Where to find good contractor but not too expensive to put a kitchen in the basement?

[Attrill]

Don't waste your Alderman's time with something like this. It's not that big or complicated. Unless you need a zoning variance (which you won't) there's no point in talking with your Alderman. Just take any paperwork he may need to sign (most likely just a letter of acknowledgement) to his office and someone will sign it. There are two things that you need to figure out in terms of permits: is the basement a legal rental unit? How extensive is the work going to be, and what permits do you need?

For the construction just check things like Angie's List or Yelp to get a list of contractors to talk to, and then interview them. Follow up on the references from the ones you like and then pick one. You can either pay the contractor to wait in line and get permits for you, or just do it yourself. You'll need plans that they can approve, check this link if you're doing it for a single family home. If it's multi-unit you'll want to get an architect or GC to take it through the process. Don't use the downtown office for approval on any of this, go to one of the neighborhood offices. I used the one on Addison just West of Western.

[chet everett]

I have not found Angie's list to be all that useful in areas where there are not as many people accustomed to "online" referrals , and Yelp is similarly easily "hijacked" by folks looking to boost their "ratings" as they have only minimal editing / fraud detection.

I agree that if you are in a single family residence the City has made the permit process much more streamlined, but that still won't do anything about your desire to rent out your basement.

The process of verifying that you have a building that may support a legal rental might start here: City of Chicago :: Request Tenant/Landlord Information but honestly I do think that someone in your alderman's office will be a better contact in the long run...

[lenniel]

Just remember, you get what you pay for.
Check references, etc, don't just let some group of guys come in to your basement and start messing with your plumbing system.

[ToriaT]

What if you buy a single family house that has an in law apt with kitchen in the basement but you want to redo the kitchen. do you still need a permit if there is a kitchen already there but you want to tear it out to put in new cabinets, appliances, flooring etc. Lets say you do not want to rent it out but use it yourself.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

What if you buy a single family house that has an in law apt with kitchen in the basement but you want to redo the kitchen. do you still need a permit if there is a kitchen already there but you want to tear it out to put in new cabinets, appliances, flooring etc. Lets say you do not want to rent it out but use it yourself.

A "redo" that does not touch the existing legal hookups to water/sewer/gas/electric is not a remodel in Chicago's definition. You are redecorating if you change cabinets / counters. Redecorating a commercial space needs permits but a single family does not need permits for redecorating... Appliance switch does not need permit -- gets tricky if you upgrade / move gas or electric.... Neighbors wil rat you out! If the "rat out" happens and you have no proof that you merely updating cabinets and did not relocate gas/electric / water you will be fined...

[ToriaT]

thanks chet