Arete Renovators, Inc.

Located in Chicago, Illinois

Address: 3821 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, United States

Phone: +1 773-683-3033

Rating: 4.9

Services

On-site services
Online estimates
Appointment required

Photos

Latest Fire Recovery & Restoration Services

Comments

Review 1 (2024-12-12 - Rating: 5)
We worked with Arete on a bathroom and closet remodel and were very happy with the results. They made everything very easy from design to finish. Ivana was great getting the project started and Vasilka took the inspiration photos we shared and came up with a design that truly exceeded our expectations. Marina managed our project and she’s kept everything running smoothly from start to finish. She made sure the schedule was on time and that we knew exactly when each subcontractor would be at our house working on the project.

Review 2 (2024-09-09 - Rating: 5)
Arete construction recently renovated our medical office suite and created a new patient experience for our company. Rooms were created, divided, and removed to optimize our space. Ivan, Damian, Dejan and the entire crew were very clean, courteous, and helpful throughout the entire project. They always made sure to answer any questions, take suggestions and provide feedback. Thank you guys -looking forward to the next project with you.

Review 3 (2024-11-15 - Rating: 5)
I worked with Ned and the Arete team on a full bathroom remodel. Overall, this was a great team to work with and I was very happy with the work they did. Ned was a great project manager, always a quick communicator and made sure everything progressed on schedule. The construction team was very clean, professional, and overall did great work. I live in an older building and for that reason we ran into some issues with old pipes, etc. and Ned was very quick to recommend options and ultimately get those fixed, the attention to detail was very much appreciated. Overall I had a great experience working with the Arete team and would highly recommend.

Review 4 (2024-05-08 - Rating: 5)
Ivan and his crew did a great job replacing our old wooden windows that had peeling paint with new windows and casing.We wanted to keep the look of our comfy old home windows while giving the front of the house a cleaner look, and the guys did just that. The style of the new windows fit so well with our older home and the stain matched our existing interior trim perfectly. The install took less than a day, and they left the living room super tidy when they left.This is the second time weve used Arete for a project and will definitely be using them again!

Review 5 (2024-04-11 - Rating: 5)
We hired Areté to add a new second floor comprised of 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a laundry room, a mechanical room to our bungalow. Areté also expanded and remodeled our kitchen, added a mudroom, renovated the powder room, added a storage room in the basement, installed new hardwood floors throughout the house and built a deck.We were impressed with Davor and Ivan, our project manager, from day one. They assessed our house and our needs and we were all able to quickly negotiate and implement a contract.Ivan is an amazing project manager! He always promptly responds to email, texts and calls. He ensured that our project stayed on schedule as we moved back home in less than 10 months. He offered creative options and improvements throughout the project, which we almost always implemented. Ivan is very knowledgeable about construction and anticipated downstream challenges, especially those related to remodeling in Chicago. Most importantly, Ivan is honest and hard working. We really can’t say enough good things about him.Throughout our project we received just about daily updates and photos of our project and as well as weekly summaries.The workmanship of all the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and tilers was excellent. Any mistakes were quickly corrected.Patty’s construction and design expertise was so helpful. She guided us through each stage of our project, offering suggestions to make our space more beautiful and functional.Ivana and Vasilka asked us for gave us lots of material and design options and walked us through the process.Benjamin designed our mudroom and beautiful kitchen, with a built-in banquette, two pantries and floor to ceiling cabinets. He incorporated our needs and his creative accents. His 3-D design images brought our new kitchen to life and helped us make last minute tweaks to the plan.I have already recommended Areté to friends and would choose them again for a future project.

Review 6 (2024-01-02 - Rating: 5)
We hired Arete to do a dormer addition on our house. We bid the job out to 3-4 different contractors and they far and away offered the most when comparing others. With their full design team, the process was pretty seamless for us. Timing was really imperative for our team as we wanted to have the project done by EOY and also making sure we stayed on budget. Ivan, our project manager, and the team fully delivered on both items. From helping us design and select materials for our bathroom within the 1st month of the project to keeping us well-informed throughout the process and even being patient with this first-time renovator as we lived through the project as well, I cannot say enough good things about Arete. They finished the work ahead of schedule just before the holidays and we were able to spend Christmas in our newly remodeled primary suite. The renovation turned out stunning and we could not be happier with the outcome. If we ever need to do more work on our house, we will be sure to hire them again! Thanks to Davor, Ivan, Ivana, Vasi & Patty for all your hardwork!

Review 7 (2024-05-15 - Rating: 5)
Areté is a gem. We hired Areté to design & build a 1-story addition + basement + deck to the back of our house. This was not our first renovation, but was by far the largest weve ever done. We are THRILLED with the result.We got exactly what we wanted -- more usable outdoor space, great entertaining space, a dedicated family room, and more storage.Davor patiently explained the construction process, answered our numerous questions and walked through the options available within the design. His communication was always clear & prompt.The interior wasnt much -- only 1 room -- but Ivana & Dulio took all the time needed through several revisions to get the interior design exactly the way we wanted.The construction took approximately 5 months, during which time we came to trust Ivan completely to handle anything that came up. He kept us informed every step of the way. And everything Areté built was built well.The punch list at the end was pretty small and quickly resolved.We would happily recommend Areté to others and would use them again for any future renovations.

Review 8 (2022-09-24 - Rating: 5)
Arete did a stellar job completely gutting and redesigning our kitchen. The entire process was highly consultative - Davor and his team were always there for questions and were committed to ensuring we were satisfied with the end results. We never felt rushed or pressured into a decision, and the team always helped guide us to what would be best. Once construction started, Ned was highly communicative and ensured every detail was perfect. 6 months after the project completed, he still makes himself available to answer questions we have and help us plan future projects.

Review 9 (2024-11-26 - Rating: 5)
Arete Renovators has completed three projects for us over ten years, the latest one gut-renovating a 2300 sqft apartment in a 1970s high rise building. Their team does excellent quality work, and they stand behind it. Marina, our project manager, is a true professional. She successfully shepherded our project through many difficulties and complications, including several unexpected delays due to required building infrastructure repairs and many changes to the scope of work. Arete really knows their way around the complexities of high rise renovation projects, and I highly recommend them if you are planning a similar project. We love our gorgeous new apartment!

Review 10 (2023-07-06 - Rating: 5)
Ive hired Arete for two renovation projects in our River North loft condo apartment: kitchen remodel and second bedroom loft enclosure. They did an amazing job. Their project management team is professional and organized. They listen to their clients and deliver the vision! Ned, our Project Manager, was very communicative throughout both projects. He was reliable, and easy to communicate with. Eddie was our main contractor. He was timely, professional, and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Arete for anyone searching for a full-service reno company. Thank you!

Review 11 (2023-06-27 - Rating: 5)
The scope of our project was a remodel of the first floor of our home… kitchen, powder room, new built-ins, a new fireplace feature wall in our living room, and new entry way tile & cabinetry. We are very glad we went with Arete for this work!From the start, the Arete Team was very organized and working with them was hassle free. From the first visit to our house, Davor and the team were very clear on laying out how their process works so we knew what to expect. Ivana and Vasi worked with us on the design and materials and really nailed it! A previous designer we worked with told us the layout we wanted wasn’t possible but Arete was able to work out a design plan that gave us exactly what we were looking for.Ivan was our main point of contact for the actual construction work and I can’t say enough great things about him. He kept us informed throughout so we always knew schedule and status. He pointed things out and when unexpected things were found (as is to he expected in projects like this), he took the time to explain options and costs. The crews were all professional, courteous, and took time to answer questions we had.Hearing horror stories of renovation projects that drag on forever, we were pleasantly surprised that the project was completed on time, actually a bit early. Only took about two months from kitchen demo to having a completed functioning kitchen. We’d be done by now if not for us adding some additional cabinetry halfway through the project, and Ivana and team were very flexible in working with us here to make these scope changes mid project!Loving our new space and would absolutely recommend Arete and use them again for future work in our home!

Review 12 (2022-04-24 - Rating: 5)
We worked with Arete Renovators on a four-months renovation that included kitchen, flooring, stairs, fireplaces, and general patches and fixes.We really liked Aretes one-stop shop model of working with the client from design/conception to material selection to actual construction. With so many decisions large and small that need to be made on renovations, this really should be the model for all home renovation contractors. They were also tech-savvy and used communication tools to keep the project updated and progress transparent.The designers we worked with Vasi and Kate went above and beyond in providing iterations for the kitchen renderings and advice on interior design and ideas inspiration.Our project manager Ned was very responsive and ensured that we were able to keep progress moving. Given the number of vendors and schedules he had to coordinate, it was an efficient process for the most part. The vendors Ned had working on our project, like Luis and Jorge, were all very good. They were professional, prompt, and efficient in getting the work done to a high standard. Ned was also very good about troubleshooting issues and addressing problems quickly.With any renovation project, there are invariably going to be snags and issues. We had to deal with supply chain issues and other construction-related issues, but they were solved without much hassle.Overall, we really enjoyed our experience with Arete, the people there are great and the outcome speaks for itself. The home has been transformed from what it was. We have already recommended Arete to others who are looking to do home renovations and we already have plans to use them again for a bathroom reno down the line.

Review 13 (2024-01-31 - Rating: 5)
So happy we chose Arete to finish our basement! From Davors first visit to give an estimate, to Ivan who managed our project from start to finish, to Dejan and crew who did the construction, everyone was so easy to work with and very communicative.Benjamin and Ivana were very helpful during the design process, giving us lots of ideas that could work within our budget and our needs for the basement. They gave us super detailed drawings of what everything would look like so we knew what to expect.Ivan, Dejan, and the crew made the construction so easy. They gave me a heads up on what theyd be doing each week (which is great to know when you have a toddler napping at home!), sent updates with pictures on their app, and kept everything super clean and contained during the project.Id work with them again and would recommend them 100%!

Review 14 (2023-03-31 - Rating: 5)
I wanted to renovate the 20+ year old kitchen in my West Loop condo, and Arete was recommended to me by several people. The quoting and design process with Ivana, Vasilka, Kate, and Davor was very straightforward, and I was extremely impressed that the initial design proposal required very little alteration before moving into the construction phase! The design was perfectly suited for my tastes!Moving into the construction phase, Marina was my project manager and she was amazing at managing all of the logistical aspects of the demo/build! As is the case with any large project, there were a few unexpected complications. Marina worked with all of the various contractors to ensure such complications were resolved quickly and to my liking! Not surprisingly, there were a few delays in materials and appliances due to supply chain issues. Marina and the team were very transparent about any delays, and did a great job of working around appliance delays!Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the results! My new kitchen looks fantastic while remaining functional. In addition to the kitchen, Arete also lightly remodeled my office/guest bedroom to include a Murphy bed and built in cabinets, while still retaining the home office work space that I need! Thanks so much, Arete team!!

Review 15 (2023-08-04 - Rating: 5)
I recently had the pleasure of working with the Arete team during the gut renovation of my 120-year-old Chicago two-flat, and I couldnt be happier with the results! From start to finish, the team was truly exceptional. Vasi was able to listen to my likes and dislikes and create an aesthetic that truly reflects who I am! Patty’s attention to detail, dedication to the project, and ability to pivot to ensure the project stayed on schedule despite supply chain issues was like none other, and Derek’s industry knowledge, and ability to be a mediator, project manager, and therapist, allowed me to have an enjoyable home building experience.Bottom line, if I had to do it again (which I hope to do) I would use the Arete team! The finished renovation exceeded my expectations, and I am grateful to have found such a talented and reliable team. I highly recommend their services to anyone interested in turning a house into a home!

Review 16 (2023-02-16 - Rating: 5)
We loved working with Arete! We live in a townhome in lincoln park and had 3 bathrooms that needed a lot of work. We decided to fully gut 2 of them and upgrade the sink/vanity in the 3rd. Arete managed the entire process from inspiration, design, demo and construction and the results are exactly what we imagined. We worked with Ivana and Vasi on the designs. They worked with our inspiration and also gently pushed us out of our comfort zone in some of the design elements. We had a real need to add storage and they suggested adding medicine cabinets and floor-to-ceiling built-ins to really maximize the small spaces. Marina was our project coordinator and she kept everything on schedule and informed us along the way. She frequently stopped by while the work was being done to check in on progress and run things by us. Sasa was our lead contractor and he was meticulous and settled for nothing but perfect on the construction. He was also around a lot and was very kind to our 4 year old. Ziggy built our vanity cabinets and we are obsessed! They are high quality and beautiful. Overall, we got exactly what we wanted at the price we agreed to upfront and couldn’t be happier! As a bonus, we let Arete know that we had a baby on the way and they committed to being done in time for baby’s arrival. Baby came 3 weeks early and we were so relieved that the project was already 99% complete and just needed finishing touches. The Arete team can’t be beat and we’ll definitely use them again for future projects!

Review 17 (2019-10-14 - Rating: 5)
It was a pleasure to work with the team from Arete Renovators, Inc. My project was a bit different because while Arete provides design services, I had already used another designer before hiring Arete for the construction of my master bathroom. The work was meticulous. Louis was wonderful and completely focused on detail. While there were a few minor glitches (project manager left a couple weeks into the project) Igor, president of the company took over. Communication was good (this aspect was very important to me) I would highly recommend Arete Renovators and would use them again if I have another project.

Review 18 (2024-08-28 - Rating: 5)
We recently completed a full gut bathroom remodel in our Gold Coast high-rise condo, and choosing Arete Renovators and their partner company Arete Art of Design, was the best decision we could have made! From start to finish, the entire experience was nothing short of exceptional.Being out of state, we were initially concerned about managing a renovation remotely, especially given our high expectations for quality workmanship and attention to detail. After meeting with seven different contractors, we chose Arete, and they exceeded every one of our expectations.Ivana and Marija were amazing to work with during the design phase, truly listening to our vision and respecting our budget. Their professionalism and creativity made the entire process smooth, even though we were communicating from afar.Once the design was finalized, Ned took over as the project manager. His responsiveness, transparency, and proactive communication were outstanding. He kept us updated with regular photos and was quick to address any issues that arose due to the age of the building. What really impressed us was his problem-solving approach—he always had a solution ready before bringing an issue to our attention, which kept everything stress-free.The project stayed on schedule and within budget, even with a few change orders. When we flew in for the final walk-through, we were blown away seeing the finishes Marija helped us pick out and the quality of the workmanship. As perfectionists, we were prepared to have a list of touch-ups or concerns, but there were none—everything was flawless.In every aspect, from design to execution, Arete Renovators and Arete Art of Design delivered top-notch service. We’re thrilled with the results and will undoubtedly turn to Arete for any future projects. Highly recommend!

Review 19 (2021-10-28 - Rating: 5)
I hired Arete to renovate my house in Evanston. It was an extensive remodel of the upstairs master bedroom, closet and bathroom and a re-configuration of my downstairs kitchen and dining room. I live in an historic home and the quality of the work mattered a great deal to me. They did a great job. I liked the team and Ivan, the project lead, was fantastic to work with. Quick to return calls and creative when I wanted to change plans mid-stream. They were reasonably priced and worked quickly. Id highly recommend them.I liked their work enough that Ive also hired them to do a commercial renovation at my office.

Review 20 (2021-11-30 - Rating: 5)
I hired Arete Renovators to complete a large remodel on my childhood home. We combined bedrooms into a large living space with new sliding door to backyard, reconfigured and added onto a 2nd level addition, rehabbed stairs, refinished hardwood floors as well as installed new plank flooring. I could not be happier with the final project. The whole team was great. They were very knowledgeable and detail oriented. I was nervous handing over a home that means so much to me personally but I the outcome was is so amazing. The home has a fresh new feel and has really been brought to life.

Review 21 (2021-06-30 - Rating: 5)
Arete has just finished a complete bathroom remodel for us, and we are delighted! End-to-end the process has been seamless, supportive, and just great. Igor, the lead on most of the work, was a true professional, and as concerned about getting it right as we were. Marina, our project manager, came by pretty much every day to check in and keep everything on track. Our design consultant Vasi was excellent, and worked well with all the ideas we threw at her. The project was complicated - five different tiles, for example - and everything was installed to spec. One aspect of the project that I really appreciated was their willingness to be entirely flexible on purchases of hardware: we got some things through them, and some ourselves through online vendors. Arete isnt positioned at the cheap end of the market, but we got our moneys worth!

Review 22 (2024-09-11 - Rating: 5)
We hired Arete to do a full renovation of our first floor this year. Having completed several renovation projects in the past, we were careful to look for a professional and cost-effective contractor with a reputation for quality work. Arete delivered on these metrics. Our team led by Ivan and Damian, along with Ivana on materials selections, was professional, transparent, honest and accessible. They did a great work bringing our design concept into reality while staying on budget and working in a timely manner. We were very pleased with the final product and would recommend considering Arete for your project.

Review 23 (2022-02-22 - Rating: 5)
We used Arete for a gut rehab of our kitchen as well as remodeling some fireplaces in our living and family room. We had a very positive experience! Arete was accurate on the budget and timeline for the renovation (they told me 6 weeks, we were done on the Monday morning of week 7). They were clear communicators and very responsive. Ned was our project manager and would reply to messages within the hour if I had any questions. If Ned said workers were arriving at 9 am, thats when they arrived. And the kitchen looks beautiful, very quality work. All in all, very happy and have already started recommending Arete to others who are looking for a contractor!

Review 24 (2021-10-28 - Rating: 5)
I finally got to do my kitchen remodel! This has been years in the making. I thought I was going to use a company that I got a quote from years ago, but upon getting the quote refreshed, I learned that not only had their customer service level dropped significantly, but their prices were sky high! ENTER ARETE! I was referred to this company by my designer and after meeting with this team, I NEVER LOOKED BACK!From beginning to end they have been EXCELLENT which is not the norm, unfortunately, for contractors. They have partnered with me and its been an amazing experience. I fully remodeled my kitchen, living and dining space had to rip out, replace and repair my hardwood floors, changed pluming, electrical and gas. We are almost at the finish line...putting on the final touches and after working together from first meeting to now I can say I would use this company again. I have referred them many times to friends already and now Im referring to YOU!They were on schedule and on budget, until I made some changes...because once you see the quality of their work, youre gonna want them to do it all!Thank you Ivan and team for the care you put into coordinating all the things and making my house, my dream home! As I sit in the space right now, I still cant believe its mine!You cant go wrong with this company and its people.PS - Cant wait to do my bathrooms with this team!!

Review 25 (2023-03-29 - Rating: 5)
I recently moved back to Chicago after buying a condo in Streeterville that needed a remodel. I am happy that I chose Arete after a lot of research and interviews with other contractors. I had the pleasure of working closely with Derek Gilroy and Patty Carrol who where incredible every step of the way. The project did change from the initial plan, so it was very easy to make adjustments and they understood what I was trying to achieve. I live in a hi-rise that can be challenging to navigate when doing a full remodel, but they learned the system very quickly making the process a lot easier. I am incredibly happy with the results, and they actually got the entire project completed AHEAD of schedule which is rare accomplishment in construction. They did this even with the limited days/hours that they were allowed to work in the unit. Even once the job was completed, they have been very responsive to minor repairs. I would highly recommend them to anyone in search of a dependable contractor and would gladly use them again.

Review 26 (2024-07-03 - Rating: 5)
My house is one hundred twenty-eight years old – two stories, wooden frame with a brick foundation. Over the 48 years I’ve lived in it, some updating and improvements had been made, but time had taken its toll. Structural issues had developed, along with the need for updating of electrical and plumbing, and oh so many decorating needs throughout (including a bedroom with wood paneling from the 70’s).The structural issues in the basement and sinking floors on the first and second stories made this a complex renovation project, and Arete was up to the task. Once the work started, it never stopped. Steady progress was made nearly every day on some aspect of the project – from demolition to replacing the basement floor, support beams and posts, plumbing, electrical, opening up wooden floors, replacement of fixtures and decorating, and too many details to list. And throughout the project I knew exactly what was going on via daily messages and photos of the work being done. Communication was amazing. Igor was always available to answer questions, and consulted with me about options along the way.It was important to me to retain the character of the vintage of my house, and Igor and company respected that and together we made decisions about what could be salvaged and what should be updated. And now I am moving back into a beautifully renovated, comfortable and safe century-old house where the kids and grandkids can continue to gather. (Even the damp dirty dungeon of a basement has become a space that we can enjoy.)I can’t say enough about the quality of the workmanship of the Arete crew – from cement work and structural repairs, to the skillful tiling of the bathrooms, to the repair and beautiful refinishing of the oak floors throughout, to the installation of new windows and the carpentry work on trims and baseboards, and the painting of walls and multiple types of surfaces in the basement.I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Arete for home renovations. They succeeded in coordinating all the complexities of this project to bring about delightful results.

Review 27 (2022-06-23 - Rating: 5)
We used Arete for our small business construction on our Medical Optometry Office and we are so happy we did. Arete did an amazing job on the construction - our space is impeccable, modern and stylish. They listened to everything I desired in our space- even built out some aesthetics of my office on their own (a accent wall made of wood planks). They were always on time- and we had a very strict timeline. They were always hands on and able to answer questions I had. My GCs Igor and Davor were always present and available when I needed them. We had minor setbacks (of course with construction) and the team always had a resolution in place when we needed without me having to take care of the set backs. They were also wonderful on pricing and did the best they could especially on setbacks we experienced during the project to save me money/time. When I was not sure on aesthetics they had a design team that could help me with each step (Thank you Vasi). Thank you Arete Team (especially Jo) for making our office as beautiful as it is. -Eyes On Butterfield

Review 28 (2024-05-29 - Rating: 5)
Ivan, Ivana and team at Arete did a wonderful job helping me design a remodel and then act as the general contractor to remodel my investment property (very vertically integrated model, which is unique). I live far from the property, so the coordination among designer and contractor was critical for me, as was their usage of a software tool to help manage the dollars spent, communication, and project progress (all approvals and payment for project and change orders as well as picture updates are housed within the same software solution). It was all professionally managed / executed, and they kept me well informed. I’d recommend Arete to anyone; very differentiated all-in-one solution in the market coupled with strong execution. Thanks Arete team!

Review 29 (2017-12-08 - Rating: 5)
I wish I could give more than 5 stars. Im a Professor in S. Korea, but we have a condo in downtown Chicago at 440 N. Wabash Ave. While we were in S. Korea there was a burst hot water valve under our sink and it flooded our APT. To make a long story short, Arete came in and remodeled the whole place (2nd time they have remodeled our condo) and we were able to get everything done without having to visit the States. They helped us with our insurance adjuster to get them to cover the costs, helped us to pick out materials and even did it all within the insurance settlement. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND them because they are honest and do great work in an appropriate amount of time. Bradley & Yumi Brennan

Review 30 (2021-06-07 - Rating: 5)
I highly recommend Arete Renovators for any remodeling project - you can be confident that they will get the job done and that you will be thrilled with the end result. They were a delight to work with and got the job done in a very reasonable timeframe (in spite of project happening during covid) and truly transformed my home. After interviewing a number of contractors for a big remodeling project, Arete was the obvious choice. It was a genuine pleasure working with Marina, Ivana, Davor and team. I was confident the entire time that project would be done on time to a high degree of quality. They were also flexible and accommodating in working with my designer based in NYC. No detail was missed. I have to give a special call out for the simply amazing custom carpentry work. Thank you Arete Renovators for creating a space I love to call home!

Review 31 (2024-05-01 - Rating: 5)
Went with Arete to remodel our upstairs, and the process was awesome.They laid out what to expect and how their process works, as well as their expectations. They listened to our thoughts and desires and did a walkthrough of our home, helping to workshop what exactly we wanted, which wasnt very firmly defined to begin. They took detailed measurements and came up with a design, basing it on a sampling of photos we selected as well as descriptions of what we liked in the photos.When we headed into purchasing and the construction portion of the process, their website showed us the same progress reports that they see from contractors, so we will be as informed as we want to be, to the same degree that they are.Throughout construction they were communicative, and changes that needed to be done (as happens on all construction projects) were given to us clearly and with options, as well as reasoning for those changes. We are extremely happy with our home now, where before we were just living with things as they were because the projects seemed too big.Thanks Arete! We will be using you again for our future projects down the line!

Review 32 (2024-08-25 - Rating: 5)
Our project involved combining two adjacent apartments in a Chicago high rise building, which involved opening walls between the 2 apartments, and creating a new hallway for access. In addition, one of the units (which had been untouched since the building was built in 1968) had to be completely renovated- including new electrical, plumbing, drop ceilings, lighting, drywall, and brand new bathrooms and closets. In addition, new flooring was laid in the entire combined unit, and both existing bathrooms were upgraded.We interviewed 6 contractors. Davor was the Arete representative with whom we first met, and we also met with Chief Designer Ivana Stojanovska and her team. We chose Arete for many reasons - they were responsive, professional, and clearly knowledgeable about and comfortable with all aspects of our proposed project. They were also very experienced working in high rise condo buildings, which poses a unique set of challenges. And it appeared that theyd work well with both the architects wed hired to design the project, and the folks at the City of Chicago involved with the complex process of getting city permits and inspections.Most importantly, though, we felt that we would be able to communicate well with them, and that we could TRUST them. And that has been the case throughout the 10 months we worked with them. Our project manager, Ivan Koconda, was absolutely phenomenal in every way. He communicated quickly and thoroughly at every stage of the process - wed never done anything like this before, and we had millions of questions and concerns along the way - and Ivan was calm, patient and kind throughout. He/Arete took immediate responsibility and accountability for the inevitable glitches that occurred, and always made things right. His assistant, Damian Sagan, was also a pleasure to work with. I also got to know their subcontractors Igor, Danny and Stefan, who were equally easy to work with. Everyone involved in our project was professional and KIND- a rare commodity these days.We recommend Arete without reservation.

Review 33 (2022-08-09 - Rating: 5)
I highly recommend Arete Renovators. I especially like the structured process that Arete follows on each project. It sets expectations and ensures that they and the client understand the project and costs. As with any large project, some unexpected issues arose however they were resolved professionally, quickly and efficiently.The design team lead by Ivana is another bonus of working with Arete. Her expertise and advice was very helpful in achieving my vision. The ability to purchase materials through them really took the pressure off, especially with current supply chain issues. Ivan, my project manager and Stefan who did most of the work, were professional, talented and courteous. As a bonus they were friendly and on more than one occasion did more than required. Ivan provided frequent project updates and photos to document the process as well as notes on the next steps.Arete completed my kitchen/family room renovation ahead of schedule. The work was just as promised, except that turned out better than I imagined it could be! I highly recommend Arete for home renovations.

Review 34 (2019-10-11 - Rating: 5)
Working with Arete was an amazing experience! We have had bad contractors and OK contractors in the past. We were a bit anxious about living in the house with small children during a first-floor renovation, but working with Arete was so much better than we had imagined.From Ivan, our project manager, to every worker who came into our home, the team was hardworking, professional, kind, and maintained excellent communication with us. They did a great job at balancing the work that needed to be done with our budget and design preferences. They offered suggestions on finishes based on our priorities (i.e. not using marble tile for the bathroom floor). The work space was cleaned up at the end of every work day.The workmanship was excellent and they were so responsive to come back quickly for anything that we needed addressed after the project was done. I still cannot believe how beautiful and functional my first floor is - its just stunning. I highly recommend Arete and look forward to partnering with them again when we are ready to tackle our second floor issues.I posted before and after photos so you can. see.

Review 35 (2021-12-31 - Rating: 5)
Weve worked with Ivan from Arete for two projects. One was a restoration project as we needed to restore a our office to its original condition before moving out. For the other, and most recent, Arete helped us to remodel our new office to better accommodate out needs. Their team is super knowledgeable and can help you work through the loose ideas you have in your head and turn them into reality. They were very professional for both projects and I would easily recommend them to anyone who needs commercial or residential remodeling.

Review 36 (2020-08-23 - Rating: 5)
I tend to put off my home renovation projects just because how difficult and stressful it is, to work with contractors. Working with Arete for my bathroom renovation, was a refreshing change and a delightful experience. From start to finish, everything was delivered and executed as promised and in fact, ahead of schedule in some cases. Ivana provided excellent guidance for material selection and overall design. Marina, Luis and crew were excellent and worked really hard to finish the construction part on time. Overall, Arete will be my Go to company for any future renovation project.And, lastly, my dog loves their crew :)

Review 37 (2023-01-13 - Rating: 5)
We just had our master bathroom remodel completed by Arete and we could not be happier with the finished product. The team we worked with made the entire process easy and pleasant. Ned was our PM and he was fantastic. He kept us informed about progress and quickly brought up any potential issues as they arose. Milton did our tile work and the quality is perfect. It was a LOT of tile, and he did not cut any corners. Vasi and Ivana designed the space and we are in love with the choices they helped us make. They captured the vibe we were going for which was luxury modern spa with earthy elements. We definitely plan on using Arete for projects in the future!

Review 38 (2022-11-01 - Rating: 5)
We used Arete for some messy interior demolition work in our unfinished basement and for structural repairs. Ivan was one of the most responsive contractors weve worked with, and the company has an online portal that makes it easy to reach out if you have questions or issues. Even though we werent planning to finish the basement at this time, Arete never treated our job as less than. I had other contractors refuse to even walk in the door for a quote without a commitment to a full design and build project, so it was a relief to find a contractor who would work with us at the level we needed. I would definitely recommend them.

Review 39 (2019-10-11 - Rating: 5)
I cant say enough about working with Arete Renovators. They just completed a two bedroom, two bath condo remodel total gut job for me.From the initial planning and design of the unit, they took our ideas and made very helpful suggestions but never tried to press their opinions on us. Their designers were very helpful and a pleasure to work with.From the initial demo to the final completion, the workers were always friendly and explained what they were doing and always willing to answer questions. I also received numerous compliments from the buildings property manager as to what a pleasure it was working with them. They were very professional and you can tell it wasnt their first rodeo!!!Almost daily, we received communication and pictures of the work that had been completed that day and a schedule of what was to be done over the next few days and week ahead. Ive never had a contractor that was so helpful and communicative and so prompt in replying to questions.Other than a few unforeseen change orders that were no fault of theirs, theyre charges were competitive and reasonable and they stuck to their initial estimate and quote.Besides all of that, the workmanship was beyond excellent. Upon our final walk through at completion, there were zero items on the punch list to be completed. Really???I cant say enough and I highly recommend Arete Renovators and will definitely use them again on my next renovation.

Review 40 (2019-12-08 - Rating: 5)
Arete delivered exceptional service from our first meeting until completion of a total unit renovation in a high rise. Thoughtful and on trend design choices from Ivana the Design Manager. Superb high quality installation. Incredibly efficient Arete team led by Project Manager Marina was outstanding providing daily detailed updates of the work including photos. Highly recommend Arete for any size renovation or remodeling. I will definitely use them again!

Review 41 (2022-01-21 - Rating: 5)
I hired Arete Renovators to install Kahrs luxury vinyl flooring throughout my entire condo, widen the wall opening for the laundry closet install a folding door on laundry closet, and light touch up paint in my condo. The results were fantastic! The Project Manager - Ned has a great work ethic as well as his assistants. Ned provided me with daily updates as the job progressed. The team finished the job well before the agreed upon time. Not only was the job completed beautifully, but everything was cleaned up with no garbage or mess left behind. Thank you Ned and crew for a job well done. My husband and I will definitely have more work for Arete in the future.

Review 42 (2022-09-20 - Rating: 5)
I bought a new condo in Albany Park and wanted to make some minor updates to it. I worked with Arete to make design decisions, pick out materials, and ultimately execute the job. The project was delayed due to circumstances outside Aretes control, and Arete was understanding and flexible regarding scheduling. All individuals working with/for Arete were professional. The project manager, Ned, was especially responsive, often responding to emails and messages within ten minutes even on weekends. The only hiccup on Aretes side was a product procurement error, which set the project timeline back a few days, but otherwise the job was completed professionally and in a timely manner.

Review 43 (2022-07-08 - Rating: 5)
Arete created a hoistway for an elevator in a more than 100 year old building. They did a wonderful job and created the hoistway within a very narrow spec, as required by the elevator supplier.All work was done within the time frame and they kept the dust down with lots of plastic.Communication was good. They sent weekly e-mails with photos of what they were completing. Arete worked well with our architect and were good about answering questions. They also got any needed inspections done on a timely basis.I would highly recommend Arete, especially for challenging jobs.

Review 44 (2022-01-05 - Rating: 5)
As first-time homebuyers doing a renovation during a pandemic, we were grateful to work with the Arete team. There is almost no part of our new townhouse they didn’t touch in some way and we are quite pleased with the results. The team was responsive and reliable, accommodated work with our designer, and helped us to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that came up in the process.

Review 45 (2022-09-23 - Rating: 5)
We selected to work with Arete for our full high-rise condo remodel. From the start the team was super buttoned up and professional. Our designer Vasi worked with us to develop new kitchen & bathroom layouts as well as pick out all materials for the project. One of the best things about Arete is they have a full design and construction team in house so it is a one stop shop for everything! Once the design phase was done and the work began Marina was incredible at sending us daily updates as she was on the site on a daily basis. Also a huge bonus for us was Marina handled all the communications with our building and HOA board for elevator scheduling and project approval. The board and building engineers have even mentioned how great they have been to work with! In addition to Marina, Ivan was continuously at the site coordinating the schedule, making sure the project was running on time and accurately. The team uses a convenient app to upload photos of the daily progress as well as sending a quick blurb on what was done in the unit that day. This was especially beneficial for us as we relocated out of town during the project. Each time they were here pre-project and during everyone was working and helping to get things done. The entire Arte team has been amazing to work with! To say we are happy with our project is an understatement. The team truly brought our dream condo to life! I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who is looking to do a remodel project no matter how big or small!

Review 46 (2018-08-06 - Rating: 5)
Wow! I do not even know where to start with what an amazing experience we had. Arete Renovators were complete professionals from start to finish. This was the first major renovation my husband and I completed at our new home. Being new home owners doing a renovation was very nerve wrecking. Our apprehensions on completely renovating a master bathroom and adding a new guest bathroom quickly disappeared.Sandro came out to take a look at the project and was very honest about what Arete Renovators could provide us. We quickly met our project coordinator Marina who was absolutely fabulous! Having a house that was built in 1895 presented some challenges, but Marina brought in many professionals with years of experience and even the owner came by the day he was leaving for his wedding to ensure the project was a success. In many situations renovations and construction can present many costly changes, but Arete always did what they could to keep our budget in mind.Luis and Miguel were the main laborers on our house. These gentlemen were very respectful, diligent workers who did such a fantastic job.If you are looking for a trustworthy, hard working and customer focused company, look no further. Renovations can be a very painful process, but Arete Renovators made this renovation as smooth as possible. We could not be happier and will definitely use them in the future.Thank you Arete Renovators for the best experience!

Review 47 (2022-01-06 - Rating: 5)
We have used Arete Renovators for several projects at our condo in downtown Chicago and would highly recommend them. From the design process to completion, the team was professional, creative, timely and worked closely within our budget. Their workers left a clean worksite every day. We are so happy with our new, beautiful bathrooms and kitchen!

Review 48 (2020-03-17 - Rating: 5)
Arete was a great choice for us! They remodeled our loft the responsiveness was great from start to finish. They worked within our budget and provided us with options at every step during the design and execution phases of our project. We were very satisfied with the work and the team. Strongly recommend considering them, and I know I will be reaching out to them with future projects.

Review 49 (2023-01-04 - Rating: 5)
We redid our kitchen - new cabinets, layout, countertops, backsplash, added and moved some windows, drywall, painting - and Arete Renovators did exceptional work. Ivan was our project manager, and he was so responsive and easy to work with. He was very accessible and always available for any questions or concerns, he communicated well, and had a great team working for him. Stefan, Sasa, and Dejan were the three main contractors throughout the process, and each one was so nice, professional, hardworking, and did great work! We are continuing to work with Ivan and his team as we add on a three story deck, and we are looking forward to the process since our kitchen was so seamless and turned out so beautifully! We highly recommend Arete renovators, especially Ivan!

Review 50 (2021-12-13 - Rating: 5)
We used Arete (a third time) for a set of remodeling projects in our Chicago home. We did a major renovation of our kitchen and the fireplace area in our living room, and we are over the moon with how the projects turned out. The work is very high-quality and it was done fairly quickly for a reasonable price.Nedzad was our Project Coordinator, and he did a great job communicating the schedule and progress of a complicated set of projects with us, especially with all of the supply chain issues we are currently facing. He went above and beyond to make our lives easier during a fairly disruptive set of projects, and we couldnt be happier to have had him manage the project. Ivana was our Design Consultant, and helped us to pick some really unique and beautiful accents for our project, and was really helpful in guiding us to some really high-quality vendors. We were actually able to have custom cabinets made for a cost that was comparable to semi-custom cabinetry, and they are very high quality.I would not hesitate to unreservedly recommend Arete for your remodeling project, and well certainly be using them to do a few additional projects we have planned.

Review 51 (2023-04-15 - Rating: 5)
Arete Renovators are awesome! From the bidding process to pre work walk through and actual construction work, Arete was on point, helpful, professional, responsive and overall a joy to work with. My clients are very happy and impressed with their level of professionalism, friendly personalities, and quality of work. I am looking forward to working together soon, Arete Renovators!Rebecca, Interior Designer

Review 52 (2020-10-29 - Rating: 4)
Overall, we are pleased with our kitchen remodel done by Arete.Arete responded immediately to our inquiry and met with us to review our initial redesign preferences. They were attentive to our requests and were able to give us a rough estimate for labor and materials promptly, all of which were completely reasonable and competitively priced.For some reason, the kitchen was not properly measured correctly after multiple attempts, which carried into the design plans and into the final install where there was 1 inch unaccounted for.The design aspect was a bit underwhelming for a full design, build company for our kitchen remodel. We had few options for tile, pull handles, faucet, etc. We ended up picking most of the designs ourselves and purchasing the material as well.Arete took care of all the paperwork and communication with my condo association prior to work. They coordinated a rough schedule and lined up all the work to be done in advance.Marina, our project manager, stayed in touch with updates, making arrangements to get work done, and promptly resolved any follow up items. We greatly appreciated her communication and the oversight she provided - this was a highlight of our experience.However, there were some hiccups throughout the construction involving the quality of work (some things werent installed correctly, etc). Marina made sure those mistakes were eventually corrected, but it would have been nicer to see a higher standard of quality. In addition, there were some quality control issues with the Marsh cabinets we ordered thru Arete, as doors werent lining up evenly (causing rubbing) and in general the quality of the cabinets were a let down given the price we paid for them.Overall, we recommend Arete for their communication, family oriented culture, and great oversight. I wouldnt hesitate to have Arete work on other projects.

Review 53 (2023-03-30 - Rating: 5)
Remodeling a kitchen is a significant project and, having lived through it a few times in the past, I was expecting utter chaos. Marina, Ivan, Davor and the rest of the Arete team made the process smoother than I expected or could have imagined. This project was not without surprises (a plumbing issue stemming from other units in my building, a gas line in an unexpected location, appliance issues) but the responsiveness of team helped insure that things kept moving along. The communication was always prompt, clear, and informative and my questions were always answered quickly. Marinas checkins along the way were perfectly time and always helpful. Every person that has been here to work on any part of the project has been friendly which is a nice bonus when you are living in the space you are renovating. The icing on the cake is that Im able to say the project was completed on time. Cant wait to enjoy my new, beautiful space and will certainly use Arete for other projects I take on.

Review 54 (2021-11-04 - Rating: 5)
Arete recently completed a remodel of the master bedroom in my townhouse. As you. Igor imagine there were some supply challenges getting everything in as a result of the pandemic. In spite of those delays the team did an excellent job once they got started. Ned was our project manager and we could not have asked for better. Ned made sure we were aligned every step of the way. Changes, shipping delays etc. we’re always clearly communicated. When I made the decision to extend the project and replace my kitchen countertops and backsplash Ned made sure to minimize the disruption and the time we would not be able to use our kitchen. Vasilka was great in helping me to make design decisions. Overall we are very pleased with the work done by Arete and would recommend them.

Review 55 (2021-06-02 - Rating: 4)
Working with Arete was an excellent experience. Even though we had to deal with the Covid-19 issues that arose due to timing, Arete did everything possible to get the job done as timely as possible. The subcontractors that Arete uses for plumbing, electrical, general construction and flooring were excellent. They found things (that we had to pay for which we should have to) that I dont think others would have caught and then wed have to deal with them again after the walls were closed up. Just excellent craftsmen. The real key to the project in our eyes was our project manager, Marina. She treated our project as if this was her home and that is what you really want out of your contractor. No short cuts, etc. They were very trustworthy and wed use them again in a heartbeat.

Review 56 (2021-11-06 - Rating: 5)
Arete is our go-to partner for any renovation work we need done. Weve used them for very visible work in a full remodeling of our kitchen and for a construction project for a large storage area in the basement. Davor, Ivan and the whole team are capable of planning and delivering any project in a friendly, effective and efficient way with quality results, which is why Im sure well be using Arete for our next project.

Review 57 (2023-05-21 - Rating: 5)
We have used Arete for every single renovation in our home - restaining our floors, adding iron bannisters, a brand new kitchen and most recently, a brand new master bathroom and a walled off study (formerly a loft). For each project, they were very communicative, friendly and helped us execute our vision. Nedzad kept things moving as the project manager; and, Ivana and Vasilka provided their keen eye for detail and functionality while helping us stay within budget. There were delays, but many were due to circumstances out of their control. We plan to use them for additional projects in the future, and we recommend them without reservation.

Review 58 (2019-10-14 - Rating: 5)
I could not be happier with the work Arete did renovating both bathrooms in my condo. The team worked collaboratively to build a design within my budget - providing options and suggestions to ensure the desired look and function could be attained at the best cost.The construction phase was just as smooth as the design phase. Having a dedicated project coordinator onsite during construction is really what makes Arete stand apart from the rest. Despite being out of the country for the majority of the construction, I was kept totally up to date on the project through daily emails and texts with a run down of work completed and pictures of the progress. Questions that arose during construction were easily handled remotely and I was able to come back to beautiful new bathrooms!Only problem with Arete is that they made the remodel process so painless that as soon as the bathrooms were finished I decided I just had to tear out the kitchen and do that next!

Review 59 (2020-01-15 - Rating: 5)
I dont even know where to begin with how happy we are with Arete! They totally gutted our condo & made it a dream come true! I made changes to the design along the way & they were always very accommodating.We live in Chicago part-time & were out of town the entire time they were working on it. They always kept us informed on the progress.I flew in a couple of times to select granite etc. They took me to pick it out along with appliances etc. I was always amazed of the courtesy that was extended to me.It has been a few years now & I just got a hold of them to see if they could recommend someone to rehang a shower door that somehow our housekeeper had gotten off the track!They arranged for the same glass company that put it in to come out. The Glass company showed up, it took them less than 5 minutes to fix!I just cant say enough good things about Arete & all their contractors who work with them. Weve worked with ALOT of contractors over the years & working with Arete was EFFORTLESS! I am so thankful that we found them.

Review 60 (2021-05-07 - Rating: 5)
Arete Renovators are amazing! From the very beginning, my wife and I, knew that they were the best option to remodel our place. We had to remodel most of our newly bought condo, so we interviewed 5-6 different contractors. From the very beginning when Davor came to look at our place, we knew he was different. Most contractors we spoke with just took notes and gave us a quote, so them didnt even give us a quote saying our budget wasnt doable for what we were looking for. Davor gave us suggestions and new ideas. He definitely seemed like he knew what he was talking about and really cared about his job. He also was willing to work with our budget and helped us figure out how to get closer to our budget. He was one of the most reasonable when it came to price. His team was also extensive. They were the only ones that had a store where we came in for a design consultation where they also have fixtures and samples they can show you. They gave us a very detailed write up and a project manager who communicated with us almost daily. They sent us regular updates and photos. The job they did was neat clean and very professional. They worked with us every step of the way and accommodated every one of our requests. We are very happy with the end result.

Review 61 (2022-04-14 - Rating: 5)
We hired Arete Renovators to renovate a condo we purchased that was pretty beat up. Their showroom made for one-stop shopping to choose the finishes we wanted. The finished condo is beautiful and just as we imagined. Ned, the project manager, was always available and responsive to questions and/or concerns.

Review 62 (2020-01-25 - Rating: 5)
I recommend Arete highly and would work with them again. Excellent craftsmanship. Outcomes delivered as promised. Very happy with Daniels designs for my kitchen renovation. Violet helped me make good choices of materials. And great working with project manager Branko, who paid attention to every detail. I was out of town during most of the project, and he kept me up to date about its progress and attended promptly to my requests.

Review 63 (2023-12-20 - Rating: 5)
Arete did a great job on my basement remodel. The estimation process was smooth and professional. The work itself was done well and completed in a timely way. Communication was great throughout.

Review 64 (2022-05-05 - Rating: 5)
After a shower leak issue, Arete came to the rescue and re-did my entire master bathroom. Marija, who helped me pick out materials and oversaw the project, was EXTREMELY knowledgeable, responsive, and helpful throughout the entire process. I was actually living in Florida for the entire renovation and came home to a clean, perfectly completed job. I would definitely recommend using Davor and his team for any projects in the Chicago area.

Review 65 (2017-11-30 - Rating: 5)
I highly recommend Arete. They are very knowledgeable, hard working, timely, professional and affordable contractors for everything needed in connection with your home. We used them to help us remodel our new house. They were phenomenal. Damir ran the project extremely well and was passionately responsible to all of our requests. In a nutshell, if you hire these guys, youll be satisfied with the work product and the process to get to the finish line. Next time we do something on the house, we hope to work with Arete again.

Review 66 (2020-01-25 - Rating: 5)
I could write a book about my experience with Arete Renovators but I will try to keep it short. My husband and I met with Davor to discuss a complete home renovation in September. He was professional, detailed and extremely helpful with all of our questions. As many of you have seen on reality tv, everything doesn’t go as planned, turns out we actually had to move in the house ( with kids mind you) as soon as we closed. Igor took over the project and worked with us EVERY step of the way to accommodate our family. Manuel and Louis started work immediately and we knew from the first day we had made the best choice worn ARETe. I designed my home and they trusted me completely and put up with my madness and can we say a million change orders? Everyone that came in to work at our home was extremely professional and did an amazing job. Joe is a master of all traits! They were patient, punctual and actual we felt that they were family. Renovating your home is stressful and expensive but these guys made it smooth every step of the way!!! I highly recommend them and will be using them in the future!Kat

Review 67 (2017-12-11 - Rating: 5)
We have used Arete Renovators for two major projects at two different homes in the past 5 years. The major reason we are a repeat customer is the quality of the final product. Most recently, we renovated our kitchen (including knocking down walls, installing an island with a prep sink, etc), 3 bathrooms, refinished our floors throughout, as well as a house full of painting. They continue to provide the highest quality of craftsmanship with fair pricing. As with any project, unexpected circumstances occur and the honesty, transparency, and fairness of dealing with those has meant a lot to us. We will always consider them for future projects.

Review 68 (2021-09-24 - Rating: 5)
We just wrapped up an update of our condos bathrooms, and could not be happier with how smooth the process went. From the very first outreach to Davor, to the thorough walkthrough (he noticed things that would need to be addressed that the two other folks we contacted didnt notice- for example the height of the outlet and something under the sink that wasnt to code), so when we saw the thorough labor proposal we felt really confident that there wouldnt be surprises later. They accounted for nearly everything that would have needed to be done, and everything else was accounted for when the sub (who was also very good, respectful of our home, on time, etc.) did his own walkthrough with our project manager before any work even began. Working with the design consultant Marija was not stressful at all- I already had a clear idea what I wanted and we worked together to figure out a combination of things I would buy on my own and things we would go through her for. Just be up front with your budget and shell find something! Our project manager Stela was really great, in constant communication and also handled communication to our building to let them know when wed need to use the elevator, etc. The quality of the work from Louis and his helper was excellent. We had to have the walls patched, etc. because we had to open the walls to add a double vanity, and the walls look amazing. The plumber was also great. When we opened the walls, they discovered that wed need copper pipes. It was the only real unexpected expense but we discussed it and the reasons for it and ultimately we agreed and were glad to know that there is high quality stuff behind the walls. Over the course of the job (which was only 7 working days and very liveable for us to still be here through it all with a toddler and two dogs) we had the chance to talk with several people including Igor, and felt like an important client despite being such a relatively small job. Arete was not the cheapest bid. But given the thoroughness, responsiveness, respect, attention to every detail, quality of the materials they used and recommended, and the fact that we were able to live and work here without much disruption because they were always on time and on schedule, wed say you get what you pay for! Wed choose them again.

Review 69 (2017-10-20 - Rating: 5)
Highly recommend Arete Renovators. We had put off doing some kitchen & bathroom renovations in our high-rise condo, partly because I dreaded dealing with contractors... there are so many bad ones out there. Arete, who had been recommended by some of our neighbours, proved to be an exception. From the initial consultation through to final completion, Milos & his crew provided a seamless, worry-free design and construction process, especially vital to us since we were away in Europe much of the time (I should mention here that they provided us with daily e-mail updates with fotos of the work in progress). Also... important in a high-rise condo building... they were familiar with the building and how to deal with our building management. Arete did excellent quality work and completed everything as discussed during our initial design consultations. Again, we highly recommend Arete Renovators along with their partner firm, Renovators Outlet, who provided most of the materials.

Review 70 (2017-10-24 - Rating: 5)
Arete Renovators did a great job on our remodel. They costed the project correctly and did everything they could to reduce costs when they could. The sub contractors they used were wonderful, dependable and clean. Special call out to Milos who ran our project and did a great job. I would highly recommend Arete to anyone interested in remodeling. They can do it all and very good/professional to work with. A great and well run organization. Very happy we picked this Arete....

Review 71 (2018-07-16 - Rating: 5)
They did an amazing job in a very short amount of time. Our medium sized condo required a lot of outside the box thinking and our design style definitely didnt make things easy. But the finished product was absolutely beautiful. Also, theyre great with doing work on a time crunch. We first met with them to discuss design ideas and they were in our place working away in just two short weeks. They additionally did an exceptional job on our wood floors. I highly recommend Arete Renovators!

Review 72 (2021-11-09 - Rating: 5)
Aretè Renovators have done several projects in our home since 2007. High quality of workmanship and professionalism. They make sure their customers are completely satisfied. I’d highly recommend Aretè for any of your home remodeling or upgrade projects.

Review 73 (2020-10-16 - Rating: 4)
Arete remodeled my kitchen, and I love it! Ivan was the perfect project manager -- very responsive, organized, and ensured quality work. I felt comfortable with his team in my home while I worked, and I appreciated the expertise and attention to detail each of them brought to the project.

Review 74 (2018-07-30 - Rating: 5)
I purchased an old Victorian home last year and needed to significant amount of work; adding a new bathroom, renovating 3 additional bathrooms, refinishing the basement, fire sprinklers, removal/relocation of various internal walls, replace windows etc.It was a challenging project especially as we aimed to preserve and/or match various original wood decorations/mouldings.Arete did an excellent job of managing the project and were very responsive throughout and even after the completion.

Review 75 (2018-03-04 - Rating: 5)
Arete Renovators completed three separate projects at our home, and all went as planned. They were courteous, prompt and detailed. They took the time to walk us through each project’s steps and costs. Looking forward to using them on future projects. We would recommend them to anyone looking to make home renovations.

Review 76 (2019-10-09 - Rating: 5)
Ivan and his crew of professionals made the life of this Property Manager extremely easy and they were a pleasure to work with throughout the project for one of our unit owners!Often overlooked in condominium living, when a remodel occurs, is how well the contractor(s) work within building rules regarding scheduling deliveries, noise during prescribed hours, communication, cleanliness of the common elements, and general respect for everyone within the association - this was certainly not overlooked by Arete Renovators. Every step of the way, from pre-construction to demobilization, they did an incredible job - we barely knew they were in the building.Great job everyone - hope to see you back here soon!Michael VitekProperty Manager

Review 77 (2018-02-20 - Rating: 5)
Was referred to Davor at Arete from our realtor friend and they helped us within our requested short timeframe to move into our new home. Very professional and knowledgeable from the beginning and Marina, our project manager kept us updated throughout the process on daily progress. Really pleased with the work which included installation of real wood flooring/staining, crown/baseboards, backsplash, powder room installation and various other smaller items all within a tight timeframe. Highly recommend and would definitely work with Arete again.

Review 78 (2022-11-08 - Rating: 5)
Our kitchen project was complicated and our project manager Ned was with us and on top of issues every step of the way. Anytime I mentioned possible issues or had questions/concerns, he addressed them quickly and worked with me to resolve. The end product is a gorgeous new kitchen that my family will spend many years enjoying.

Review 79 (2016-10-04 - Rating: 5)
I had an excellent experience with Arete Renovators! I was very impressed with how professional my hardwood floor installation was handled. i love my new floors!All personnel were helpful, friendly and punctual! They did all the work from scheduling, delivery of materials, and moving furniture! It was very important to them that I was satisfied!

Review 80 (2023-03-27 - Rating: 5)
Theyve done it again! Loving my kitchen, living remodel so I went back to Arete to get the bathrooms remodeled as well. Ivan Koconda and his team are the best! Theyre patience and attention to detail have provided me with another oasis in my condo. I may never be able to leave this place. Ivan and I have been working together for so long now and this is my last indoor space so Im sad that its coming to an end. OR maybe well work on something outdoors! :) Thank you again for all youve done to help me get to this point!

Review 81 (2021-12-31 - Rating: 5)
I’ll begin by stating that we own 3 properties. A downstate country home, a 100 yr old commercial property & our 1 bedroom/1bath high rise condo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. We have been working with various builders & doing renovations for years. We needed to renovate our condo & Arete Renovators were recommended to my husband & I by our neighbor. The team designed a new kitchen & new flooring for us. The results are beautiful! Their response time to emails was within a day or two. They had also worked on other units in our building which was a huge advantage when dealing with permits, scheduling freight elevators, working with the business office, etc. They were easy to work with and very knowledgeable in terms of current design trends. We are very pleased with this team & would highly recommend them!

Review 82 (2020-03-17 - Rating: 5)
Arete did a great job closing off my walls that were partially open in a loft-style building. They did the job in just about a week at a fair price, were excellent at their daily cleanup/tear-down, and exceeded my expectations at how the project came out.Thank you so much and would highly recommend!

Review 83 (2020-10-20 - Rating: 5)
We hired an interior designer to help with a basement refresh. She bid the job out to 3 contractors. Ivans bid came right in the middle and they were the most responsive to come see the job site. We opened up a door way and redid a bathroom sink, toilet, tile and a brand new mini kitchen with dishwasher, sink and microwave.I would highly recommend Ivan and Arete.

Review 84 (2019-10-08 - Rating: 5)
A good friend of mine recommended Arete renovators and I used them for the first time. I lived in an old building so I had used a few contractors before and had lots of different issues with each contractor I worked with over the years so I postponed this project for a while. I had to re-gut an old original bathroom from literally 100 years-old bathroom into a walk-in shower. I cant tell you how much I liked this company. They turned this bathroom into a topnotch beautiful bathroom in no-time. I loved that this is a family run business, the brothers, the designer and the workers are very friendly, personable and easy to talk to. They just knew what you like and will work within your budget. I would recommend this company and will certainly use their services in future.

Review 85 (2022-12-06 - Rating: 5)
Marina was great to work with...she was on top of things; constantly making sure that I was happy with the design then the execution of the design. I highly recommend Arete for renovation work; I dont think they could have made the process more pleasant.SS

Review 86 (2021-04-27 - Rating: 5)
We couldnt recommend Areté more! We did extensive research before our renovation (a gut rehab of a 3bd/2bth vintage unit) and then chose them for their professionalism and reliability. Our experience with them has been extremely positive. Igor and Davor are very competent and well organized; the communication with the whole team has been excellent. They deliver high quality and have gone the extra mile in several occasions. We were very happy with the end results: we would definitely hire them again!

Review 87 (2019-06-26 - Rating: 5)
Make no mistake, Areté Renovators has become a premier residential contractor in the Chicagoland area. They have been able to achieve excellence by delivering the best services, workmanship and products for your dream home. Their team is composed of industry professionals with years of experience in all areas of construction, remodeling, design, real estate and property management. I have used them a few times and have referred them many more times!Check them out get your estimate and hire them!

Review 88 (2016-06-09 - Rating: 5)
Arete Renovators is truly one of the kind. Their family owned and operated, so you know you are getting the attention locally you deserve on your remodeling project. I would recommend them for any project whether your kitchen, bathroom, high rise apartment and everything else.

Review 89 (2018-09-18 - Rating: 5)
Arête Renovators completely remodeled two bathrooms as well as replacing carpet, baseboards, and kitchen countertops and doing other work throughout my two-bedroom condominium unit. They communicated well with me to answer my questions and keep me updated from the beginning of the process to the end, as well as working seamlessly with building management as needed. They made a complex process hassle-free for me, and I could not be more delighted with the quality of their workmanship.

Review 90 (2019-10-11 - Rating: 5)
I created a design for a bathroom that had a lot of specific details regarding tile arrangement, layout details, etc. Ive dealt with many contractors that would overlook these details as they were inconsequential to function of the space. When Arete completed the install I reviewed these details and their install was right on. In addition if there was anything I overlooked in the design they contacted me to get direction rather than assuming. Very well done!

Review 91 (2023-04-05 - Rating: 5)
ARETE was fantastic to work with. Between Davor and Ned helping us navigate the water damage to our house, it was as smooth a process as we could ask for. The work was great and done early!!!

Review 92 (2020-06-15 - Rating: 5)
Whether you are looking for a remodel in a single family home or a unit in a high rise, ARETÉ renovators is a fit for you.With a high level of expertise, ethics, experience, quality of work, creativity, sense of urgency, ability to negotiate and interact with condo management & building engineers, scheduling, you will be provided with “1 stop shopping”.What I mean is that you can choose design options and materials from their showroom or provide details yourself of desired items.Proposals are clear and pricing is fair.The adage of “code=safety is followed to the letter. No shortcuts will be taken and there will be no shoddy work whatsoever.Until work commences, communication is with a team. They suggested ideas and translated our desires into a plan . Detailed measurements and design renderings are completed.Once work commences the communication is with the project manager. In our case Ivan provided such a high level of responsiveness and ongoing communication with photos of work competed that day. The attention to detail and application of all our wishes was extraordinary.Always problems arise, whether it being we: the clients, forgetting a needed inclusion, or whether specific lighting needed a different source, or a structural impediment emerging in demolition.Always the approach from ARETÉ was the same as Marshall Field : “give the lady what she wants” or “It’s doable”. Problem solving resulted in creative input from various team members as well as ourselves, but especially by Ivan.The coordination of all elements of plumbing, appliance installation, electrical work, painting, audio visual installation, and sequencing of the work was the responsibility of the project manager, and all arrangements were so very smooth.We have been in our condo 3 months now and we couldnt be more pleased to live in this beautiful, functional condo with everything we had dreamed of. We cannot recommend ARETÉ more highly.Do yourselves a favor and get a quote!

Review 93 (2023-01-17 - Rating: 5)
Phenomenal team of professional craftsman you can trust. Strongly recommend.I previously had a nightmare experience with another contractor. Arete not only saved the day, but did so graciously and without judgement. From the initial quote by the Davor the owner himself, finish selection with designer Ivana, to final walk through with PM Ivan every step was well organized, clearly communicated and I knew exactly what to expect.

Review 94 (2023-04-14 - Rating: 5)
We used them for a first floor renovation project including painting, tile work, electrical and new trim. From the first time we met with them we were impressed. They also were very competitive price wise vs other contractors. Ivan our project manager and the on-site work crew were phenomenal, very communicative, and easy to work with. Can’t recommend enough! Will use them again as needed.

Review 95 (2020-09-16 - Rating: 5)
I liked their attention to detail, and the pricing was fair. Sasa did a great job. The supervisors came to lay out the scope of work and returned afterward to make sure it was done right. The work they did was minor -- move bathroom mirrors, light fixtures and towel racks and install new toilet ring. I wouldnt hesitate to use them for bigger jobs in the future.

Review 96 (2023-03-27 - Rating: 5)
I have an enclosed front porch that did not have a proper support structure, was drafty and outdated that I really wanted to update.Ivan and the Arete team were very helpful letting me know what was possible for my situation and helping me decide how to move forward.They corrected the support structure under the porch, insulated and put up new drywall, installed new flooring and painted. It feels like an entirely new space.Everyone was very professional, friendly and timely. Great experience and I will definitely be using Arete for future projects.

Review 97 (2019-10-07 - Rating: 5)
I cannot say enough good things about my experience. They remodeled our bathroom and they provide really over the top service in terms of design consultation, project management and material selection. They were very flexible on all decisions and never felt like they were trying to push me to do anything I didnt request. The price was competitive and the results we were ecstatic with. Strongly recommend considering them

Review 98 (2018-08-14 - Rating: 4)
Arete Renovators does solid work. Communication was excellent. They worked hard to stay on track and meet my timeline needs. When I had a problem, they were very receptive and worked to address it.

Review 99 (2019-03-13 - Rating: 5)
Arete did a BEAUTIFUL job designing and renovating my kitchen and master bath. The team was always helpful, communicative and supportive. Highly recommended!

Review 100 (2020-09-14 - Rating: 4)
We are generally happy with the result of their work on our kitchen but not the process along the way. When I mentioned not liking how something turned out, the response I got was essentially “too bad, that’s the plan you signed.” There wasn’t an effort to problem solve on the back end despite all of the money we poured into it. There was also subpar communication. For example, I’d be notified middle of the night before or morning of that someone was coming at 8 am — no chance to respond or confirm whether it worked. We also had continued extra costs tacked on throughout the project, especially if we just found a way to cut a cost elsewhere. Overall, I’m happy with how our kitchen turned out but I’m not satisfied with the experience. I’d recommend if you’re not one to mind all of the extra headaches.

Review 101 (2019-04-13 - Rating: 5)
Ive worked with Arete multiple times on projects of different scope and they are always fairly priced and execute flawlessly no matter the project size. I highly recommend them and will continue to work with them in the future!

Review 102 (2019-11-07 - Rating: 5)
OUTSTANDING kitchen remodel work done by Arete team! It’s not often that I remodeled a place, but the Arete team exceeded expectations and the experience was absolutely painless! It’s very easy to take for granted how much work goes into flooring, electrical, plumbing, etc. because all we get to see is the finished product. The teams great attention to detail and overall attentiveness made this effort a huge success. I will gladly call upon Arete again.

Review 103 (2024-03-05 - Rating: 5)
This was my third project with Arete - this project was to remodel a bathroom and replace windows. For all three projects, I worked with Marina as the project coordinator- she is really great to work with! She kept us up to date on the progress and coordinated all the activities needed. Luis was also great with the demo work and the entire crew was so helpful and really kept the debris to a minimum as we stayed in the house during the renovation. Many thanks to Marina and her team!

Review 104 (2019-02-27 - Rating: 5)
Ive worked with Arete for several years on my remodels. They are honest, competitively priced, and get things done on time. Enough said...

Review 105 (2024-03-07 - Rating: 5)
I purchased a 1 bedroom and studio apartment combined unit condo in River North and wanted to make the studio apartment bathroom a true master-bath. Areté helped me to design a great layout working within the parameters that I had due to condo constraints with plumbing, vents etc. I had a vision and they helped me with the layout, design, and materials. It is an all inclusive process from the ‘vision board’ down to choosing the materials that best suited my color/design scheme. They gave me design choices in the high, mid, and low range to meet my needs and budget. After all was decided, the project was turned over to Marina who organized the people for the labor and gave a detailed grant chart outlining the project specifics and timeline. Everything is organized through a system call Construct. There is an app available or you can access it online. It makes it super easy to review messages, pay bills, and communicate with specific individuals. Marnia communicated with me everyday and sent realtime pictures which was important as I travel a great deal for my job. She let me know everyday what had been done, what would happen the following day, and answered any questions that I had. We had a few things arise that were not anticipated as working in a condo seems to always have extra surprises within the walls. We were able to troubleshoot quickly and regroup on a workaround with the crew. The project finished on time and is everything I could have anticipated and more. I want to give a huge thanks to Marina for her consistency, communication, and patience as I asked a thousand questions about understanding the workings of a complex project, the entire team at Areté including Davork who immediately let me know what was possible with the condo limitations, Ivana and Patty from the design team who helped me with materials and my vision, Luis who was in my apartment working tirelessly everyday and Janet Tebbenkamp who Areté recommended as my architect that thought of everything. I have a beautiful new bathroom to enjoy!

Review 106 (2023-03-14 - Rating: 5)
We worked with Arete Renovators to get two rooms insulated, drywalled, painted and six new window installed. For me responsiveness especially during a renovation is necessary to plan my weeks schedule. Ned was our project manager and he is very fast with communication and resolving issues.Everything went very smoothly with the exception of supply chain wait times for our windows (which is expected) . If we didnt have that slowing the project down this could have been done fairly quickly--at least 3/4 of the wait time was waiting for my windows to get made.Ned caught some details that I overlooked and made sure things were done correctly. The rooms look great and we are happy with the work and communication .

Review 107 (2021-11-17 - Rating: 5)
Arete has done many projects for me as a property manager and for residents in my building. They do magnificent work. They are thorough, professional and keep the work space clean and protected. The project manager is responsive and helpful, runs his crews well. When problems pop up, as they always do in major renovations, they offer solutions, not excuses. All the projects they have done in my building have led to more projects with residents and other property managers, everyone loves their work and working with them.

Review 108 (2019-12-01 - Rating: 5)
Everyone at Arete is amazing. Had to get our wood floors done quickly so we could move in to our house, and the kind people at Arete worked with me to find the wood and install it within our time frame. Creative thinkers, empathetic, thoughtful, and extremely thorough, the people at Arete (from their accounting to their project managers) are the best people in the industry Ive worked with. The work was done with high attention to detail and our floors look amazing. Will definitely be coming back to them for our future remodeling needs. 10/10 recommend!

Review 109 (2023-04-12 - Rating: 5)
Marina and Ivan are so proffesional, it is very easy cooperating with them. Arete is my option number one for remodeling.

Review 110 (2022-10-30 - Rating: 5)
Arete was great. They renovated our kitchen and bathroom and did a beautiful job. We highly recommend them!

Review 111 (2018-04-07 - Rating: 5)
Arete did a complete rehab of our kitchen. We were impressed with their operation from beginning to end including the design process. Their estimate was accurate with their products and services reasonably priced. Twice before construction five company reps visited our home to prepare and finalize plans. It all paid off in a smooth and professional execution of the project. We would recommend them highly and actually already have.

Review 112 (2020-10-20 - Rating: 5)
I’m an interior designer - and it is a struggle to find a solid contractor that is competent, reasonable, and easy to work with. Arete hits all those adjectives and takes it to the next level. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a job go so smoothly and communication work so well. (Thank you Ivan!) The work was also exactly as presented, timely, and done thoughtfully (thank you Dan!) I am beyond happy with their work and very excited to work with them again.

Review 113 (2021-11-16 - Rating: 5)
Marina and Arete were fantastic in helping us fix our condo after a water leak. Highly recommended!

Review 114 (2019-10-16 - Rating: 5)
Worked with Davor, very professional, timely and available. He talked us through the process, gave us ideas of what we can and cant do. Worked through the quote with us in detail and made it simple to understand.

Review 115 (2018-07-16 - Rating: 5)
This is the 2nd and far more complicated project that we hired Arete to do for us. This was a renovation of our kitchen, floors, recarpeting and painting of entire unit. The quality of the work was excellent and for us, having a responsive and customer savvy project manager was essential. Ivan was incredible as he was professional, patient, responsive and helped us through what was for us a major disruption to our home and lives.We will definitely use Arete again and would highly recommend them. Our job came out on time with no major surprises. All hick ups and corrections were dealt with swiftly and with cooperation and an attitude of wanting to make us happy.