PROCESS & TIMELINE
Who we are: We are a design – build company with over 25 years of experience. Our biggest asset is the ability to see extraordinary potential in ordinary spaces. We take pride in our business, our team, our product and the service we provide our customers.
Top Choice Builders Process – This is How We Work
INITIAL CONTACT:
Our process starts the moment we connect for the first time. We will start by asking you some general questions about yourself, your location, your project, and your anticipated start time. This allows us to get a snapshot of who you are, what your project entails, and determine if Top Choice is the best fit for your project.
After the initial contact you can expect one of two outcomes:
- Your project seems to be a potential fit for us, and we will take next steps.
- We do not feel like Top Choice is the best fit for your project. At this time, we will suggest you further your search for a contractor.
Next steps:
1. Customer Project Information:
You will receive a customer packet via email, containing 2 attachments and several links for questionnaires related to the type of project. This information will tell us about yourself, your family, how you live in your home and what your expectations are for the project and contractor. Documents included are as follows:
- TCB Process (you are reading it)
- The Importance of Design
- Getting to Know You link
- Product questionnaire link (bathroom, kitchen, addition/large remodel)
- Link to virtual tour of Top Choice Builders showroom
- Design and Project Development introduction/explanation
2. Zoom Call – Virtual meeting
Once you have completed your customer project information packet and returned it to us, we will set up a virtual meeting with you and the Top Choice team. We will discuss your project, go over the customer packet, and have a question-and-answer session that both parties participate in. This call will take up to an hour, depending on the complexity of your project. Projects of this magnitude require detail and communication but also great chemistry. If something does not align it is best to know sooner than later.
What to expect during the virtual meeting?
- Questions about your project:
- Do you have a detailed scope of work or set of detailed plans for your project? If so, this will speed up the process. If not, we will discuss the option of our design and project development agreement.
- Have you done projects of this magnitude before?
- How would you describe your design taste?
- Have you done any research as to the quality and cost of finishes you wish to see in the space?
- A virtual tour: Please take the Zoom call on a portable device.
You will be asked to walk our team through your home on a virtual tour. Areas not affected by the remodel will not need to be part of the tour. The reason for this tour is to allow our team to see the space you are looking to remodel and ask any questions we may have. This will guide us to our next steps.
- Broad estimated range:
Within 24 hours of the Virtual meeting you will receive an estimated range. This range gives you an extremely broad parameter that we feel your project will fall within. The more detail you can give us through the customer packet and virtual meeting the more accurate this range will be. This range is derived from our years of experience doing projects like yours and the information you have given us. This IS NOT an official quote or bid. This simply gives you an idea as to the cost potential of your project and allows you to decide if it is within your budget and if it is feasible to move forward.
3. Following the virtual meeting:
Following the virtual meeting and delivery of estimated range there are three possible ways in which we may decide to proceed.
- Moving apart:
If the estimated range is not in line with your budget or either party decides it is not a good fit, then we decide to not do business together.
- Design and Project Development Agreement:
The call goes well, the estimated range is in line with your budget, but you do not have a detailed scope of work. The next step would be a design and project development agreement. You will work with the Top Choice team to build a scope of work. The design process takes time, how much time is relative to the size of the project, the speed in which communication flows and your ability to make decisions. Once the scope of work is built, Top Choice will provide a bid for the project. This agreement is a paid, contracted service, separate from any construction contract. Depending on the scope of your project the bid process can take a week to a month. This may seem like a long time, but again, accuracy during this process is imperative to the success of the project.
The cost of the design and project development agreement varies by project and will be disclosed to you after the virtual call when the options to move forward are discussed. The design and project development agreement will typically range between 4-6% of the estimated cost of the project, and, as is previously mentioned, is a separate contract from a construction contract.
4. Bid Presentation and contract signing:
No matter what process is taken to get here, every project bid ends with a personalized presentation given at the Top Choice Design Center. This presentation gives us the opportunity to share our vision for your project, go over the cost involved, answer any questions you may have and take next steps. For the previously listed reasons no bid will be presented over the phone or via email.
What you can expect from the presentation:
- Detailed presentation of your project.
- Cost of project.
- Material allowances based on your selections.
- Estimated time frame to start and complete the project.
- Payment schedule
- Contract signing
- Payment of deposit
5. Production:
For your project to begin the contract must be signed and a 50% deposit must be received. Materials needed for the first phase of construction must be selected and received either on site or at the TCB warehouse prior to the start of construction. Selections needed for production to begin will vary by project.
On the first day of construction, you can expect:
- On site meeting between Top Choice leadership and our Top Choice field team
- Meet and greet between homeowner and field team.
- Prepping home to separate construction area from living area (as best we can)
- Lock box location and set up.
6. Final walkthrough/ Punch list:
Once construction is nearing an end you will have the opportunity to walk the project with a member of the TCB team. Any concerns you may have can be addressed at this time. An agreed upon punch list will be compiled during this walkthrough to be completed. There will be a timeframe set to accomplish the punch list. Items that require materials to be ordered with lead times longer than the punch list timeframe will be moved to warranty work and removed from the punch list. Final payment is expected on the day the punch list is completed. Warranty items are separate from punch list items and DO NOT hinder the final payment. Occupancy will not take place until the final payment is received.
TCB Warranty:
You are not just another completed job to Top Choice Builders; you are a valued customer. Our goal is to make connections for life by delivering the best product possible. Over the next 2 years we will be here for you with any warranty issues.
We will deliver our warranty packet at the completion of your project upon receiving final payment. This packet will include a “how to” on TCB workmanship warranty as well as any product warranties that apply.
Why we do it:
We love serving people and making their dreams a reality. Your dream can happen in the space you are in and we show you how. There is something so rewarding about taking a homeowner from underwhelmed and frustrated with their space to excited and overjoyed.
We are here to lead you and make this journey as exciting, fulfilling and stress free as possible.
We look forward to serving you.
Thank you,
Your Top Choice Team
#TeamTCB