Home Services in Chicago

Most Chicago plumbers charge $160–$475 for standard jobs like leak repairs or drain cleaning. Emergency or after-hours calls typically add $100–$175. Water heater replacement runs $900–$2,200 depending on the unit. Frozen pipe repair in winter averages $200–$500.

Yes. Illinois requires contractors to hold the appropriate license for their trade. Plumbers and electricians must be licensed through the IDFPR. You can verify at oper.fpr.illinois.gov. The City of Chicago also requires additional local registration for many trades.

Schedule furnace maintenance in early fall (September–October) before the first cold snap. Chicago HVAC companies are extremely busy from November through February. A fall tune-up costs $80–$150 and can prevent a mid-winter breakdown when you need heat most.

Both are solid. Angi (formerly Angie's List) tends to have more established companies with verified reviews. Angi is great for getting fast quotes from independent pros and smaller businesses. We recommend checking both to compare prices and availability.

Per-visit snow removal runs $75–$150 for a standard driveway and sidewalk. Seasonal contracts (November–March) average $300–$600 depending on property size and frequency. Many Chicago homeowners are required by city ordinance to clear sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall — a seasonal contract avoids fines.