This review is for soundproofing and related work, only.
In early 2015, I had saved up enough cash to move forward with soundproofing my Lakeview condo. I was (am) in love with my (then new) home, but knowing everything that my upstairs neighbor was doing - including feeling the vibration of his phone, the thud of his heels rattling my glassware, and knowing not just when he was flushing, but also urinating, was just a little bit TMI, and I found it impacting my quality of life - partly because my blood would boil with every vibration - and the disturbances were affecting my sleeping patterns as well. I knew I had to do something about it, and I knew that, while this would be an expensive undertaking, that my quality of life was at stake. (I know I sound dramatic right now, but the struggle was real!)
I called Dave at Chicagoland Renovations, as well as another reputable soundproofing organization and received estimates from both. My experience was very much the opposite of what Amy S. has written - Dave was responsive, cordial, and proactive. He communicated well in writing, and showed up when he said he would. I needed to fully understand the proposal, from both contractors, and Dave explained it carefully and thoughtfully to someone who knows zilch about construction and sound transference and decibels and...stuff. With the assistance from my HOA (we are an 8-unit walk-up), I opted to work with Dave - partly because his competitor's proposal was slightly more expensive, but more critically because his competitor's proposal involved what seemed like something that would impact the structure of the building itself, which introduced some structural risk to my unit as well as other homeowners in the building. I was certain that Dave offered the best solution for my needs. Dave was perfectly responsive with all of the 'paperwork' (insurance, bonding, etc.) that I had to have in hand, in order to begin construction on my unit.
Once the paperwork was in order and the construction scheduled, things started happening. The materials for the job arrived, and let me tell you, based on the cases of tubes and the stacks of the materials they brought in, Dave and his team do something incredibly manual, which actually helps explains the precious price tag on the work.
Dave and his team moved furniture out of the room that they were working in; and moved everything back when they were done. I could tell that all of my furniture was cared for in this process - his guys were very respectful- and they were very clean about the whole process. In addition to protecting my floors (leading to the room under construction), they had even papered the carpeted floor of the common entry/foyer area for the duration of the project.
Dave was kind enough to allow me to replace all ceiling fixtures during this construction, so when the old came down, his team installed the new, and I really did have what felt like a new room. I initially had some concerns around losing ceiling 'height' and making the room look/feel smaller - but I can tell you that while I may have given up an inch or more, it is completely transparent - the rooms feel the same.
Dave suggested I let the ceiling cure/dry before I pass judgement on the work - and I have to be honest; the first month was hard because I could still feel/hear everything, which continued to disturb me/wake me up - but somewhere after the 60 day mark, when Dave called to check in on me - only then did I realized that the annoyances were gone - no more waking up with my upstairs neighbor, no more frustration with knowing his potty habits - I was sleeping well and NOT ANGRY. Dave promised me full reduction of 'airborne' sounds, and something less than that for those that travel through the upstairs floor/my ceiling. This is exactly what happened - I would say that I'm in the 80-85% reduction of the noises that were disturbing me, if I had to take a SWAG at it.
There was an issue with some of the finishes on the ceiling - visually, after a few months. I take away a star for that workmanship specifically, but Dave earned it back, because even after he had gotten the thumbs-up on my satisfaction with the sound transference, he continued to check on my satisfaction with the project, and when I shared with him my concerns, (which appeared much later) he actually scheduled an entire team to come in and make it right - and he assured me that he had made some changes in personnel to ensure that didn't happen to any of his other clients. Dave/Chicagoland Renovations retains my highest recommendation for soundproofing, because he delivered what he said he would - he did it how/when he said he would, respecting my home and belongings. Dave cares about his clients - and he made good on things that weren't perfect. If I had to do it again - I would. read more