How a Tulip project works, step by step
Five phases, the same on every project. Here's what happens in each one, who's involved, what you decide and what you receive.
- 1
Free consultation
- What happens
- We visit your home, walk the space and talk through goals, budget and timing — and whether Tulip is the right fit.
- Who's involved
- A Tulip project leader and you
- What you decide
- Whether to move into design
- What you receive
- Notes on scope, a rough price range in most cases, then a written summary with an approximate price and timeline, usually within 2–3 business days (4–7 for larger projects)
- Typical duration
- About 45–60 minutes (up to 90 for larger projects)
- 2
Design & 3D
- What happens
- We develop the floor plan and show it to you in 3D, then visit showrooms with you to choose finishes.
- Who's involved
- Your project leader and a Tulip designer
- What you decide
- Layout and selections
- What you receive
- Floor plan, 3D renderings, selections list, showroom visits with trade pricing
- Typical duration
- Design, permits and ordering together: usually 6–12 weeks for a kitchen (10–20 if walls or the layout change), 4–12 weeks for a bath, 3–10 months for whole-home remodels, additions, ADUs and second stories
- 3
Price & contract
- What happens
- Once the design is set, we confirm the price and put it in a contract with a payment schedule tied to completed work.
- Who's involved
- Your project leader
- What you decide
- Whether to sign
- What you receive
- The contract: final price, scope and milestone payment schedule
- Typical duration
- Once the design is approved
- 4
Permits & construction
- What happens
- We submit plans, answer plan-check comments and build. A Tulip supervisor runs the site every working day.
- Who's involved
- Your project leader, a Tulip site supervisor and our trades
- What you decide
- Any changes, approved in writing before work proceeds
- What you receive
- Permit set, schedule, written updates every week, documented change orders
- Typical duration
- Permit time is part of the design phase above and depends on your city. Construction: usually 4–10 weeks for a bath, 6–16 weeks for a kitchen, 4–12 months for whole-home remodels, additions, ADUs and second stories
- 5
Final walkthrough
- What happens
- We inspect every detail with you, finish the punch list and hand over the paperwork.
- Who's involved
- Your project leader and site supervisor
- What you decide
- Sign-off once the punch list is done
- What you receive
- Punch list, warranty documents, manuals, paint colors and a care guide
- Typical duration
- Part of the construction timeline
Before the visit
What to bring to your consultation
- Photos of the space
- Any plans or surveys
- Your budget range
- Your ideal timing
- A few images you like — saved ideas from Inspiration work too
The consultation
What the consultation delivers
- Who comes
- A Tulip project leader
- How long
- About 45–60 minutes (up to 90 for larger projects)
- What follows
- A rough range at the visit in most cases (subject to design, measurements, materials and site conditions), then a written summary with an approximate price and timeline, usually within 2–3 business days (4–7 for larger projects).
During the project
What your project leader does
- Is your single point of contact from design to walkthrough, by call or text.
- Sends a written update with photos every week, and more often during key phases.
- Gives you a selections calendar so you know when each decision is due — and when selections lock: before ordering starts, because cabinet and stone lead times drive the schedule.
- Documents every change in writing, with its price, before work proceeds.
- Works with a Tulip supervisor who is on site every working day.
3D design
See it before it's built
An example from a Tulip project, labeled 3D design.
Book a consultation
Let's plan your project
- Tell us about your projectAnswer a few quick questions about your home, the project, your budget and your timing. It takes about two minutes, and we reply within one business day.
- Free in-home consultationA Tulip project leader visits, walks the space with you and talks through your goals, budget and what your city will require. The visit takes about 45–60 minutes (up to 90 for larger projects), with no pressure and no obligation.
- A price, then design and contractAfter the visit we send a written summary with an approximate price and timeline, usually within 2–3 business days (4–7 for larger projects). We then develop the design with 3D renderings and set the final price in your contract, with payments tied to completed work. Nothing is ordered or built until you approve it in writing.
We reply within one business day.
Prefer to talk? Call LA(310) 954-0051Bay Area(669) 600-6422