Hiring a remodeling contractor is a bigger decision than choosing cabinets or tile. The right team makes a complicated project feel organized. The wrong one can leave you chasing updates, paying for surprises, or living with a half-finished room. The good news is that a few direct questions reveal a lot.
These are the eight questions we would ask if we were the homeowner. They apply to any remodel, from a single bathroom to a whole lower level.
1. Will I get a detailed written contract?
In Illinois, the Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires a written contract or work order for home repair and remodeling work over $1,000, including the total cost and the contractor’s business name and address. The contractor must also give you a pamphlet called “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights” before you sign. The Illinois Attorney General’s consumer protection office enforces the Act and is a good resource if you have questions.
Beyond what the law requires, a good contract spells out the scope of work, the materials, the payment schedule, and what happens if plans change.
2. Is the contractor registered and insured?
Illinois does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Instead, many villages and counties require contractors to register locally, and some trades, such as roofing and plumbing, are licensed by the state. Ask which registrations apply in your town and request a certificate of insurance for general liability. If the contractor has employees, ask about workers’ compensation coverage too.
3. Who handles the permits?
Permits and inspections protect you. They confirm that the electrical, plumbing, and structural work hidden inside your walls meets code. When you are hiring a remodeling contractor, be cautious of anyone who suggests skipping permits to save time or money. Ask who will pull the permits, who meets the inspector, and whether permit fees are included in the estimate.
4. Who will actually be at my house?
Many companies have a salesperson who signs the job and then disappears. Ask who will manage your project day to day, who does the work, and which tasks go to trade partners. You want one clear point of contact who knows your project by name. This question alone tells you a lot when hiring a remodeling contractor.
At Nova Nest, the owners stay involved from the first conversation through the final walkthrough, and our core team works with trusted trade partners. That is the kind of answer you are looking for, whoever you hire.
5. What does the schedule look like?
Ask for a projected schedule with milestones, not just a start date. When will demolition begin? When are inspections expected? Which materials have long lead times, and will they be ordered before work starts? A contractor who plans lead times up front can keep your home torn up for weeks instead of months.
6. How will we communicate?
Remodeling rarely goes exactly to plan once walls are opened. What matters is how quickly you hear about it and what it means for cost and schedule. Ask how often you will get updates, who to call with questions, and how changes are approved and documented in writing.
7. How will you protect my home?
Most remodels happen while the family is still living in the house. Ask how floors and furniture are protected, how dust is contained, and what the work area looks like at the end of each day. Safety training matters as well. Our crew is OSHA 30-trained, and you can read what that training covers on the OSHA Outreach Training Program page.
8. Can I see how you finish a project?
Ask how the final walkthrough works and how punch-list items are handled. A contractor who is proud of the finish will walk the room with you, note anything that needs attention, and come back to complete it.
The best sign when hiring a remodeling contractor is not the lowest price. It is clear answers, in writing, before the work starts.
Red flags when hiring a remodeling contractor
Some warning signs are worth taking seriously, whatever the price looks like.
- Pressure to sign the same day, or a discount that expires tonight
- A request for most of the money in cash before any work begins
- No written contract, or a contract that does not describe the scope of work
- A suggestion to skip permits to save time
- No business address, no proof of insurance, and no local references
One red flag does not always mean a bad contractor, but several together usually do. Taking your time is one of the simplest protections when hiring a remodeling contractor.
Comparing estimates when hiring a remodeling contractor
Put estimates side by side and check that they cover the same scope: demolition, materials, electrical and plumbing work, permits, cleanup, and disposal. If one number is much lower, look for what is missing. A detailed written estimate is easier to compare and easier to hold everyone to later.
- A written contract with scope, materials, price, and payment schedule
- The Illinois consumer rights pamphlet before you sign
- Local registration and a certificate of insurance
- A clear plan for permits and inspections
- One named point of contact
- A schedule with milestones and lead times
- A plan for updates and written change orders
- A final walkthrough and punch list
If you are hiring a remodeling contractor in Lake County or the northern Chicago suburbs, we are happy to answer every one of these questions in person. Learn more about our team or request a free on-site estimate.
Family owned general contractor and remodeler based in Round Lake Beach, serving Lake County and the northern Chicago suburbs since 2001.
