Getting contractors in Chicago

[Jay Thomas]

I noticed that a lot of cities surrounding Chicago requires a contractor to be licensed with the city before doing any work within the city. This will really limit my options when finding a contractor to renovate my fix and flip project. Is there a way around this rule? The contractor I plan on using will be licensed bonded and insurance but not specifically with that city.

[John Warren]

@Jay Thomas if you are doing fix and flips in the western suburbs, you will definitely need any GC to be licensed and bonded with the village if they are pulling permits. You will also need your roofer, plumber, electrician and hvac contractors to be licensed and bonded in the village where the permits are pulled. There are a lot of so called "licensed" contractors who disappear when it is time to put their name on the permit. I am just finishing up a flip in Berwyn, and the permit process weeded out my first hvac guy because he wasn't willing to pay the bond and pull the permit. Good riddance I say! Is your flip in Forest Park?