first real time since winter.

Freeze-thaw cycles are hard on decks in Michigan. Water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands, and slowly loosens connections over time.

A deck can look “mostly fine” and still have:

* Loose railings
* Soft boards
* Rusting hardware
* Failing stairs
* Rot where posts meet the concrete or framing

If a deck sways, bounces excessively, or railings flex when leaned on, that’s not something to ignore just because it’s been that way “for years.”

Spring is a good time to check the entire structure and actually look underneath it, not just at the surface boards.

The earlier structural issues are caught, the more options you usually have to repair it before it turns into a major rebuild.

A lot of homeowners think of a backsplash as a finishing touch. In reality, it is one of the details your eyes land on c...
05/12/2026

A lot of homeowners think of a backsplash as a finishing touch. In reality, it is one of the details your eyes land on constantly in a kitchen.

If the layout is off, the cuts are uneven, or the lines start drifting, you notice it every single day.

That’s why layout matters before the first tile even goes on the wall.

In this kitchen, we’re installing a clean subway tile backsplash with tight spacing, careful alignment around outlets, and balanced cuts through the corners and transitions. The goal is for the finished product to feel sharp and intentional, not busy or uneven.

This is also one of those projects where prep work matters more than people realize.

Flat walls matter. Consistent spacing matters. Protecting countertops and cabinets matters. Even small things like where grout joints land against cabinet lines can completely change how professional the finished kitchen feels.

And while backsplashes absolutely improve the look of a kitchen, they also serve a practical purpose. They protect drywall from moisture, grease, cooking residue, and everyday wear in one of the hardest-working rooms in the house.

A good backsplash should look clean from across the room and still hold up when you walk right up to it.

A filled hot tub is extremely heavy. Add water, people, a couple glasses of wine, and the weight of the tub itself, and ...
05/08/2026

A filled hot tub is extremely heavy. Add water, people, a couple glasses of wine, and the weight of the tub itself, and you can easily be talking several thousand pounds sitting in one concentrated area.

That does not automatically mean “don’t do it.” We are very pro-hot tub here 😎.

It means the deck needs to be designed for it.

A lot of older decks, DIY decks, or handyman-built decks were designed for normal foot traffic, grills, and patio furniture. Not the sustained load of a hot tub on an elevated structure.

The good news is this is completely preventable when it’s part of the conversation before construction starts.

Building a deck with a hot tub in mind can mean:

* Larger footings
* Different beam sizing
* Stronger joist layouts
* Additional posts and bracing
* Engineering for concentrated loads

When a deck is planned correctly, a second-story hot tub is not some impossible luxury feature. It’s just another design requirement.

The problem usually happens when someone adds the tub years later to a deck that was never designed for it.

If you’re thinking about a future hot tub, even if you’re not buying one right away, mention it during the planning stage. Building for the possibility now is a lot easier than rebuilding later.

There’s nothing like a good, tall shower in your newly finished basement!
05/04/2026

There’s nothing like a good, tall shower in your newly finished basement!

When you have wood damaged by water intrusions, you see:* Soft or spongy framing* Dark staining and deterioration* Insul...
04/27/2026

When you have wood damaged by water intrusions, you see:

* Soft or spongy framing
* Dark staining and deterioration
* Insulation holding moisture instead of blocking it
* Fasteners and connections losing strength

At that point, It’s structural and it spreads if it’s left alone.

How does it happen?

Water doesn’t need a big opening. It gets in through failed caulking, bad flashing, old windows, roof lines, or where different materials meet. Wind-driven rain will push moisture into seams that look fine from the outside.

Once it gets in, it rarely drains, so it sits and that’s where the damage comes from.

If you’re seeing early signs, it’s worth taking a look now. Small entry points turn into bigger repairs when they sit.

Most of the work we do on issues like this isn’t about making it look better. It’s about making sure it’s right behind the walls. If something looks off on the outside, there’s usually more going on underneath.

How does a general contractor fix this?

The fix is not patching the outside and hoping for the best. You have to open it up and deal with the source and the damage.

A proper approach looks like this:

First, find where the water is actually getting in. Not where it shows up, but where it starts.

Then remove the damaged materials completely. That includes trim, sheathing, insulation, and any compromised framing.

Dry the area out and assess what can be saved versus what needs to be rebuilt.

Rebuild it correctly with proper flashing, sealing, and water management so it doesn’t happen again.

Let us know if you think you’re looking at some water damage and take some photos. We can help you figure out if it’s a big deal or something you can fix quickly. Estimates are free.

A lot of homeowners are learning this the hard way that not all water damage is treated the same by insurance.We’re seei...
04/21/2026

A lot of homeowners are learning this the hard way that not all water damage is treated the same by insurance.

We’re seeing a lot of confusion around what’s covered and what’s not. “Flooding” often isn’t covered under a standard policy, but things like sump pump failure, sewer backup, or certain types of water intrusion may be, depending on how your policy is written.

If you’ve been impacted by this storm, here’s what matters most right now:

Call your insurance company and start a claim as soon as possible
Take photos and videos of everything before moving or throwing anything away
Start drying things out to prevent further damage
Keep receipts for anything you buy to protect your home

If you’re doing any of the cleanup yourself, keep track of your time. In some cases, that labor can be reimbursed.

One more thing worth saying: be careful how the work gets handled after mitigation.

The company that handles demo and drying isn’t always the best choice for the rebuild. There can be an incentive to tear out more than necessary, and not every company doing that work is using dedicated trade professionals for the repair side.

On the other hand, not every contractor knows how to navigate an insurance claim properly.

That’s where a lot of people get stuck.

We’ve worked through a lot of insurance-related basement reconstructions and understand both sides of that process. If you’re not sure what your next step is, we’re willing to take a look and help you think it through.

Hopefully you don’t need us. But if you do, we’re here.

(AI label due to image generated by AI)

This is why we do what we do.We recently wrapped up this office remodel with a custom built-in bookcase and full wainsco...
04/20/2026

This is why we do what we do.

We recently wrapped up this office remodel with a custom built-in bookcase and full wainscoting throughout the room. Projects like this come down to details, from the fit and finish to making sure everything feels like it belongs in the home.

We’re grateful for clients like Joy who trust our team and take the time to share their experience.

If you’re thinking about upgrading a space in your home, we’re here to help.

We’re about 24 hours into this rain, and this is when basements start to have issues.Keep an eye out for:Water coming in...
04/16/2026

We’re about 24 hours into this rain, and this is when basements start to have issues.

Keep an eye out for:

Water coming in where the wall meets the floor

Damp or dark spots forming on drywall or concrete

Musty smells starting to show up

Carpet or flooring feeling wet or spongy

Sump pump running constantly or struggling to keep up

If you’re seeing any of that, don’t wait it out. Take photos, document everything, and start getting things dried as soon as you can.

If it turns into a bigger issue, we handle basement reconstruction and can help walk you through the insurance side of it as well. We have more than 20 years of experience working with insurance, and we can get your basement repair and remodel up and running for you.

Hopefully you don’t need us for this. But if you do, we’re here.

Address

1234 Lamb Road
Mason, MI
48854

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