Should general contractors be certified or licensed?

<div>While city and state laws vary on general contractor licensing requirements, hiring an unlicensed general contractor could lead to poor quality work, costly future expenses, and potential code violations. Be sure to check our <a href="https://www.angi.com/angi-license-check.htm">state licensing tool</a> to review the local general contractor guidelines for your area.As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification which include: <ul><li>The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check</li><li>Required to have applicable state and local licenses</li><li>Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review</li><li>Paying to advertise their services</li><li>Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi</li></ul>Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.</div>

How do I choose the best woodworker for my home project?

<div>Every woodworker has different skills and experience, so we recommend asking the following questions when hiring a woodworker for your project:<ul><li>How long have you been in the woodworking industry?</li><li>What experience do you have with my type of project?</li><li>Do you have customer references I can speak with?</li><li>How long do you expect my project to take?</li><li>What is my recourse if I have an issue with your work?</li><li>Do you charge hourly or per project?</li><li>Will you work on-site or in your own workshop?</li><li>Does your fee include the necessary post-job clean-up?</li></ul></div>

What is the difference between a woodworker and a carpenter?

<div>While they perform similar tasks, a carpenter is responsible for the woodworking that goes into construction—like framing, installing sheathing, and hanging kitchen cabinets—while a woodworker tackles more intricate and custom projects—like building custom furniture and <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/types-of-wainscoting.htm">installing wainscoting</a>. Based on these definitions, most woodworkers can tackle the jobs of a carpenter, but you should always ask about your specific project when choosing a woodworker to ensure they have the necessary skills to tackle the job.</div>

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*The Angi rating for Carpentry companies in Chicago, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Carpentry needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Carpentry companies in Chicago, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Carpentry needs.

Last update on October 06, 2025

Reviewed in November 2014
Anne was easy to get ahold of and understood the project well. There was some billing confusion at the end but nothing bad. They're a great resource for when you're not entirely sure who you need to get the job done.
Handy Men & Mrs Helper Kitchen & Bath
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Reviewed in August 2016
Mark at Creative Edge Carpentry has completed a variety of projects in our basement; a custom floor-to-ceiling wall cabinet and desk unit, wood stair runners, finishing trim work around windows, and cabinetry hanging. We have always been completely satisfied with the work Mark has done. Mark...
Creative Edge Carpentry LLC
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Reviewed in September 2005
JOSEPH WOODWORKING SPECIALIZES IN FINE WOODWORKING IN OLDER BUILDINGS, E.G., THEY REPAIR WOODEN WINDOWS OR, IF THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, REPLACE THEM WITH WOODEN WINDOWS, AS OPPOSED TO INSTALLING VINYL WINDOWS IN THE PLACE OF DAMAGED WOODEN ONES. TERRY LEE, THE PROJECT MANAGER, RESPONDED PROMPTLY TO...
JOSEPH WOODWORKING INC
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Reviewed in May 2020
Pawel completed all rough framing and soffit work for a large 1,600 square foot basement. This included framing for two bedrooms, a bathroom, a large kids play area, movie room, and a bar. His work and craftsmanship is amazing! I have worked with a lot of builders, framers and trades to build...
Pawel Kopec
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Reviewed in September 2014
Their price,workmanship and time frame were excellent. They took care of the lawn while they worked around. They were very, very detailed and I appreciated them taking care of the landscaping and everything around the building. They were very professional and very willing to give us the best...
SDW Construction
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Reviewed in July 2009
Mitch is very professional and knowledgeable. We are very happy to finally have found a contractor we can trust. It was hard to find a reliable contractor to get the crown molding done because the profile was hard to match and the ceiling had parts with very high ceiling (21 feet). Their price...
Stratagem Construction & Home Remodeling
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Reviewed in February 2009
The whole experience was perfect from beginning to end with JL. Jack came out to see the building-he was on time and prepared with samples, colors, etc. I received an estimate from him via e-mail a day or two later and his price was affordable, not ridiculously high as others I received were....
J L CONTRACTOR SERVICES
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Reviewed in October 2006
Excellent. Mike provided design drawings of how he thought the project should be approached. I was able to modify the drawings in order to get exactly what I wanted before we began. He and Dan, the carpenter, were punctual and highly skilled. And, the price was very competitive.
MAZI BUILDERS
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Reviewed in April 2007
Outstanding job. Lester started work within two weeks of submitting/winning the bid (as promised) and assisted with permitting. Lester's carpenters maximized the use of limited space, which required considerable framing and soffiting. Installed perimeter benching and storage for kids room--great...
POLISH BUILDER INC
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Reviewed in June 2018
Very well. Mike, the carpenter, and his assistant were here every day at the time they said would. They worked steadily...had to install fan from scratch; we'd never had one in that bathroom. There was a work stoppage while they waited for new vanity to be build & delivered.
CUSTOMWOOD KITCHENS INC
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Lookswell Painting and Handyman Services

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Lookswell Painting and Handyman Services

Lookswell Painting and Handyman Services

Handyman Pros

Handyman Pros

G & G Kitchen and Bath Restoration

G & G Kitchen and Bath Restoration

KLK Carpentry LLC

KLK Carpentry LLC

Buildmax

Buildmax

Osman's Carpentry Work

Osman's Carpentry Work

@Veterans Construction Group

@Veterans Construction Group

Aguirre's Remodeling, LLC

Aguirre's Remodeling, LLC

The Blairs Construction, LLC

The Blairs Construction, LLC

Garcia's Repairs

Garcia's Repairs

FAQs for carpentry projects in Chicago, IL

How much do woodworkers typically charge?

How much do general contractors typically charge?

Should general contractors be certified or licensed?

How do I choose the best woodworker for my home project?

What is the difference between a woodworker and a carpenter?

The Chicago, IL homeowners’ guide to carpentry services

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