1. Remodeling a home in Chicago requires a considerable amount of patience and diligence
It is unwise to assume that a kitchen renovation or bathroom remodeling will be completed without encountering some tasks that will delay or force you to change the design of the project. Sometimes, the fault is with the Chicago weather, other times is bad remodeling design, while in certain cases, is the contractor or subcontractors on the job. Analyze wisely and make a plan of action. It is always a good idea to find a contractor familiar with your type of remodeling project.
2. Find a contractor that suits your project
According to the official numbers, there are about 6,000 general contractors in Chicago and many of theme would be eager to be able to quote on your project. It is never a good decision to rely on only one opinion. Your contractor friend, or your friend’s acquaintance is not necessarily the right contractor for your specific home renovation project. Looking for a Chicago General Contractor online will first bring up a dozen websites and articles about the best contractors in your area. Many of the contractors you’ll find on Angie’s List or HomeAdvisor are shown there for the simple reason that they pay a lot of money to advertise. This cost will eventually be added to your invoice. Try instead to scroll down until you find websites that take you directly to a contractor’s domain. Don’t forget, always ask for quotes from at least three general contractors.
3. Be conservative with time estimates for your home remodeling project
Everyone hopes to finish a kitchen or bathroom renovation within the time limit they initially imagined, but many run into issues that delay the completion of the project. A reliable general contractor will always discuss freely about any delays or issues that might come up during the construction, but be wary of contractors that tend to always have something that ‘just came up’. These contractors can have very good knowledge of how to remodel a condo or house, but they might have a managerial limitation that always leave them hanging to multiple projects, all delayed. For best results, find a small contractor that likes to concentrate its efforts on one project at a time, or a very small number of projects.
4. Sign a contract
Any reliable Chicago General Contractor for home renovations should be willing to sign a basic contract for the work performed.The contract should include details about all the work that will be performed, an itemized price, contract length and other relevant aspects, like permitting, materials or warranty. The general contractor should prepare this contract based on the estimate he provided and he should submit it to the home owner along with proof of insurance and his General Contractor Licence.