The 10 questions that separate a solid crew from an expensive mistake - ask them at every single bid. No email required: read it, print it, take it with you.
Look for separate line items for labor, materials, and any allowances. A clear written scope gives you something real to compare when bids differ. A single lump sum sent by text leaves too much open to interpretation.
After the visit, ADS provides a detailed written estimate within 48 hours.
Ask who will be in your home each day and who is accountable for the result. A good answer names an in-house crew or long-term subcontractors with clear oversight. You should not have to manage handoffs between unfamiliar teams.
ADS uses one in-house crew, with zero subcontractor handoffs.
A solid contractor can show current licensing and insurance documentation without being asked twice. Review both before work begins, not after a problem appears.
ADS is Licensed & Insured, and we show certificates before work starts.
Ask for a defined term that covers workmanship and appears in the contract. A verbal promise is hard to rely on once the final payment has been made.
ADS includes a 2-Year Workmanship Warranty in writing.
The contractor should pull required permits in their own name and coordinate the process. Be cautious if you are asked to pull permits yourself for work the contractor is performing.
ADS pulls permits ourselves.
A reasonable schedule ties staged payments to visible project milestones, with a modest deposit at the start. Be wary of requests for a large amount of cash up front.
ADS outlines milestone-based payments in the written contract.
Ask about containment walls, floor protection, and end-of-day cleanup before demo begins. These should be routine jobsite practices, not extras that appear only after you complain.
ADS covers floors, uses dust containment, and sweeps the site every evening.
A good agreement includes a written schedule and a clear plan for proactive communication if conditions change. You should know who is responsible for keeping work moving.
ADS provides a written schedule and one crew, with no waiting on a subcontractor who never shows.
Unexpected conditions happen in remodeling. The important part is that change orders are written, priced, and approved before the additional work happens.
ADS puts change orders in writing and gets your approval first.
Ask for local addresses, recent project photos, and public reviews you can read yourself. Recent work makes it easier to judge the contractor's consistency and communication.
ADS has remodeled 100+ rooms across 24 Chicagoland suburbs and holds 5.0 stars across 35+ Google reviews. See our portfolio.
The in-home visit is free, and the detailed estimate that follows is in writing — most homeowners have it within 48 hours.
