Construction & Remodeling
Total Building Systems Inc.
Total Building Systems Inc. is a commercial and residential construction company based in Cottonwood, Arizona, providing general contracting, subcontracting, pre-engineered metal-building supply and erection, structural steel, ornamental iron, and interior construction services.
Cottonwood, AZ
About Total Building Systems Inc.
Total Building Systems Inc. is a commercial and residential construction company based in Cottonwood, Arizona, providing general contracting, subcontracting, pre-engineered metal-building supply and erection, structural steel, ornamental iron, and interior construction services. Total Building Systems Inc. has been operating since 1996 with an A+ BBB rating, and the company offers assistance from the design phase through construction completion, serving customers who need coordinated project delivery or specialized construction trades.
Metal Buildings and Metal Homes Total Building Systems supplies and erects pre-engineered metal buildings and metal homes. Its services support customers seeking steel-building construction for residential, commercial, storage, and workshop applications. The company’s advertised capabilities include both metal-building supply and erection, allowing customers to discuss their building requirements and determine the appropriate construction scope with its team.
Third-party permit records document experience with detached metal garages, RV garages and storage buildings, garage-and-workshop buildings, self-storage facilities, steel buildings, garage additions, and horse-stall structures. These records illustrate the range of projects associated with the company, although availability and scope for any new project should be confirmed directly.
Structural Steel and Ornamental Iron Structural steel and ornamental iron are core specialties of Total Building Systems. These services complement its broader general-contracting and metal-building capabilities, giving customers a dedicated point of contact for steel and iron project inquiries. Specific fabrication, supply, installation, and decorative ironwork requirements can be discussed with the company to establish the appropriate scope of work.
Steel-Stud Framing and Drywall The company provides steel-stud framing and drywall services as part of its interior construction offering. It works as both a general contractor and subcontractor, enabling customers and other construction professionals to engage the business for broader projects or particular trade packages. Drywall repair is also separately advertised, providing a contact pathway for customers seeking repairs rather than new installation alone.
Acoustical and Suspended Ceilings Total Building Systems offers acoustical and suspended ceiling services alongside its framing and drywall work. These capabilities allow customers to discuss multiple interior construction components with one company, including wall framing, drywall, and ceiling systems. The company maintains a designated contact for these related interior trades.
Interior Demolition Interior demolition is another advertised service. Customers can contact Total Building Systems to discuss demolition requirements and how that work may fit into a larger interior construction project. Combining demolition inquiries with the company’s framing, drywall, and suspended-ceiling capabilities provides a starting point for planning work that involves removing existing interior elements and constructing new ones.
Leadership and Project Coordination Jason Steward is identified in his professional profile as the owner and president of Total Building Systems Inc. and as a project manager with the company. The company’s website also lists him as the contact for steel-stud framing, drywall, suspended ceilings, and interior demolition. Separate contacts are published for general contracting and metal buildings, structural steel and ornamental iron, drywall repairs, and bookkeeping and billing.
Location and Project Inquiries Based in Cottonwood, Total Building Systems provides a local point of contact for commercial and residential construction inquiries. Customers can contact the company to discuss project location, building type, trade requirements, repair needs, and the extent of contracting assistance required. Service availability outside Cottonwood should be confirmed for the specific project rather than assumed from the company’s location.
The company can be reached at (928) 649-0131 or info@totalbuildingsystems.net. Its published mailing address is 440 S 7th St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Services
- General contracting
- Commercial construction
- Residential construction
- Pre-engineered metal buildings
- Pre-engineered metal homes
- Metal building supply and erection
- Structural steel
- Ornamental iron
- Steel-stud framing
- Drywall installation
- Drywall repair
- Drywall finishing and texture matching
- Acoustical ceiling installation
- Suspended ceiling installation
- Suspended ceiling repair and replacement
- Interior demolition
- Selective interior demolition
- Design-to-completion construction assistance
- Metal RV garages
- RV storage buildings
- Metal workshops
- Detached metal garages
- Custom steel buildings
- Self-storage and mini-storage construction
Service areas
Total Building Systems Inc. serves customers in:
- Cottonwood
- Clarkdale
- Jerome
- Camp Verde
- Cornville
- Rimrock
- Lake Montezuma
- Sedona
- Village of Oak Creek
- Prescott
- Prescott Valley
- Chino Valley
- Flagstaff
Common questions
When should I hire a general contractor instead of individual subcontractors?
You need a general contractor when a project involves multiple trades, structural alterations, or required building permits. Simple single-trade tasks, like replacing a standard water heater or painting a room, can usually be handled directly by specialized subcontractors or handy services. However, whole-home additions, commercial build-outs, and major kitchen or bathroom remodels require coordinating electricians, plumbers, framers, and dry-wallers. A general contractor oversees the entire schedule, secures necessary municipal permits, manages safety on-site, and ensures work meets building codes. Hiring a general contractor removes the burden of managing conflicting subcontractor schedules and resolves quality issues through a single point of accountability.
What is the difference between a general contractor and a subcontractor?
A general contractor oversees entire construction projects from start to finish, while a subcontractor specializes in a single trade. General contractors contract directly with the property owner to coordinate project schedules, manage building budgets, procure materials, and supervise quality control. Subcontractors—such as framing crews, plumbers, roofers, and electricians—are hired directly by the general contractor to execute specific parts of the scope. Choosing to act as your own general contractor trade-off requires you to take on full liability for worker coordination, site safety, and scheduling delays. Working with a dedicated general contractor provides a single accountable party who verifies each subcontractor's licensing, insurance, and work standard.
Do I need a building permit for my remodeling project in the Verde Valley?
Most construction projects require permits whenever structural framing changes, square footage increases, or electrical, plumbing, or mechanical lines are moved. Purely cosmetic updates—such as replacing countertops, changing flooring, or repainting—generally do not require building permits in the Verde Valley region. In places like Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Jerome, historic overlay guidelines or local municipal zoning codes can introduce extra review steps before structural or exterior work begins. Your general contractor typically prepares the plan submissions, pulls the required permits, and coordinates the mandatory city or county building inspections at each stage of construction.
How do general contractors typically calculate project estimates and billing?
General contracting pricing is commonly structured as either a fixed-price (lump sum) contract or a cost-plus contract. A fixed-price agreement sets an agreed total price based on explicit architectural drawings and material specifications, protecting the property owner from unexpected material cost increases. A cost-plus structure charges the direct cost of materials and labor plus an agreed-upon contractor management fee, offering flexibility for complex custom builds where the full scope cannot be detailed up front. Practical cost factors include existing structural condition, site access, material lead times, and client-requested change orders. Clear blueprints and finalized fixture selections help prevent costly revisions mid-project.
What are the standard stages of a general contracting construction project?
The general contracting process moves through pre-construction, site preparation, rough construction, interior finishes, and the final walk-through. Pre-construction involves reviewing blueprints, finalizing budgets, signing contracts, and acquiring local building permits. Once construction begins, the job progresses sequentially: demolition and foundation work occur first, followed by framing, rough-in mechanicals (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), insulation, and drywall. After walls are closed, finishes like cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, and paint are completed. The process concludes with a punch-list walk-through with the property owner and passing the final municipal inspection to receive a certificate of occupancy.
How long does a typical construction or remodeling project take?
Timelines vary widely based on project size, scope complexity, permit approvals, and material availability. A standard residential bathroom or kitchen remodel often spans six to twelve weeks, while ground-up custom homes or extensive commercial renovations frequently take six to twelve months or longer. Key factors that can extend schedules include long lead times for custom windows or cabinetry, adverse weather, unexpected hidden damage discovered behind existing drywall, and owner-initiated change orders during construction. A general contractor creates a critical-path project schedule to stage trade contractors sequentially, mitigating downtime between tasks.
How should I evaluate and choose the right general contractor?
Choose a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor who has verified experience with projects matching your scope and architectural style. Always verify the contractor's license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) to review active license classifications and complaint history. Ask potential contractors for references from recently completed jobs and evaluate their communication approach during initial consultations. A dependable general contractor should provide detailed, written scopes of work rather than vague verbal estimates, explain how they handle change orders, and specify who will be the day-to-day project supervisor on your site.
What should I prepare before meeting with a general contractor?
Before contacting a contractor, assemble your basic design ideas, a prioritized wishlist, and a realistic overall budget. Collect inspirational photos, sketches, or architectural drawings if you have them, and determine whether you want to alter the existing footprint or keep fixtures in their current locations. It is also helpful to define your project constraints early, including target start dates, preferred completion timelines, and whether you plan to occupy the property during construction. Having these elements documented helps the general contractor provide a realistic initial assessment and identify potential engineering or zoning considerations before drawing up estimates.
What happens if I want to change the scope of work during construction?
A change order is a written amendment that alters the original contract's scope of work, price, or timeline. When an owner requests different materials, modifies a layout, or when unexpected conditions like dry rot or outdated wiring are uncovered behind walls, a change order is prepared. The document details the new work, the associated cost adjustment, and the expected impact on the completion schedule. Both the property owner and the general contractor must sign the change order before the additional work begins, ensuring cost transparency and avoiding billing surprises at the end of the project.
How do terrain and historic guidelines affect building in Jerome or Clarkdale?
Hillside topography and historic zoning in communities like Jerome and Clarkdale introduce specific engineering, access, and design review requirements. Steep slopes and uneven terrain often demand specialized foundation engineering, retaining walls, and deliberate staging strategies due to limited street access or parking. In designated historic districts, exterior remodeling, siding, roofing materials, and window replacements must conform to municipal historic preservation guidelines before building permits are issued. A regional general contractor familiar with Yavapai County jurisdictions understands how to coordinate with local design review boards and plan for terrain constraints during early project scheduling.
What is the difference between commercial and residential construction?
Commercial construction covers buildings intended for business use, such as retail stores, offices, warehouses, and industrial facilities, whereas residential construction focuses on individual homes and living spaces. The main differences lie in building codes, engineering requirements, materials, and permitting. Commercial projects often demand heavy-duty structural steel, commercial-grade electrical and mechanical systems, and strict fire suppression standards. Zoning regulations and accessibility requirements under the ADA also play a larger role in commercial planning. In addition, commercial builds generally involve multi-tiered bidding processes, specialized subcontractors, and comprehensive site utility work to accommodate public traffic and heavy utility loads.
How are commercial construction costs determined?
Commercial construction costs depend on building type, square footage, site conditions, architectural complexity, and interior finish levels. A basic warehouse or industrial shell will cost substantially less per square foot than a medical clinic, restaurant, or custom corporate office that requires specialized plumbing, ventilation, and power distribution. Site development factors, such as grading, utility extensions, paving, and stormwater management, also impact the initial budget. Early pre-construction planning and value engineering help determine realistic cost boundaries before architectural drawings are finalized, allowing you to weigh structural materials and mechanical systems against your operational budget.
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