Frequently Asked Questions                

Company Philosophies and Information

Q. What are your core values?
Q. How do you measure your company’s success?
Q. How much growth have you had?
Q. How do you get your business?
Q. What type of services do you offer?
Q. Where do you provide construction services?
Q. What is your approach to the use of MBE and WBE firms?
Q. How do you view ‘green construction’?
Q. What LEED projects have you worked on?
Q. Does LEED equate efficiency?

Policies and Procedures

Q. How do you ensure project quality?
Q. What type of warranty does your company provide?
Q. Do you implement safety training of your employees?
Q. How closely to you supervise your projects?
Q. Can I request a specific subcontractor for my project?

Construction Insight

Q. When is it best to use phased construction?
Q. What is a Design/Build project?
Q. What are the benefits of Design/Build?
Q. What is a mixed-use building?
Q. How has technology impacted the construction industry?

Q. What are your core values?
A. At Wolverine Building Group, our core values are INTEGRITY, ENJOYMENT, QUALITY, and IMPROVEMENT. These values are used as a road map for our business approach and all management decisions to verify that Wolverine Building Group keeps its sight on target with the target being customer satisfaction. | Back to Top

Q. How do you measure company success?
A. We have a history in the building industry that dates back more than 65 years. The success we have experienced is directly related to the quality and service we offer that continues to yield a high level of customer satisfaction with current customers making up more than 75% of our workload each year.
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Q. How much growth have you had?
A. The originating company of Wolverine Tile Company began simply with the installation of porcelain panels for gas stations and fast food restaurants. Through strategic growth and expansion maneuvers, Wolverine Building Group now consists of four separate divisions handling more than $100 Million in volume each year in almost every market of construction from healthcare, education, and retail to industrial, churches, and multi-unit residential. | Back to Top

Q. How do you get your business?
A. Over 75% of our work each year is from repeat customers and referrals. As a result, our current customers are one of our top priorities though we also work to constantly initiate and develop relationships with new customers.
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Q. What type of services do you offer?
A. Through the four divisions of Wolverine Building Group, our firm has become one of the most versatile construction companies in the area. We have an extensive, knowledgeable staff that enables us to offer our customers a full spectrum of pre-construction and construction services. For more information on what we are able to offer our customers, please visit Our Services. | Back to Top

Q. Where do you provide construction services?
A. For years, Wolverine Building Group has concentrated on providing construction services to customers in West and Central Michigan. Through our latest plans of expansion, we now have the capabilities of offering our customers construction and program management services throughout North America. Please call Kurt at 616-949-3360 for more information or email info@wolvgroup.com. | Back to Top

Q. What is your approach to the use of MBE and WBE firms?
A. Wolverine Building Group is committed to including MBE and WBE establishments in our projects. We also have a great deal of experience needing to meet minimum requirements for MSHDA projects and by the request of specific owners. | Back to Top

Q. How do you view 'green construction'?
A. 'Green construction' is not only important in minimizing the effect a building has on its surrounding environment, but it can also impact the overall health of a building's end users, the efficiency of a building's operational systems, and the general use of resources. At Wolverine, we are dedicated to staying on top of 'green construction' techniques and incorporating a more sustainable approach to construction. | Back to Top

Q. What LEED projects have you worked on?
A. Working with the architect at Calvin College, we helped design and construct the Calvin College Vincent and Helen Bunker Interpretive Center that produces more than 65% if its own operating power and was awarded a Gold LEED Rating from the USGBC. Currently, we are also involved in the Saint Mary's Southwest Outpatient Campus, Saint Mary's Hauenstein Center, DeVos Children's Hospital, Granger Metro Medical Office Building, and Granger Metro Retail.
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Q. Does LEED equate efficiency?
A. Our approach to LEED is different than many of our competitors, so our answer is No, LEED does NOT equate efficiency. We believe that to truly construct an efficient, sustainable building you need to do more than just strive to attain LEED points. Instead, it's about reviewing an entire building and working in collaboration to integrate those systems and design the building itself in a way that will maximize the resources used. | Back to Top

Q. How do you ensure project quality?
A. We view quality as a process not an end result, thus we have established quality control procedures for each stage of a construction project starting in the design phase. Our staff is dedicated to upholding these controls and providing our customers with a complete quality process according to the high standards of our company. | Back to Top

Q. What type of warranty does your company provide?
A. At Wolverine Building Group, we stand behind our workmanship and the level of quality that we provide for our customers. Warranties are provided on all projects for the entire first year following project completion. | Back to Top

Q. Do you implement safety training?
A. The safety of our employees and those on or near our jobsites is of the utmost importance. Wolverine Building Group has a multi-faceted safety program that includes general safety practices, excessive training, the required use of safety equipment, monthly safety meetings, and hard-hat only jobsites. In both 2005 and 2006, our safety program was given a Gold Level of Achievement STEP Award by the National Association of Builders and Contractors.
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Q. How closely do you supervise your projects?
A. Unlike many of our competitors, Wolverine Building Group commits a superintendent to be on the jobsite full-time throughout the duration of construction for each project. | Back to Top

Q. Can I request a specific subcontractor for my project?
A. It has always been Wolverine's philosophy to allow owners to request a specific subcontractor. We do, however, ask that we be able to establish a subcontractor as a qualified firm before awarding a contract in order to ensure that a project remains on schedule and within budget. | Back to Top

Q. When is it best to use phased construction?
A. Phased construction is often used when constructing within occupied spaces or when under strict timeframes as it allows a project to get underway before the drawings are 100% complete. | Back to Top

Q. What is a Design/Build project?
A. A Design/Build project allows an owner to hold one contract for design and construction services, providing a single source of responsibility. At Wolverine Building Group, we offer a true Design/Build approach with the capabilities of providing both design and construction services through our in-house architectural department. We also work with a Design/Build concept in which we hold a contract with an outside architectural firm, still providing an owner with a single contract with us for both the design and construction of a project. | Back to Top

Q. What are the benefits of Design/Build?
A. The Design/Build approach can offer many benefits, including an owner's reduced liability for design, continuous analyses of the design, faster turn around on drawings, and in many cases a shorter construction duration and lower overall project costs. | Back to Top

Q. What is a mixed-use building?
A. There is a current trend to create "town centers" that allow people to live, eat, and work all in the same place. In doing this, many owners and developers are opting to build mixed-use buildings that generally combine residential space with commercial office, retail, and restaurants. | Back to Top

Q. How has technology impacted construction?
A. Technology is fast becoming a standard in our industry, from the sophisticated design programs for architectural drawing to project management software providing real-time information. The technology being used today and the advancements that are yet to come will have a drastic impact on the collaboration of a project, the life-cycle analyses of building structures and their operating costs, the interoperability of projects, and the overall cost and duration of the construction process - just to name a few. | Back to Top