Journal
The MRC Journal
What I look for before we build, the decisions that shape a renovation, and the details that make a home work. Practical guidance from Mike Mroz and the MRC team on significant renovations, additions and custom homes in New Jersey.
Start here
- Budgeting for Your ProjectWhat a cost per square foot actually includes, why the same number means different things for a custom home and a renovation, and what drives the difference.
- Choosing Your BuilderThe questions worth asking before you hire — about communication, change orders, references and whether a builder is right for your project.
- Renovate or Build NewHow to weigh renovating, adding on, or building new — what the existing house can realistically give you, and when moving is the better answer.
20 articles
Project StoriesA Summit Home, Room by Room: How Construction and Interiors Were Coordinated
A kitchen renovation that became a whole-house project, and what changed because construction and interior design were planned together rather than in sequence.
Planning & InvestmentWhat Cost Per Square Foot Really Tells You About Building or Renovating in New Jersey
What a cost per square foot actually includes, why the same number means different things for a custom home and a renovation, and what drives the difference.
Planning & InvestmentWhat Can Delay a Major Home Project in New Jersey?
Construction projects, whether they involve home remodeling, renovations, or new construction, often come with challenges. One of the most frustrating aspects of any project is delays.
Renovations & AdditionsRenovating an Older Home Without Losing What Makes It Special
Renovating a historic home is a unique challenge that requires a balance between preserving its character and modernizing it for today’s living. No matter if you own a charming Victorian in Westfield or a century-old home in…
Renovations & AdditionsBefore You Renovate a Barn or Carriage House, Decide What It Needs to Become
In the charming neighborhoods of Westfield, Summit, and Short Hills, many homeowners are transforming their historic barns and carriage houses into luxurious spaces.
Renovations & AdditionsA Kitchen, Pantry, and Coffee Bar Should Be Planned as One System
If you’re dreaming of a high-end kitchen renovation that balances timeless style with tailored function, it’s all about the details. At Michael Robert Construction , we specialize in crafting fully customized kitchens through a…
Planning & InvestmentBuying a Spec Home or Building Custom: What Are You Actually Comparing?
A new construction home built by a developer or builder without a specific buyer in mind, using pre-selected floor plans, finishes, and features intended to appeal to a broad market.
Design & MaterialsPlanning a Home Theater Beyond the Basement
When you think of a home theater (besides the thought of a luxury home enhancement), the basement probably comes to mind. For years, basements have been the go-to spot for setting up that perfect movie-watching space.
- Planning & Investment
From Our First Conversation to Move-In: What Happens at Each Stage
Building a home is one of the most exciting—and personal—investments you can make. At Michael Robert Construction, we believe your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle, your values, and your vision.
Details
What a well-built house looks like up close
Most of what the Journal is about happens at this scale: a brick arch laid to match the original, cabinetry built by our own carpenters, a ceiling of poles scribed one to the next. The decisions are small and the house is the sum of them.
Built by MRC's own carpenters: white oak doors over a soapstone feeding station, with a pot filler plumbed to it. Mendham whole-home renovation 
A soldier course turned over the window head, laid and painted to match the original brick. Mountainside exterior renovation 
Eucalyptus poles laid tight across the ceiling, each one scribed to its neighbor. Westfield pool cabana