Hiring a pro for a project at your Lake Zurich home? The rules here are clear, and following them protects your budget, your safety, and your home’s future resale. If you know what the Village expects, you can hire with confidence and avoid costly delays or fines. This guide breaks down local contractor registration, permits and inspections, trade licenses, consumer protections, and a simple hiring checklist. Let’s dive in.
Contractor registration in Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich requires contractors and subcontractors to register with the Village before doing any work. Registration includes an annual fee and a signed surety bond, and trades like roofing, plumbing, irrigation, and electrical may need to provide proof of state or municipal licensing. You should verify the current annual fee and bond amount with the Village, since posted amounts can change. Review the Village’s requirements on the Register As A Contractor page.
Before you hire, confirm your pro appears on the Village’s list or call to verify status. You can start with the Registered Contractors page. If your contractor is not registered, permits will not be approved.
Permits and inspections: what to expect
Many projects require a permit in Lake Zurich. Common examples include structural changes, roofing, siding, decks, pools, and most electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work. The Village outlines the process and typical timelines on its Permits & Inspections page.
Inspections are completed by Lake County through an agreement with the Village. Inspections must be scheduled in advance, so build that into your timeline. Keep copies of permits, inspection results, and final approvals for your records and future resale.
Doing work without a required permit is unlawful and can lead to fines, including up to two times the permit fee, and headaches when you sell. Learn what needs a permit and how to schedule inspections on the Permits & Inspections page.
Trade licenses that matter
Roofing in Illinois
Roofing contractors who work for pay must hold an Illinois roofing license. Lake Zurich requires roofing companies to provide a copy of their state license, and the license number must appear on roofing contracts. You can review the state program on the IDFPR roofing page.
Plumbing and irrigation
Plumbing and irrigation contractors are regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Lake Zurich asks for state plumbing registration numbers and IDPH irrigation registration as part of contractor registration and permit applications. See the IDPH plumbing and irrigation program for details.
Electrical work
Illinois handles most electrical licensing at the local level. Lake Zurich requires electrical contractors to submit a copy of an electrical license as part of registration. Electrical permits and allowances for owner work are addressed in the Village code. Review the permit rules in the Lake Zurich code for electrical work.
Owner-occupant exceptions
Lake Zurich’s municipal code allows some owner-performed work in limited cases. For example, resident owners of single-family homes may perform certain plumbing work on their own home, but they cannot hire unlicensed individuals to do plumbing. Similar limits apply to certain electrical work for resident owners. Read the code sections before you decide to DIY:
- Owner plumbing exceptions: Lake Zurich code
- Electrical permit rules for owners: Lake Zurich code
Your Lake Zurich hiring checklist
Use this quick list to hire with confidence and keep your project compliant.
Verify registration
- Ask for the contractor’s Lake Zurich registration and confirm on the Registered Contractors page.
- Confirm they meet trade-specific requirements on the registration page.
Confirm licenses and insurance
- Roofing: request the Illinois roofing license and check it against IDFPR guidance.
- Plumbing/irrigation: request IDPH registration numbers listed in the IDPH program.
- Electrical: request a copy of an electrical license recognized by a municipality, as Lake Zurich requires.
- Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
Get solid bids and a clear contract
- Collect at least three written bids for scope, materials, timing, and milestones.
- Roofing contracts must include the state roofing license number.
- For contracts signed at home, you usually have a three-business-day right to cancel. Seniors may have an extended period in some cases. Review the Attorney General’s Home Repair consumer guidance.
Permits and inspections
- Decide who will pull the permit, and get the permit number in writing.
- Ask for the inspection schedule and keep all results and final approvals. Start with the Village’s Permits & Inspections page.
- If you plan to do owner work, read the code first and follow all standards and inspections.
Keep records
- Save the contract, license copies, insurance certificates, permits, inspection reports, and final approvals. These documents help at resale.
If something goes wrong
Start local. Contact the Village’s Building & Zoning team to verify registration, permits, and inspection records, and to report unregistered activity. Use the Village’s Permits & Inspections page for process details and current contact information.
For licensed trades, you can also report concerns to the state. Roofing issues can go to IDFPR. Plumbing and irrigation issues can go to IDPH. For scams or home repair fraud, use the Illinois Attorney General’s Home Repair page.
Avoid common pitfalls
Unregistered contractors
- The Village warns about door-to-door storm chasers and unregistered contractors. Always confirm registration and insurance. See the Village’s Contractor Fraud guidance.
Unpermitted work
- Working without a required permit is unlawful and can trigger fines up to two times the permit fee, plus problems when you sell. Start with the Permits & Inspections overview.
State-licensed work without a license
- Roofing contractors must hold an Illinois license. IDFPR can take disciplinary action when work is done without proper licensing. Learn more on the IDFPR roofing page.
Doing things the right way protects your investment and keeps your sale on track when it is time to move. If you are planning updates before listing, or you want to know which projects help marketability in Lake County, connect with Tami Hamilton (Stough) for local guidance and a smart game plan.
FAQs
Do contractors need to register to work in Lake Zurich?
- Yes. Contractors and subcontractors must register with the Village before starting work, or permits will not be approved. See the registration page.
What permits and inspections does Lake Zurich require for home projects?
- Many projects need a permit, and inspections are scheduled in advance through Lake County for the Village. Start with the Permits & Inspections page.
How do I verify a roofing contractor’s license in Illinois?
- Ask for the Illinois roofing license and confirm it aligns with state rules explained by IDFPR; the license number must appear on roofing contracts.
Can I do my own plumbing or electrical work as a Lake Zurich homeowner?
- Some owner-performed work is allowed for resident owners of single-family homes, but strict rules and inspections apply, and you cannot hire unlicensed people for plumbing; see the plumbing and electrical code sections.
What are my rights if I sign a home repair contract at my house in Illinois?
- You generally have a three-business-day right to cancel, and seniors may have an extended window in some cases; review the Attorney General’s Home Repair consumer guidance.
