Home Repair

Home repair savings

Repairs rarely show up at a good time. These guides help you catch small problems before they get expensive, compare quotes the right way, and steer clear of contractors who overcharge or vanish with a deposit.

Free to use. MegaSavings may be paid when you call a provider through this page, at no cost to you. Some guides in this section include an optional button to call a local provider for a quote. Payments don’t change our advice, and you’re never obligated to hire anyone. How we make money.

Pick a repair to work on

Each guide has practical steps, links to official sources, and questions to ask before you hire anyone.

Water Damage Restoration

What to do in the first hours after a leak or flood, how insurance usually treats water damage, and when mold is a DIY job.

Plumbing

Find hidden leaks, handle small fixes yourself, and know when you need a licensed Illinois plumber.

Heating & Cooling (HVAC)

Cheap maintenance that prevents breakdowns, repair-or-replace questions, and ComEd and state programs that can help.

Roofing

Spot damage early, check a roofer’s Illinois license, and avoid storm-chaser scams after hail and wind.

Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

Set a budget that sticks, compare bids line by line, and keep change orders from blowing it up.

Electrical

Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore, why permits matter, and how electrician licensing works in Illinois.

Garage Doors

A monthly safety test you can do yourself, and the parts only a trained technician should touch.

Pest Control

Prevent pests for less, compare service plans fairly, and verify a company’s Illinois license.

How to get fair quotes

A few minutes of prep before you call makes it much easier to compare prices and spot a bad deal.

Write down the problem first. Note what you see, where, and when it started. Take photos. Every contractor should quote the same job.
Get more than one written estimate. The FTC suggests getting multiple estimates that describe the work, materials, completion date and price, and not automatically picking the lowest bid. Ask why if prices are far apart.
Check the license and insurance. In Illinois, roofers are licensed by IDFPR and plumbers by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Electricians and general contractors are usually licensed by your city or village. Ask for proof of insurance too.
Get it in writing. Illinois law requires a written contract or work order with the total cost for home repair or remodeling work over $1,000, plus the “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights” pamphlet.
Pay as the work gets done. Don’t pay the full price up front, and hold the final payment until the job is finished and any required inspection has passed.

Sources: FTC, 815 ILCS 513/15, IDFPR

Avoid home repair scams

Be wary of the knock on the door

The FTC lists door-to-door pitches, “leftover materials from a job nearby,” and pressure to decide today as common scam tactics.

Source: FTC

Never pay it all up front, or in cash only

Scammers often want full payment before work starts, or insist on cash, wire transfers, gift cards or payment apps. Pay by check or card, in stages.

Source: FTC, FTC

Don’t sign over an insurance check

After a storm, the FTC warns never to sign your insurance check over to a contractor. Ask your bank about paying in stages as work is approved.

Source: FTC

Pull your own permits? Red flag.

A contractor who asks you to get the building permits may not want to deal with the inspector. Licensed pros normally pull their own.

Source: FTC

Get lien waivers before the final payment

The Illinois Attorney General recommends getting a list of subcontractors and suppliers and their lien waivers, so no one can file a lien on your home if your contractor doesn’t pay them.

Source: Illinois Attorney General

Repair or replace?

There’s no single rule that fits every home, but these questions help you decide without being upsold:

Is it safe? Gas smells, sparking outlets, a garage door that won’t reverse, or a sagging ceiling come first. Fix or shut off the hazard before you shop on price.
How old is it, and how often has it failed? Ask the technician for the age of the equipment and write down every repair. A string of repairs on an old unit is a reason to price a replacement.
What does each option cost over time? Ask for the repair price and a replacement quote in writing, including any change in energy or water use. A more efficient system can lower monthly bills.
Are there rebates or programs? Check utility rebates and income-based programs before you sign. Federal energy tax credits for home improvements (25C) ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025.
Get a second opinion on big jobs. If one company says “replace everything,” another estimate is cheap insurance.

Help paying for repairs

The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-eligible households with insulation, air sealing, and furnace and water heater repair or replacement. ComEd customers can check current heating and cooling rebates. In Chicago, the city’s Home Repair Program covers roof and porch repairs for income-eligible homeowners; the city says registration isn’t opening in 2026, so check the page for updates and its list of other resources.

Already have damage? Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover part of it. Call your insurer before you agree to major repairs.

Common questions

Does MegaSavings do repairs?

No. MegaSavings is a free guide. Some pages have an optional button to call a local provider for a quote. We don’t do the work, and we don’t guarantee any contractor.

Does MegaSavings get paid if I call?

MegaSavings may be paid when you call a provider through this page, at no cost to you. It doesn’t change the price you’re quoted or the tips on our pages.

How many quotes should I get?

For anything beyond a small repair, the FTC recommends getting estimates from more than one contractor. Make sure each one quotes the same work and materials so you can compare them fairly.

Where do I report a bad contractor in Illinois?

Contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline or your county state’s attorney. Licensing complaints about roofers go to IDFPR, and complaints about plumbers go to the Illinois Department of Public Health. See the Attorney General’s home repair guide.

Sources

Also see: Furnace Not Working? · Frozen Pipes · Is a Home Warranty Worth It?

Related: Water Heater Repair · Ice Dams

Last reviewed: October 28, 2026