Renaissance Inc. - The House Whisperer

I would 100% recommend Renaissance Inc. I had them renovate my Kitchen, Laundry room, Hallway and 1/2 bath. They came up with the concept, help me design it, and were absolutely fantastic to work with. They provided me a project plan and timeline upfront. Their Head GC, Tim, was on site each day. He provided me with daily updates. He is a perfectionist! His attention to detail, his communication, and quality of work is untouched. The owner, Todd, was honest, transparent, and delivered what he promised. His team of people were reliable and trustworthy. I am also needing my master bath redone, and i will definitely be hiring them for that project as well.

Great work. Out kitchen remodel turned out awesome! Great quality, didn’t have to constantly bug them. When I noticed things that needed fixed/adjusted they already had them on their list. Very responsive. I never felt like I couldn’t get ahold of them.

Todd and gang recently did a large master bathroom remodel. I found Todd, his team members and subcontractors(uses same people job to job) to be trustworthy, reliable, good at what they do and very enjoyable to have in our home. Todd is a true professional at his trade and he definitely has a "can do" attitude that you don't find much today. I have a hard time visualizing the final outcome of almost everything and Todd and team bent over backwards mocking things up, taping measurements for size reference, drawing pictures, holding things, going over measurements numerous times, etc. etc. They were very good at reading my uncertainties and consequently consulted with me every step of the way so I could be assured that our bathroom turned out to be exactly how we envisioned. Because I have the bathroom of my dreams.......I can absolutely recommend Renaissance for all building/remodeling projects. Todd and team can make it happen, it will be done right and at a fair price. Thank you Todd!

Todd and his team are professionals from start to finish. Todd sits down with you going through all project details and expectations, providing a great since of security that you’re choosing the right remodeler. I highly recommend Todd and his team for any remodeling task, he truly has a talent that stands out from others we’ve talked to!

Todd Smith is honest, fair, and delivers excellent quality work. The house turned out very well (extensive remodel, kitchen, bath, closets). We would use Renaissance again.

Having worked on a number of projects with Renaissance, Inc., I greatly appreciate the thoughtful planning & attention-to-detail that goes into each design. With an extensive knowledge of trends from classic to contemporary, Renaissance makes it a point to create a unique space that integrates their client's personal style. The result is always a beautifully-executed design that integrates form, function & timeless appeal!

Good Follow up, very organized, worked really with them. Helped us design our kitchen lay out. We would work with them again.

We had an excellent experience working with Todd and his team for the remodeling of our Clintonville kitchen. We interviewed several contractors and Todd stood out to us as the most knowledgeable on our type of home as well as the most creative. Our kitchen is fairly small, but Todd came up with great ideas to make the best use of the space. He didn't hesitate in making recommendations rather than simply offering to do whatever we asked which is what we found other contractors did. For example we wanted to build a breakfast bar and lay tile for the floor. Todd pointed out that the rest of our first floor was hardwood and that we should just carry it through to the kitchen and that a breakfast bar would never fit instead recommending a beverage center which is now our favorite part of the kitchen. Another differentiator we found between Todd and other contractors was that Todd was very helpful in pointing out potential surprises along the way (ex. Outdated wiring, plumbing, etc.) that others didn't mention. Once the project started Todd and his team did an excellent job staying on schedule despite running into a few delays beyond their control. Rather than simply not working they found other things to work on to stay on schedule. Todd was also very helpful in recommending great people to work with for materials like tile, counter tops, and cabinets. Their attention to detail was incredible as well. They noticed and corrected issues along the way before we ever noticed. After the project was completed we had a few things come up and Todd was quick to get back out and address them. Knowing that whoever we hired would be responsible for a major renovation and would be in our home everyday for several weeks weighed heavy on us, but we cannot be more happy about our decision to hire Todd and his team. Our only regret was not calling them sooner. They're extremely busy and before we signed a contract with them they told us they wouldnt be able to start for several months because of all the projects they had lined up ahead of ours. Don't make the same mistake we did - call them several months before you're ready to start. Todd and his team were extremely professional from start to finish and exhibited the expertise we wanted from a company we would be hiring for such a major renovation. We will absolutely work with them again for other renovations in the future and have already and will continue recommending them to friends and family.

This was our first home renovation (kitchen) and we had a very positive experience with Todd and his crew. Aside from one negative episode with a subcontractor, which Todd made amends for, everyone was pleasant and professional. We would work with them again.

Renaissance Inc remodeled our kitchen and installed hardwood flooring two years ago and recently gave us a new master bathroom and gas fireplace with bookshelves in our living room. It was a great experience from start to finish. Todd Smith provided a reasonable quote and work schedule and did a good job of keeping us informed if plans changed. His workers respected our property and always cleaned up before they left. I love how everything turned out and highly recommend them.

We did a complete remodel of our kitchen, dining room and adjoining living room. We had several contractors come in and gave us suggestions and estimates. Todd Smith from Renaissance Inc. was the only one who listened to what we were hoping to do with the space and was able to come up with a plan that satisfied all of our requests. This was a huge undertaking and Todd's people came in and did a fantastic job. They staying on schedule to complete the work in the two months that we requested the work be completed. We love our new space. It is beautifully detailed, the oak floors, the granite counter tops, the tile work on the back splash. Everything came together as promised. Tim, the lead on this job was really helpful suggesting lighting options, placement of electrical, colors and answering our questions along the way.

Overall, we are extremely pleased with the outcome. My biggest concern going into the project was that after all the effort and money involved, that it would end up looking just "ok" as opposed to something we truly loved. However, we really are quite pleased and happy with all of our updates! From the get-go, we were impressed with Todd's (owner) interaction with us and availability via text, phone, and in-person meetings. The project started on-schedule and finished within a few days of the end date except for some punch-out items and backordered materials (backsplash accents) that came in a bit later. His master-schedule timeline was an awesome tool for us to see how the project was laid out from start to finish. I also need to mention that we were up against a Christmas deadline. We had family coming over for Christmas dinner and obviously needed a working kitchen for that! Todd and his team had gotten a bit behind and to their credit, they came over Christmas eve morning (and stayed well past lunch) to ensure we had a working kitchen by the time they left. One thing that we were concerned about was to ensure that the kitchen blended with the rest of the house and thus did a lot of agonizing over our decisions. Even though we were told to decide on cabinets first, then worry about countertops, flooring, and then backsplash, we found that at least for ourselves, that later decisions ended up impacting (and changing) early decisions and actually are all dependent on each other. We were also doing other things such as painting walls and painting stained cabinets (via another contractor). Even though Todd had lots of great insights and opinions, one thing that Renaissance could potentially think about for the future is adding an interior designer to their team There were several times during the project we had gut-feelings that we weren't making the right decision and we revisited those (and ultimately changed our minds on!). Having a readily-available interior designer may have made that process a bit easier. Todd's team (led by Chris and Tim) was great to work with and very personable. One thing that particularly sticks out in our mind was the care and attention given to the start of the laying of the new hardwood floor. They had to lay it perfectly when they started in the foyer or it wouldn't match up when the rooms broke up, and then merged together on the other side of the dining room. They did an awesome job and it looks super. We have received many, many compliments on our floor. The biggest compliment we can give Renaissance is that if we have another renovation project to be done, we will be calling them to do the job! ( -- and this is a pretty huge compliment after having workmen in your home every day for two months time, especially when you work from home!)

I recently had my kitchen completely gutted and replaced and it was honestly a fantastic experience. (I know!) I would recommend Renaissance to anyone. My house is close to 100 years old and I was worried about all of the potential "surprises" lurking. Todd's quote was all encompassing and the team was familiar with older homes. Working with Todd and his team was an absolutely amazing experience! I've heard so many horror stories regarding kitchen remodels and Renaissance made the process seamless and stress-free. Both Todd and his staff were extremely professional. As a new homeowner, I truly appreciated their honest, candid recommendations throughout the remodel. Todd accompanied me to all of my appointments, which made me more comfortable with the process. He also took care of all of the permits, etc. I loved not having to worry about all of the details. Also, both Todd and his staff were incredibly responsive. I don't think I had to wait more than a few hours for an answer to a phone call or text message. The kitchen turned out more perfect than I could have imagined and ON TIME! What more can be said?

Todd Smith and his team with Renaissance Remodeling/The House Whisperer did an extensive remodel of our kitchen/dining room. The project involved tearing down a wall and re-routing/reconfiguring plumbing and ductwork and close to a complete gutting of our previous space in our circa 1940's kitchen/dining room and transformed it into a beautiful open kitchen that is truly gorgeous. Todd helped us transform our ideas into our dream kitchen and helped us keep our project on budget.

Working with Renaissance Remodeling was a pleasure. The owner, Todd Smith, was upfront, knowledgable and dependable. His workers and subcontractors were helpful and respectful. The price was reasonable and comparable with other remodel companies. They were able to find solutions to all my concerns both structurally and cosmetically. All loose ends were addressed. The work was finished timely and with few delays. All delays were out of their control. We had a complete kitchen tear-out and remodel with new cabinetry, appliances and granite countertops. The hardwood floor was patched up and refinished. A backsplash was installed. We had a 1980 U-shaped kitchen with 12 inch soffits all the way around and overhead, obstructing cabinets over the peninsula. We put in a long kitchen island with a bar height end. Todd designed it based on the space available. It is my favorite part of the kitchen. We used cherry shaker cabinets and stainless appliances. We had a glass and stone mosaic backsplash placed. Plenty of lighting was added. I would call it a transitional style. The kitchen turned out even better than we expected. We love it. We recommend Todd Smith and Renaissance Remodeling and will use them again for bathrooms in the future.

Remodeled a second floor bathroom due to leaking pipes, completely gutting it down to the studs and adding about 2 feet from an adjacent bedroom. Put in a larger vanity with marble top, replaced the tub with a beautiful walk-in shower with a marble bench, a custom 1/4 inch shower door and subway tile. Replaced all the plumbing and electric wiring, installed a new toilet, light fixtures, exhaust fan, tile flooring, shower and sink fixtures and towel bars and all new trim and a new door. It is beautiful and much larger and more functional and usable than before. Todd is very easy to work with and always returns my calls and/or texts promptly. He listens to my concerns and adds great suggestions for design and function. He previously remodeled my kitchen and sunroom four years ago which was a massive project and he did a wonderful job. I would hire him again.

My fiancé and I purchased our first house last year, and it needed some updates badly. With neither of us knowing anything about remodeling, the costs, or what would need done, we started searching Houzz for some ideas. We stumbled upon Renaissance Remodeling, and after reading their great reviews on Angie's List, we decided to get an estimate for remodeling our basement. We didn't have a huge budget, but Todd Smith, the owner, was accommodating from the beginning. He answered all of our many questions, put us at ease that the job would be done efficiently and within our budget. He assisted us every step of the way, whether it was recommendations on flooring, wall colors, or layout. We are so pleased with the finished results, and we definitely will be hiring Renaissance for any future remodeling projects.

After a decade of suffering with a tiny, awkward, and ugly kitchen we called a number of contractors to talk about a major renovation. Several of them looked our 1920s Clintonville house and just never called us back. Some called us back and offered quotes that were 50% of the appraised value of the house. Some just proposed cursory remodels that would have left the basic structure (and ugliness) intact. We were about to give up on the whole thing when Todd came to provide an estimate. Instead of grimacing and wringing his hands, he marched around the house taking measurements, assuring us that he had worked with old walls, electricity, and plumbing before. Instead of sighing and trying to cajole us into diminished expectations, he envisioned an entirely new space. And instead of trying to persuade us to take out a bigger loan, he told us that he thought he could work within our budget. Just about a week later we met with him to take a look at the plans that would demolish the kitchen and dining room, tear down the wall separating the two rooms, construct a new doorway, and entirely relocate all the mechanicals. Only a few weeks later, we were starting the project. There’s no doubt about it: a renovation project that guts the center of your house is a disruption, but Renaissance made it as painless as we could have hoped. We had never done any house remodeling projects before and were very anxious because everyone we knew eagerly told us about their personal disasters or the latest episode of “Holmes on Homes.” Our experience was absolutely different: Todd let us know when he anticipated problems and explained how he would manage them. He hires and uses very talented and conscientious subcontractors with whom he had done business for a long time. We never felt that he had abandoned us to nameless firms, subcontractors, and underlings. When he wasn’t pleased with the work the electricians did, he had them come back and fix it. When an ordered cabinet was too big, he replaced it. He was wonderful at communication: he was always available on email or phone when we had questions. And perhaps best of all, he was imperturbable: discoveries about poor wiring or bad joists that sounded like disasters to us became “no worries” as Todd reassuringly said, “we’ll make it work.” And make it work he did. Only 8 weeks later, we had a dream kitchen of cherry shaker cabinets, granite counters, oak floors, brand new lighting and new appliances. What were once two tiny inconvenient rooms with no lights is now a gorgeous open center room that orchestrates the entire house. Renaissance crafted the original oak in our dining room and living room to blend seamlessly with the new oak in the kitchen. They saved doors and trim from the original built-ins and constructed built-in cabinets; so even though our house looks absolutely modern, it still has its 1920s craftsman style charm. Renaissance turned our drab and ugly space into a showcase: it is the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. If I thanked you a million times, it would be insufficient