- Family-owned
- Father & son
- Combined experience
- 40+ years
- Verified reviews
- 71+
- Licensed & insured
- Yes
Hiring the right contractor decides how your remodel goes more than any single material choice. Here's what actually matters, the questions to ask, and how to compare quotes fairly — whether or not you end up working with us.
What to check before you hire
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1
Ownership
Owner-operators are personally accountable for your project — not a sales rep who moves on after signing.
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2
Your point of contact
Every hand-off between coordinators is a chance for details to get lost and mistakes to creep in.
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3
Design approach
A flexible design model means you keep control of the look and the budget instead of being funneled into one in-house package.
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4
Pricing transparency
An itemized scope lets you compare apples-to-apples and see exactly what you are paying for.
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5
Who does the work
Who actually holds the tools — and who supervises them — drives quality and accountability on site.
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6
Primary service area
A contractor who works your area daily knows local permitting, inspectors, and supply houses.
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7
Permit handling
Unpermitted work can stall a future home sale and void insurance — confirm who is responsible.
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8
Project communication
A live portal means you always know the schedule, what changed, and what you owe — no waiting for a callback.
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9
Public reviews
Reviews across multiple independent platforms are harder to game than testimonials on a company's own site.
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10
Licensed & insured
Proper licensing and insurance protect you if something goes wrong on the job.
Questions to ask every contractor
- Are you licensed and insured, and can I see the certificates?
- Who is my point of contact, and who is actually on site each day?
- Do you self-perform the work or subcontract it — and who supervises?
- Can I get an itemized estimate I can compare line-by-line?
- Who pulls the permits and schedules inspections?
- Can I bring my own designer and buy my own materials?
- How will I know the schedule and what changed — portal, email, calls?
- Where can I see verified reviews and recent project photos?
Comparing GS Construction with a specific firm? See our factual side-by-side comparisons, read verified reviews, or request a free itemized estimate.
Choosing a contractor: common questions
- How many remodeling quotes should I get?
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Get two to three itemized estimates. More than that rarely adds clarity and slows you down. What matters is comparing them line-by-line on the same scope — not just the bottom-line number.
- Should I choose a design-build firm or an owner-led contractor?
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Design-build firms bundle design and construction under one roof, which is convenient but funnels you into their in-house look and pricing. An owner-led contractor lets you keep your own designer or architect and shop your own materials, so you retain control of the look and the budget. Neither is “better” — it depends on how much control you want.
- What licenses and insurance should a Chicago-area remodeler have?
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Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation, plus any local municipal contractor registration your village requires. Proper licensing and insurance protect you if something goes wrong on the job — never skip verifying it.
- How do I compare remodeling estimates fairly?
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Put the estimates side-by-side on the same scope and insist on itemized line items (demolition, materials, labor, permits, finishes). A single lump sum hides markups; an itemized scope lets you compare apples-to-apples and see exactly what you are paying for.
- What’s the biggest red flag when hiring a remodeler?
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Vague scope and no itemization, no proof of insurance, large upfront deposits, and no verifiable reviews or recent project photos. A trustworthy contractor is transparent about scope, price, permits, and who does the work.
Ready to scope your remodel?
Get a free, no-pressure in-home estimate with an itemized scope from Greg & Patryk — the owners who'll run your project start to finish.