1. The Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois is a FANTASTIC place to start when reviewing potential contractors. You can search their online database using a contractors name, address or phone number and it will give you a report listing a letter grade (i.e., A+, A, B, C, etc) for that particular business. You will also be able to see any complaints lodged against the contractor by other homeowners.
2. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: The State of Illinois requires that all roofing contractors be licensed. You can check to be sure that your potential roofing contractor is properly licensed using their online lookup. The State of Illinois does not currently require or issue licensing for siding, windows or gutters.
3. Online consumer-driven review websites: There are many websites available now that allow customers to post their experiences with home improvement contractors. One of the most popular of these websites is Angieslist, though it does require membership to read the reviews.  Free reviews and additional information often can be found by simply entering the name of a potential contractor’s company into a search engine such as google, yahoo, etc (e.g., “Hollingsworth Home Improvement” reviews).
4. Local supply vendors: It’s always a smart move to ask a potential contractor for the names and phone numbers of some of their suppliers.. You can then call the supplier to make sure that the contractor is up to date on their accounts. If the contractor is behind paying their supplier, then they are probably struggling financially and may not be the safest choice to make.
5. Previous Customers: Most contractors will have a ready list of previous customers and/or their addresses. If one is not provided automatically, be sure to ask. This will give you first hand information on the quality of a contractor’s work.
6. Insurance Providers: Again, most contractors should have shown you a Certificate of Insurance during their estimate presentation. If one was not displayed, then you’ll want to get the name of their insurance provider and call them to confirm adequate coverage.

I’d love to hear about other ways you research your potential contractors! Please feel free to leave a comment with any other advice you have to add for other homeowners!

You can read the entire text of the press release at the IL Attorney General webpage.

You can also read more about storm chasers and how to avoid them on our website.

Remember, not all ENERGY STAR materials are eligible for the tax credit. Certain energy efficiency specifications must be met in order for your improvements to be eligible. Make sure that any window replacement contractor or roofing contractor you consider working with is knowledgeable of the specifics of the tax credit and has a system in place to provide you with all of the information you will need in order to correctly file for your tax credit.

More information about the federal tax credits for energy efficiency is available at the ENERGY STAR website. If you live in the Naperville, Chicago or greater Chicagoland area and would like us to give you a free estimate for roofing, window or door options that are eligible for these tax credits, then give us a call at 630-375-9110 or email info@HollingsworthHomeImprovement.com.

In June of 2009, Warrenville’s city council approved a reimbursement program for homeowners affected by the purchase of EJ&E Railroad by Canadian National. The increase in train traffic and associated noise has impacted a great deal of residents in that community. In an attempt to help homeowners decrease the train noise in their homes, the city is offering a reimbursement program for homeowners that choose to make noise-reducing improvements to their home.

The program applies to home improvements made between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012 and applies to both sound-attenuating landscaping and noise reducing home improvements such as replacement windows & doors. Eligible homeowners will receive reimbursements of up to $6450 per property. Click here to see if your Warrenville home is eligible for this program. For more information, please visit the City of Warrenville website.

Following the wake of the past two week’s storms, the Better Business Bureau has issued a warning for Chicagoland residents to be wary of scam artists and storm chasers. Both hail damage and wind damage can cause a great deal of problems when it comes to your roofing and siding, but these contractors can cause much more problems than they fix.

To find out more about storm chasers and how the insurance claim process SHOULD work, as well as what to do if you suspect you have hail damage to your roof, siding or gutters, please visit our Hail Damage page.

From the Chicago Better Business Bureau news center on June 30,2010:

If your property has been damaged by any of the recent weather, the BBB offers these tips before choosing a contractor:

• When approached by a contractor, ask for proof of licensing and bonding.
• Try to get at least 3-4 quotes from contractors, and insist that payments be made to the company, not an individual.
• Do not pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full payment up front.
• Do not hire people who show up at your door offering services such as tree or debris removal and roof repair.
• Resist high-pressure sales tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot.
• Check out the company first with the BBB at www.bbb.org and deal only with reputable local contractors.
• Get a written contract that specifies the price and the work to be done and a time frame. In Illinois state law requires a written contract with all costs enumerated for home repair or remodeling work over $1,000.
• Prices are often high in the immediate aftermath of a storm. Buy only the services that are necessary to make your home safe and habitable. Wait at least a few days to hire other contractors because the rates are likely to drop.
• Pay by credit card, if possible; you may have additional protection if there’s a problem. Otherwise, pay by check. Never pay in cash.
• Check that the contractor’s vehicle has signs or markings on it with the business name and phone number.
• Be sure that all promises made are put in writing.

Click here to read the entire text of the BBB warning.

Phil Hollingsworth believes strongly that residents have to stand up to these contractors and not let themselves be pressured into handing over their repair rights to these unscrupulous businesses. We’ve set up a website dedicated to making sure homeowners have all of the information they need to identify and avoid these storm chasers and to make informed decisions regarding their home repairs. Please visit bewarestormchasers.com for up to date information on storm chasers working our area, including tips to help you identify a storm chaser when they knock on your door.