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"This was the second time we hired DAL Builders. They rebuilt our porch previously and we were very pleased with the quality of work and final product. We took our time hiring DAL for this job because we wanted to find out if we could do better on price. Their initial estimate was a good bit higher than we expected. We decided that for the quality of work DAL does, their reliability, and the fact that we could trust them with our old 1908 house, they were right for the job. The lower bids we got had big gaps when we itemized them in Excel. DAL's estimate was the most complete and specific, and we were able to bring it down a bit too. We didn't bother to seek higher/comparable bids because DAL had the other things we cared about – quality, responsible contractor, etc. Tim Larkin is great to work with. Communication is important in a project like this, and Tim keeps on top of it. But communication also had to come from us. The project went smoothly for the most part. When there were problems, we found we were able to work through them. It was also important to communicate directly with Ron and Wes, who are excellent carpenters, and were open to our questions and ideas. Tim alerted us to problems found in the house (plumbing, office wall/ceiling) once the work began and proposed solutions that made sense. We were glad to get those problems addressed and to have Tim manage it. I found myself thoroughly appreciating having someone manage the project from beginning to end. We were inclined to select finishes (cabinets, counters, backsplash) through vendors we found on our own. Tim was open to working with them, but in the case of the cabinets & counters, the vendor was not friendly to general contractors (sells wholesale to the public), which was an additional stress on us, though Tim handled it just fine. Everything turned out okay in the end, partly because Tim's contacts with vendors enabled us to quickly find a countertop alternative when the vendor I selected couldn't deliver on schedule after promising otherwise. The kitchen (160 square feet) took about 2 months to complete, but would have gone faster without the countertop glitch. The cabinets were also more complicated to install than expected (vendor I selected was not helpful with this). Tim kept the work moving, bringing in/coordinating the plumbers, dry wallers, electrician, and HVAC outfit. The work on the kitchen involved demoing plaster walls/ceiling and framing, tearing out the floor, insulating walls/ceiling, moving gas line, removing and replacing a heating radiator (water), all new electrical, lighting, and plumbing in the kitchen, installing outside vent for range, new frames for 4 doorways and one large windows, framing a window that had been behind panel walls, installing new floor and cabinets, new appliances except refrigerator, backsplash. We did the painting. Of the $75,000, about $22,000 was for finishes (cabinets, countertops, floor, backsplash, radiator, gas range, dishwasher, microwave), including costs for DAL to manage all orders and installation; $9,500 was for the small office (80 square feet) next to the kitchen where, in addition to new walls, ceiling, insulation, and trim work, additional framing needed to be done to shore up the wall/ceiling; and $2000 was additional plumbing work in the basement to replace old galvanized steel pipes with copper. The kitchen finishes were about $7,500 higher than estimated for various reasons. The kitchen construction costs were about $41,500. Tim was attentive to budget issues and gave us some slack on pricing for additional work where he could, which we appreciated. We also had our own out-of-pocket costs for items we purchased directly, which I didn't track. Having now been through a gut kitchen rehab, which is disruptive and nerve wracking, I also appreciate that Tim was supportive and positive throughout the experience. We needed the moral support. We are happy with our new kitchen and office and we know we made the right decision when we hired DAL Builders."

"Trudy from True Line Studio is a true professional in every sense of the word. Her exceptional work on our Luxe Realty studio headquarters project has left us thoroughly impressed. We purchased an old bank building with a vision to transform it into a multifunctional space, combining commercial and residential units. Trudy played an instrumental role in bringing our vision to life. From the very first consultation to the final project completion, Trudy exhibited unwavering dedication and a profound understanding of our needs. She navigated the complex process of acquiring all the necessary drawings and permits with ease and precision. Her extensive knowledge of the local regulations and zoning requirements streamlined the permitting process, saving us both time and money. What sets Trudy apart is her ability to balance the artistic and functional aspects of architecture. She seamlessly blended the historical charm of the old bank building with modern design elements, creating a space that is both elegant and highly functional. The transformation was nothing short of remarkable, and we owe it all to her expertise and vision. Trudy's attention to detail, responsiveness, and commitment to excellence made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. She worked closely with our team, ensuring that all our requirements were met and even exceeded. Her dedication to our project went above and beyond our expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend Trudy to anyone seeking a commercial or residential architect. Her talent, professionalism, and dedication are truly exceptional. We are immensely satisfied with the work she has done for us, and we look forward to collaborating with her on future projects."

"Hanlons did a phenomenal job on our replacement roof. We highly recommend them to all of our friends and family."

"After a year of working with us, Marc designed the perfect home for our family. He spent significant time on site to get to know the space and spoke to us frequently to ensure his design met our hopes and dreams. His final design is visually stunning and maximizes space use in a way that reflects both the history of the home and modern preferences. His expertise in Chicago building code and city offices was instrumental in our project being approved quickly. He reviewed bids with us to ensure we selected a GC who could do the job and had competitive pricing. He regularly met and emailed with the GC and suppliers to address issues as they arose during the job so that all were resolved to our satisfaction. Throughout it all, he was just a nice guy to work with during a process that can be very stressful."

"They did exactly what I needed. Professional, thorough in cleaning, explaining the process."

"slow response times. no onsite visit, so had to confirm all measures myself. good product in the end."

"Our experience with AP Builder was great. Angelo was very knowledgeable and professional, keeping us informed every step of the way. This was a big important project for our home and I am extremely happy with how it came out! The cost was very reasonable and there were no surprises, everything was open and honest. I would definitely use them again and recommend to friends and family. Thank you AP!"

"Responsive, did the work when he said he would."

"Steve was hired for my office expansion. I have a family friend who, as a general contractor, performed the job of the expansion. I was quoted and paid for a buildout according to my budget. I paid Steve invoices accordingly to the budget and agreed upon price between my contractor and me. Months after the buildout was completed, Steve contacted me stating he talked to other contractors and the job was estimated to be $40,000 over what we agreed upon. I emailed him back stating that was not what I paid for the buildout, despite his other estimates. What kind of a business model is this? As a professional, I know others in my profession have higher rates, etc. I do not send bills to previous clients extorting more money because someone down the street charges more! Not to mention, his harassment started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe he is financially hurting, as all are, but that is no excuse. He relentlessly emailed me the first week of every month asking for my payment for my past due invoice. My general contractor talked to him also, on my behalf, but the emails do not stop. He is basically harassing me for additional money at this point. I am sharing this, as I do not want anyone else to get into his situation. Steve is ethically and morally unsound. Please beware."