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
Robert G. Voith
18786 Burnside Station
Mokena, IL. 60448
708-479-5252
r.voith@comcast.net
Candy, Nuts, Gifts:
David Levine
3745 W. Dempster
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-5777
Carpet Cleaning:
Chicagoland Healthy Home
(847) 379-8788
www.ChicagolandHealthyHome.com
Carpentry (Remodeling, Decks, Fences, Tile, Trim)
Good Guys Carpentry
Alex Ayala
(708) 769-9879
a.ayala78@yahoo.com
Crawlspace Work:
Greg Mitchell
830 Fariway Dr.
Bensenville, IL
(630) 860-2577, Cell: (630) 816-9793
Cleaning Service: (Commercial, Residential)
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
Chimney Sweep / Repair
Jeanne Smith
28915 Herky Drive
Lake Bluff, IL
(847) 918-7994
Dentists:
Joyful Dental Care
Dr. Joy Poskozim
6314 N. Cicero
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 736-7767
JoyfileDentalCare@yahoo.com
Disaster Restoration Services:
10350 Dearlove Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 827-8259
Drywall Repair:
Brian Powers
(630) 355-2210
Duct Cleaning:
Brad Lassila
4027 N. Hamlin
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 267-0799
Electricians:
Monster Electric (Smaller hobs and low voltage wiring (TV, Cable, Computer, etc)
Eric Weiczorek
(312) 805-0395
ericwieczorek@rocketmail.com
Cook Electric (Big jobs)
1100 Florence Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 328-8031
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
Garages:
Ray Szumai
4001 Devon
Chicago, IL 60646
(847) 810-9009
General Contractors:
Chuck McKiel
McKiel Constuction
(847) 452-4131
Brayview Construction Group
(773) 769-3385
http://www.brayviewconstruction.com/
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:
Brian Holtzman
Eco Tech Insulation (Foam insulation)
5200 W. Main Street
Suite 205
Skokie, IL 60077
(224) 234-1940
Steven Carrol
516 Winthrop
Addison, IL
(773) 622-3363
Insurance: (Auto, Home)
Louis Irmo
3748 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-0505 ext. 107
Marble, Stone Restoration, Concrete Polishing:
Janet Homa
FCH Marble Restoration
7414 N. Lowell
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 763-1821
Masonry:
Mike Galasinski
Arrow Masonry and Exteriors
(Repair, Split Block Sealing)
420 South Vermont
Palatine, Illinois 60067
800-882-5768 (City)
847-776-6400 (North)
630-629-4300 (South)
AAA-1 Masonry & Tuckpointing
5001 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 622-7300
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.)
Guardian Preservation Services
18470 Thompson Ct. Ste 28
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(888) 740-3811
1898 Techny Court
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 564-4379
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:
Painting Ladies
Claire Alshuler
(312) 420-2367
paintingladies@hotmail.com
Transformed by Color
Michael E. Birnbaum
(847) 372-8552
Ted Dumiter
Ted's Painting and Decorating
(847) 797-1879
Radon Mitigation:
DuPage Radon Contractors, Inc.
Mike Rumak, President
(630) 836-1918
Remodeling, Construction:
Rick Reiner
8331 N. Kostner
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 763-1800
J. R. Graves
Construction Made Simple, Inc.
Skokie, IL 60077
Roofing:
Shingle Company
Brian Washburn
1408 Robinswood Ln.
LaGrange, IL 60526
Office: (630) 728-2222
Cell: (708) 310-8924
sales@shingleco.com
Hanson Roofing
2130 Jackson Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-2550
1320 Gladstone
Waukegan, IL
(847) 623-1625
Restoration:
Roger Keys
R.W. Kess Decorating
711 S. Dearborn, Suite 608
Chicago, IL 60605
Security Systems:
Kevin Wallace
Keyth Technologies
1520 Berkley Rd.
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 433-0000
Cell: (847) 417-2500
Keyth.com
Structural Engineer:
Joseph Farruggia, SE, AIA
GFGR Inc.
216 S. Jefferson, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 831-2000
Moshe Calamaro
930 Pitner Avenue, Suite 7
Evanston, Illinois 60202
Phone No. (847) 733-0015
Fax No. (847) 733-0018
moshe@moshecal.com
Windows:
Casey Michon
4130 Scott
Schiller Park, IL
(847) 233-9411