Customer Satisfaction

“Donatelli Builders sets the standard for general contractors. Chris brings a refreshing transparency to the building process along with high integrity and an artisan’s passion. From his patient explanations to his open accounting to his hawk-like attention to details, he is the person you want backing you during your renovation.

Chris is quite hands-on and frequently on site meeting with his team, subcontractors, or just inspecting the work. His team is phenomenal as well. They are highly skilled, hard-working and courteous. Donatelli Builders demands a lot from their subcontractors and have a stable of high-quality providers that they constantly vet and replace if needed. Watching it in action showed us the true value of the GC. It is equal parts project management, quality control, and trade management.

The process itself was very collaborative with Donatelli Builders working closely with our architect and kitchen and bath designer. We were always in control of the entire process and considered the three as our primary advisors providing insights on aesthetics, functionality, and costs.

We are extremely happy with the end result. Our home, which is a very modern home, required a number of touches that many people were not familiar with. Chris did the research and either found sub-contractors that were familiar, or walked them personally through the exact process. We (the team) innovated in a number of areas, and Chris showed great versatility in being able to execute on some fanciful ideas. He talks about value engineering and showed it a number of times helping us make substitutions that provided comparable end results but with a large savings.

Someone once told me that if you are building a home (or massively renovating one), you need to like your architect, but you better love your builder. We ended up loving both, but I can appreciate the sentiment. We spent many intense hours with Chris and entrusted a big part of our life to him. Having completed this project, I can say confidently we picked the right builder, and we couldn’t imagine doing another project with anyone else.”

-Jessica & Sean Chou, West Chicago, IL

“It is our utmost pleasure to write a review for Donatelli Builders who orchestrated the remodeling of our kitchen in 2010. Chris Donatelli was the consummate professional throughout the whole process, from the handling of the paperwork, managing of the project and all of the details, his availability on site, and continuous communication with us as part of the team. Our experience far exceeded our expectations. As busy professionals and a family that travels frequently, our lives continued seamlessly on a day-to-day basis. In fact, as the project continued, my husband and I traveled out of the country on three separate occasions feeling secure that the project was continuing under Chris’ supervision.

Importantly, Chris worked within our budget and his excellent integrity and respect was revealed throughout the process. It has been a pleasure knowing and working with Chris and we look forward to future projects with his company.”

— Dr. Margot Touris, Northbrook IL

“When I was doing online research before starting plans to finish our lower level, the Donatelli Builders, Inc. Web site portfolio stood out among other general contractors. I liked the projects I saw. Nothing was cookie-cutter about their work, and I could tell from the gallery that they pay attention to details.

From my first interaction with Chris Donatelli through the completion of our project, he was always prompt in responding to my questions and was there to discuss ideas we had. He was on the same page with us. For example, in addition to function, we wanted a stylish, unique bar in our basement without exceeding our budget. Chris was able to work out a way to make that happen for us. He saved us money by presenting affordable cabinetry options in the warm, darker wood tones we desired, and then constructed a custom bar around it. His team built a custom bar wall and installed a beadboard-and-mirror combination as the backsplash. Kris, the carpenter, is fantastic! He’s so talented and meticulous. We are amazed by his work.

We’ve done other home remodeling projects before, but none can compare to how the Donatelli Builders, Inc. team works. We always knew who was going to be here and when. There was no guessing. The online client portal is a great communications system. We always knew when our selections deadlines were, and we could look at the history of our conversations in one spot without having to dig for old emails and have a ton of scrap paper in the house with notes.

We felt safe and comfortable having the carpenters and sub-contractors in our house. They cleaned up after themselves every day — not just at the end of the week. There was no dust tracked through the house, and they didn’t leave their tools out. When our staircase was removed, the carpenters affixed a separate locking system on the door so our kids wouldn’t fall. They thought about everything.

The end result was a beautiful custom space done right. With Donatelli Builders, Inc., you know you’re only going to have to do it once because it’s done perfectly. Their team is creative, high-end and solutions-minded. We would absolutely recommend them to others. And even after they were paid in full, they came back to check on warranty items as scheduled.”

— Molly & Nick Halper, Arlington Heights, IL

“Chris Donatelli’s work throughout the design and building of our home showed his attention to detail and care for his customers. He stands behind his work and made the process as painless as possible. There were no short cuts — only superior craftsmanship. By far, the most important thing we did was to get a very concrete estimate of costs by picking out a majority of materials prior to the final contract. Our final cost was very close to our contracted cost because the bidding process was based on hard numbers for real items. No other contractor suggested this probably because in not doing so, they had a better opportunity to increase the total cost. With Donatelli Builders, you will be satisfied at the end of a rewarding endeavor. After more than a year, I still couldn’t be happier with our home.”

— Dr. Carla Carpenter, Downers Grove, IL

“I had a very positive experience working with Donatelli Builders, Inc. for a number of reasons. At the top of the list is the fact that I found everything to be predictable when working with Chris Donatelli and his team, which is what I like. The experience I had was everything he said it would be. Predictability is important for everyone, especially those of us who work full-time and have limited spare time. There were no surprises during the course of my project, and that was because of Chris’ detailed planning, precise scheduling and meticulous organization. That means a lot coming from me, a professional organizer.

Nothing happened by accident. There was a thorough step-by-step process Chris went through during the design and construction phase to minimize the stress level of my home remodeling. Let’s face it: living through a renovation has the potential to be very stressful, but with Donatelli Builders it wasn’t. With all of the moving parts involved in the remodeling process (people and products), Chris managed everything and stayed on track. His style is professional and impressive to me.

Chris is conscientious about everything he does, even the ‘small stuff.’ He cares about his clients and the experiences they have. Chris took the time to talk with me, listen and understand my needs, and then explore different options to make sure my project fit my lifestyle and budget. Chris and his team guided me in the right direction when it came to making decisions. They’re reliable and trustworthy. I always felt like they were looking out for me – and they truly delivered exactly what I was looking for … on time and within budget! It has been a pleasure to work with Donatelli Builders and I highly recommend Chris for any home remodeling or new construction project!”

— Patty W., La Grange, IL

“We are very impressed with the craftsmanship and professionalism of the Donatelli Builders, Inc. crew. They deliver their work on time and within budget. We will hire them again for further improvements”.

— Amanda & Dr. James Ferlmann, Naperville, IL

Our Donatelli-built home is the second new home construction project that we have undertaken in six years. During that period, we have had the opportunity to work with and interview more than two dozen of the best custom home builders in our area. Although we liked our first custom home, it did not compare to the service and quality that we received from Donatelli Builders, Inc.

When planning to build a custom home, there are a lot of choices and decisions to be made. With a growing family, our floor plan had to be unique in that we wanted wide open living spaces and a contemporary craftsman look. Chris Donatelli’s extensive new home construction background and vision helped us to achieve the look and feel that we wanted.

Quality of work and attention to the very smallest details are some very distinct qualities that resonate when I think of our Donatelli home-building experience. From the very first meeting you get the sense of how organized Chris is with his step-by-step building process that is clearly defined. Chris and his staff are hands-on people that are always accessible. His carpenters are the best craftsmen that I have seen in the business: from framing to trim work, there are never any shortcuts. Chris surrounds himself with the very best suppliers, and his relationship with those suppliers is key in helping you make the right selection and to getting those supplies delivered on time to keep your new custom home on schedule.

If you are planning a new construction or to simply remodel, I would strongly recommend Donatelli Builders, Inc. to anyone who is looking for the highest-quality work that you can take pride in.”

— Mark & Tracy Kalfas, Wheaton, IL

“Chris Donatelli and his team went out of their way to make our remodeling experience stress-free. Chris assisted us in every phase of the project, right from the beginning with obtaining the building permit. He kept us informed on a regular basis and made recommendations to the original design along the way and provided the cost associated with the change. That helped us in making decisions. Thanks to Chris, our family enjoys the extra living space.”

— Adil & Rashna Pooniwala

“Chris Donatelli is a class act. I’d recommend him to anyone. The ‘before-and-after’ of our home is dramatic. We always wanted a captivating house in the perfect yellow hue of our choice. We had a picture in our minds of what we wanted it to look like. We’re so pleased with the outcome; it looks great! We didn’t pay more, but we received superior quality that is as close to perfect as can be.

The Donatelli Builders, Inc. team is very impressive. Having dealt with three other contractors previously with bad results, I really appreciated having Chris and his team handling our exterior renovation very professionally. They show up when they say they will show up.

Chris Donatelli’s expertise is priceless. We told him what we wanted and he provided many recommendations, the first one being among the most important: to work with one of his trusted architects to sketch out plans for us to ensure we would get what we wanted, namely an exterior that requires little or no maintenance.

Chris did an excellent job of explaining what he was going to do and why, and continued to provide us options with every decision, things that other contractors would not do. In addition, his team is comprised of artists; they’re unbelievable. You can really notice their craftsmanship. We have peace of mind working with Donatelli Builders, Inc. … we know the work was done right. We couldn’t be happier with our decision to use Donatelli Builders, Inc.”

— John & Carolyn Conversa, Elmhurst, IL

“Donatelli Builders has completed several remodeling projects in our home and outdoor living space as well. When we moved into our home, we realized that the sun on our patio was really going to prohibit our sitting outside. We wanted a shaded area that was aesthetically pleasing, and through a friend, found out about Donatelli Builders. Chris took care of all the details: hiring the best architect for the job and keeping in mind our wishes. Together, they designed and created a beautiful pergola that we love. We truly enjoy sitting on our patio and have been told many times how nice it looks from friends and neighbors.

Chris’ workmen were excellent and very trustworthy. We consider them artists … perfectionists who pay attention to every feature, big and small. We felt comfortable having them in our home, and we would go back to Donatelli Builders because of the peace of mind they gave us.

We have also hired Chris for kitchen remodeling and single-room remodeling projects. He has great ideas, and it’s the little things – the details – that really demonstrate his creativity and craftsmanship. Chris really is a “nice guy”, a pleasure to work with and trustworthy … all of which are very important to us and whywe wouldmost definitely hire him again for any home renovation project in the future.”

— Judy & Dale Talbott

“We are extremely delighted with the results of our whole-house renovation and pleasantly astonished at the manner in which every professional involved with Donatelli Builders, Inc. conducted themselves. We repeatedly say that the project turned out much better than we had originally expected, and feel that the primary ingredient was the team’s ability to work so well together.”

— Vicki & Keith Ovitt, Wheaton, IL

“Chris Donatelli is a business owner and builder I trust. Over the years, West Suburban Bank has provided financing to Donatelli Builders, Inc. for multiple real estate and business transactions. In each case, the transactions were completed smoothly and without a hitch. On a personal note, I hired Donatelli Builders, Inc. on four separate occasions for home renovation and remodeling projects on my home: a master bathroom renovation, kitchen remodeling, basement remodeling and to replace my entire roof. Again, the projects went smoothly each time. I have used – and will continue to use – Donatelli Builders, Inc. for any of my residential remodeling needs because I know the high-quality work, honesty, dependability and attention to detail Chris provides cannot be matched elsewhere. I simply don’t have to worry about the results because I know I will get the right advice, the right service and the right price.”

— Kevin Acker, Bloomingdale, IL

“We have the unique experience of doing two additions on our home. We did not select Donatelli Builders, Inc. for the first project, and realize it was a mistake on our part. The first remodeling contractor we opted for was not very good and the process was a complete hassle; we ultimately had to remove him from the project. We know what it’s like to run your own business while being responsible for many family commitments; this was not what we had signed on for. When our family continued to expand, we needed to expand the house again. This (second) time there was no way we were going to take any nonsense from a builder. We were expecting a child and this had to be done on time and done right. We met with Chris Donatelli and felt that he would be able to meet our needs.

We hired Chris and are very pleased to say the experience was nothing like the first one. Chris was on the site often; we could reach him at any time and the Donatelli Builders, Inc.’s in-house carpenters made a huge difference. They kept the house clean and we felt that our family was safe until all the work was completed. The team at Donatelli is not what we would describe as your average worker: they were some of the hardest-working people we have seen in this business. In the end, we received what we paid for and — considering the extent of the project — it went better than expected. For this reason we would highly recommend Donatelli Builders, Inc. to anyone wanting large or small projects done on their homes.”

— Ron & Nicole Castaldo, Bloomingdale, IL

“We hired Donatelli Builders, Inc. in 2002 for a major addition to our Wheaton home. We were looking for a highly competent builder and a fair price – and we feel that’s what was delivered. We were most impressed by Donatelli Builders, Inc.’s attention to detail, the quality of the workers and subcontractors, and the ease at which we could communicate with Chris. We wouldn’t hesitate to consider Donatelli Builders, Inc. for future projects.”

— Jessica & Scott Hierbaum, Wheaton, IL

“Donatelli Builders was a pleasure to work with from the start of our home renovation project through completion. Chris was so easy and pleasant to work with and couldn’t have been more thorough from the design phase to each remaining detail. In addition, he and his crew were timely and hard-working, which made our home renovation project completed on schedule – something that is often unusual in that field. We would highly recommend Donatelli Builders to anyone who wants attention to detail, quality of workmanship, and craftsmen who find pride in their work.”

— Trish & Kevin Donlevy, Hinsdale, IL

“We really enjoy the sunroom that Donatelli Builders, Inc. designed and built for us, and appreciate the hard work the team did in upgrading our home and making it a more fun and functional place to live. Donatelli Builders, Inc. provided a high-quality job at a reasonable price.”

— Greg & Nancy Puchalski

“Your thoroughness and attention to detail made our working relationship smooth as silk.”

— Michael F. Moone

“I recently had the privilege of working with Donatelli Builders and was so pleased with the workmanship and integrity of this company. Chris, the owner, takes a personal interest in each step of the project. He keeps the lines of communication clearly open with client, designer and contractor so that the homeowner gets the benefit of a team approach when building their home. Chris has put into place a very talented group of resources so that any project he heads up will be nothing less than stellar.”

— Mary Susan Bicicchi, ASID, Owner of Interiors by Mary Susan

“Rarely do I work with a residential builder that is organized, timely and can pull off the level of creative detailing that our home renovation projects require. Chris Donatelli and his staff were able to do just that. As one of the leading design firms in Chicagoland, we require the builder to meet a few important objectives. First, we need them to follow the drawings precisely – this is critical. Issues will always arise; that’s the nature of construction, but we never want the builder to assume anything. Donatelli Builders always contacted our office for clarifications and suggestions before proceeding with the home renovation work. This is a big deal for our office. Second, we need to make sure that the client is happy with both the construction process and the end product. In this business, client references are critical to future projects. The current client needs to be able to convey to prospective clients that he or she enjoyed all aspects of the project: design, construction and the finished product. By working together, employing quality subcontractors, and communicating with our mutual client, all three objectives were met. The end result are homeowners that rave about their home renovation and the construction process – and are ecstatic to share this experience with others. We look forward to our next opportunity to work with Chris and his staff.”

— Jim Prisby of Caprio Prisby Architectural Design P.C., Hinsdale

“Chris Donatelli gives attention to detail, communicates well and always keeps the best interest of his clients in mind.”

— Bill McClaughry, sales representative of Pella Windows & Doors

“I like working as part of the team with Donatelli Builders, Inc. It’s nice to bounce ideas off of each other right from the beginning of the design phase on through to the end of the landscaping. Whenever I or the homeowners make suggestions about the design, Chris Donatelli always takes the challenge seriously and strives to see if and how it can be done. Sometimes builders can be timid and just say, “No, we can’t do that; that’s not the way we are used to doing it.” But not Chris – he’s a “can-do” type of guy as opposed to a “can’t do it” type of guy. His solution-minded nature allows the architectural design to be bold, free and creative while remaining practical and buildable. I trust Donatelli Builders to carry out my designs to the high level of quality that I and the homeowners expect.”

— Ron Haas, Architect of Ronald T. Haas & Associates

“Chris Donatelli and Donatelli Builders embody the concept of a team approach to every project with which they are involved. As landscape architects and designers, we are energized and inspired when working with a team of other like-minded design professionals. Chris and his staff also make sure the team draws on the experience and input of his team of contractors and the craftsmen who implement the plans to get their valuable input throughout the entire process.

Donatelli Builders’ synergistic philosophy and approach to every project creates a final product that exceeds expectations. I personally look forward to each and every client and garden we work on with Chris, as we know it will be another landscape we will be proud of.”

— Dan Wanzung, Architect and President of American Gardens, Inc.

“Chris Donatelli is a man of integrity, and a business owner who values professionalism, quality and customer relationships. Chris is more interested in the quality of his workmanship and customer relationships than the volume of homes he builds. As a result, he stands out from the crowd as an extraordinary builder.”

— Ken Mariotti, president & co-owner of Woodland Windows & Doors

“As an architect, it is a pleasure working with Chris because he takes pride in the quality of his workmanship. It is not often that I can honestly say that a general contractor is able to estimate a project, sign a contract and bring the project in at the amount agreed to without numerous extras. Donatelli Builders, Inc. has shown its ability to work with the architect and complete projects in a timely and economically feasible manner.”

— Chris H. George, P.C.