Recommendations

At VisionWorks Home Design we set high standards for our company. We don’t stop until our work is perfect. That goes for the completion of our projects as well as our service to our customers. We believe in doing it right. See what our clients have to say.

Evelyn Avenue Berkeley

Homeowner
Recommendation

We engaged VisionWorks to refresh our bungalow in North Berkeley. We asked Steve and his team to focus our on making some key kitchen upgrades that would improve the functionality of the layout while enhancing the charm of the space. Working within the budget, with minimal changes and no surprises, the VisionWorks team transformed the space in a few short weeks, leaving the property in much better shape than we had lived in it for years.

A key priority for us was to maintain the consistency of the home’s original feel. To make changes that we would be happy with as owners. VisionWorks delivered! They offered design ideas to give the home a more cohesive feeling while making practical choices to stay within project’s scope and budget. We appreciated VisionWorks commitment to staying on schedule — without compromising quality — even when unexpected hurdles were uncovered. The home garnered a lot of attention when it was listed. We had a quick and successful sale, $387,000 above the listing price. We kept saying to ourselves after the project was finished, we wished we’d made these changes years ago.

Huge thanks to you and your team!

Isaac and Rebecca (Homeowners)

3998 Whittle Avenue, Oakland

Agent
Recommendation

We love working with VisionWorks for so many reasons! When we work with Cara, Steve and the team, we know they will come up with beautiful designs and creative ideas to make a property look its best.

They understand what projects are most important to bring the biggest bang for the buck, and they implement the work with an eye toward what a buyer in today’s market is looking for. They understand that for every dollar spent, we want the maximum impact and value- and they don’t disappoint.

They are always cooperative and collaborative and open to outside ideas – even from the real estate agents and the homeowner – not every design and construction team will do that. The VW team is there to integrate, guide, and make sure that all the pieces fit together, and that the end result is amazing!

Their vendors and subs are respectful, hard-working, and very talented. And no matter how ambitious the project, or how tight the schedule, they always manage to stay on target for cost and timing. And if there are changes that come up, it is never a surprise. Communication is key, and we can say that is quite rare for most contractor/design teams. Cara and her crew work tirelessly up to the last moment to make sure that every detail is attended to, and that the project looks fantastic. This kind of attention is so rare and so appreciated!

We’ve done a few listings with VisionWorks, and the most recent at 3998 Whittle took a tired ‘hippie home’ and transformed it into a Dwell-worthy beautiful property with modern touches and hip stylish spaces inside and out. The house has so many intangible details – that many might skip over or not notice – but VisionWorks understands that it is these small things, all combined, that really make the difference.

Their patience, respect, talent and skill is a reflection on us, so we are happy to recommend Cara, Steve and the VisionWorks crew to all of our clients into the future.

Ana Forest (Red Oak Realty)

7831 Claremont Avenue, Oakland

Agent
Recommendation

VisionWorks helped us transform a very tired listing in Berkeley into a polished, joyful, move-in-ready home. As someone who likes to be involved in the design process, I appreciated Steve presenting me with several great options and allowing me to collaborate on the final direction. We had a fairly tight budget for this project and he was able to identify creative solutions and high impact design choices that truly maximized our budget and allowed us to present a really beautiful home without breaking the bank. Our seller felt like he was in trustworthy hands, often noting how Steve was committed to doing the job correctly. They went above and beyond and I would not hesitate to use their services again.

Rachel Sheftel (Red Oak Realty)

547 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Berkeley

Homeowner
Recommendation

Cara and Steve did an absolutely stellar job upgrading and preparing our Berkeley house for sale. They did a ton of research studying every square inch of the property before formulating a plan, then they patiently worked with us to discuss and optimize the best options to fit within our budget, and finally the various line items were clearly explained and delineated before the work started.

Several times during the process they went above and beyond the call of duty to deal with unexpected issues that came up, even handling a stressful last minute emergency fixing a broken window the day before the new owners were due to move in.

Communication was excellent and the work was done on time and on budget. The result was simply stunning and brought us a sale price well beyond what we were expecting. The only thing we were disappointed with is that we couldn’t move back in when they were done! A++++ job and highly recommended.

Dan Alvarez (Homeowner)

547 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Berkeley

Agent
Recommendation

VisionWorks really adds value to a home! They did a fabulous job giving my listing a makeover. They enhanced the spacious rooms with excellent design choices to make everything extra beautiful! I loved the small changes that made a big difference: uniquely color-stained cabinets in the kitchen and dining room, great new light fixtures, attractive paint colors – especially the accent walls – and unifying design elements throughout the house. Plus, they have mechanical know-how! It showed in the response! I got tons of compliments during the showings and then multiple offers. I highly recommend VisionWorks and look forward to working with them again, soon!

Dee Plunkett (Red Oak Realty)

1224 Marin Avenue, Albany

Agent
Recommendation

After thoroughly walking through the house and discussing with my sellers, I concluded that it was to my sellers’ best interest to hire a design/renovation company to prepare the house, to achieve the best sales result possible for them. I contacted Steve (one of the owners of VisionWorks) based on my colleagues’ recommendations.

From the first meeting to the completion of the project, the communications between Steve, my clients and myself, were easy, and the whole project was thoroughly guided through, with on-site visits and bi-weekly progress/ budget reports. Our questions were always promptly and thoroughly answered, and unexpected issues discovered during the project were addressed with professionalism. In real estate, timing is one of the most important elements for a successful sale, and VisionWorks has made the house ready for marketing on time as promised. When the project was completed and the house was staged (by VisionWorks as well), the house looked gorgeous and very desirable. My sellers were very happy with the results, and we have received many nice comments from buyers and agents. We got multiple offers on the offer date. I enjoyed working with Steve, and I appreciate very much his continued support during the marketing and escrow periods. I especially appreciate their diligence and professionalism, and the fact that nothing was taken lightly. Yes, VisionWorks has exceeded our expectations, including their workmanship, design, and management.Hsuching (Red Oak Realty)

1224 Marin Avenue, Albany

Homeowner
Recommendation

Selecting VisionWorks to prepare our house for sale is the best decision we made! The entire renovation process was painless as VisionWorks has a capable team of professionals in all areas of construction. The team was committed to quality workmanship, a tight project timeline and predetermined budget, even while we were physically away in a different state. Although some unforeseen house repairs popped up VisionWorks was trustworthy, diligent to explain, and patient in seeking our feedback while being creative and reasonable in cost to resolve the challenges. VisionWorks’ integrated approach to home design, by looking at the entire property (I.e., house, garage and yard, both inside and outside, etc.) was awesome. Result? We received multiple offers, with the house pending sale after 2 weeks on the market. We cannot believe how beautiful our house is and everyone who saw the house agreed, which made the whole project worthwhile. Thank you VisionWorks!

Phoebe 🙂 (Homeowner)

5930 Fresno Avenue, Richmond

Agent
Recommendation

VisionWorks did a phenomenal job on my listing. They transformed a simple 2-bedroom house from a cosmetic fixer to a gorgeous polished gem. It definitely showed in the results. This was one of the highest dollar per square ft sales in the area!

Cara and Steve were wonderful to work with. They were patient and thorough. They’re both very organized and great communicators; they have a talented team; and Cara the contractor can fix anything! They created a sensible, easy to follow plan… and they rolled with all the changes and additions my sellers asked for. When my sellers saw everything they exclaimed “this is fantastic!” They were thrilled with the job that VisionWorks did for them. So was I. I highly recommend them and look forward to working with them again.

Dee P. (Red Oak Realty)

5808 Occidental Street, Oakland

Homeowner
Recommendation

As you know, we got a terrific preemptive offer on the house. I am writing to thank you for all the great work that you did in preparing the house for the market. Ellen and I were both impressed about and appreciative of the thoughtfulness and care of the work you did, both inside and outside the house. The place looked great, and we were confident that the work was done meticulously. We also appreciated that you reached out to us at regular intervals to make sure we understand the status and pace of the work, and the range of options for getting the house in shape. It was a great experience for us: on a 1-10 scale, a clear 10. We would recommend you with the greatest enthusiasm and without any hesitation.

Joshua (Homeowner)

5808 Occidental Street, Oakland

Agent
Recommendation

VisionWorks Home Design was a pleasure to work with on my recent Oakland listing. They were able to bring out all the charm in a small Oakland home and make it really shine. Their communication with my clients on expectations, progress and budget was excellent. They were very attentive to detail, and very proactive when a few unexpected issues came up. Their choice of staging and their design recommendations were great. I would certainly recommend them.

Erik (Red Oak Realty)

2316 California Street, Berkeley

Agent
Recommendation

Getting a house ready to sell is one of the most important jobs for a Realtor. A recent listing needed a large renovation, Steve and Cara at VisionWorks proved to be more than up to the task. I can itemize what I was highly impressed with:

1) A very thoughtful and thorough bid. They took their time and carefully studied the prospective job and created a detailed bid that was easy for the client to follow.
2) They collaborated with an architect and rapidly got plans drawn for the needed permits.
3) Their crew was highly professional and the job site was always left tidy.
4) Issues that came up during the process were given thorough consideration. Nothing was rushed.
5) Change orders and increased costs were communicated quickly with the client and fairly resolved.
6) All of their design choices/recommendations were well-considered and presented.
7) The final result was everything both the client and myself had hoped for….and then some!

I’m greatly appreciative of the job Cara and Steve did for this property and client. Well done!

Brett (Realty Advocates)

876 Santa Barbara Road, Berkeley

Agent
Recommendation

I would highly recommend VisionWorks Home Design for providing the highest quality design and contracting job as well as efficiency. Cara is a top-notch, reliable, and dependable professional who is wonderful to work with. She goes beyond what is expected and works hard to get the job done in a timely manner. She also was able to prioritize projects within the house, to make sure we got the most sizzle for the investment. She sets the bar for designers and general contractors. Any realtor or homeowner would be lucky to partner with her

Farnaz (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices)

1327 Mariposa Street, Richmond

Homeowner
Recommendation

Steve and Cara and their team at Vision Works did a fantastic job preparing my rental property for sale. Not only was the quality of work excellent, Steve and his designers were able to modernize my 1940’s era home, significantly improving the look and feel resulting a ton of interest and a final sale well over my asking price. Communication was great, and the job was completed on time and on budget. Thanks VisionWorks for making my home prep and sale such a painless process!

Nick (Homeowner)

2220 Spaulding Avenue, Berkeley

Homeowner
Recommendation

I could not have been more pleased by my experience with VisionWorks. From the first meeting with Steve and Cara, it was obvious they had good taste, great ideas, were considerate of my thoughts, and respectful of my home. They quickly prepared a scope of work and timeline. I was able to choose what work was done from the big picture down to the smallest detail. Throughout the job there was excellent communication between VisionWorks, me and my real estate agent. If anything new came up, I was consulted and we were able to quickly adapt and stick to the timeline. Steve and Cara provided creative solutions to some items we hadn’t anticipated in the original scope, which was greatly appreciated.

This was my first time getting a house ready for sale and I’m so happy I went with VisionWorks. I trusted them and the end result blew me away! The improvements made to the house combined with the staging made it look stunning. The attention to detail really paid off and the house looked even better than I’d hoped and imagined it would. Steve and Cara, you exceeded my expectations in every way! I would recommend you without hesitation to all my friends. Thank you for making this experience as easy as it could have been and for making my house and yard sparkle.

Best,

Ann (Homeowner)

433 Spaulding Avenue, Berkeley

Agent
Recommendation

We received 23 offers on Spaulding! People just loved it. It was the darling property of the week. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the makeover. I can say with conviction that Steve and Cara were a joy to work with. They compliment each other in their work approach and both are thoughtful and thorough. I appreciate the easy and frequent communication and the can do attitude!

I am used to helping my sellers make premarket improvements and repairs so I know what it takes. I was thrilled to see VisionWorks do their magic, licensed and professionally. The property shows gorgeously from photos, to website, to in person.

Thank you Steve and Cara! You get my warmest recommendation.

Cordula (Red Oak Realty)

4300 Whittle Avenue, Oakland

Agent
Recommendation

Thank you for the great transformation your team performed at 4300 Whittle Ave in Oakland. I usually try to manage the home preparations for my clients. This being a 5 bedroom 3.5 bathroom house, I knew I was going to need the big guns.

The part I appreciated the most about VisionWork Home Design was how respectful and accommodating you and your team were in dealing with my seller, as she was living in parts of the house during the bulk of your work. Your flexibility, communication and laboring over the details were key in making this happen.

We are now previewing for coming soon and already the compliments and inquiries are pouring in!

You were recommended by another agent in my office. She told me your creative and skilled craftspeople were fantastic. I agree, you really made it happen at Whittle. Please convey a special Thank you to Cara as well. Her patience, talent and good taste were appreciated.

I hope to be working with you again in the future.

Rudy (Red Oak Realty)

4300 Whittle Avenue, Oakland

Homeowner
Recommendation

I can’t tell you how impressed and excited I am over the transformation. All the photos are fantastic. I only wish I could be there in person to see it and give you and Cara a big hug!

Andrea (Homeowner)

255 Kenyon Avenue, Kensington

Agent
Recommendation

The VisionWorks team did a great job preparing my seller client’s home in Kensington for market. Their approach was calm, friendly and thoughtful. A creative idea they had for reconfiguring the kitchen made all the difference. Steve and Cara really went the extra mile to be sure every little thing was taken care of. And, in the end, the house was transformed from dated to devine!

Vicky (Coldwell Banker)

255 Kenyon Avenue, Kensington

Homeowner
Recommendation

VisionWorks did a great job preparing my house for sale. Their work was careful, high quality and came in on time within the constraints of the Coronavirus. I would certainly recommend them to another homeowner considering contracting with them. They fixed a lot of small things, in addition to the formally agreed to items, and made the overall look of the place just what was needed!

Marcia (Homeowner)

1925 McGee Avenue, Berkeley

Homeowner
Recommendation

As homeowners who moved out of the area, we needed a contractor we could trust to plan, manage and oversee improvements to the property to get it ready for sale in our absence. In VisionWorks Home Design we found more than that. Steve and Cara know the market and what it takes to get top dollar for your property. They did an extremely thorough inspection of the house and were able to direct us to best spend our money to improve our house with both design and repairs. They communicated with us regularly, juggling all aspects of improvements from electrical to plumbing. When problems arose, like our garage door repairman fell through, Steve was right there saying “no problem, we’ll take care of it.” The design was tasteful and respectful of our budget. Their portfolio is beautiful and we trusted their design choices. The project was finished on time despite a few unexpected curveballs. In the end, our house looked so good we wondered why we were selling it!

Lisa & Eddy (Homeowners)

6438 Arlington Boulevard, Richmond

Agent
Recommendation

I just want to express how great it was to work with you on the 6438 Arlington project. With a relatively short time-line, it was important that everything go exactly as planned.

I was very impressed on many levels. You envisioned some very important and creative ways to improve the kitchen keeping the original cabinets. When it was done the kitchen just gleamed and had the overall look of a new contemporary space. The extreme attention to the smallest of details was impressive throughout the interior of the home and also the exterior.

Steve as project manager, was always available to clarify and update myself and the owners so that everyone felt in the loop.

Cara’s construction knowledge was very complete, having to increase the depth of the counter tops to accommodate the new dishwasher was challenging.

The quality of the workmanship and materials used were very apparent and were commented on repeatedly by people attending the open houses.

I would definitely recommend VisionWorks to my future clients and to anyone needing quality work done in their own home. They are highly professional, knowledgeable and easy to work with. Steve even came back weeks after the work was completed to take care of a few minor things that came up.

My clients were thrilled when they walked through the home at the end of the process. They had not seen it since the work started. They could hardly believe that it was the same home. The home sold for $91,000 over the asking price.

With warm regards,

Joan (Red Oak Realty)

6825 Oakwood Drive, Oakland

Agent
Recommendation

I recently had the pleasure to work alongside Visionworks Home Design. They brought a strong team of ideas and resources to the table. My client loved the removal of a small wall so much she bemoaned not having done it 20 years prior. She loved how it all turned out. The stager they brought into the project did an amazing job as well, and was icing on the top.

Steve and Cara each have a specific skill set which make them a great duo to work with. They were both on hand throughout the project to field questions, or if a time sensitive issue came up. An aspect I truly appreciate as a real estate agent, when time is of the essence.

I would definitely collaborate with them again!

April (Red Oak Realty)

1228 Milvia Street, Berkeley

Agent
Recommendation

I want to highly recommend Steve and Cara with VisionWorks Home Design for providing the highest quality redesign and home preparation for my listing. I had a fixer on MIlvia Street in Berkeley.

Their design brought light and fluidity to the flow of the home. They chose wonderful colors and accent walls that brought the listing to 2020. The exterior paint colors were beautiful. In the kitchen, they removed a wall and designed a custom counter space with an island. The selection of the countertop was perfect. The new light fixtures worked perfectly in the 30’s vintage home. When I wanted to have input they worked with me.

They were timely, professional, and friendly. They were so on top of everything. And, they finished everything on time.

They came up with a product that we were so proud to present.

Soraya (Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty)

6438 Arlington Boulevard, Richmond

Homeowner
Recommendation

We had the pleasure of working with VisionWorks for the sale of our home. Steve and Cara are a such great team and we truly value their expertise and professionalism. When we met with VisionWorks during the initial walkthrough, they seemed genuinely excited for the project which stood out to us. We appreciated the itemized estimates, along with different plan options, with our budget in mind. They kept great communication throughout the process and their work and design choices made a big difference in the sale of our home. We hope to work with them again in the future!

Alison (Homeowner)