When you want
GOOD QUALITY you reach for the TOP SHELF.
he same is true at TopShelf Construction. That high-quality and personalized care is something owner and CEO Chandler Kubas is proud to offer. He’s no stranger to the construction world. “When I was 10, my dad and his brother started a construction company. I worked with them every day all the way through high school in the summers and after school. In 2013, I decided I wanted to start my own company.” At first, TopShelf dabbled in remodels and small garages. But it wasn’t long before they started to get noticed. “We were approached by some modular home manufacturers, and they asked us if we would be interested in putting in foundations and bringing all the water, sewer and electric to the houses on top of adding garages. We did two or three the first year, then seven the next and now we are doing about 15.” At first, Kubas says they focused their work in Montana and North Dakota, where he’s originally from. But soon the Black Hills caught his eye. “Spearfish Canyon, that just takes your breath away. That has to be one of my favorite places in the Black Hills. We knew we wanted to bring even more people to this beautiful area. But there was a shortage of housing especially in the Spearfish area. So, we bought a couple lots and decided to build some custom homes on them. Then someone asked us if we would be interested in taking on a whole division in Sturgis and we said, ‘why not’!” Today, they’re seven subdivisions in. And as the company expanded, so did the number of states they were in. Now you’ll find TopShelf’s name throughout Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Arizona. “Houses are needed everywhere. But we are really seeing that huge need in the Black Hills, especially in the Spearfish area. There are not a lot of builders but there are a lot of people looking to live here like retirees or people that have second homes. It’s our job to make sure they are getting the best quality.”
And when Kubas thinks of best quality, he’s not just focused on the build. “We decided about six months ago that we were really going to go for it and make something for my family and TopShelf.” So, the company expanded once again. This time as their own realty, mortgage and insurance company. “We really handle our clients from start to finish and beyond,” says Kubas. “We offer discounted rates, interest rates, for clients. That also means we take them from inception to the final stages and then carry their insurance for them.” Kubas says, it was important to set TopShelf apart from other companies. “I really feel like there is a need for construction companies to walk with the homeowner through the process rather than having them be just another number. We even have a program where we can buy the client’s house from them, and they can lease it back from us so they can afford to buy a new house or build one with us. Nobody in the Black Hills offers anything like that.” Those personalized relationships are critical to him and his company. “First and foremost, we want to make sure that the customer is handled and treated like we would want to be treated. That’s so important to us. We even contact the homeowners every Tuesday morning, even if it is just a five-minute phone call, to answer any questions and give an update on what’s going on with their home. Those small details matter.”
Kubas says he wants the Black Hills community and homeowners to see TopShelf as a partner in their journey. “Working with people and building everything they’ve ever wanted for them is just so rewarding to be a part of. I have been doing this for about 25 years now. It’s in my blood. The Black Hills area has just been amazing, and we’ve made some really incredible strides in how we are helping the customer. We are in this community for the long haul.” Even with all the expansion, Kubas says he’s not done yet. “Our goal is to be in several states in the next 10 years. I really see us doing it. We have such an incredible team, a great crew and group of guys behind us. I’m a pretty ambitious guy and I have pretty big aspirations for my company.” Top Shelf Construction 3130 121st Ave, SW Dickinson, ND 58601, USA (701) 495-1400 www.topshelfconstructionusa.com