A: We use two work vehicles, a truck and a car. Both are fully electric, and both are charged off of a rooftop solar system, along with all the batteries that power our tools. Our work truck has an 80 amp plug-in system, so we often use the truck as a hub to plug in our saws, vacuums, and other tools. Our company is proof that a business can be successful while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A: Yes, for most work. Most materials are subject to the manufacturer’s warranty. Most labor is warrantied for one year. Your free written estimate will detail the specifics of the warranty. If you aren’t satisfied at the end of the project, we’ll find a way to make it right. Warranty work is done no cost.

A: We accept cash, check and Zelle. We prefer ZelIe. In order to keep costs down, we don’t accept credit cards.

A: Yes. Enter your info here, or call/text 224.460.8872. It helps if you provide photos, a clear description of the work, and approximate dimensions. Often, an in-site inspection is required for a precise and detailed written estimate, but we frequently give ballpark estimates based on your photos and measurements.

A: Sometimes, but know that there are many ways that contractors cut corners to deliver a low quote. Perhaps the price will be low, but it might take weeks for the work to begin, or the communication might be lacking.

Here's a secret of the home-improvement industry: it is filled with companies whose business model focuses on competing on price; they sell inexpensive, low-quality products that might look nice on the day they are installed, but that are designed not to last.

We strive to avoid these practices and focus on quality and durability. Price should be one of many factors to consider, but you should ask contractors questions about the issues that matter to you the most. Consider whether the contractor communicates in a way that works for you, whether they have insurance and recent references, and whether they can show you photos of comparable work that they have recently completed.

A: Yes. We have a wood shop and we love to build custom cabinets, drawers, and shelves in whatever size you like. Many stores only sell cabinets in standard sizes, leaving valuable space unused. We can build to the exact size and shape you want, whether working with closets, bookcases, pantries, or wall shelving.

Likely yes. We love to take on small projects, when you just want to fix or redesign one little thing or one part of a room.

Think carefully about what is most important to you: do you want the job done at a low cost? Do you want the job done with quality? Do you want attentive customer service? Or do you just want the job done quickly? You’re unlikely to find someone who excels at all of these.

You should have a sense of what sorts of tradespeople you will need to hire, and in what order. Do you need a licensed plumber, a roofer, or an electrician? (You probably don’t want a handyman re-wiring your entire house.)

Ask whether you need to hire a professional designer to make the project look aesthetically pleasing and to maximize the functionality. Many homeowners assume that contractors can do design work, but for many contractors, this isn’t their expertise; they just focus on installation.

Finally, be flexible about your plans and your budget. Good contractors raise insights about aspects of the project you probably never considered, so it’s not unusual to change the scope of the project as it proceeds. When contractors suggest a different way of doing things than you planned, ask why and hear them out. Sometimes, they are trying to up-sell, but sometimes their recommendations are based on experience about what works best.

A: Square footage helps, but first, we need to know more. Consider a flooring project:

With any flooring project, there are too many variables for anyone to give a meaningful quote before asking some questions and inspecting your current flooring. We need to consider the shape of the room, whether furniture needs to be moved, whether an underlayment needs to be installed, whether the current flooring needs removal, whether the existing sub-floors are flat or warped, and the condition of the sub-floor. On top of this, things you probably haven’t considered, like whether the work requires repeated trips up and down the stairs, can add to labor costs.

We have liability insurance, in the unlikely case of damages while working on your property. We do not do work that requires government licensing, such as roofing, major plumbing, major electrical, etc.

When we come inside your house, we aim to be clean and respectful as much as possible, but with some projects, some dust is going to get kicked up. With careful planning, we can contain most of the mess. We use drop-cloths and plastic sheeting to help contain dust and debris, as well as to keep our tools from scratching things up. Additionally, we pay careful attention to airflow to keep dust from spreading. Sometimes we will turn off you heating/AC or temporarily seal the vents. Sometimes we will place a vacuum outside and run a long vacuum hose into the work area to suck up the dust as we cut/sand inside.

A: It depends. You can often save a bit of money by supplying your own materials, but that option comes with downsides: You might find yourself overwhelmed with technical details and product specifications. You might not have a vehicle that can easily transport bulky/heavy/dirty materials. Or you might end up buying something incompatible with how your house is built, and end up in a returns line. If we supply the materials for you, you avoid these headaches, and you can rest assured knowing that everything’s compatible with your house.

A: It depends. For smaller projects and for projects where it’s difficult to estimate the scope of the work, we generally work at an hourly rate. For larger projects, and projects where we supply materials, we generally work for a flat rate for the whole project. Either way, we can put the details in a written contract.