How Do I Vet a Handyman on the North Shore?

To vet a North Shore handyman, get a written scope, ask for references, confirm that any licensed trade work goes to a licensed contractor, and check complaint history with the Illinois Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau. Be wary of pressure, full payment up front, or a refusal to write things down.

What should a handyman give me in writing?

Ask for a written scope before any work starts. It should list each task, where it is, what materials are included, who supplies them, and how the price is set. If you plan to pay by the hour, ask for an estimate of hours and a cap or check-in point.

For repair or remodeling work over $1,000, Illinois requires more than a handshake. See What does the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act require? for the details. For the cost side, see What should a handyman quote include?

What questions should I ask before hiring?

• Who will actually do the work, and will anyone else come to my home?
• Which items on my list will you do yourself, and which go to a licensed trade?
• How is the price set: hourly, flat per task, or both? Is there a minimum visit charge?
• Who buys materials, and how will they be billed?
• What happens if the job runs longer than expected?
• Can you give me the business name, address and phone number that will be on the contract?
• Can I speak with a recent customer in my town or a nearby one?

The Illinois Attorney General's Home Repair and Construction: Know Your Rights guide says the contract should state the contractor's business name and, if the contractor uses a P.O. box for mail, a residential address. It also says that if a contractor does business under a name other than their own, the business must be incorporated or registered under the Assumed Business Names Act. You can check with the Secretary of State for incorporation or the county clerk for assumed names.

Which work needs a license in Illinois?

The Illinois Attorney General's May 2025 consumer alert says general contractors are not required by state law to be licensed, but municipalities may require permits or have other local requirements. It also says roofers must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), plumbers by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and public adjusters by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

That is why plumbing, electrical and roofing work should go to licensed independent contractors, not to a handyman. See Handyman vs. licensed contractor in Illinois. To check a roofing license, the Attorney General points to the IDFPR roofing license search.

Permits are local. For example, the Village of Winnetka's contractor licensing and bonding page covers what it asks of contractors who pull permits. Each town sets its own rules, so check your own village or city. Our guide to which repairs need a permit in North Shore towns is a starting point.

How do I check for complaints?

1. Illinois Attorney General. The office's alert says you can contact its Consumer Fraud Bureau to ask whether consumers have filed complaints against a contractor. Hotlines are 1-800-386-5438 (Chicago), 1-800-243-0618 (Springfield) and 1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale). Complaints are filed through the Attorney General's File a Complaint page.

2. Better Business Bureau. The Attorney General's alert links to the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois. BBB says its ratings and accreditation are separate things, so read the profile rather than just looking for a seal. Look at how a business answered complaints, not only how many there are.

3. Your village or city. Ask the building department whether the contractor has pulled permits in town and whether any registration is required.

4. Online reviews. Read the middle ratings and look for details. Reviews on marketplaces and search sites can be useful, but they are one input, not a clearance.

A clean record is not proof of good work, and a new business can be good. Use these checks to rule out obvious problems.

What are the red flags?

• Pressure to decide today, or a "special price" that expires when you leave.
• A request for full payment, or a large deposit, before work starts. The Attorney General's alert advises never making full payment until work is complete to your satisfaction.
• A preference for cash. The same alert says never pay in cash.
• No written estimate, or a contract with blanks.
• A roofer or adjuster with no license, or a name on the license that does not match the business card or truck, which the Attorney General flags as a red flag.
• Reluctance to give a business name, address or references.
• Offers to handle plumbing, electrical or roofing work without a licensed contractor involved.

FAQ

Does a handyman need a state license in Illinois?

The Attorney General says general contractors are not required by state law to be licensed. Roofers and plumbers are licensed at the state level, and towns may add permit rules. Check with your village or city.

Should I ask for references?

Yes. Ask for a recent customer you can contact, ideally for similar work, and ask whether the job finished on time and for the quoted price.

Is a Better Business Bureau rating enough?

No. BBB says accreditation and rating are separate, and a rating reflects complaint history. Use it alongside references, a written scope and an Attorney General complaint check.

Where do I report a problem contractor?

The Illinois Attorney General takes consumer complaints online. See the File a Complaint page.

To send your list and photos, call or text (847) 877-1877.