Arete Renovators Inc.

I'm thrilled with my experience working with Arete Renovators Inc for the design and build of my kitchen, bathroom and lighting. In addition to providing high-quality and beautiful work, the team is very skilled at navigating the processes and procedures in highrise buildings. I would definitely work with Arete again!

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 couldn't 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.

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.

OverAll: GREAT TEAM, GREAT PLANNING, GREAT WORK, GREAT RESULTS Imagine needing to renovate a 1970’s apartment in a Chicago high-rise when one lives in another time zone … during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had been hands-on for 1 house built and 3 major renovations - this was a different setting. Fortunately, Arete renovators had established a good reputation with the building manager of 20 yrs - they renovated a number of the apartments and decide to buy a unit in the process. In short, Arete knew the building and its management well and cared for the building’s upkeep in the center of Chicago’s desirable Gold Coast. Phone and Zoom consultations (VP: Davor) about the type and extent of work was followed by a site visit and design meeting. Proposals with design drafts and illustrations (design: Vasilka) with links to desired materials was efficiently accomplished in email and zoom. Contracting and financials were handled efficiently via Docusign and Zelle (finance: Marija). It took a bit to understand that one was dealing financially with 2 separate entities: Arete Renovators and Arete the Art of Design but it went smoothly from there-onwards. Once the start date arrived the work commenced as planned in rapped order except for the curve balls one could expect in this 50 year old building and encountered during the supply problems of the pandemic. Additional work and materials were needed while more work beyond the original scope became added… It was all taken in stride by Nedzad (project manager) who promptly organized additional trades and materials guided by new design choices where needed. Another 2 site visits later demonstrated a well appointed apartment ready for occupancy by a young professional. Arete: Highly Recommended!

Arete just completed a major kitchen overhaul for us and we could not be happier with the result. We were quite particular with many details and constant changes to our original project. Arete was there with suggestions, better alternatives and always accommodated our requests in the end. The work was done during the pandemic and lockdown, but they always managed to keeping the progress moving forward. Beyond the kitchen, Arete also put in new flooring and carpeting, new baseboards, new lighting and ceiling fans, painting and modern electrical throughout. They also put in a laundry closet that met strict HOA requirements of our Streeterville condo association. We expect to have them back soon to remodel a bath or two.

Areté did a very nice job with my kitchen and master bathroom. I love everything that they put into each space. Ivana really listened to what I had envisioned. She created a great design.! They were always professional throughout the projects. Communication was great! I would definitely use them again.

The Arete Team jumped through hoops to expedite a master bath gut rehab complete with walk-in shower and fold down teak bench. Ivana worked diligently with my wife for the design and I would not change a thing. Branko and his team executed a great project and resolved everyone of my concerns. Definitely recommend Arete and I will not hesitate to use them again.

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!

They did very nice job with a complicated condo. We did a full gut rehab of a two bedroom, two bathroom condo. The floors and ceiling were not level and the team did a nice job with that complication and the end product looked great.

Renovator's Outlet provided excellent quality materials and displayed an extremely wide variety of products and styles. The professionals knew what they were talking about and provided guidance to us. A big plus that the price to quality were equal to anyone. My wife and I are living in Argentina and had rented out our condo on the lakefront for almost 25 years without having done any rehabbing beyond new fridge, new range, etc. during that time. With my wife retiring we thought we would spend the six months of summer in Chicago and six months of summer in Argentina (exact opposite seasons). We also have rental units in the next door high rise. Having been born and raised in Chicago I knew how hard it could be to obtain permits, garbage dumps, Condo Association okays and the like but did not know where to look. Fortunately the next door high rise management started putting out a monthly newsletter. In this newsletter we found that a tenant had recommended Arete. We thought we would give it a try and contacted Davor, explained via internet our problem and in the meantime checked the Better Business Bureau website, which gave an excellent rating also. We gave him our schedule when we would be in Chicago and a wonderful relationship began with Arete. We were in Chicago approx. two and a half months that included meeting with Davor and Ivana to work on tiles, flooring, what we wanted done, etc. We explained the bathrooms and kitchen were to be completely redone (down to the studs and underlayment) with showers instead of bathtubs, new everything, removal of small sections of walls etc. To make a long story short Arete met and exceeded our expectations with their work and products from Arete Outlet. Every single worker we met was friendly and professional, answered every question we had, was knowledgeable and very, very helpful. They gave us a time line of 11 weeks to complete the work and we were only in Chicago for the first four days of demolition. We were contacted everyday by the Operational Manager Marina Matijasevic, who sent us at least 5 pictures a day and updated us with what the crew was doing or had done. We also emailed and spoke very frequently with the Operation Designer Ivana Stojanovska, who has great taste and class, so much so that in the end we always went along with most of her suggestions. Both Ivana and Marina were very competent and they completed this project ahead of time. We had no problems whatsoever with Arete Renovators or Arete Outlets. Both are QUALITY operations. In closing you are more than welcome to see what they did at our condo and we assure you all involved with Arete are excellent craftsmen. Congratulations to the Arete crew and we will contact them again for updates or further work in this condo or others we own. You may get in touch with us and we will send you before and after pictures of the job. Ana and Bob

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 project 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.

Thank you for the very contemporary dream home. We really can’t share enough how much we like the new space and glad with our decision to work with Arete for the project. It involved significant amount to update a 2bd 2 bth condo unit which include new functional kitchen layout, tiling at entranceway, flooring, bathroom work, and interior paint. Kudos to the entire team at Arete Renovation: Sandro, Ivan, Violeta, Igor, and others who involve. The entire team is very professional and really keeps the process simpler. The project stayed on track and moved very quickly after the HOA approval. Ivan, our project manager, is very communicative and also prompt for any unforeseen issue. The craftsmanship and attention to detail for anything behind the dry wall is absolutely amazing. The daily email update also helps with knowing that everything is being on track (this fit well with our busy summer traveling and often time out of town). Overall, we got so many compliment from friends, families, and other neighbor units. Very much thankful to our designer Violeta, with all helps during the design process, material ordering, and especially her prompt facilitation for last minute changes for kitchen cabinet and countertop. And we really hope to work with them again for future project.