We can't recommend Elise and Goi highly enough based on the work they did on our house. We…read morepurchased a major fixer upper that needed work everywhere: insulation, HVAC, flooring, bathroom, kitchen, to name just some of the issues. We worked closely with Elise and Goi at every step, including: - doing a deep dive on design for multiple floors and a deck; - creating a schedule for various large projects, taking into account the birth of our son in the middle of things; - vetting, selecting, and overseeing multiple contractors; - communicating with various city inspectors, zoning officials, and the alderman's office to ensure compliance with city codes; and - findings and working with a wholesaler for kitchen and bathroom design. Elise and Goi were the consummate professionals. They were well prepared for all our meetings and effectively married our sometimes-competing design sensibilities. Any questions we had were promptly answered. Any concerns we had was adequately heard and responded to. Importantly, they helped us understand the best places to splurge vs save. When we started the home purchase process, we had no idea that we'd ultimately work with an architect. Looking back on everything, we are fortunate and thankful beyond words for all the tremendous work Elise and Goi did. Regardless of your budget and design sensibilities, please consider working with Elise and Goi.

We really enjoyed working with Elise and Goi. We purchased a 100+ year old home which had not been…read morerenovated in ~30 years or so. We engaged Elise and Goi as we were purchasing our home to work through the 203K loan process. The house needed electrical, plumbing, a new bathroom, a full kitchen reno. We worked over several months with Elise and Goi to design changes which allow us to creatively use the space, add on a unique deck, pick finishes, etc. In addition, they helped manage the permit process and work with our challenging contractor. They were incredibly organized -- clear agendas for each of our meetings, multiple options based on our tastes (which they ascertained via a Pinterest board we shared with them). They were prompt to respond to any questions or concerns. We would not hesitate to work with them again.

We had a great experience with Noah and his team. They are professional, reasonably priced, and do…read moregreat work. Nustart construction totally transformed our kitchen and were great listening to any feedback. The kitchen is gorgeous and it's hard to believe it's the same space. We will definitely use them again.

They helped me rehab my condo. They were very accommodating and for a great price. I will…read moredefinitely book again for my future construction needs

Proceed carefully and document everything We engaged Xcēd…read moreDesign Build for a residential project, but the contract was ultimately canceled before construction began. We were unable to reconcile the deliverables we received with the portion of the design retainer that was kept. Based on our experience, we recommend approaching the process as a structured business relationship with clear documentation at every step. While early conversations were collaborative, relying on verbal discussions instead of written confirmation led to misalignment and, ultimately, disappointment. We expected Chelsey to lead the design based on early discussions, but the project was assigned to a different designer. Documenting decisions, preferences, and changes after each meeting would have helped ensure expectations were aligned. Recommendations for homeowners: *Request visibility into design hours, specify how you want those hours prioritized, and require notification at defined milestones *Confirm the specific deliverables for each design review *Confirm who the assigned designer will be and ask to see their portfolio *Require confirmation that proposed designs would reasonably pass permitting * Ask how dimensions, clearances, and usability are validated * Even if budget alignment is confirmed upfront, document it clearly in writing *Follow the contract closely and keep all decisions in writing A consistent, well-documented process from the beginning helps set clear expectations and accountability.

I needed a contractor to finish a second floor remodel. Drywall, windows, flooring, bathroom, etc…read more Gary Dayan and Chelsey Jackel were fantastic to work with. They had a crew of very professional workers. I cannot praise them enough. We now have a great looking second floor apartment. Be sure to give them a call when you are comparing contractors.

I had a very bad experience working with Daniel (Dan) Baigelman of Full Circle Architects on my…read morerenovation project. Dan worked very slowly, and sometimes made simple and easily avoidable errors, such as reviewing the wrong document. On other occasions, it took him an inexplicable amount of time to complete short tasks. Overall, this caused weeks of unnecessary delays in the project. Dan did a poor job with communication, and did not respond to emails in a timely fashion (and sometimes didn't reply at all). Moreover, he attempted to overcharge me at the conclusion of the project. While he did change the charge when the inconsistency was pointed out, it shouldn't be incumbent on the customer to point this out. I raised my concerns with Dan at the conclusion of the project. His response was characteristic of his behavior throughout the project: He just ignored my email and never responded. Not a good way to treat a customer. Overall, my experience working with Dan was frustrating due primarily to his slow rate of work and careless mistakes. There are a lot of architects in Chicagoland. It wouldn't be hard to find one better than Daniel Baigelman/FCA.

If you desire architectural and interior design services for both residential and commercial spaces…read morePLUS a great ongoing relationship both through and after the design process, then this is the place for you!

Quality work. Great design ideas. Easy to work with. Brought our vision to life. Respectful to our…read morehome. The installers were great and hard workers. Happy with Pete and crew from start to finish. So thankful for our beautiful kitchen.

We are beyond impressed with the results of our kitchen and bath renovation! From start to finish,…read morethe entire process was seamless, and the end result exceeded all our expectations!! Pete was fantastic to work with! He kept us updated throughout the entire project and ensured everything stayed on track. The overall project went so smooth and fast, Pete and his team overdelivered at every step. He provided insightful suggestions that made a huge difference in both the kitchen and bathroom designs, without having to consult an interior designer. His vision matched exactly what we had wanted in color, quality, and style! Pete made the entire experience stress-free, which was a tough ask as we lived through the renovation with a toddler. We actually miss the guys working at our house! Mike and Chris were the hardworking hands behind the transformation, and we can't thank them enough for their impressive craftsmanship! Their attention to detail was incredible and they both worked meticulously to ensure every aspect was flawless, even more impressive as they were working with an older house to begin with! We love hosting in our house now with a kitchen that is functional, stylish, and perfect for entertaining. The custom cabinetry, modern fixtures, and beautiful finishes have made a world of difference! We would work with Custom Cabinet Connectionsagain without hesitation!!

If you're looking for a builder who takes planning seriously and delivers a smooth, well-managed…read moreproject, I'd recommend them without hesitation. We hired George and his team for a full renovation, and the experience was completely different from any contractor we've worked with before. From the start, he approached the project with a clear plan, realistic budgeting, and a structured preconstruction phase that helped us understand exactly what we were getting into before any work began. What stood out most was the level of organization and communication. Every decision was explained, timelines were clear, and we always knew what the next step was. There were no surprises, no guesswork, and no disappearing acts--just steady, professional progress. The craftsmanship was excellent, but more importantly, the process felt controlled and thoughtful from beginning to end. George was on site, involved, and detail-oriented. He treated our home with respect and made sure everything was done the right way, not just the fast way.

GZ Developments is unlike any other contractor my lady and I have ever work with. They took their…read moretime to understand our lifestyle and our priorities. Guided us to help make the best decisions for ourselves throughout the renovation of our home in Lakeview. Never once did I feel as if my project and my needs were not prioritized. When I called, George always answered. No matter how many questions I had for him he never allowed us to feel as if we were out of line. His approach on site began with direct oversight which lasted consecutively until the completion of the our renovation. He managed the material/equipment logistics within our building, cooperating with building management, and inspected his team's work daily. He ensured that the overall environment was always clean and organized. They came up with a plan and worked their plan to a successful finish. I came home one day to a completely transformed space of new paint colors, kitchen, bathrooms, ceilings, and flooring. Lastly, I have to mention that George was driven by the vision we all came up with and executed it with our own personalized intentions- top of mind. Thank you George and team! You guys rock!

Antonio d. farias worked on my glass door at the Equinox Lincoln Common location and did an…read moreincredible job! I'm so excited to now be able to open and close my office door without getting stuck inside.

On the positive side, Anthony, Marco, and Christian (on-site project manager) were all very…read moreaccessible and responded to inquiries diligently. When asked for creative and cost effective solutions to unforseen issues, they delivered. They care about the quality of their work. On the negative side, they did not manage the timeline of the project well. I visited the site multiple times to find a limited work progress and no workers on-site. A project quoted in mid-June was not completed until October despite multiple communications as to the importance of the timeline. The original estimate did not include important and material items, so cost overruns were delivered in the form of "Change Orders". Despite the decent quality, professionalism, and accessibility, the frustrations related to the costs and timeline of the last project would keep me from hiring this firm again in the future.

I couldn't be happier with my experience working Lugbill Designs on my Streeterville condo. From…read morethe very beginning, their team demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate ideas into a cohesive, livable vision--and then execute on it. What truly set them apart was how seamlessly they managed every aspect of the renovation. Navigating building regulations, freight logistics, and coordination with property management was handled it all with professionalism and precision. I never had to worry about the process. The design itself is exceptional. The custom millwork was a particular sophisticated and warm touch. Every detail feels intentional, from the sculptural lighting to the curated furnishings and textures. Their ability to integrate architecture, design, and styling into one seamless outcome is remarkable. This was a full-service experience in the best sense--creative, organized, and deeply attentive to how we actually live in our space. The end result is not just beautiful, but functional and timeless. Highly recommend.

I wanted to take a moment to provide a review. We bought a fairly traditional home in Winnetka and…read morehad about 4 months to plan our move in . We were very keen on transforming our spaces into a more transitional decor and feel. After talking to several design teams we had Jessica share her ideas. Right from choosing our wooden floor stain to wall colors she was involved in every decision. We had some very strong opinions of our own and Jessica and her team were exceptional at incorporating those but also pushing back where they felt it was not appropriate. We also loved the fact that right upfront she pulled together a very detailed view by room of the potential budget with options helping us make the right tradeoffs on where to go really high end and where we could tradeoff. We have received a ton of compliments on all aspects of our new home including the decor, the furniture pieces, at the art pieces, the accents and the rugs. We also loved the fact that she insisted on addressing the little details like changing our cabinet handles and faucets with the right colors and styles to fit the contemporary vibe we were looking for. We recommend Jessica and her team wholeheartedly and will work with her again in a heartbeat.