---
title: "SMART Builders — General Contractors | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smart-builders-pfvwus-pf~1669619882
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1669619882.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "SMART Builders"
category: ["General Contractors"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3683bb8d011d70ce_4857-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "11 West College Drive – Unit M, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004, United States"
latitude: 42.112
longitude: -87.9792
phone: "(847) 577-2900"
website: https://smartgroupbuilders.com
rating: 5
review_count: 5
best_of_houzz_awards: 3
followers: 122
last_updated: 2026-09-11
---

# SMART Builders

Original Houzz profile: [SMART Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smart-builders-pfvwus-pf~1669619882)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** General Contractors
- **Location:** Arlington Heights, IL
- **Serves:** Chicago, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Hoffman Estates, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Streamwood, Park Ridge, Hanover Park, Northbrook, Elk Grove Village, Niles, Highland Park, Morton Grove, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Lake Zurich, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Prospect Heights, Barrington, Itasca, Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Inverness, Lake Barrington, Highwood, South Barrington, Barrington Hills, Kildeer, Rosemont, Riverwoods, Deer Park, North Barrington, Forest Lake, Bannockburn, Indian Creek, Mettawa, Amf Ohare, Fort Sheridan, Glenview Nas, Techny
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2014–2026), for Design, Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 10,000 Ideabook Saves

Building Contractor specializing in extraordinary custom homes.

### Services Provided

- Home Remodeling
- Home Additions
- Custom Homes
- New Home Construction
- Window Replacement

### Areas Served

- Chicago
- Schaumburg
- Arlington Heights
- Palatine
- Des Plaines
- Mount Prospect
- Hoffman Estates
- Glenview
- Buffalo Grove
- Streamwood
- Park Ridge
- Hanover Park
- Northbrook
- Elk Grove Village
- Niles
- Highland Park
- Morton Grove
- Rolling Meadows
- Roselle
- Lake Zurich
- Lake Forest
- Deerfield
- Prospect Heights
- Barrington
- Itasca
- Hawthorn Woods
- Long Grove
- Lincolnshire
- Inverness
- Lake Barrington
- Highwood
- South Barrington
- Barrington Hills
- Kildeer
- Rosemont
- Riverwoods
- Deer Park
- North Barrington
- Forest Lake
- Bannockburn
- Indian Creek
- Mettawa
- Amf Ohare
- Fort Sheridan
- Glenview Nas
- Techny

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | SMART Builders |
| Address | 11 West College Drive – Unit M, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004, United States |
| Phone | (847) 577-2900 |
| Website | https://smartgroupbuilders.com |
| License Number | N/A |
| Followers on Houzz | 122 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/SmartConstructionGroup

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [SMART Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smart-builders-pfvwus-pf~1669619882)
- **Website:** https://smartgroupbuilders.com
- **Phone:** (847) 577-2900

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2014–2026), for Design, Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 5 reviews

**★★★★★ — Jennifer Furibondo, Dec. 2024**

> We had the pleasure of working with Smart Group Builders – specifically Rich Bondarowicz and Tom Skowron– to build our home in North Barrington.  We truly cannot speak highly enough about our experience!  A home build is highly emotional and challenging - a lot of big decisions and problems/delays are simply inevitable.  We could not have asked for better partners.  Rich and Tom are highly communicative, always transparent and truthful, and always at the ready with solution-oriented thinking.  They also work consistently with a roster of highly skilled contractors who are 2nd to none in their respective crafts.  We have been in our home for several months now and it’s a delight!  We’ve been through some pretty harsh storms as well and have had absolutely no issues.  We are working through a (very small) punchlist, and Smart Group has been just as responsive in this phase as they were in the build.  Please do not look any further – you cannot find better partners to trust than this team!

**★★★★★ — Michael Furibondo, Dec. 2024**

> When we began our custom home project, Smart Builders was not our first general contractor. After interviewing several candidates, we selected a GC based on our positive first impression and the fact that he seemed to align with our vision. Unfortunately, this decision was primarily influenced by his willingness to tell us exactly what we wanted to hear, rather than providing a realistic understanding of the project.
>
> This was our first custom home build, and while we had a firm budget in mind, we were inexperienced and unsure of what to expect. After spending seven months and a significant amount of money on design, the initial bids came in at 50% over our budget—an overwhelming discrepancy. I had no choice but to part ways with the original contractor, as it became clear either he was unaware of how much the house would cost that we designed, or he knew and let us continue designing it anyway —either way, he was of no use to us.
>
> Fortunately, we discovered Smart Builders purely by chance. We noticed one of their signs on a home they were building nearby, and after speaking with Rich at Smart Builders, we brought our original plans to him. Without revealing our budget or the previous bids, Rich was able to estimate the cost within about 5% of the initial bids.
>
> What I want you to know about Smart Builders is:
>
> They are committed to telling you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.
> They genuinely care about your project and ensure a general contractor or project manager is on-site daily to oversee the work.
> The subcontractors they partner with are highly skilled professionals who demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship.
> They do not cut corners, prioritizing quality and integrity throughout the build.
> Building a custom home is a lengthy and complex process, but with Smart Builders' decades of experience, they are able to adapt to challenges and deliver the best possible outcome.
> Communication is a priority; you will never feel left in the dark, as updates and discussions with the general contractor and project manager happen daily.
>
> I hope this insight proves helpful as you make your decision.

**★★★★★ — David Schulz Architects, Dec. 2016**

> As an Architect, working with the Smart Construction Group was a pure joy.
> They pay attention to details ask the appropriate questions when necessary and delivery a first class product. They are very well organized in moving the client through the decision making processes and selections that allow for desired outcome. When trying to bring a high custom home from idea to reality so many general contractors lose the vision or lose the quality needed to deliver the finished product that meets with the Architect's expectations and more importantly the clients wants, needs and desires. This is not the case with the Smart Construction group. I would highly recommend them to any of my clients and I would advise anyone interested in building a high end custom home that can be delivered on time and within the construction budget parameters set forth at the project inception, consider the Smart Construction Group for their new home.

**Comment from SMART Builders:**

> Thank you, David.  Building this custom home and working with you and your staff was a pleasure.

**★★★★★ — Amy Valenta Dahlberg, Nov. 2016**

> Rich and his team were amazing with the idea planning and construction of our dream home!
>
> Rich was at every design meeting and offered so many great ideas and recommendations there are too many to list. Rich's depth of knowledge from design ideas to construction are vast and helped me immensely during the entire process.
>
> He was involved in a daily basis, so I knew the job would be done to the highest of standards.
>
> Rich's concern for detail and organization is truly amazing. His team of tradesman were outstanding and everyone was a joy to work with. Rich made a possibly stressful process very stress free by being on top of every stage.
>
> Rich and his team are truly amazing to work with and could not recommend more! Our family could not be more thrilled with our new home!

**★★★★★ — pgs1, April 2013**

> We have been working with Rich and his team for the past year on our dream home and the experience has been amazing!! I couldn't imagine going through this process with any other construction group.

## Selected projects

- [Wilmette Calm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wilmette-calm-pj-vj~7177013)
  - Location: Wilmette, IL
  - Photos: 20
  - Description: https://www.smartgroupbuilders.com/Photos.php?project=chestnut-ave-wilmette
- [Sophisticated Hamptons](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sophisticated-hamptons-pj-vj~2217608)
  - Location: Glenview, IL
  - Photos: 22
- [Contemporary Craftsman Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-craftsman-custom-home-pj-vj~446099)
  - Location: Arlington Heights, IL
  - Photos: 10
- [Distinctive Transitional Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/distinctive-transitional-custom-home-pj-vj~169228)
  - Location: Park Ridge, IL
  - Photos: 37
  - Description: SMART Builders, Inc. specializes in custom homes, renovations, and additions with quality and attention to detail that is unparalleled. Our approach to the building process begins with an initial consultation to determine a client's needs, vision, and budget. During our initial consultation we will also discuss our concept to closely follow the four important aspects in construction: COST, QUALITY, SAFETY, & SCHEDULE. For more than 20 years, Richard Bondarowicz and his team have demonstrated how…
- [Gracious European Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gracious-european-custom-home-pj-vj~446057)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Smart Builders - Custom Home -
- [Modern Americana](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-americana-pj-vj~680674)
  - Location: Arlington Heights, IL
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Smart Builders - Arlington Heights Custom Home
- [Classic Chic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/classic-chic-pj-vj~680723)
  - Location: Arlington Heights, IL
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: Smart Builders - Arlington Heights Custom Home
- [North Shore - Lake Forest Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-shore-lake-forest-custom-home-pj-vj~2511129)
  - Location: Lake Forest, IL
  - Photos: 1

[See all 8 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/smart-builders-pfvwus-pf~1669619882)

## Ideabooks

- [Park Terrace](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114469554/list/park-terrace) — 1 idea
- [Outdoor Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86328810/list/outdoor-spaces) — 10 ideas
- [Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961477/list/fireplaces) — 6 ideas
- [Family Room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85962127/list/family-room) — 7 ideas
- [Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961201/list/kitchens) — 25 ideas
- [Laundry Room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86328703/list/laundry-room) — 4 ideas
- [Home Bars](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85962171/list/home-bars) — 10 ideas
- [Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86328912/list/bathrooms) — 7 ideas
- [Master Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961680/list/master-bathrooms) — 10 ideas
- [Mud Rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961723/list/mud-rooms) — 4 ideas
- [more great ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7412296/list/more-great-ideas) — 20 ideas
- [Master Bedrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961704/list/master-bedrooms) — 7 ideas
- [Staircases](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961151/list/staircases) — 9 ideas
- [Butler's Pantry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961429/list/butler-s-pantry) — 6 ideas
- [Dining Rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961098/list/dining-rooms) — 8 ideas
- [Living Rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961666/list/living-rooms) — 4 ideas
- [Home Gym](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86329280/list/home-gym) — 1 idea
- [Wainscoting/Panel Molding](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85961252/list/wainscoting-panel-molding) — 5 ideas
- [Home Office](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85962189/list/home-office) — 2 ideas
- [Entry/Foyers](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85962343/list/entry-foyers) — 2 ideas

[See all 21 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/smartbondo)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Hardware** *(in Photo Questions)*

Can you please tell me the name and manufacturer of the hardware. Thank you

A: The hardware shown in the photo is from Water Street Brass.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-11.*