Document the property first
Record layout, tree cover, drainage, and existing structures. Photos and rough measurements help the first conversation.
Read the local context
Farmington Hills was formed in 1973 when Farmington Township merged with two smaller villages, and it now mixes wooded lots near the Upper Rouge River headwaters with mid-century subdivisions and newer corporate-campus-adjacent neighborhoods. Michigan's 42-inch frost line, clay-heavy glacial soils, tree canopy along the Rouge tributaries, and seasonal snow load all reward careful diagnosis before scope.
Ask what won't stay visible
A thorough scope addresses layout, setbacks, permitting, footing depth below Michigan's frost line, ledger flashing, stair and guard framing, and material access through a wooded lot. The written scope should explain prep and verification steps that disappear once the project is complete.
Weigh the entire scope
Look for protection, access, materials, permitting, testing, cleanup, restoration, exclusions, warranty, and change-order terms.
What official local sources add
The City of Farmington Hills' Planning and Community Development department guides land use under the city's current master plan, branded "the Next 50," built with roughly three years of resident input to steer development over the next 15–20 years. The Engineering Division and Map Gallery separately publish floodplain mapping, and the city maintains a dedicated flood-reduction resource for owners planning work near the Rouge River corridor.
Sources were reviewed July 26, 2026. Confirm parcel-specific flood zones, setback requirements, permits, and current requirements with the relevant authority before authorizing work.