It would be nice to be able to trust your contractor’s word when you’re having work done on your home, but a written contract really is the only way to go. Having everything in writing can ensure that every party involved fully and clearly understands what is expected of them. It keeps the job running smoothly and ensures that everyone agrees on what should be done and when.

A written contract with all pertinent details will also protect you should you ever have to seek compensation for a job that was not done as promised. Be sure that your contract includes all of the following elements before you sign on the dotted line.

1. Detailed Description of the Job

Before any contract becomes binding, make sure that it lists in detail all of the specific tasks involved in the project, the materials that will be required, and the associated costs with each.

The contract should also specify that the contractor will apply for and obtain all of the required building permits to legally and safely carry out all the tasks, and that all debris from the demolition will be disposed of appropriately. In addition, make sure the contract specifies that all workers involved are covered by liability and workman’s compensation insurance.

2. How Payments Will Be Made

Obviously, the contract should include the total price for the work involved. But it should also detail exactly when increment payments should be made, how much each payment should be, and how you should be paying the contractor. Usually, an initial deposit is required, which should not be any more than 10% of the entire cost of the project.

Then, further installments will be paid after each milestone has been reached, such as after the drywall has been installed, after the flooring has been laid, and after the kitchen cabinets have gone up. The last portion of the final payment should only be provided after the job has been fully completed to your discretion.

3. Start and End Dates of the Project

You’ll both want to know when the job will be started and roughly when it will be completed in order for you to fit it into your schedules. The end date shouldn’t exactly be written in stone to allow for certain unexpected circumstances; however, it shouldn’t be so far off the original completion date, either. Be sure that these dates are written into the contract.

4. How Changes to the Project Will Be Dealt With

It’s common for home renovation projects to encounter unforeseen situations that can warrant some changes to the original plan. It’s important to anticipate such scenarios, and have a plan in place on how to deal with them.

It should be noted that no changes should take place until the contractor has received written approval from you. Only then should a “change order” take place, which outlines what changes need to be made and any associated costs. 

5. Lien Waivers

Various workers who come onto your property to do work – including plumbers, electricians, drywall tapers, painters, etc – can claim that any work they did on your home was never paid for, even if your contractor did indeed receive payment for the work.

Having a “lien waiver” written into your contract for every installment payment made can protect you from these individuals placing a lien on your property. Every invoice for every payment made should include a signed statement proving that any payments you made to your contractor were in fact used to pay off all the workers involved.   

6. Written Notice of Your Right to Cancel Without Penalty

You may have entered a contract with a contractor to have certain work done on your home, but what if you change your mind at the last minute? What if something comes up that derails your plans for a home renovation?

Luckily, you can back out of your contract without any penalty within three business days of signing it. Having an “escape clause” included in the contact means you can cancel the deal within three days without losing your deposit.

7. Warranty

Having a warranty for all the work done in your home will provide you with reimbursement should something go wrong with the workmanship. Usually, these warranties are for no less than one year. Make sure the name and address of the person or company who will honor the warranty are included in the contract, along with the exact date that the warranty starts and ends. 

8. Signatures

This may sound obvious, but make sure both you and the contractor sign the contract. It won’t be legally binding without these signatures. 

The Bottom Line

Your contract is a crucial element to any home renovation job. It makes sure that each party holds up their ends of the bargain, and protects all parties involved, especially you. Make sure your contract includes all of these elements in order to protect you from any shady behavior from your contractor, and provide you with some recourse should you be defrauded in any way.

As we make our way to October, the Midwest’s fall colors have already started blazing. A leaf here, a maple tree there. 

The seasons, they are a- changing! 

Just ahead, according to Rove.me, the peak fall colors will develop in the first two weeks of October. For a short, blissful few weeks, the red, green, purple and yellow hues of Autumn will converge with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s, to create a season of beauty on the tree-filled Lakefront Trail and the 606 Trail, also known as the Bloomingdale Trail. 

You’re welcome!

The Lakefront Trail Daley

According to Architecture.org, Mayor Richard J. Daleychampioned for the development of a bikeway system in the city. He designated the Lakefront Trail as a bicycle path in 1963, creating a beloved piece of the city’s lakefront that many have fought to keep “forever open, clear and free of buildings.” The 18.5-mile trail runs from Lane Beach on the North Side to the South Shore Nature SanctuaryandCultural Centeron the South Side for walking, jogging, skateboarding, and cycling, located along the western shore of Lake Michigan. The trail passes through and connects Chicago’s four major lakefront parks along with various beaches and recreational amenities. It also serves as a route for bicycle, skateboard and personal transporter commuters.

Along the path are the reasons why people come to Chicago…iconic structures like the Museum of Science and Industry, McCormick Place, Soldier Field, Chicago’s Museum Campus, Monroe Harbor, Navy Pier, Belmont Harbor, and the Waveland Clock Tower, as Wikipedia notes. The Lakefront Trail connects most of the Chicago beaches and three skate parks (31st Street, Grant Park, Wilson Avenue). Several dog parks are accessible from the trail. 

On the 6(06)… 

As its website says, the 606 (or Bloomingdale Trail, the official name,) gets its name from the common numbers in Chicago’s zip codes. The scenic path has multiple access points across four of Chicago’s hippest neighborhoods — Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park — making it a favorite spot for local walkers, runners, bikers, and families. The trail Is located at the 1800 block north in Chicago, between Ashland (1600W) and Ridgeway (3750W), with 12 access points along its nearly three miles. The trail weaves through four neighborhoods and features native plants, nature trails, and public art. 

History

According to Wikipedia sources, the Bloomingdale Line was constructed in 1873 by the Chicago & Pacific Railroad Company as part of the 36-mile Elgin subdivision from Halsted Street in Chicago to Elgin, Illinois. It was soon absorbed by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railway (also known as the Milwaukee Road). Chicago first investigated converting the Bloomingdale Line into a greenway in 1997, but the railway was still in active use. However, once the railroads were gone, the Friends of Bloomingdale Trailnote that “Nature reclaimed the former rail line above. Trees sprang up between the tracks, flowers bloomed, and animals moved back into former habitats.” 

The city and community reintroduced the greenway concept as part of the Logan Square Open Space Plan in 2002–2004. This plan proposed a linear park or greenway with several public access ramps. At the east end, a trailhead would be created at the Chicago River. In 2015, the work was completed and the trail dedicated. 

Both the Lakefront Path and Bloomingdale Trail are open daily from 6 am to 11 pm, the same hours as other Chicago Park District parks. For more information, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Summer is waning and fall has begun. Weather around the Chicago area has been somewhat warm, staying in the 70s with some cool nights. The garden and landscape are still going, but with cooler weather coming growth will be slowing. Here are some things to do now to get things ready for cooler weather!

Keep harvesting vegetables from the garden. Hopefully you planted lettuce in late August since that will flourish in the cooler temperatures, but you should definitely pull out and remove any plants that are no longer producing. Also remove spent plants from the garden and dispose of them. Don’t use them for mulch or for compost. Often plants, especially tomatoes, carry some disease and it’s best to get rid of them. After all the plants are done lay a half inch or so of mushroom compost. This will work itself into the soil over the winter and enrich it for spring. 

Keep watering that grass you planted. It will also flourish with the cooler temperatures, and you want it hardy enough to survive the winter. The lawn could also use some topsoil after the long hot summer to support that new grass and keep the older grass healthy. Try to find topsoil as dry as possible. I know it can be hard with many garden centers leaving it out. We leave a few bags drying in the garage. Throw out shovels full in a sweeping motion and spread it out with the back of a rake. 

If your trees and shrubs need trimming, do it now. You need to trim early enough so the new growth has sufficient time to harden off before the deep freeze in November. Continue deep watering even if you think there is sufficient rain. Decent rain is good enough for a lawn and garden but shrubs and trees, especially recently planted, need deep thorough waterings before the ground freezes. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

We’re turning another page this weekend as Chicago bids farewell to the end of summer and welcomes the arrival of the autumn season with a colorful line-up of fall events!

Come celebrate the end-of-summer at Goose Island’s annual 312 Block Party this Saturday (4 p.m.) outside of its 1800 West Fulton Street Brewery on the Near West Side.  This party usually fills up quickly since it features food vendors, plenty of beer, and a great lineup of performers such as singer-songwriter Neal Francis, the rock band Houndmouth, and others.  It’s a great way to end summer with your friends!

Holding its first Equinox Night Market, the SAUCED Night Market is being held this Saturday (5 p.m.-10 p.m.) at Half Acre Brewery (2050 W. Balmoral Ave.) in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.  This roving night market is dedicated to emerging chefs, artists, and artisans as it features food from local eateries, a live mural being painted by Fab R, 50 vendors selling their various handmade goods, and a beer garden.  Plus, DJ Johnny Walker will be on hand as your musical entertainment for the evening.  This event is free to attend if you RSVP online and is open to guests of all ages!

One of Chicago’s most popular fall celebrations returns for its 21^st year with Oktoberfest Chicago this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-7 p.m.) at St. Alphonsus Church (1429 W. Wellington Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  The three Bs of Bavarian cuisine – Beer, Brats (homemade), and Bretzel (German for pretzel) will be the featured stars of the fest along with a variety of Sam Adams beers, two stages of live music provided by Bavarian and cover bands, a merchandise tent, and a separately ticketed craft beer celebration that includes 15 tastings and a souvenir tasting glass (4 p.m.-7 p.m.).  In addition, there’s a special Kinderfest area on Sunday featuring inflatables, face painting, games, activities, and a meal for the kids to enjoy!

Returning for another magical evening in Chicago, the Water Lantern Festival takes place this Saturday (4 p.m. – 8 p.m.) at Humboldt Park (1400 N. Sacramento Ave.) in the Humboldt Park neighborhood for its floating lantern event.  This festival also includes food, live music, vendors, games, activities, and of course the launching of your very own unique lantern.  It’s a night you’ll never forget!

Chicago Gourmet is wrapping up its four-day food fest with the following two events this weekend:

Saturday brings Chicago Gourmet’s fabulous Grand Cru to the Harris Theater Rooftop (205 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop with two sessions (2 p.m.-5 p.m. & 7 p.m.-10 p.m.).  Enjoy amazing gourmet food from award-winning chefs, the world’s finest wines, spirits, & cocktails, and lively music.  Guests will also have an opportunity to learn from master sommeliers and mixologists as well.  Cheers!

Sunday brings Chicago Gourmet’s Prost! In The Park to the Harris Theater Rooftop from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  This Sunday Funday event is hosted by Chef Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde) bringing a German flair to this cheery Oktoberfest afternoon with loads of delicious classic German delights, craft brews, cool cocktails, music, and more!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

The first day of fall is Saturday, September 23—the same day as the autumn equinox. For me and mine, nothing says “Cozy fall meal” more than a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup! 

In Chicago’s Lakeview and Wicker Park neighborhoods, no one delivers on the promise of a gooey, cheesy grilled sandwich better than Cheesie’s Pub & Grub. 

My family and I happened on Cheesie’s while looking for a place to eat before seeing Herb Alpert and Lani Hall at theVic Theatre. We asked one of the security guards where we could get a quick bite. He recommended Cheesie’s, right around the corner from the Lakeview location. The friendly staff seated us immediately. It’s a super-casual, kid-friendly, bustling spot with lots of memorabilia on the walls—vintage ads, sports posters, etc. And it’s the home base in Chicago for Michigan State Spartans and San Francisco 49ers football.

The menu was inspired by owner Chris Johnston’s “terrible eating habits and love for foods he grew up on: mac-n-cheese, chicken tenders, French fries, and grilled cheese.”

A word of caution for those new to the digital age: there are no paper menus. You access the menu through a scanner at your table. The staff will pull you through it if you don’t have a child 25 years old or younger to help! 

I highly recommend The Caprese, the sandwich I tried. It’s a great caprese combination of gooey mozzarella cheese, heirloom tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, cracked black pepper and fresh basil on toasted sourdough, and served w/creamy pesto mayo dipping sauce. I felt no need to dip, though I’m sure it was great. I just enjoyed the layered succulence of the squeaky cheese, ripe heirloom tomatoes, and basil, set off by the fresh sourdough bread. 

My sister from another mister ordered a dessert item that works just as well as a main course—their Deep Fried PB&J Uncrustable. The deep-frying gave the creamy peanut butter an extra richness and savory flavor you can’t find in a regular Uncrustable, and it’s set off by the sweetness of the jelly. The sandwich is complete when topped with powdered sugar and served with chocolate dipping sauce.

My 96-year-old mother waxed rhapsodic about The OG– ablendof American and Cheddar cheese spread on Texas toast, served with their Tomato Soup dip. The tomato soup is a tangy accoutrement to the cheese blend. 

Finally, for those with a lactose intolerance, there’s always moist Chicken Tenders. They’re huge… my 18-year-old actually had a few that fried together in cooking, but that wasn’t the only one in the basket, so they were satisfied. Chicken Tenders are served with your your choice of dipping sauce. They also got an order of tater tots, which rounded out the meal nicely.

Cheesy’s is open for weekend brunch, trivia nights and has drink specials seven days/nights a week. 

Mine isn’t the only rave review:

“It’s a no-brainer. Come here!” said a Google reviewer. “They’re open late to. Great sandwiches, soups and appetizers. I picked up The Melt this time around with Cheese Curds. Everything was made to order and delicious. The server was awesome and answered all our questions. I’ll have to come back for their trivia nights!”

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub-Lakeview is located at 958 W. Belmont Avenue, while their Wicker Park location is at 1365 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Their hours and menu vary by location. For hours, menus and other information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago