Home Inspectors are constantly asked for referrals to different kinds of businesses and contractors to fix problems found during the inspection or to do improvements. We have come to know some that are very exceptional, as well as some whose work is, shall we say, less-than-professional.
It must be stressed that we never ask for, invite or accept any money or gifts from the various contractors we refer to our clients. That would be a violation of our Association's Code of Ethics and even more important, just plain wrong.
It is very important for you to understand that every contractor you hire should be licensed and insured. The State of Illinois only licenses two building trades, Plumbers and Roofers. All other 'licenses' are only limited licenses, usually issued by counties or local municipalities. It is also important to hire only insured contractors. They care enough about their work and about their clients to spend the extra money on insurance to protect the client if they make a mistake. You should always ask any contractor you hire for their license number, insurance certification and a list of past client references. Our rule-of-thumb is to gat at least 3 different quotes for any home improvement or repair and to make sure that the work quoted by each contractor is for the same job, using the same materials and doing the work in the same way. This is so you can properly compare each quote in an 'apples to apples' manner.
Here as some web links and contacts to various contractors and other businesses that we have worked with, personally, know and can fully recommend with confidence. These businesses have consistently displayed the level of professionalism, honesty and quality workmanship that we admire and we have no hesitation in referring them to our family, friends and our clients.
Appraiser (Residential):
Terry Hillerich (847) 609-8079
Hillerich and Associates
4305 Linderwood
Northbrook, IL 60062
Candy, Nuts, Gifts:
David Levine
3745 W. Dempster
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-5777
Crawlspace Work:
Greg Mitchell
830 Fariway Dr.
Bensenville, IL
(630) 860-2577, Cell: (630) 816-9793
Cleaning Service: (Commercial)
Ann Urbach
Metro Maintenance Service
Skokie, IL
(847) 677-8113
Computer Repair, Setup, Problem Solving
Robert Pielet
9301 Kenton, Suite 309
Skokie, IL 60076
(509) 271-5585
Disaster Restoration Services:
10350 Dearlove Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 827-8259
Drywall Repair:
Drywall MD
Brian Powers
(630) 355-2210
Duct Cleaning:
Brad Lassila
4027 N. Hamlin
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 267-0799
Electricians:
Cook Electric
1100 Florence Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 328-8031
Thomas Heskin
Electrical Services Group
6630 N. Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 774-5190
Bobby's Electric
4144 Church
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 679-1777
Get Power Now (Automatic Generators)
Steve Kruzich
(630) 742-4263
Flooring:
Mark Gustin
3071 N. Lincoln
Chicago, IL
(773) 935-9314 Ext 112
Kater Flooring
335 Vine
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-3447
Gutters:
Andy's Custom Gutters, Inc.
7525 N. Keeler Ave.
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-9974
Handyman Service: (Licensed and Insured)
Gary Rich
Mr. Handyman of Lincoln Park (North Chicago)
(312) 751-2501
Andy Schwartz
Mr. Handyman of Park Ridge (North Suburbs)
(847) 933-1760
Keith Braude
Mr. Handyman of Buffalo Grove (serving Lake County)
(847) 279-0280
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
Bronson Shavitz
4849 Main St.
Skokie, IL
(847) 678-1000
Daniel Damian
High Efficiency Heating and Cooling
6114 Lincoln Ave.
Morton Grove, IL
(847) 470-9891
Insulation:
Steven Carrol
Addison, IL
(773) 622-3363
Tom Decker (no relation)
Eco Tech Insulation (Foam insulation)
5200 W. Main Street
Suite 209
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 675-1400
Insurance:
Louis Irmo
3748 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-0505 ext. 107
Stanley Yee
State Farm
6436 W. Gunnison
Harwood Heights, IL 60706
(708) 867-8600
Interior Decorating and Design:
Eileen Smithfield
Smithfield Associates
1031 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 728-6380 Cell:(773) 517-9004
Masonry:
Jan Neupauer
Neupauer Masonry Inc.
7302 Tennessee Ave.
Darian, IL 60561
(773) 744-3287
Men's Clothing:
Jan Sheridan
Suits 20/20
4560 W. Touhy
Lincolnshire, IL 60712
(847) 676-2020
Mold Remediation:
(Note: Mold Remediation companies should not be used for mold inspections or testing because of the possibility of conflict of interest.)
Mold Solutions
P. O. Box 935
Mokena, IL 60448
708-479-1190
Movers:
Walter Burrows
6542 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 274-5500
Plumber:
Tangney & Sons, Inc.
2233 Northwestern Ave.
Waukegan, IL 60087
(847) 599-0635
Kevin Shiffman
3224 West Lake Ave.
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 998-6160
Basement Flood Protector (Sump pump installation)
Jeff Sloss
7070 Rose Rd.
Lake Zurich, IL
(847) 438-6770
Painting:
Ted Dumiter
Ted's Painting and Decorating
(847) 797-1879
Remodeling, Construction:
Rick Reiner
8331 N. Kostner
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 763-1800
5529 N. Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, IL 60630
Office: (773) 467-0090
Cell: (312) 504-4090
J. R. Graves
Construction Made Simple, Inc.
Skokie, IL 60077
Roofing:
Hanson Roofing
2130 Jackson Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-2550
Restoration:
Roger Keys
R.W. Kess Decorating
711 S. Dearborn, Suite 608
Chicago, IL 60605
Structural Engineer:
Joseph Farruggia, SE, AIA
GFGR Inc.
216 S. Jefferson, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 831-2000
Windows:
Johnathan Koloms
2020 W. Peterson
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 423-0110
Casey Michon
4130 Scott
Schiller Park, IL
(847) 233-9411