Crafting Excellence: Todd Chionis of Top Drawer Carpentry on Building Trust and Quality in Remodeling
Todd Chionis is the owner of Top Drawer Carpentry in Barrington, Illinois. He has been in the remodeling business for 23 years, with 13 years running his own company. Todd and his team of four specialize in interiors, kitchens, baths, basements, and custom carpentry finishes.
Top Drawer Carpentry works mainly in Barrington and the surrounding North Shore and Northwest suburbs, staying within about a 15-mile radius. Todd prefers to keep the business small and personal. Most of their work comes from referrals, strong relationships with interior designers and architects, and their excellent reputation.
“We built up a pretty good reputation and we certainly stand behind that.” ~ Todd Chionis
Todd shares that their marketing is mostly organic, relying on word of mouth and client referrals. They also use Houzz, an industry-specific website, to showcase their work and gather reviews. The company has received perfect reviews and won the Best of Houzz award for both design and service, which was a pleasant surprise for Todd.
When new clients reach out, Todd first asks about their progress in the remodeling process, including whether they have a budget or have worked with designers before. He uses pre-qualifying questions to make sure the project is a good fit. If it looks promising, he arranges a meet and greet at the client’s home to discuss ideas and answer questions.
Todd gives a rough ballpark estimate based on the scope of work and materials. If the client is interested, they move into the design phase, often working with independent kitchen and bath designers. This helps set clear expectations and ensures the project is viable before investing more time.
About 90% of Top Drawer Carpentry’s work is remodeling existing spaces, with occasional additions. Todd explains that most projects are quoted up front, except for small repairs for existing clients, which are billed by time and materials. He emphasizes the importance of pre-inspections, using inspection cameras to look inside walls and avoid surprises during construction.
For older homes, Todd is honest about the potential for unexpected issues. He includes clear language in contracts about possible extra costs if hidden problems are found. After demolition, he does another inspection to make sure everything is up to code before rebuilding.
Todd enjoys the current size of his business, which allows for close interaction with clients and design professionals. He is open to slow, steady growth, but values the personal touch and quality control that comes with a small team. Todd still spends some time in the field, working on projects himself, but is gradually shifting toward more office and management work.
At the end of the interview, Todd encourages anyone in the Barrington or Chicago North Shore area looking for quality remodeling work to reach out through his website or Houzz. He thanks the host and is open to returning for future episodes.
Todd Chionis, Top Drawer Carpentry Contact Info:
TopDrawerC.com
(773) 818-8680
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Business History:
Todd shares his 23 years in remodeling, with 13 years running Top Drawer Carpentry. -
Service Area:
The company focuses on Barrington and nearby suburbs, keeping projects close to home. -
Referral-Based Growth:
Most new business comes from client referrals and long-term relationships with designers and architects. -
Online Presence:
Top Drawer Carpentry uses Houzz to showcase work, collect reviews, and attract new clients. -
Client Onboarding:
Todd uses pre-qualifying questions and in-person meetings to ensure projects are a good fit before moving forward. -
Project Process:
The team provides ballpark estimates, works with independent designers, and uses pre-inspections to avoid surprises. -
Company Philosophy:
Todd values quality, personal service, and slow, thoughtful growth to maintain high standards.
