Looking for Recommended Contractors in Chicago 2-unit (2b/1ba units) Interior Reno

Chicago, Illinois
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Looking for Recommended Contractors in Chicago 2-unit (2b/1ba units) Interior Reno

Daniel PughPro Member
Chicago · Member since 2022 · 19 posts · 6 votes

Looking for any recommended contractor that could help with a project in the Avondale/Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Full interior gut rehab of a 2-flat. Would very much appreciate any recommendations.

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Dan NelsonBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Chicago and Kansas City · Member since 2016 · 77 posts · 61 votes
3d

A trick that works well in Avondale and Logan Square: pull recent building permits for 2 to 4 unit gut rehabs near your block on the city's permit data portal and see which GCs pulled them. That gives you a list of contractors who already do your exact job, in your exact housing stock, and who pull permits. A full gut is a permit job, so that part is not optional anyway. Then ask two or three of them to show you one finished project and one open jobsite. The open jobsite tells you more.

One thing to price while you are still on paper: your units are 2 bed 1 bath. Get a number for adding a second bathroom while the walls are open. In this market it is the best money you can put into a 2-flat, and it costs far less mid-gut than as its own project two years from now.

Good luck with it. That corridor is a great place to own.

[email protected]773-295-1751Podcast Guest on Show 2 “Slam Dunk” Small Multifamily Deals in 2023 (and Where to Find Them)
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  • Michael Eskenasy
    Investor · Pacific Northwest · Member since 2026 · 536 posts · 300 votes
    4d

    Daniel — for a full gut on a Chicago 2-flat, I’d vet the contractor for more than whether they can produce a nice finished unit.

    I’d want to know specifically how many Chicago 2–4 unit rehabs they’ve completed, whether they’re comfortable with older electrical/plumbing/mechanical systems, who actually pulls permits, how they handle change orders, and whether their subs are consistent or assembled job by job.

    Before signing anything, I’d also ask for one completed project and one active project you can physically walk. The active one usually tells you more.

    We’ve been doing a lot of work around property/contractor intelligence and rehab risk. Feel free to reach out if you want another set of eyes on the bids or contractor options once you have them.

    0Reply
  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4d

    happy to help! Ive used this person on a small project but he's a gc. Happy to provide their name. Please pm me!

    [email protected]
    Brick House CPAs53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4d

    Hey @Daniel Pugh - I've got a couple questions to help us understand the project and situation a bit better:

    • - What is the current situation with the Chicago property...Is this something that you already own? or looking to purchase

    • - Are you changing any interior walls or doing any basement work?

    • - Do you have or are you getting architectural plans or permits?

    [email protected]
    Quality Builders4.966 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Lee Burns
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 307 posts · 149 votes
    4d

    I've 2 incredible general contractors to recommend if you're still searching. Shoot me a DM and I'm happy to provide their info

    0Reply
  • Dan NelsonBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago and Kansas City · Member since 2016 · 77 posts · 61 votes
    3d

    A trick that works well in Avondale and Logan Square: pull recent building permits for 2 to 4 unit gut rehabs near your block on the city's permit data portal and see which GCs pulled them. That gives you a list of contractors who already do your exact job, in your exact housing stock, and who pull permits. A full gut is a permit job, so that part is not optional anyway. Then ask two or three of them to show you one finished project and one open jobsite. The open jobsite tells you more.

    One thing to price while you are still on paper: your units are 2 bed 1 bath. Get a number for adding a second bathroom while the walls are open. In this market it is the best money you can put into a 2-flat, and it costs far less mid-gut than as its own project two years from now.

    Good luck with it. That corridor is a great place to own.

    [email protected]773-295-1751Podcast Guest on Show 2 “Slam Dunk” Small Multifamily Deals in 2023 (and Where to Find Them)
    Dan Loves Houses4.971 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Crystal SmithPro Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2d

    I will drop you a private message with a recommendation.

    312-681-7487
    0Reply
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