Our Process
How a Turn Key Project Works
Every Turn Key project follows the same three-phase process, whether it is a bathroom renovation or a full whole-home remodel. The process is designed to eliminate the surprises, miscommunication, and budget overruns that are common in traditional remodeling. Nothing is left to chance. Every detail is planned, priced, and approved before we pick up a hammer.
The Design Build Institute of America has documented that design-build projects consistently outperform traditional bid-build projects on cost, schedule, and owner satisfaction. Our process is built on those same principles, adapted for residential remodeling in DuPage County.
Phase 1: Discovery and Planning
Initial Consultation
We start with a conversation, either at our Lombard showroom or in your home. We listen to what you want to accomplish, assess your space, and discuss your budget honestly. There is no pressure and no hard sell. If Turn Key is not the right fit for your project, we will tell you. A good consultation saves everyone time by establishing whether the scope, budget, and expectations are aligned before anyone invests in design work.
Site Assessment
For renovation and addition projects, our team visits your home to evaluate the existing structure, mechanical systems, and any site conditions that could affect the scope. We check load-bearing walls, plumbing runs, electrical panel capacity, and HVAC routing. This step is where most contractors cut corners, and it is the reason most projects hit unexpected costs later. A thorough site assessment up front prevents expensive surprises during demolition.
Scope Definition
Based on our consultation and site assessment, we define the full scope of your project in writing. What is included, what is not, and what decisions still need to be made. You will know exactly what you are getting before we move to the design phase. This written scope becomes the foundation for every decision that follows.
Phase 2: Design and Selections
Design Development
Our design team creates detailed plans including floor plans, elevations, and 3D renderings that show you exactly what your finished space will look like. Unlike standalone design firms, our designers work alongside our construction team throughout this phase. Every design concept is checked for structural feasibility, code compliance, and cost impact in real time. If a design idea would require moving a plumbing stack or reinforcing a floor joist, you know about it now, not after demolition has already started.
For interior design projects, this phase also includes space planning, color consultation, and coordination of finishes across multiple rooms. Our luxury interior design clients receive additional options sourced from premium manufacturers and presented with detailed material boards.
Material Selection
This is where our showroom becomes essential. You visit our Lombard location to see, touch, and compare the actual materials that will go into your home. Cabinet door styles, countertop slabs, flooring samples, tile, hardware, fixtures, and paint are all selected and specified before construction begins. There are no placeholder allowances. There is no “we will figure it out later.” Every material decision is finalized in this phase.
For homeowners choosing between flooring types, our hardwood vs. laminate vs. vinyl comparison guide is a useful starting point before your showroom visit. For countertops, our countertop materials comparison guide covers the trade-offs between quartz, granite, marble, and butcher block.
Final Pricing and Approval
With the design complete and every material selected, we prepare a detailed, line-item proposal. You will see exactly what everything costs: labor, materials, permits, and every line item broken out individually. This is the number. We do not come back mid-project with change orders because we “did not anticipate” something. If we missed it in our planning, that is on us, not you.
You review the proposal, ask questions, and approve. Only then do we schedule construction. This approach aligns with best practices outlined by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), which emphasizes that thorough pre-construction planning is the single most important factor in controlling project costs.
Phase 3: Construction and Delivery
Pre-Construction Meeting
Before we start, we sit down with you one more time. We walk through the construction schedule day by day, explain what happens in what order, and set expectations for noise, access, and daily cleanup. You will know when the plumber is coming before the plumber knows.
Construction
Your dedicated project manager oversees every phase of construction. We use vetted, insured subcontractors we have worked with for years, not whoever was available on short notice. Job sites are cleaned daily. Materials are protected. Your home is treated with the same care we would expect in our own.
You receive regular updates with photos, progress reports, and any decisions that come up, though we have planned most of those out already. If something unexpected surfaces behind a wall, we call you immediately, explain the options, and get your approval before proceeding. Whether the project involves kitchen remodeling, custom cabinetry installation, or general contracting for a larger build, the communication and quality standards are the same.
Final Walkthrough
When construction is complete, we walk through the finished project together. We check every detail against the approved plans. If anything is not right, we fix it without pushback or excuses. When you are satisfied, we hand you the keys.
That is the Turn Key promise: you turn the key, and everything works exactly as designed.
After the Project
Our relationship does not end at the walkthrough. We stand behind our work and we are always a phone call away. Many of our clients come back for second and third projects across different areas of their home. That repeat business is the best endorsement we know of, and it is the reason most of our new clients in Lombard, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, and communities throughout DuPage County come to us through referrals.