Questions to ask before you sign
Most basement disputes start with a contract that did not say enough. These ten questions make sure yours says it.
When basement jobs go wrong, the story is usually the same: money paid before work, no dates in writing, an allowance that ran out, or a surprise found after demolition that nobody had agreed how to price. Every one of those can be settled on paper before work starts.
What Illinois law says about the written contract
The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires that, before home repair or remodeling work for more than one thousand dollars begins, the contractor give you a written contract or work order. It must state the total cost, with parts and materials listed with reasonable particularity and any charge for an estimate, along with the business name and address. Whatever the statute requires, ask for start and finish dates in writing.
Ten questions
- Is everything in one written scope? Every room, material and trade named, with exclusions listed.
- Is each part priced on its own line? Moisture, plumbing, electrical, finishes and permits as separate lines.
- What are the start and finish dates, and what happens if they slip? In writing.
- How is payment tied to progress? Ask what is due at signing and what each later payment follows. Be cautious about large amounts paid before work or materials arrive.
- What allowances are in the price? Named, itemized and with the amount stated.
- What happens when something turns up behind a wall? A written change order with its own price, approved by you before the work is added.
- Who pulls the permit and who attends inspections? Ask to see the permit.
- Who will be at the house, and who do I call? A name and a number.
- Where are materials receipts kept, and can I see them? It should be a yes.
- What do I do if I disagree? How are disputes about scope, quality or a change handled, in writing?
How Robert answers
A written scope priced by line, changes approved in writing before they are added, receipts you can see, a private project page on larger jobs and an invoice that follows the scope. Those are on record. Payments are tied to written milestones, and every project gets a written schedule before work starts. Schedules are estimates and can change for weather, permits, inspections or changes you ask for. How a disagreement about scope, quality or a change is handled is written into your scope.
Read next: How we work ยท The basement process
Questions
Should I get several bids?
Yes, when you can. Ask each to price the same scope on the same lines, and read the exclusions as carefully as the total.
Is a large deposit normal?
Payment terms vary. Ask what the deposit covers and what the next payment follows, and be careful about paying a large amount before anything is delivered.
Keep reading
Sources checked
Checked November 5, 2026. Codes and programs change. Check the current rule with your city or village before you rely on it.
Tell Robert about your project.
Call, email or send an estimate request with photos. You deal directly with the person running your job. Robert replies within 2 business days.