What to Know Before Hiring a General Contractor in Des Plaines

Hiring a general contractor is one of the bigger decisions you'll make as a homeowner. Get it right and your project runs smoothly. Get it wrong and you're dealing with delays, surprise costs, and work that has to be redone. Here's a plain look at what to check before you sign anything.

Make Sure They're Licensed and Insured

This is the first thing to confirm. Illinois doesn't issue a single statewide contractor license, but Des Plaines and Cook County have their own requirements. Ask the contractor for their business license number and verify it with the city. Then ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.

Don't just take a certificate at face value. Call the insurance company directly and confirm the policy is active. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn't properly covered, you could be on the hook for it.

Get at Least Three Written Bids

One bid gives you no context. Three gives you a real picture of what the work should cost. When you collect bids, make sure each contractor is quoting the same scope of work. If one bid comes in much lower than the others, ask why. Sometimes it means cheaper materials. Sometimes it means they missed something. Rarely does it mean you found a bargain.

A written bid should spell out the materials, the labor, the timeline, and the payment schedule. Vague bids lead to disputes. If a contractor hands you a single number on a piece of paper with no detail, that's a problem.

Ask About Their Experience With Your Type of Project

General contractor covers a wide range of work. Someone who mainly does commercial build-outs might not be the right fit for a kitchen remodeling project in a 1960s ranch home. Ask specifically about projects similar to yours. How many have they done? Can you see photos? Can you talk to a past customer?

For projects like a home addition or whole home remodeling, experience really does matter. These jobs involve multiple trades, permit coordination, and decisions that affect the structure of your house. You want a contractor who has done it before, not one who's figuring it out on your dime.

Understand the Contract Before You Sign

A solid contract protects you. It should include the full scope of work, the materials being used, the start and end dates, the payment schedule, and a process for handling changes. Changes happen on almost every project. The contract should explain how those are approved and priced before work continues.

Watch out for contractors who ask for a large upfront payment. A deposit is normal, often 10 to 30 percent depending on the project size. Paying more than half upfront before work begins is a red flag. Payment should follow progress, not front-load the contractor's pocket.

Check References and Past Work

Ask for three to five references from projects completed in the last two years. Call them. Ask how the contractor communicated during the project. Ask if the work finished on time and on budget. Ask if there were any problems and how the contractor handled them. That last question usually tells you the most.

Photos of past work help too, but they're not a substitute for talking to real customers. Any contractor can find a few good photos. Not every contractor has five customers who are genuinely happy to recommend them.

Know How Permits Work in Des Plaines

Most significant remodeling work in Des Plaines requires a permit. That includes structural changes, electrical work, plumbing, and projects like basement finishing or a bathroom addition. Your contractor should pull the permits, not you. If a contractor suggests skipping permits to save time or money, walk away.

Unpermitted work can cause real problems when you sell your home. It can also void your homeowner's insurance if something goes wrong. Permits exist to make sure the work meets code. A contractor who respects that is a contractor worth keeping.

If you're planning a remodel in Des Plaines or the surrounding area, taking these steps before you hire saves a lot of headaches later. B&C Remodeling has worked with homeowners across the northwest suburbs for over 20 years. Call us and we'll sit down with you, walk through your project, and give you a straight answer on what it will take.