exterior of a property management home

What are the benefits of property management?

Northern Michigan vacation homes and cottages hold a special place in families’ hearts and are shared throughout generations. One day you are watching your children dip their toes in the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline; the next, they are bringing your grandchildren to do the same. McBride Property Management ensures that your home is cared for while you are away and ready for your arrival when you return to create more memories.

Supervision during the harsh Northern Michigan winters.

Having a home that is special to you can be stressful, especially if you don’t live there year-round. Houses, especially in Northern Michigan, need year-round maintenance and supervision to keep them in tip-top shape. Often, McBride Property Management isn’t fixing problems that have already happened but aiding in preventing future issues. This could include coordinating services such as cleaning, electrical work, painting, plumbing, driveway sealing, pest control, etc. Inspections can also have ice damage monitoring, essential to ensuring your home is protected against the harsh winters of Northern Michigan.

You will be ready for vacation upon arrival.

Who wants to spend their precious time up north worrying about preparing their home… no one! When you work with McBrideProperty Management, our team will sit down with you and develop a fall and spring checklist so that everything gets handled for you. These lists can include everything from checking and cleaning gutters to organizing an A/C system check and start-up. Tailored to you and your home so you can maximize your time.

Peace of mind while you are away.

Overall the most significant benefit of McBride Property Management is having peace of mind; whether you live there full-time or visit seasonally, your home is unique, and we are here to help you take care of that. Our team will strive to understand the ins and outs of your home and learn what you need to feel comfortable and confident in your property management. Knowing that someone is nearby if you get a fire alarm notification is reassuring, and knowing there is someone else to open your home up in the spring for you is relaxing. With inspections comes thorough documentation that will be shared with you in real time so that you are updated on any issues that may arise in your absence and presented with solutions to solve them. These include photos and notes so that you have as much information as you need, and our team is always just a phone call away. Whether you are near or far, McBride Property Management has your back.

Open floor plan

Explore Our Delightful Modern Makeover

Last Summer, we had the privilege of creating a more open space for our client’s home in Petoskey, MI. The homeowners came to us wanting to open up their downstairs space by connecting the living room, kitchen and dining room into a more open concept. They also longed for greater functionality in the kitchen and an updated look throughout. In addition, our clients wanted to update the look of their exterior with a new refresh of crisp white siding.

Together, we helped them decide on a design that met all of their needs, and we’re happy they feel the same way based on their recently posted review: “We were carefully guided, and assisted in making decisions that added beauty and value to our home in ways we had not considered. Each part of our building project was well documented, and updated daily through the Buildertrend app, which we found very helpful.” Explore here how we helped them achieve these goals as we provide a detailed tour of this remodel.

Feel Connected in This Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

We began with new flooring to create an open, expansive, and inviting kitchen. Rich luxury vinyl plank in a gorgeous warm Wellington Oak shade provides a luxurious background for the new kitchen. To create a connected feel, we used this same 100% waterproof, commercial-grade flooring throughout the downstairs.

WoodHarbor Cabinets in the modern Madison door style line the outer perimeter of the kitchen in crisp white, which complements perfectly with the Hale Navy colored cabinets of the island. The kitchen’s look is finished with Cambria Quartz countertops in the Annicca finish which perfectly recreates the rich look of marble while offering greater durability.

A Cozy Living Room Perfect for Curling Up Together 

Since this home originally featured a drop-down living room, our first task was to raise it to floor level to feel consistent with the rest of the downstairs rooms. From there, we added touches that inspire gathering, such as a cozy shiplap wall and an electric fireplace. We also made sure to open the space so those in the dining room and kitchen could still feel a part of the activities in this beautiful entertaining space.

A Downstairs Laundry Room Meets Guestbath

To give our clients added convenience and maximize their space, we successfully combined a guest bath with a downstairs laundry room. There was even space to fit overhead Kraftmaid cabinetry in a decorative Lyndale shaker style finished in the elegant gray Serenity Suede tone.

The homeowners couldn’t be happier with the finished design, look, and construction. They commented that they would recommend McBride “without reservation.” That means so much to our dedicated team, who worked hard to bring their vision to life. The homeowners added this to their online review: “The coordination with other trades was first class and managed well. Pride in craftsmanship is something that is rare to find in today’s world, these are folks who truly take pride in what they do and it shows. Home is always home, but the team of McBride Remodeling brought everything together to make our tired old house a real home again. We can’t thank them enough.” You are quite welcome! It was truly our pleasure!

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The Addition Features We’re Adding to this Charlevoix Addition that Everyone Should Consider

Here at McBride Remodeling, we’re in the process of providing this Charlevoix family with the space and style they need to live their best life. While the project continues to progress, we’re excited to highlight the specific aspects of this project that other homeowners should consider when planning out their own remodel or addition. A little inspiration can go a long way to giving you the new home you’ll love for years to come. 

Let’s start with a little background on this Charlevoix addition project. Feeling like the existing space didn’t meet their needs, they wanted to take the opportunity while remodeling to expand and add more space to accommodate their family and guests. We’re providing a complete remodel of the home’s first floor, which includes the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry room. 

To give the family the added space they need, we’re building a new second floor which will include three new bedrooms, an exercise room, family room, wet bar and laundry room. We’re also adding a second floor screened-in porch for enjoying their picturesque views of the lake. 


Here are four features of this remodel we believe every client should consider as part of their full home remodel:

Expanded Laundry Room 

It’s probably not the first feature you think of when considering a home remodel. However, a new, more functional laundry room can make this daily chore more efficient, giving you more free time to enjoy life. Today, homeowners are adding laundry rooms in a space that’s most convenient for them, such as close to closets and bedrooms. Make this space feel welcoming and elevated with built-in cabinetry and countertops that give you a place to store, sort and fold. Finally, a steamer closet will take those wrinkles away without stealing your time.  

Added Garage Space

Who couldn’t use a few extra square feet of storage space? It’s always a good idea to add a bit of surplus space for unexpected items you may want to store in the future. Having open space also allows you to better organize and make the room feel clean, open and airy. We go to great lengths to make even garage spaces feel finished and inviting.

Specialty Space

Our Charlevoix clients wanted to add an exercise room to allow them to keep up with their workouts without having to make a special trip to the gym. What special space would you want to add if you had the room to do it? From wine cellars to craft workshops, there are ample options and we’re happy to explore them and customize a space that suits your needs.  

Screened Porch

With a gorgeous view of the water, we knew our clients would want to add in a porch space for enjoying the breathtaking views and entertaining. With the addition of a screened in porch, they’ll be able to further maximize the use of this space. Think breakfast without the bugs and dinner parties with no buzzing pests. It’s the best of both worlds!

We’ll be excited to share more progress from this whole home remodel and addition in the coming months. If you have an idea for how you’d like your Northern Michigan home to look, reach out and we’d be happy to explore your options with you.

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McBride Named to Qualified Remodeler’s Top 500 in the U.S.

Being recognized as the Top 500 of remodeling firms in the United States by Qualified Remodeler is a high honor for our team. The list, which is based on remodeling dollar volume, total years in business, certifications, accreditations and community service, represents the most successful remodeling firms across the country. McBride Remodeling came in at Number 414 on the list, an exciting accomplishment for our entire Northern Michigan team. 

McBride Remodeling Has Grown in its 40 Years of Operations

Being recognized as Qualified Remodeler’s list of the Top 500 remodeling firms in the country is validation that the McBride Method works and that our reputation for consistent quality and dependability have earned us this distinction. Here at McBride Remodeling, we believe our clients come first and that our commitment to excellence and service have built a strong reputation throughout Northern Michigan. 

McBride Remodeling began over 40 years ago with a mission to provide families in the Petoskey region with the home of their dreams and places where they can make memories. All the awards in the world won’t compare to one of our previous clients returning for another project or recommending McBride Remodeling to their friends and family. Knowing that we exceeded their expectations so that they will refer us to the people closest to them will always be our highest honor. We look forward to continuing the tradition of being the remodeling firm of choice for generations of families throughout the Northern Michigan region. 

Rest assured, that when you choose to work with our team, we promise to always provide exceptional customer service and the highest quality remodeling services throughout your project. 

Award Winning Service and Results

While the Top 500 list shows the volume and value of the projects we’ve been able to complete in 2022, it’s an honor to pair this with our other awards that highlight our work and quality. For instance, we’ve been named “Best Builder of the Northwest” for multiple years and have received the Guildmaster Award of Excellence. In addition, we have earned multiple certifications which represent our achievements in specific areas, such as being named a Certified Aging-in-Place specialist and Certified Green Professional.  

Driven by Our Core Values

While earnings and accolades are important and an honor, we’ll always remain focused on our core values as a key driving force for our work. We will always strive to Do The Right Thing and put our clients first, prioritizing integrity, honesty and kindness. Our mantra is to Go The Extra Mile, which means we never want to stop learning, and strive to be the best communicators, while remaining a strong, supportive team. We understand what matters most is that we are good people who treat others with respect and compassion, always finding ways that we can give back to our community. That’s why we chose our 40 Acts of Kindness as a giving way to commemorate our 40 year anniversary. 

Looking Toward the Future and More Growth

Although 2022 marks the eighth time McBride Remodeling has been named to the Top 500 list, this year is particularly rewarding because of the improvements we’ve made. We’ve worked hard to ensure more efficient material sourcing and availability of materials, resulting in no more waiting or backlogs for our clients. As market conditions have improved and material availability has increased, we’re excited to take on new projects and look forward to helping you achieve your dream home. 

The McBride Team

McBride Remodeling Celebrates 40 Years with an Anniversary Party

2022 has been an exciting year for the team here at McBride Remodeling. All year long we’ve celebrated McBride’s 40th anniversary. And on August 10, 2022 we were able to bring everyone together for a big celebration to mark the milestone. We’re very grateful to all of the members of our team and community. With that sentiment in mind, we’re thrilled to share photos from the day so everyone, from past clients to prospective ones can share in the celebration. 

A Perfect Day on the Bay

We’re thankful for the beautiful summer weather we enjoyed at our anniversary celebration. Set at the beautiful historic Perry Hotel, overlooking Little Traverse Bay on Michigan’s “Gold Coast,” it was the perfect location to gather together. Our team works so hard and dedicates themselves to every project that we do, so it was our pleasure to pamper them a bit. Inviting our loyal clients to share in the celebration made it that much sweeter. The day was spent reminiscing over delicious food, refreshing drinks and great company. We couldn’t have asked for a better day! 

The Culmination of McBride’s 40 Acts of Kindness  

Throughout the year, we’ve been celebrating McBride’s 40th anniversary with our  #40actsofkindness initiative. A part of the core values of McBride Remodeling is going the extra mile and giving back. So we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary than with an act of kindness for every year we’ve had the privilege to serve the Northern Michigan community. This included donations to Northern Michigan’s Habitat for Humanity, the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society and the 100 Men Campaign, a campaign that provides men a way to help end violence toward women and girls, organized through the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.

Celebrating Our History, Excited for the Future!

We want to say a big thank you to all of our loyal clients and dedicated group of professionals on the McBride team. It was announced at the celebration that founder Dave McBride, after 40 years as owner, will be transitioning into a well-deserved retirement and Jay Sackrider, former general manager is moving into the ownership role after years of dedicated service to the team. Both men spoke on their shared mission to always provide superior quality and professional craftsmanship to produce first-class results for our clients. We’re grateful that our reputation now speaks for itself and we appreciate every referral and family who continues to work with us for generations. 

At the culmination of the party, Dave McBride was presented with a gorgeous hand-painted watercolor of McBride Remodeling. For all of us on the McBride team, we understand how important home is and we dedicate our lives to providing the spaces where families can make memories and grow together. We look forward to continuing this tradition and can’t wait to see what the next 40 years holds for McBride Remodeling! 

Cheers to 40 years! 

kitchen remodeling

4 Kitchen Designs That Are Perfect for Families

One of the most important rooms in any home is the kitchen. Not only is it where we prepare meals, but it’s also where we gather with family and friends. As such, it’s important to have a kitchen that’s both functional and inviting. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation for your Petoskey, Michigan home, here are four design ideas perfect for families.

1. Spacious Open Layout

One of the most important things to consider when designing a family-friendly kitchen is the layout. You’ll want to create a space that’s both functional and inviting, and a spacious open layout is a great way to achieve that. This type of layout allows for plenty of room to move around and makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids while you’re cooking.

If you have a large family, an open layout is beneficial for entertaining. You can easily move between the kitchen and the adjacent living space, and everyone will feel like they’re part of the action. Just be sure to include plenty of storage in your design, so the kitchen doesn’t feel cluttered.

2. Large Island

A kitchen island is a great way to add extra prep space and storage. It’s also the perfect spot for the kids to do their homework while you’re cooking dinner. If you have a large family, you may want to consider a large enough kitchen island to seat several people. It’ll give everyone their own space to work or eat, and it can double as a spot for family gatherings. Just be sure to leave plenty of room around the perimeter of the island so that people can move freely.

3. U-Shape Layout

If you’re looking for a kitchen layout to improve functionality and style, a U-shaped kitchen may be the perfect option for your northern Michigan home. A U-shaped kitchen puts all the major work zones within easy reach and also allows for plenty of storage. You can use the space between the two arms of the U to add a kitchen island or a dining table. This layout is perfect for families who love to cook and entertain.

4. Galley Kitchen

A galley kitchen is a great option to consider when planning your kitchen remodeling project. This type of kitchen is long and narrow, and it typically has two parallel walls. The galley kitchen is a very efficient layout, and it’s perfect for small families. You can easily move between the different work zones, and there’s plenty of room to store all your kitchen essentials.

According to Kitchen Infinity, the number of people looking for home appliances has increased by 26% in the last year. This shows that not only is kitchen remodeling a top priority for many homeowners, but families are also looking for appliances to make their kitchen more functional and efficient. Looking for a reputable kitchen remodeling company to help you with your kitchen renovation? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

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Pursuing Excellence with Continuing Education

Many things set McBride apart from other home remodelers. Besides our commitment to the Petoskey community, outstanding customer service, and superior craftsmanship, McBride also prides itself on supporting our team members with continuing education and certification opportunities. 

Continuing education not only benefits our team but our clients as well. Let’s look at some examples of the recent training and certifications our team has accomplished and the benefits our clients will see as a result:

Michigan Builder’s License

After hours of classwork and studying, owner Jay Sackrider recently passed the Michigan Builder’s Exam and received his license. Jay’s prelicensure coursework included topics such as: 

  • Business management, estimating, and job costing 
  • Design and building science 
  • Contracts, liability, and risk management 
  • Marketing and sales 
  • Project management and scheduling 
  • The Michigan residential code 
  • MIOSHA construction safety standards 

Homeowners working with a properly certified building team can be confident that their projects will be constructed according to the latest safety codes and standards. They’ll also enjoy a stress-free process, knowing the team is fully aware of and is meeting all requirements for permits and other legalities.

CPR Training 

At McBride, safety is a priority; our coursework through the American Heart Association is evidence of this. Our team is certified for the next two years on:

  • Heartsaver  
  • First Aid
  • CPR AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

We do everything possible to prevent accidents and keep our team safe, but it’s crucial to be prepared for emergencies. Homeowners looking for a responsible and knowledgeable group of professionals who can get jobs done safely can count on us.

BuilderTrend Training

McBride uses BuilderTrend software to keep our projects organized and our homeowners up to date each step of the way through construction. By simply logging into their account, our clients have status updates and a straightforward way to get their questions answered.

While any home remodeling company can purchase a tool like BuilderTrend, the benefits will be minimal if they don’t take the time to learn all the ins and outs. That’s why our team recently participated in an extensive two-day training session with a BuilderTrend representative. Now, we can take full advantage of the services it has to offer — providing a seamless communication tool and transparency for our clients. 

No matter which design build firm you decide to work with, make sure they value continuing education. Hiring a knowledgeable, confident team makes all the difference in both the end result and the process of getting there. 

Could McBride Remodeling be the right design build for your project? Let’s find out!

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Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence

Happy New Year! We hope you’ve enjoyed many festive celebrations and are now feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to start a fantastic 2022. 

As it happens, McBride Remodeling has some more celebrating to do as 2022 marks our 40th anniversary in business.

It’s heartwarming to see how far we’ve come in the last four decades. We know that we would not be where we are today without the clients, team members, and trade partners who have each contributed to our progress in their own way. 

To our clients, thank you for entrusting us with your home. You had many options to choose from for your home remodel, and you chose McBride. We’re so grateful for your business and the chance to help you make your home a beautiful space that meets your needs. 

To the McBride team and trade partners, your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. You come to work each day with professionalism, integrity, dedication, and excellence, and you’ve set the high standards McBride Remodeling is known for. Thank you for your part in our success. 

Along with our high-quality remodels, McBride is also known for giving back. In this light, we’re excited to announce that in honor of our 40th anniversary, we will be participating in 40 acts of kindness throughout 2022. Stay tuned to see what we have in store for the Petoskey and surrounding communities! In the meantime, we can’t wait to hear about the projects you have in mind for this year. Contact us today to get started.