CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROOFTOP DECK DESIGNER DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DIFFICULT
Read what our clients think it’s like to work with us
When we first met with Chicago Green Design, we were uncertain if we would proceed with the project due to space limitations. But after seeing the plans, we were excited with the possibilities and couldn’t wait to begin. Don and his team captured the contemporary style we wanted while creating a functional space our entire family could enjoy. Our rooftop is our urban oasis and the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. The entire team was very professional and a pleasure to do business with.
When I was looking at having a roofdeck put on our house, I interviewed three roofdeck design companies. Don listened to what I wanted and provided a great design before even signing a contract, and his prices on things I could directly compare were better than anyone else. He clearly has a huge depth of knowledge on everything to do with roofdecks, from appropriate plants, to the pros/cons of each material, to furniture, to custom work to do anything you ask. We now have a fantastic roofdeck with a builtin grill/fridge, dining area, two lounge areas, a firetable and TWO waterfalls and a long spillway.
I saw someone yesterday who had seen the roofdeck several months ago and for the first five minutes all he could talk about was how amazing our roofdeck was. I agree, it’s a showstopper and really has made the roof a great place to be.
In practical matters, the final cost did not exceed the estimate except for upgrades we agreed on. Plus, there’s a bunch of great little touches I wouldn’t have even thought to ask for, like hooking up the waterfalls to our water line so we can fill them with a flip of a switch. It really shows having someone work on the roofdeck who specializes in them.
Just a great experience overall with Don and his crew at Chicago Green Design. His creativeness and vision for the project surpassed a number of competing firms. His ability to listen to and truly incorporate the desires that I sought were fantastic. His blending of the outdoor space with that of my indoor space was a refreshing aspect of the design approach that others did not bring to the table. Don was fantastic at offering a number of alternatives and options, both in terms of price and materials, at achieving the end goal, always keeping the final project objective well within sight. I plan on continuing to work with Don and his team on phase two of my roof deck, which by the way, he talked me out of pursuing until phase one was completed with a chance to really “live” in. Do not make the mistake of at least talking to Don and his team if you are considering a small, medium or large scale outdoor space enhancement.
Chicago Green Design turned our 3-car, gabled-roof city garage into a gorgeous outdoor roof deck. Our friends and family are blown away at the transformation and are amazed that this tranquil living space exists in the city. Don and his team of professionals worked expertly through the entire design and build process.
After meeting with us to hear about our vision for the space, Don presented a thoughtful plan for the design incorporating all of our must-have’s. From the original design, there were only a few additions we made to the kitchen area and we couldn’t be more pleased with how well the space was utilized.
Starting the project, the CGD team worked quickly to demolish the gabled garage roof while minimizing the noise, debris, and disruption to our neighbors. We also reconfigured the stairs out the back of our house enlarging our backyard space and constructed a steel skywalk directly to the roof deck. The scope of our project, and of Chicago Green Design’s expertise, also included artificial yard turf, fence/gate repair and refinishing, and landscape design for the front of our home.
Every aspect of the project is custom crafted and was completed by the CGD team with precision. We love the warmth of the Brazilian IPE wood floor designed with a 6″ rise from the porcelain tiles in the dining area. The steel pergola contrasts beautifully with the soft Infinity Shades and the illumination from the fire table creates an intimate feel for entertaining. Don has extensive knowledge about plants and used them to surround us with natural beauty in the city as well as providing additional privacy. The design of the kitchen was carefully considered in our tight space and we will be able to enjoy casual cocktails at the bar or prepare a gourmet sit-down meal. Overall, CGD stands out in their attention to detail during both the design phase and in their ability to construct an exceptional quality product.
We had a great working relationship with Don and everyone here on the job. If we had a concern, they responded promptly and often resolved the issue within hours. The CGD team takes pride in their work and were a pleasure to have at our home. The entire process was lots of fun and the end product exceeded our expectations.
Working with Don from Chicago Green Design was a great experience in every respect.
Don helped turn my raw rooftop space into an urban oasis complete with fire pits, a custom designed pergola, planters + garden area, artificial but real-looking grass turf, a dog run, 3-hole undulating golf putting green, outdoor all-weather television and surround sound speaker system.
Our initial meeting focused on how I envisioned using the space. A few weeks later, Don returned with design drawings reflecting everything we had discussed and more. His creativity, integrity, knowledge and attention to detail are what sets him apart from the competition. Don goes the extra mile to ensure the rooftop not only looks great but will stand the test of time. He uses the best materials to survive the wild temperature swings and volatile weather associated with Chicago’s seasons without going over the top and pushing for you to spend unnecessarily. His construction team is very professional. While they may take a little longer than other companies to complete the project, it’s worth the wait. In addition, when I wanted to make some changes mid construction, Don was very flexible and adaptable to my wishes. If you’re looking for the best of the best in outdoor space design and construction, I highly recommend Chicago Green Design.
Don designed and built our rooftop garden in Wicker Park in June 2011. We have a large outdoor space (~800 sq ft) and wanted more of an elevated backyard than a rooftop garden. From the design to the finished product, we had a great experience with Don and are extremely happy with the results.
Don was great to work with in the design phase. My wife and I are not necessarily creative people in terms of design. Don collaborated with us during multiple face to face meetings to ensure that his design captured our wish list. He was also very conscious of our budget at every step of the design phase.
The building phase of the project was also fantastic. Construction was efficient and on budget and we have been very impressed with the quality of the work and materials. Our outdoor space contains a kitchen/eating area, grassed area (Perfect Turf) with seating, and a raised platform with lounge seating and a Shademaker umbrella. In addition, we have many custom planters, trees, and a complete irrigation system. All of these elements of the design came together beautifully.
In summary, I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Don and Chicago Green Design. An elaborate outdoor area in the city can be a significant investment and undertaking. I would recommend Don and Chicago Green Design to anyone looking to upgrade their property with a high-end, custom outdoor space.
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