7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bathroom Remodeler in Naperville
Hiring Advice
7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bathroom Remodeler in Naperville
A bathroom remodel is a five-figure decision you’ll live with daily. These seven questions separate the pros from the headaches — ask them before anyone touches your tile.
1. “Will I get a written line-item price?”
Not a single number on a napkin — a line for demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, and glass. If a contractor won’t break it down, you can’t compare bids or spot what’s missing. Illinois law requires a written contract on any home-repair job over $1,000, and the contractor must give you a consumer-rights pamphlet with it. No written price, no deal.
2. “Who actually holds the license — and for what?”
Illinois doesn’t license general remodelers, so “licensed and insured” on a truck means less than it sounds. Ask specifically: who does the plumbing, and is that person a licensed plumber? Same for electrical. Then ask for the certificate of insurance with your name as certificate holder. This one question eliminates most bad actors.
3. “Do I need a permit, and will you pull it?”
In Naperville, any remodel that touches plumbing, electrical, or walls needs a Residential Addition/Alteration Permit through the City’s Civic Access portal. The right answer: “Yes, and we file it and meet the inspector.” The wrong answer: “Nah, we can skip that” or “permits just slow things down.” Unpermitted plumbing can void your homeowner’s insurance and kill a future sale.
4. “What waterproofing system do you use in the shower?”
This is the question that reveals everything. You want to hear specifics — a membrane system, sealed seams, sloped pan, flood-tested before tile. If the answer is vague (“oh, we use the green board, it’s water-resistant”), walk away. Most shower failures we get called to fix trace back to skipped waterproofing.
5. “How do change orders work?”
Surprises happen — mold behind tile, rotted subfloor, corroded pipe. The process should be: work stops, you get a written price for the fix, and nothing proceeds until you approve it in writing. Verbal “while we’re in here” upsells are how $18,000 quotes become $27,000 bills.
6. “What’s the daily routine — dust, noise, cleanup?”
A bathroom remodel happens while you live there. Ask about dust barriers, floor protection from the front door to the bathroom, work hours, and whether cleanup happens daily or “at the end.” If it’s your only bathroom, ask how they’ll sequence the work so you have a working toilet each night. Get the cleanup promise in the contract.
7. “Can I see a recent project — and talk to the homeowner?”
Photos are nice; a reference is better. A confident contractor connects you with a recent client. Also check reviews across Google, Yelp, and the BBB — and read the bad ones first. Patterns in complaints (missed timelines, surprise charges, messy jobsites) matter more than any single review.
The 30-Second Version
Written line-item price. Licensed plumber and electrician by name. Permit pulled through Civic Access. Named waterproofing system. Written change-order process. Daily cleanup in the contract. Real references. Any contractor who answers all seven clearly is worth your shortlist.
Want to Hear Our Answers?
Call us and ask all seven — we answer them every day. Free estimates, written prices, permits handled. Serving Naperville since 2019.