Guildmaster Award winners have demonstrated their ability to
consistently deliver an exceptional customer experience.
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4797 Mercury St
San Diego , CA 92111
Born in San Diego and raised in Denver, Todd R. Jackson understood at a young age that hard work pays off. Todd's grandmother, Virginia, instilled in him the belief "the harder you work the luckier you become." As early as age 11, Todd started his first entrepreneurial venture, Cosmos Lawn Service, in Denver. Todd did everything himself from mowing lawns, raking leaves to shoveling snow. The winter months were the most difficult because shoveling snow wasn't any fun. Eventually, Todd moved back to San Diego. Todd's brother-in-laws worked in the construction industry, and their example influenced him getting into the trade. He always had dreams of having his own company. After graduating from Santana High School in 1987, Todd attended Mesa College for vocational construction studies. In 1989 at age 20, Todd started his own construction company, T.R. Jackson Construction. By age 23, Todd earned his license as general contractor; and at age 24, Todd constructed his first room addition in Clairemont. In the beginning Todd did it all: answering the phones; bookkeeping; ordering supplies; installing windows; project management and more. In the last five years, Todd has managed and led Jackson Design & Remodeling on a steady, rapid growth track. Now at age 38, Todd has taken his business from a one-person operation with sales of $300,000 to a $6 million multi-award winning full service design / build remodeling firm with a portfolio of over 1,700 projects and team of 24 exceptional and dedicated employees.
Jackson Design and Remodeling is a full service design / build remodeling firm for residential construction. We remodel kitchens, bathrooms, first and second story additions and complete whole house renovations. We use structural and space design to plan and draft the expected remodel so the homeowner can visualize what the project would look like after completion. We also work with families who supply us their own design drafts from their Architects. We obtain required building permits for each project. Jackson Design and Remodeling also provides a personal shopper to our clients to help them select and coordinate all the necessary materials for their custom remodel from quartz countertops to hard wood floors or the material components they desire.
We manage an average of 35-40 residential remodeling projects a year which run about $180,000 per project. We have three superintendents that oversee approximately six projects in any given month. The workload includes managing bathroom, kitchen and addition remodels. We have one main project manager that oversees the superintendents and all projects.
Todd runs the company as CEO with 24 employees. We have 4 interior designers, some with ASID member certification, 2 structural design draftsman, 3 project superintendents, 1 main production manager that oversees superintendents and all projects, 10 field tradesmen from carpenters, to painters, to demo staff, etc., 1 controller plus 1 accounting support staff, 1 Office Manager who answers phones and provides admin support to CEO, 1 Sales & Marketing Support Staff who primarily screens our leads, 1 Sales & Marketing Consultant who interfaces with homeowners and sells designs and projects along with the CEO and 1 in-house part-time advertising / consulting agent who handles the company's complete marketing and advertising.
We always believed in producing superior work and providing unparalleled customer service. We want to ensure our clients are completely satisfied with their project from start to finish. Our priority and philosophy has been to have good communication with our clients at every phase of their remodeling project whether it's our superintendents visiting with our clients or an "Are we there yet?" postcard from our company. This way the clients do not feel they are left in a lurch and they always know what is going on and what to expect. And if there is ever a problem that arises, we make sure we get it fixed right away. In addition, our field personnel and sub contractors always show up at our customer's home on time and, at the end of the day, they make certain they tidy up and keep the home clean. Actions like these mean so much and are appreciated by our clients. Because of our good reputation, we receive most of our clients through referrals
Our clients are usually couples in their mid 40s to upper 50s who are both working professionals. They have young or teenage children and have lived in their home for an average of 10 years. They enjoy living in their neighborhood and are interested in upgrading versus moving. Typically, our clients come to us because they have higher end design needs and expectations and prefer one company, like ours, to manage all details and aspects of their entire project.
Clients can expect creative thinking, detailed planning, and exceptional project management from Jackson Design and Remodeling. They know when the project starts what it will look like, how much it will cost, and how long it will take. Here's how we do it:
- At the first home appointment, the client's overall wants and needs are discussed. We listen and evaluate the existing space and how to incorporate new design and space. We ask for the client's ideas, give design suggestions, and determine what is important in the way the client will use the new space. We review our planning and building process and how it is structured to ensure the project's success. Additionally, we discuss the overall project budget so that we can design within that budget.
- To begin the design process, the existing structure is measured and property conditions are reviewed. The scope of work determines if the comprehensive plan requires either structural design or space design or a combination of both. At the next meeting designs and plans are presented for client approval.
- A comprehensive scope of work is prepared from the approved designs. This is a detailed description of each step of the construction process, from concrete to framing to electrical. We review this with the client to assure that all previous discussions regarding constructions details are included in this document. This scope of work clearly describes what is and is not included in the project, providing a clear understanding of expectations.
- The next step is a construction agreement and completion of any structural designs and required engineering that will be submitted to the City or County. Depending on the complexity of the project, this step can take between one week and three months.
- At this point we finalize all materials and appliance choices. This is when the fun starts! The project designer helps the client make selections that are coordinated, from the color of the countertops to the pattern of tile backsplash to the design of fixtures and cabinetry handles. Each of these small aspects, when coordinated, makes the new space unique and show quality. Specifications and details for all choices are put together in a complete job site plan.
- With plans, permits and materials selected, the project begins. The design consultant and superintendent review the entire project to ensure that any unanswered questions can be addressed. They meet the client on the job site, review the entire scope of work, walk the project and discuss how the job will be built. At this time specific items are discussed, such as where materials can be stored, how the home will be protected from dust, and how to safeguard pets during the build.
- The project superintendent provides a time frame and is always available to discuss the overall project. Clients also may contact the design consultant and office at any time with questions. The design consultant works on a daily basis with the project superintendent and is brought into the construction phase as needed. Our goal is to have work completed on a daily basis in order to move the project along quickly to completion.
- Prior to completion, the client and project superintendent walk the project and record any small items or details that need to be altered to ensure 100% project satisfaction.
- When the project is complete, the client receives a detailed packet of information about warranted products and services and is asked to complete a satisfaction survey. We value client feedback so that we can continue to identify ways to make our remodeling process streamlined, enjoyable and predictable. If we've done our job well, we've earned a client for life.
We market our company in many ways: billboard advertising, radio, print advertising in local newspapers and magazines, search engine optimization and internet marketing, direct mail and availability of flyers at current job sites. Additionally, we host several consumer remodeling luncheon seminars to educate the public about the remodeling process: how to hire a contractor, how to obtain building permits, design trends, etc. The seminars also give us an opportunity to feature our vendors and we accept donations at the door with total proceeds given to our community charity of choice: San Diego Habitat for Humanity. When possible, we try to obtain co-op advertising dollars from our vendors to help offset some costs involved in promoting the seminars or other advertising we do.
We encourage training and development of our staff as much as possible. Our company invests over $25,000 in our employees for education-related programs. Ongoing education is important so our employees are informed of what is going on in our industry and how we can become more effective and efficient in our roles at work and how we serve our clients.
We motivate our employees by empowering them and giving them credit when appropriate. We also have an open door policy so that if there was something important they needed to discuss they know we would listen with an open mind.
We are in the remodeling business because we receive a great amount of satisfaction "Transforming homes. Building clients for life", which is our company motto. We make dreams a reality for homeowners and its rewarding to see our clients satisfied and happy living in their new home environment. Most of our clients have worked hard their whole life and they deserve to make their home perfect and just the way they want.
We encourage clients to have open communication at all times with our superintendents and designers who work hand in hand with them during the construction process. If the client should have a problem or concern, they should bring it to our company's attention immediately so the issue can be resolved. Clients can make the relationship a successful one through good communication. It's also a good idea for clients to decide early, on finishes such as appliances, cabinetry, countertops when applicable so that materials are picked out, can be ordered and installed in a timely manner. Usually in-decisions cause delay which becomes added inconvenience to the already long remodeling process.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges for companies in the building industry are details, follow through and implementing efficiency systems in place so that a project runs smoothly and at the end of the day is profitable. There are so many components for a project to be successful and its being able to run those components seamlessly.
Some of the challenges our business faces today is coming up with the perfect design for our clients. Sometimes when a client verbally communicates their desires, it is misinterpreted by us, than we end up producing a design or making a material recommendation they did not want in the first place. We strive to communicate more effectively with our clients and have since implemented a questionnaire for clients to complete so we have in writing what exactly they are thinking and we can implement appropriately. Another challenge we face is hiring the right employees who are team-players and have the same enthusiasm and dedication. Lately, we have had a high turnover rate.
We are constantly striving to create better efficiencies and systems in place so that we can better serve our clients.
Jackson Design and Remodeling, Inc. has won multiple distinguished awards in recent years.
We were recognized and awarded BIG50, as one of the top 50 remodeling companies in the nation by REMODELING Magazine. This award resonates with our company's personal and core values of professionalism, integrity, smart marketing, exemplary business practices, unique designs, and extraordinary impact in the community, as well as in the remodeling industry at large. We were proud that our firm was the only remodeling contractor in San Diego County selected in 2005 for this honor from over 2,000 applications nationwide.
Furthermore, Jackson Design and Remodeling received Contractor of the Year (COTY) Awards from the National Association of Remodeling Industries, San Diego Chapter as follows:
COTY 2007: Entire House Remodel
$250,000 - 500,000 (San Diego, CA)
COTY 2007: Bathroom
$30,000 - 60,000 (Ramona, CA)
COTY 2007: Exterior Elevation
up to $100,000 (Ramona, CA)
COTY 2006: Residential Addition
$60,000 - 100,000 (El Cajon, CA)
COTY 2006: Residential Addition
$100,000 - $250,000 (Chula Vista, CA)