Resources
 

Seminars from All About Homes

We have lots of great seminars available for real estate professionals. These are tried and true - all have been realtor tested and approved! If you would like a seminar in your office, just give us a call. Custom topics are always available upon request.

Click here to download the latest seminar information from All About Homes


Articles and Handouts

Here are some articles and presentations we've put together. Feel free to use them as you see fit. Just be sure to give credit (on the front page of the document) to All About Homes. These are all our original content.

What To Expect At Your Home Inspection - For Buyers

How To Prepare Your Home For Sale - For Sellers

Things to Consider BEFORE the Offer - For Buyer's Agents

Common Element Inspections - For Condo Associations

Ice Damming Overview

Tankless Water Heaters

Homeowner Myths



Product Recommendations


Contractor Resources

We cannot put enough emphasis on the fact that a good contractor is worth every penny that you pay. DO NOT always go with the lowest quote...that strategy rarely pays off in the long run. We highly recommend obtaining at least THREE estimates for any major work. Check with the Better Business Bureau and other resources like Angie's List before hiring. These are just suggestions; people and companies can change. PLEASE let us know if you have either good or bad experiences with any of the folks on this list. We need your feedback!

  • Appliance Repair:
    Ivan Velez
    773-267-9440
    aabestappliance@sbcglobal.net

  • Architect:
    Sam Marts
    773-862-0123

  • Asbestos
    Asbestos Removal
    Bill Brennan, 773-725-8600

    Asbestos Testing
    GeoCon, 708-535-9981

  • Attorneys:
    Rick Sora
    (847) 568-5625

    Tracey Nihem
    (847) 866-6137

    Peter Marx
    (773) 283-8960

  • Basement Waterproofing/Foundations/Crack Repair
    PermaSeal 800-421-7325
    www.permaseal.net

    The Crack Team/Mr. Happy Crack

    866-CRACK-TEAM
    www.mrhappycrack.com (check out this website - hilarious)

  • Bathtub/Tile/Countertop Refinishing
    Miracle Method
    www.miraclemethod.com/chicago


  • Bungalows
    Chicago Bungalow Association
    www.chicagobungalow.org

  • Carpet Cleaning
    Galaxy's Finest
    773-202-1900

    Central Rug, Evanston,
    847-475-1190,
    www.centralrug.com


  • Chimney Sweeps/Fireplaces
    American Heritage
    (800) 422-5647

    Ye Olde Chimney Sweeps
    773-237-7070

  • Closets
    Custom Closets
    Tony
    630-235-4690

  • Crawl Space Repair/Insulation/Vapor Barriers
    Clean Space
    800-421-SEAL

    A Better Crawlspace
    630-860-2577

  • Decks and Porches
    Framar Porches and Decks
    773-736-8918

    Chicago Porch Company
    773-283-0888

  • Duct Cleaning
    Chicago Duct Cleaners
    773-506-9244

  • Electricians
    Ardmore Electric
    Frank
    773-775-2610

  • Feng Shui Consultant/Home Staging
    Lyn Volare
    312-371-7485
    www.celestialsurroundings.vpweb.com
    Lyn is also an amazing live-in pet sitter in case you ever need someone you can trust to stay in your home with your critters.

  • Flooring
    Advanced Hardwood Flooring
    847-486-9663

    Mr.Floor
    847-674-7500

    Exposition Carpet
    Mary Alice
    847-332-1738

  • Furnaces, Air Conditioning and Boilers (HVAC)
    AA Service
    Shawn Mansfield (talk to Shawn for complicated diagnostic stuff, call the main office for annual service). These folks do the work on my crazy old house and I can't say enough good things about them. Shawn fixed one of the most messed up radiant heating systems I've ever seen - mine!
    847-729-7889

    John O'Brien (talk to John for complicated diagnostic stuff, call the main office for annual service)
    Four Seasons
    708-768-3016

  • General Contractors
    Granite Pro
    Ed Diamond (these are wonderful general contractors despite the name - they are not just about granite)
    773-491-5002

    Get Dwell
    847-922-3418 (northshore and city, general contractors/handymen)

    Redstone Builders
    773-478-2500

  • Granite
    Poma Marble
    www.pomamarble.com

  • Handyman/General Contractor
    Leo Togneri (Be sure you have at least a half-a-day's work before you call)
    773-704-9340

    Get Dwell (Be sure you have at least a half-a-day's work before you call)
    847-922-3418

  • Insurance
    Tom McWherter
    American Family
    708-453-9987

  • Lock Smiths
    Collier Lock Service
    773-743-5397

    J&R Lock & Save
    866-558-6484

    Tom's Locksmith
    773-427-8224

  • Masons
    Classic Restoration (If you need a concrete block expert, Jim's your guy. Talk to Jim and only Jim.)
    Jim Mahoney
    773-282-4400

  • Mold Remediation and Inspection
    Still searching...if you find someone good, I'd love to know about it!

  • Mortgage Brokers
    Dan Rock
    Banc Group
    630-364-7509

  • Movers
    Raffe Movers
    847-675-3666

  • Painters
    Kathy Firek
    810-623-2515

          Dale Carter
          847-309-6348

  • Pest Control/Termite Inspections
    Tech One
    Scott Kauffman
    773-538-3241

  • Plumbers and Catch Basins/Sewers
    Sewer Viewer
    William Somerville (Catch Basins and drain line viewing). PLEASE don't buy a single family home without hiring Bill and Gale to check out your drain lines! It is worth EVERY penny.
    773-298-1825


    Tierra - Catch Basin Cleaning
    219-398-4000


    JR's Plumbing - JR's the guy for all general plumbing needs
    312-437-9285

  • Roofers (Besides roofs, most roofers also work with soffits, gutters, ice damming issues and electric gutter heating coils. Some even work on chimneys.)

    Nelson Roofing - talk to Warner - nicest roofer you'll ever meet!
    (773) 736-4600

    Hanson Roofing
    866-343-9815

  • Security Systems
    Alert Protective Services
    Tony
    773-685-8383

  • Siding and Windows
    Siding 1 Windows 1
    773-929-9275

  • Structural Engineers
    Collins Engineering
    708-848-0832

  • Windows
    The Great Window Wizard Company
    (773) 467-0861

 

This list is meant as a resource only. All About Homes bears no responsibility for any work done by these contractors or services provided or products purchased. All About Homes receives no compensation for any referrals made to any vendors.