Top 10 Remodeling Contractors in Wilmette, IL
Frequently asked questions about remodeling contractors
The important steps to remember when finding a good local remodeling contractor:
Reviews - Check the contractor’s website and social media to see what their previous clients have said about their home remodeling work.
Past projects - Often, you’ll be able to find pictures of their previous work on their website or social media. If people are really happy with their remodeled home, they often post pictures on social media and then tag the remodeling contractor.
Up-to-date licenses - It would be useful to know what licenses and registration are needed for renovations companies in your state, and then make sure your contractor is up to standard.
Word of mouth - Generally people like to talk, so ask around for recommendations from your friends and neighbors to see if there is a top remodeling contractor in your community. It’s really important to hire someone you can trust, and if they already have a good reputation in your town, you can probably trust that they’ll treat you well too.
Compare prices - You can get a quote from a number of remodeling contractors or renovations companies to see who has the best going rate compared to the best reputation. Check to see how much each is charging for labor vs. the estimated cost of materials for the home remodeling.
Check out this article for more tips on hiring the best remodeling contractor for the job. It has further details on this topic.
Hiring a remodeling contractor can put you in a vulnerable position. Not only are you inviting someone you don’t know into your home, but you’re also allowing them to take your home apart and put it back together.
With this in mind, the following tips are recommended:
- Have a written contract that outlines all the work to be completed and the pricing.
- Note any additions to scope that come up as the project progresses, including additional materials and sizing issues.
- Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured.
- Ask for referrals and follow them up. Ask previous clients what they have to say about the work, including the quality and price, and whether the remodeling contractor stayed on budget.
- Pay attention to the contractor’s style of communication and how he/she is able to communicate about the project. Are they willing to discuss details about their progress? Are they willing to be flexible?
- Get a written estimate from the renovation company or remodeling contractor. Make sure it’s detailed and includes all the supplies needed, the rate per hour of work, and any other factors such as a timeline or special orders.
Depending on the project, you may be required to pay a deposit for the work. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, “Receiving some sort of down payment at signing is a good practice to ensure a customer’s sincere intent to do the project. A payment schedule should be part of the contract language. Typical down payments are 25% to 33%. Sometimes even higher depending on the type of work being done. A down payment is highly recommended when products have to be ordered by the contractor immediately.”
You may be able to negotiate the percentage of the down payment, especially if you have established good communication with them. Ask your remodeling contractor what they expect and work out an agreeable percentage, but never pay the total cost upfront.
While it may be tempting to take on a remodeling project on your own, it's usually wise to hire a professional remodeling contractor for the job. Hiring a pro may save you money down the road because a pro can help you avoid costly mistakes and possible miscalculations. A remodeling contractor will carry liability and workers compensation insurance, which is set up to protect both the homeowner and contractor.
As you consider how to move forward with your home remodeling vision, you’ll have to consider which parts (if any) you can do yourself and what will have to be done professionally. For example, you may know how to paint a room, but don’t have the first clue about drywalling or knocking down a wall. These are things you probably don’t want to just take a swing at yourself.
These are some other issues people sometimes encounter when doing a DIY remodeling of their home:
- Time — When it comes down to it, you simply don’t have the hours to put toward a home remodeling project.
- Effort — What sounds simple enough in theory sometimes turns out to be rather laborious, and is no longer worth the DIY bragging rights.
- Money — You may not save much money with a DIY project because you a) might cause damage, b) may need to redo some of your work, and c) may not get the materials for the same rate as the renovation company.
Having a solid plan up front will make hiring a remodeling contractor well worth your while.
Requirements for contractor licensing vary from state to state. Approximately 35 states require licenses. In some states, requirements for licensing are very lenient, so the licenses might not mean much to the consumer. In other states, a license means the contractor has a good track record.
Make sure licenses are up-to-date when hiring a renovations company or general contractor. Some states require different licensing categories and/or requirements, so it would be wise to read up on those of your state and check to see if your contractor’s license covers the type of work needed. Never hire a remodeling contractor that doesn’t have or can’t produce their license for working in your state, no matter their reason. Most states require that a license be obtained by any remodeling contractor performing work valued over $500.
With a license, the contractor should be up to date on current building codes, safety policies, disposal of hazardous materials, labor and employee hiring, and permitting. If the contractor doesn’t produce the paperwork, you may want to consider going in another direction.
Proof of a license does not always guarantee good work. Other than checking on a remodeling contractor’s license, homeowners should make sure a potential contractor carries liability and workers compensation insurance. Homeowners should scrutinize contractor’s reviews, look at a portfolio of past work, and look into a pro’s local reputation.
There are many factors involved when it comes to hiring a professional home remodeling contractor. Consider variables such as the complexity and size of the space being renovated, the cost and quality of materials, and the number of subcontractors and labor required.
Don’t go by the price itself, however. Though you’ll collect many estimates from remodeling contractors, don’t let price be the deciding factor. If you pay less, you may get less. Beware of any estimates that stand out as being lower (or higher, for that matter) than the rest.
Get several estimates and make sure they’re itemized (time, materials, costs, etc.) so you can compare various quotes. You may find that the higher cost is worth the money.
Some common things that will likely increase the cost of a remodeling contractor:
- Electrical or plumbing work is involved.
- The materials are imported.
- The project is complex (several rooms, a particularly unique design, extra-heavy materials).
- The time of year. Most people do their renovations in the late spring and summer, making it the season where demand allows for higher rates.
Consult the free Porch project cost guides to get an idea about how much a home renovation project may cost in your area.
The benefits of having one general contractor outweigh any other situation, including you trying to juggle all the different aspects of the project yourself. Hire a general contractor to manage subcontractors and schedule all the work.
There are many different types of contractors based on the kind of labor they’re trained in. For example, there are concrete contractors, HVAC contractors, closet contractors, kitchen contractors, and roofing contractors. Once you determine the specific work that needs to be done for your home remodeling project, you can look for a particular kind of contractor. If you need to remodel a whole room, you can get a contractor specific to that or to the kind of material you’ll be using, like drywall or plaster.
Since different types of contractors can potentially work on your home remodel, having a general contractor to outsource is the best way to go. When subcontractors are bringing on a crew, make sure that it’s a solid team and that everyone is on the same page with costs, materials, and the design of the remodeling vision. Everyone should know their work well and be properly licensed according to your state regulations.
Choosing a local remodeling contractor who knows the best local subcontractors is a smart way to go. Contractors and laborers often collaborate, especially in smaller towns. Making good contracting decisions will ensure that you’ll enjoy both the progress and results of your next home remodeling project. Remember that communication is the key to success. Setting reasonable expectations, establishing a good repertoire, and regularly checking in will lead to a smooth, easy home improvement project.
Recent reviews for Wilmette Remodeling Contractors
This company is the worst contractor I have ever dealt with. The quality of their work is horrible. The owner Rick insists they do 5 star work and most of what they did needs to be replaced. He plumber just send s a helper that didn't even glue some of th...
Tempcare company is fantastic! Technician Gary did a great job and was very clean. I have a furnace that's over 20 years old and was waiting for bad news but he was thorough and he took the time to explain what he was doing as he worked. No new furnace ne...
Good company to deal with. Great price, outstanding customer support, expert technicians. Thank you so much!!
Angel recently put a backsplash in our kitchen, and hung some new lights for us. Not only did he do a great job with the projects, but he was friendly and easy to work with every step of the way. He was trustworthy, reliable, and dedicated to getting the ...
- ONE IN A MILLION CONTRACTOR - Angel is that unbelievable contractor who does the job on time, at a reasonable price, exactly the way you want it and cleans up after work every night. He redid our kitchen from scratch, set up a temporary kitchen for us...
I hired Mr. Quinones to rebuild my deck and stairs. His workers were the best crew that I employed in my 80 years. Work was done professionally, promptly and at a very competitive price. Excellent work and ethics.
I originally contracted Angel to remove an old brick patio and build a deck, along with redoing my water damaged family room. Angel and his exceptional crew are extremely hard workers - very professional, knowledgeable, polite, and down to earth. I was ...
Angel and his crew are detail minded, friendly and honest I enjoyed the experience and they did an awesome job for me I highly recommend him and his crew. Thank You so much and will definitely call again.
Angel Quinones is a person that is fully dedicated to his job. Thank you for a job well done on remodeling my Kitchen and Bathroom.
I used Angel to install a new roof and to build a deck. He is very fair in price, great commutator, explains the job from start to fisnsih, and is very flexible with your schedule. I also had a leak coming from my ceiling. I called Angel and he came out...
I had a wonderfull experience with Angel. He did everything he said he woukd in a timely basses. He cleaned up the job site every day. He came prepared with all the necessary tools and finished on time and on budget.
Everything You Need to Know About Wilmette Remodeling Contractors
Can I browse unscreened Remodeling Contractors in Wilmette?
We do our best to screen all of our remodeling contractors. However, there are still some remodeling contractor professionals in Wilmette that have not been pre-screened. This means that their licenses may not be up to date to operate in Wilmette or IL. Always be sure to pre-screen them yourself before hiring. Here are some unscreened professionals offering remodeling contractors:
- EDGEBROOK CONSTRUCTION:
- Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
- Imperial Kitchens and Baths Inc:
- BBB Rating: A+
- Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
- Ace Home Remodeling Inc.:
- Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
How do I know I am getting a fair price for Remodeling Contractors work in Wilmette?
Every Remodeling Contractors job has different requirements. Remember that the price will differ depending on the scope of your project. However, that doesn't mean you have to go in blind. Check out our tips for getting a fair price for Wilmette work from Remodeling Contractorsbelow:
- Talk to a few different Remodeling Contractors and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 50 professionals and companies in Wilmette for you to compare.
- Before contacting a company, check out the ratings and reviews from previous customers to learn what others have paid, how long the Remodeling Contractors took on the job, and how satisfied they were.
How many remodeling contractors does Wilmette have?
There are around 50 companies throughout Wilmette to help you with your next remodeling contractors job.
- 37 of them have an A or A+ rating from Better Business Bureau.
All Remodeling Contractors in Wilmette, IL
Latest projects near Wilmette
I'm flexible
Construction Project Management
Within a month
Build new deck
No, but I know what I want.
500 to 1000 square feet
Composite
Wood
Something else
Something else
No, pro must provide the materials
Within a week
Removal of a washing machine
No
Within 48 hours
Laminate