IDEA Architects + Builders

Description of Work: This was a kitchen and light basement remodel.

Description of Work: We hired Idea Architects to remodel an entire apartment for us.

Description of Work: I contacted them for my basement remodel. They responded via email saying the soonest they can make an appointment to meet and go over the work to be done would be the following week. I responded by saying any day the following week would be fine with the one contingency that I get home from work at 5:30pm. I asked that they reply with which day would work out the best for them. NO RESPONSE. A couple days later I resent the email just in case. The whole week went by STILL NO RESPONSE. They must have no time for me or my money. Again another highly rated Angie's list provider that proves to be an utter disappointment. I hate the fact that these days you have to beg and chase companies to work for your money.

Description of Work: General contracting services and labor for replacement of multiple bathroom fixtures.

Description of Work: I'm adding a review here because I'm not sure how else to notify other Angie's List members, but Idea Architects appears to be out of business. Either that or something is very very wrong with their administrative management abilities. Their phone number is disconnected and their email address bounced back as undeliverable despite the fact that their website is still live. FAIL.

Description of Work: IDEA designed and built an addition/remodel to our house.

Description of Work: I had them do a quote for me. It was for a remodel of our home.

Description of Work: 1. Was the project delivered on-time and on-budget? On budget: yes, although there were several unexpected costs that came up during construction that made us spend more than originally anticipated, but that was no fault of IDEA. An example was the plumbing, which was all galvanized steel. Once the walls were open their plumbing sub-contractor recommended we invest in copper pipes, which cost us another $6k, but it was our call and ultimately a smart decision. All projects that weren't part of the original spec were presented to us in advance and we made the call before any work was done (for a caveat see my warning on the change order process in #3 below). On time: for the most part, yes. The quoted time was 3 months and they ultimately came in at 4. The main problem from our point was Marty's inability to tell us what we didn't want to hear...that our goal to get in by Thanksgiving wasn't going to happen (he's a really nice guy who likes to please and doesn't like to deliver bad news). He kept saying it was possible up until just a few weeks before, when it became pretty obvious that there was too much left to do. Then, we were told we could move in 3 weeks after Thanksgiving, so we planned our moving arrangements. Problem was, Marty didn't set up the final electrical inspection until the day we were scheduled to move, and didn't break the bad news to me until the morning the movers were supposed to come. To this day I'm convinced he could have avoided the issue by having his electrician work one weekend day, but he didn't (this was the cause of a very heated call between the two of us; otherwise my working relationship with him was very good). This was an irritation but not a deal killer. Ultimately we got in 2 days before Christmas. 2. What was your opinion of the overall quality of the work compared to what was promised up-front? We're very happy with the work...the overall work and final look of the house continues to exceed our dreams. Marty (GC) has some skilled sub-contractors, especially the guys doing the trim and tile. There were a couple of small hiccups, but nothing to overshadow the big picture. If you can be on-site every day (even for a walk-thru after work) it helps because you can see what's happening and derail any work that's incorrect before it becomes a bigger issue. I'd recommend being as hands-on as possible. 3. What was your opinion on the level of communication provided during the project? Did you ever feel "left in the dark" as to progress, issues, etc.? See #1 above, and also, my biggest complaint/issue with the entire process was change orders and billing. This was a regular problem with Peter throughout the job. He's an architect and not a business manager and it shows. He could really use someone to mange change orders and billing (he may have hired someone since our job, I don't know). The issue is that we would agree to a change, but I wouldn't get a change order -- and therefore an official cost estimate -- until after the job was already done, so I had no flexibility with price. That came into play with the electrician especially, who would charge big prices for seemingly small jobs that weren't part of the original estimate. I complained to Peter about this and he said he'd had issues with that particular contractor before, so he was going to explore finding a new one. Again, you should ask about this and what their process is for billing and change orders. It became a point of irritation between me and Peter. 4. Did you project reveal any issues not identified during the initial bid phase? Were they handled satisfactorily from a convenience and cost perspective? Yes, they were addressed and approved before the work was done, but again, my issue was with the process of issuing change orders without having to hold all work up. 5. Can you describe the scope of your project We gutted the entire main floor, basement and both bathrooms, while freshening up 3 bedrooms (new closets, windows, trim, refinished wood floors). The bulk of the job was creating an entirely new kitchen out of existing space (no addition), new doors and trimwork, tiling, wood floors and finishing the basement. From a design perspective Peter did a good job listening to how we live our lives and what we wanted, but he also challenged us with new ideas. Great example: we thought the kitchen would be dropped into its existing space, but Peter drew out the kitchen in the place of a main floor "master suite." It was absolutely the right thing to do, and why we hired him. Our kitchen gets rave reviews by everyone who comes into our house. 6. Would you used IDEA + Build again on your next project? Yes, but with the understanding that new processes were in place to better manage the business side of the operation. 7. Did you find the builder/architect combination to be materially beneficial vs. using an architect and securing bids from contractors unrelated to the architect? We decided that the combo was beneficial (see #1 above), but that was because their estimate was competitive. If it had been significantly higher we would've had no problem going with a contractor separate from Peter.

Description of Work: Phone call information

Description of Work: They did some design plans for a whole remodel. At this time they were only an architecture firm.

Description of Work: Idea designed an addition and roof deck for our two flat in Chicago. They are now doing the build.

Description of Work: We bought an older frame home, and had Idea Architects (before it merged with a general contractor to become Idea +Build) draw up blueprints for an extensive renovation, which included dormering out the top floor, reconfiguring the top floor layout to ultimately create an extra bedroom, bathroom and laundry room, and updating some of the plumbing/electrical and and almost all of the HVAC. We're not sure how to define a "gut rehab" but if it did not meet those criteria, it was pretty darn close. In the end, the plans called for a 4 bed, 3.5 bath home from what had been a 3/2.5, plus adding on a deck. Idea Architects became Idea+ Build while the blueprints were being created, and after getting competing bids from other general contractors, we hired Idea+Build to execute the actual renovation as well. So, in addition to the plans, what was actually done: Obtaining all necessary permits from the city Dormering out top floor as described Re roofing the entire house Reconfiguring walls to create extra bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room as described Updating plumbing to allow for new bathroom, laundry room as described Updating HVAC to remove old chimney and create a dual zone system as described Installation of all new bathroom fixtures and vanities, and custom built shower stall in master bath. Tiling in all bathrooms, laundry room Replacement and staining of wood flooring throughout. Installation of kitchen appliances and new cabinetry installation of new windows, screens, and skylights Installation of new insulation Building a new wood frame deck Finishing out a portion of the basement.

Description of Work: We were looking to have our flat roof changed to a hip roof because of the constant problems we were having with the roof leaking. We have had at least 5 full roof replacements within the last 30 years. We have tried it all from gravel, tar, rubber, changing the pitch, you name it, we have probably tried it.

Description of Work: Peter completed architectural plans and permitting for a complete gut rehab and basement dig-down for our two-flat greystone in the city of Chicago.

Description of Work: IDEA performed architecture services for my condominium remodeling. They drafted plans for significant remodeling of a 2800 sq. ft. space, including kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms. The kitchen remodeling involved removing a structural wall and a full bathroom, enlarging full-size windows, and generally opening up the space which was previously very broken up and disjointed by smaller rooms.

Description of Work: We remodeled our kitchen which included moving some walls of which some were load bearing. Peter designed a new kitchen for us and the design he provided was outstanding and a much better use of space than we had ever considered.

Description of Work: Peter designed a new, open front porch to replace an enclosed porch.

Description of Work: He designed my office building.

Description of Work: Peter designed & drew up the plans for our addition to the back of our house. He also, got our building permit for us.

Description of Work: Peter prepared architectural drawings for our entire house. We had plans from previous architects but Peter and team made major improvements.

Description of Work: Peter designed an addition as well as remodeling which included the kitchen, adding a master bathroom, walk-in closet, and reconfiguring the basement stairs. He did an excellent job working with our budget and making the addition match our 100 year old house. For example, brick veneer was used to match the existing brick and the arches above the windows match the original windows. Peter's design even corrected some of the mistakes made by previous owners.

Description of Work: They came and looked at a unit they we were considering buying. Spent an hour talking about feasibility.

Description of Work: Peter planned a home addition for us, consisting of a kitchen/family room great room a new bathroom and a laundry room. Peter's attention to our needs, lifestyle, and budget were exceptional. He not only had ideas that worked wonderfully for us immediately, but took into account that we would be heading into our empty nest years in the not too distant future and thought through how the addition would work for us in those circumstances.

Description of Work: We have a loft space that needed to be redesigned. Originally it had one large master bedroom and one large bathroom and lots of wasted space. Peter Dreier of IDEA came up with a design that allowed for two bath rooms (adding a guest bathroom), a new master bedroom with walk-in closet, and best of all, a design that matched the look of a brick and wood loft. Level of detail was also excellent. Contractors and sub-contractors (plumbers, electricians, masonry) all knew exactly what to do from his plans.