Karzen Restoration

very well. they were nice. contacted me right away. completed the work and the chairs looked great. the only thing that fell through the cracks was, I asked for another estimate on making some pillows. I didn't hear back on that.

I will use him again. The problem I had with him was about the coupon I got from Angie’s List and he said that it has expired. So he honoured part of it for me but it was kind of a miscommunication.

They responded promptly to our inquiry. Gave us an estimate and picked up the table. The work was one in a few days and the table was returned. The final price was slightly more then the original estimate. We are very satisfied. In September we noticed that the base was not firmly attached to the table top. This was a problem when moving the table to install the expansion leafs. We contacted Karzen. They arrived the next day and promptly repaired the fault. No questions and no problems. We continue to be very satisfied.

I dealt with the actual owner of the company, and everything turned out very well. His services weren't cheap, but he was very knowledgeable, completed the work in a timely manner, and made the chair look better than when I first purchased it. He also offered pick up and delivery service which was convenient. In fact, I'm having him do some additional work on a leather couch since he has done so well. Ultimately, I'd recommend Karzen Restoration to anyone looking for a quality furniture restorer.

Gorgeous. He respected the original work and restored it (rather than refinishing). He preserved the wavy glass in the top glass doors and conceived of a way to stabilize the fragile piece. Very pleased.

Never got any response or money back

I could not be happier that I found Karzen Restoration on Angie's List! Alan Karzen was very knowledgeable and sensitive concerning my family heirloom dining chairs, which I so appreciated. And the quality of the work was amazing! The upholstery is gorgeous, the wood gleams, and the frames are solid again. The kitchen chairs were in very bad shape, the finish dulled. Karzen Restoration brought them back to life - solid and gleaming. I put off this work, since I needed just the right person to do it. Alan Karzen and his team of craftsmen were exactly right!

I should have asked for an itemized list. I did find him thru a deal on Angies list which he was not happy about as he stated it should not be on there. When I checked Angies List said it was a legit offer. He did honor it but was upset it was on the web site!

Karzen Restoration did a wonderful job restoring and repairing my antique dining table. I would definitely call them again!

Alan was very responsive from the beginning. He asked me to text him photos of the necessary repairs and he was able to give me a rough estimate, which I agreed to. I offered to drop off the chairs as I was going to be in the neighborhood. I did have some trouble finding their shop, it's well hidden off of Lake Cook Road but when I called Alan he was able to help me locate it. He texted with a detailed estimate once his expert was able to view the items - I was a little annoyed that this took over a week, since apparently the expert was out of town. If I'd known, I'd have waited to drop them off so I wouldn't have had to go as long without the seats. But once I got the cost and completion date estimate, everything went smoothly and Alan dropped off the work at my home about two weeks later. I was very pleased - all of the chairs look like new!

Took advantage of $99 special for $200 worth of refinishing / re-upholstering. Karzen sent me an email asking me to schedule an appointment. Was going to be out of town so we set a date for Feb. 10th when someone from the shop would come to my house and estimate the cost of repairs. We met on Feb. 10th and discussed what needed to be done to the four chairs and picked a fabric from his extensive line of fabrics. Alan worked up an estimate, we agreed and then he took the chairs with him. Called several weeks later to find out how the work was progressing and he indicated that the chairs would be done and delivered the following week. Chairs were delivered on March 3 by Alan. Very satisfied

Great work, very personable and professional.

Alan told me he would send an email with the estimates. It has been two weeks and I have NOT received any follow up. I purchased the Angie deal of $99 for $200 worth of refinishing. I may have blown $99.00. My sofa estimate was $1000.00. He stated he would not want seams which made sense. I do appreciate honesty and desire quality but can't afford the services. To refinish the top of two chest of drawers was $600 & $800 respectively. Alan stated he would want to have 2 Men & a Truck come pick them up. I have a 4-Runner and volunteered to deliver on my own to save money. He declined. This is a little too rich for us. At this rate, I might be able to afford a scratch repair on one drawer. Live and Learn. UPDATE: I received the written estimate from Alan Karzen via email on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. The written estimate did indeed have a lower estimate for the sofa project that what was originally verbalized in my home. Once I made the company aware of the fact that I did not see the written estimate, it was sent to me on the same day. Follow up was appreciated.

I had purchased an Angie's List "$99 for $200 Worth of Furniture Restoration, Repair, or Refinishing" deal from Karzen Restoration in hopes of restoring an old wooden rocker handed down to my wife by her grandmother. Because the chair had been neglected for so long, I was doubtful it could be brought back to life, let alone finished in time for our wedding anniversary, less than four weeks away. I talked to Alan Karzen, and after looking at the chair, he felt confident he could restore it, but he was concerned about the lead time and couldn't guarantee the chair would be finished when I wanted. Wishing for the best, I turned the rocker over to Alan, hoping my wife would be pleased to see the chair restored, no matter how long it took. Alan returned the finished chair three days before our anniversary. It looks fantastic. The hundred plus year old rocker looks brand new. My wife was also amazed. I got a lot of "good husband" points for having it done, even though Alan and his crew did all the work!

John came out and looked at the table we wanted refinished and he was very professional and honest about in evaluating the work that needed to be done. Our only problem was the over all cost of the estimated work. With the $99 already charged by Angie's List, the work would have cost $899 which was way over what we thought it would be. We therefore decided not to move forward with this project. I called John and he was vary gracious and asked us to keep him in mind for future work.

I had a piece of furniture that needed to be repaired due water damage from a leaking roof. After giving me an estimate of $2,500 for the breakfront which he valued at $10,000, I called Alan Karzen to pick up the furniture for repair. He made a derogatory comment about my home then winked at me. When loading the furniture into his van, he left the drawers sitting on my snowy driveway on a day when the temperatures were hovering at freezing. When my general contractor questioned him on it, he was then rude to her. He bumped the furniture against the door frame on the way out. Angie's List offered a coupon for 10% off labor. When I asked him about using it he told me, "I'm working for your insurance company... well, I'm working for you but your insurance company is paying me and they are not interested in a discount." He did not honor the coupon. Due to a change of circumstance, I decided not to have him refinish the piece and hired someone else to pick it up. Mr. Karzen charged me $400. When I questioned the high charge he said it was for his time. He came out twice (once for the estimate, once for the pick up), gave an estimate and "kept my furniture safe". I do not know of any company that charges for estimates or charges $400 for pickup and a few days of storage. He said he would prefer cash but would take a check upon pick up. The furniture was not at his shop but in another location and apparently the work was being done by someone else. That person only wanted cash and gave my workmen a very hard time but finally accepted the check.

They did a beautiful job. We arrived in the area after a move from overseas and these items were damaged by the moving company. The wardrobe had a broken, splintered leg and 3 other semi-broken legs; the Belgian table top and the Italian chair seat were split right down the middle; the ornate oak frame of the mirror was broken into several pieces; and the Morris chair was missing its seat platform altogether. All of these pieces were beautifully repaired and restored. Not only that, but Karzen offers pickup and delivery service so we didn't have to figure out how to get a huge wardrobe out of the house and into a van or truck. The whole thing was hassle-free.

Bought on a Big Deal: $99. for $200. worth of service. Owner arrived to price the work of the chair and upon an estimate took it the same day. He made two trips to my home with fabric samples based on my color and appearance preferences and his recommendations for the style of the chair. I also wanted to view additional fabrics and viewed them at the workshop. The upholstery gentleman there also recommended certain patterns which would be best for the multi-tufted back, in order for the pattern to be best placed and views when completed. The chair was delivered on December 4, 2013. Joints were re-glued, cracks in legs were repaired and stabilized. New casters were replaced and old ones returned at our request for sentimental value. The small medallion print damask was carefully placed and matched between 24 self-fabric tufted buttons on the back area of the chair. This is particularly noticed with so many close tufted buttons and perfectly placed flow of the fabric's intricate pattern. The line of the fabric pattern was professionally matched to the separated, individual seat cushion. The backside of the chair cushion was properly aligned and matched the line of the pattern from the front. The partially upholstered arms were situated to center the medallion in the damask fabric. The tight double welting frames the upholstery nicely. The end product is stable, elegant and brought to it's original beauty. My husband was pleased with the look of his heirloom and felt his Father would have approved as well!

They repaired 5 chair legs that were wobbly and my dining room table legs that were split down the side, so wood repair needed to be done. I thought it was quite expensive for what we got, and I think maybe it would have been better just to get a new dining room set. The price also only reflects 4 chairs.. They fixed the fifth chair for free but it took only 5 min. They charged $150 per chair and $350 for the table. However, Mr. Karzen was very nice and prompt with scheduling his estimate and the gentlemen who came by the house were very courteous and friendly. The B review is only due to price, not quality of work or professionalism. Otherwise I would've given an A.

Refinished and repaired antique sewing cabinet, repaired drop leaf table, repaired 2 dining room chairs. Mr. Karzen is wonderful to work with. The work was exceptional and the furniture was delivered when promised. He always responded to my emails right away. I would recommend Karzen Restoration to anyone. The refinished and repaired sewing cabinet was a mess when I gave it to them and is absolutely gorgeous now!

The work went very well. I purchased an Angie's deal, $100 for $200 of work and was promptly contacted to arrange for an in-home pricing of the work and pick up of the chair. The repair was completed promptly and returned within a month of the date of the purchase of the "deal". The quoted price was a little higher than I had anticipated ($500, minus $100 for the Angies Deal, = $400), but the work was excellent. Mr. Karzen was also very pleasant to work with and he informed me in advance exactly what he would do. I will use him again to repair and refinish an antique occasional table, and to refinish a newer coffee table, when I am able to find the extra cash to do so in the new year.

They were wonderful. They came when they said they were going to come. They carted everything away and brought it back in pristine order, comfy and cozy.

I called him and had an appointment set up for me to drop the nightstand off. Less than two weeks later, I got the nightstand back and I couldn't be happier with the refinishing job.

Mr. Karzen came out to our home to inspect the feasibility & cost of refinishing our higher-quality bedroom set. He was very professional & thorough. He provided a written estimate & timeline for the repair. The furniture was scheduled, picked up promptly, & returned within the allotted time period. The result is excellent. We were very pleased with both the work as well as with Mr. Karzen. His demeanor conveys a sense of confidence & trustworthiness. We are so pleased that we will now contract with him to reupholster our living room sectional. Although our existing furniture is not new, he stated that the quality we have could not be duplicated for any reasonable price today. I would recommend Karzen Restoration without hesitation. Angie's List came through again!

He took a long time, and I wasn't happy about that, but it is beautiful. I found him through Angie's List. I gave him my furniture in May and didn't get it back until July, I got very frustrated. It was very expensive furniture, that I inherited from my parents, and it was made in 1959 and it needed it to be refinished and rebuilt, and it is just beautiful. I couldn't be happier. They now look like they are brand new. My father smokes and there were holes in the table, but they fixed it. I would advise people, if you are furniture that you are attached to, or is very expensive, and needs to be rebuilt, you can use him. He is a top of the line stuff.