I chose Wentworth because they identify as 'historic property restoration' specialists. They took my 140 year old home and made it beautiful! It was an extensive restoration of the exterior façade I am very pleased with their finished work!

Expertise

Expertise - From the architects to the carpenters, we had complete confidence in Wentworth's expertise. Victor Helmsley deserves significant kudos for keeping our project on time and on budget notwithstanding several curveballs that our old house threw at him during construction.

Communication

Communication - Once construction started, we were very pleased with the communication we had with Wentworth -- Victor kept us apprised of scheduling issues and other relevant developments, and was (and continues to be) extremely responsive and professional. Prior to the start of construction and when we were still in the design and permitting stage, we found our communications with Wentworth to be clear and very effective at certain key times -- for example, during our initial meetings with Bruce (who was, by orders of magnitude, the best listener and communicator of all of the firms we met with), during the design charette, and at the product selection meeting. However, it was sometimes unclear to us outside of those key milestones where our project was in the process and how long various stages would take, and on a few occasions had to reach out to Wentworth for updates. Bruce and the team were always very responsive when we did so, but could benefit from being even more proactive communicators about status and scheduling expectations. As one example, we were particularly frustrated when, after having completed the finish selection process and signed our construction contract, we were told just weeks before construction was scheduled to start that Wentworth wanted to delay our project until some undefined time later in the year due to the pandemic, which had been a knowable factor months before we signed our contract. Wentworth resolved our concerns and was able to start construction just over a month later than originally planned, so everything ultimately worked out fine -- but better and more regular proactive communication in early 2020 could have avoided/reduced our frustration about this episode.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We'd seen examples of Wentworth's work in the Hill Rag -- we were looking for someone with experience on Capitol Hill.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Our initial meeting with Bruce made clear that Wentworth was the only real choice for our renovation: unlike the several other architects and builders we consulted, Bruce asked us probing questions about how we use our house, actually listened to us, and then gave us options for renovating our space that were beautiful and met our functional needs. Based on that initial meeting we had exceptionally high expectations that Wentworth overwhelmingly met. To call out a few specific highlights: Wentworth's architects prepared a design that is beautiful, creative, and maximizes every last inch of our small house beyond what we'd imagined possible when we first decided to renovate our kitchen. And Wentworth's carpenters (Victor and Geoffrey) were second-to-none, taking numerous old-house curveballs in stride, fixing problems we didn't even know we had, and producing beautiful and functional spaces. Victor's fieldwork cabinets in particular are an unexpected highlight of our space.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The workmanship was outstanding.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - When Wentworth completed Phase 1, I was so pleased with the process, quality of the work done, professionalism, and their consideration of the fact that I was in residence during the construction. A few years later I decided that I needed a few more changes, I had no hesitation in hiring the Wentworth firm again. I could not be happier with what they did in Phase 2. While I am not entertaining a Phase 3, but if I should, I would hire Wentworth again.

We'v'e done two major projects now w/Bruce Wentworth and his team and they do very high quality work. You pay extra for it, but we've found it to be well worth the extra cost. The quality of the work is outstanding.

Rarely will you find a group of people in the remodeling industry who are this committed to high-quality craftsmanship. We've worked on two projects with Wentworth and would gladly do so again. I must first of all compliment their architects for having immense creative talents but also working extremely collaboratively. Some architects simply impose their will and/or style on their clients; not so, with Wentworth. Your space will be uniquely YOURS. In addition, they are the kind of "shop" that views every roadblock or challenge as an added opportunity for great results. Every project has its challenges, but when (the inevitable) problems arose on ours, Wentworth responded with solutions that improved the overall space, making it seem like that had been the plan all along. The commitment for high-quality work extends to their carpenters and project managers, whose eye for detail is a huge asset in the implementation phase.There are firms that are more expensive, and those that are less expensive. But given the high quality level of the results (and of the process, which was pretty enjoyable for us), we believe the value-produced-per-dollar-invested is potentially best in class at Wentworth.

Wentworth was very professional and responsive. The quality of the workmanship is is superb.

We had an outstanding experience with Wentworth Inc. From the very first stages of planning our renovation, and then throughout the process, we have been very happy with their workmanship, their professionalism and courtesy, and their real pride in their work and the outcome of the project. The architect and kitchen designer was fantastic, patient, and kind, and gave us all the guidance we wanted and needed in planning the overall design and the selection of hardware, lighting etc (down to the smallest details). In addition, the carpenters and other workmen were incredibly thoughtful of my family and made it easy to live in the house despite the presence of a significant constriction site on the first floor. They spent considerable time every day cleaning up the dust and leaving the site neat and safe. I would not hesitate to use Wentworth Inc for another home renovation project and could not recommend them more highly.

I had several ideas on how to overhaul my galley kitchen and family room but Wentworth gave me three fantastic designs that had never occurred to me. I ended up choosing a combination of two of the designs. When they began work, they were at the house working every single weekday, with no exceptions. Their attention to detail went way beyond what I would have noticed. They cared a great deal about the quality of their work, and took pride in it. They finished ahead of schedule, and we could not be more pleased with the results.

This is a top-quality architectural design/build firm that will not disappoint you when it comes to the quality of thinking about design, and the quality of execution on the part of their employees. Unlike many firms, they are committed to working within your budget but will stretch your dollar in precisely the right direction -- to maximize your investment's value to you and your home. We have worked with a number of different renovation firms in the past, but have been consistently impressed at the way Wentworth handled the "curveballs" that naturally come as a part of the renovation process. In our case, many of those curveballs were resolved to make the project better than we had envisioned in the beginning. Now, that's thinking on your feet! I hope Wentworth is as proud of the work they did for us as we are of having worked with them. Certainly you will pay more to work with a firm that offers architecture and design/build under one roof. What you're really getting for that price are a group of true professionals who will care for your home as if it were their own -- and who will deal with the predictable and unpredictable challenges of renovation without breaking stride.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The quality of the finish work was incredible. It's obvious that the finish carpenter we worked with was top-notch -- and by the way, the subcontractors were no different. People who put this much care into their work are clearly happy to work with Wentworth... and happy to work with one another.

Remodeling Concerns

Remodeling Concerns - We were concerned that we spend our money in the right places and invest in things that would be of long-term value for the home, not just useful to us on a whim. Wentworth really helped us think through the various options available in depth so we could envision multiple versions of the project and guided us in the right direction. We didn't always agree on what the "right" solution was, but we certainly knew that if we were headed in the wrong direction Wentworth would stop us. That honesty is incredibly important when you're talking about projects that cost as much as these do... so our concerns were well-addressed.

We were really happy with our experience with Wentworth, Inc. We will use them in the future and will not hesitate to recommend Wentworth, Inc. to others.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We heard about Wentworth, Inc. through their mailings.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - Wentworth, Inc. didn't fall short of our expectations

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Wentworth, Inc. was extremely well organized and professional. They delivered a high quality solution. Their architects are creative and effective.

Remodeling Concerns

Remodeling Concerns - Our main concerns were the budget and schedule. We wanted to make sure we were getting our moneys worth given what we were paying.

We enjoy the professional and thorough manner in which all aspects of our project were handled and constructed. We look forward to having them on our next project.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We saw an ad in a magazine.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the overall planning, design, and execution.

We are about half way through the renovation and so far I could not be more pleased. The design is great, the promptness of everyone is greatly appreciated, and I have not had any big surprises so far. The workers on site are fantastic; they are here everyday at 7 AM: they communicate well, and their craftmanship is excellent. So far, the timeline is being kept and there have been only minimal added expenses. I would highly recommend Wentwworth, Inc. to anyone looking for quality design, prompt and responsive personnel, and excellent craftmanship.

Customer Suggestion

Customer Suggestion - Keep doing what you are doing. Everything seems to be working very well.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - So far, I am extremely pleased with Wentworth, Inc. Keep up the good work.

It was an unusually pleasent experience. The architect, designer and lead carpenter were very attentive to details. The lead carpenter was usually already aware of things brought to his attention.

Lead Source

Lead Source - The Washingtonian Magazine

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Timely response to problems.Efforts to deliver high- quality were exceptional and done good naturely.

Wentworth Studios turned our boring box into a beautiful, functional living space. They listened to our needs and ideas and gave us graceful solutions that far exceeded our expectations. It is a joy every day to live within the practical and elegant spaces Wentworth designed and built for us.

Lead Source

Lead Source - Washington Post article

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - End results beautiful

On the design side I couldn't be more pleased. Wentworth listened to my oft competing needs/wants, accurately gleaned and guaged my taste preferences, and produced a design that exceeded all of my expectations. On the construction side I also couldn't be more pleased. Wentworth staff on the site inspired confidence and no carpentry task seemed too challenging. They took the same care they would take in building their own house, and in addition were always quite professional and considerate. On many constuction details I consider myself a perfectionist, and I soon learned that I could sit back and relax as details would be attended to with a very high standard. Typically when one hears about another's experiences with a renovation, they are stories of horror. My renovation experience with Wentworth was quite engaging and I would even say fun.

We are very pleased with the quality and pace of our renovation. Each step took place as planned: the Wentworth team would say "the drywall guys will be here until Thursday, then the painters will come and be here for three days," and that was exactly what would happen. All very well organized.The quality of both the design and finishing is exceptional.We will recommend Wentworth Inc. to friends and neighbors.

Remodeling Concerns

Remodeling Concerns - We were concerned that the renovation would not be consonant with the character of the house. This concern was given prominence in design (inside and outside) decisions.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - We are very pleased with the outcome. The space is more open, warm, and inviting.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I am very satisfied with the design and decorating because they are spectacular.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The design/preparation work was great.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - professionalism and quality of the work. They pretty much kept on buget and schedule.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Overall I think they did a very good job.