My 125+ year old cottage has a basement problem.
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Oh my goodness! I wish I lived closer, I would come help you for free. Now we need to get you some help. Google for licensed handymen or find some college or high school kids to drag the stuff up for you. I am on "Nextdoor" a free neighborhood email network where I find my low cost labor. See if you have something similar, and if so join. I would also contact your local city / town municipalities as they have help for senior citizens or can at least point you in the right direction. I would also contact your local senior group in your area to see if they can help or provide information. And anyone you hire in the future, check their licenses and qualifications. Every state has a Contractor's License Board and they are very helpful. Put the word out to your friends and neighbors and church group. Honestly, I do not understand people these days - so heartless. Just keep trying and do not give up! Pull out the phone book and call everyone in the yellow pages if necessary. And please keep us posted!
You definitely need a professional's help.
So welcome! Let me poke around on your states site and see how they have it set up. I do not feel like a senior (55, but to the young ones I am ancient), and my 69 year old girlfriend doesn't either, but if we can get a discount and catch a break - all the better! I started receiving AARP offers in my 40's, yet 60 is the new 50 . . . It is all so vague. Who decides these things? Marketing agencies is my guess. 🙄
Here are 2 links for you. This is the main home page to look up licenses for various professionals. Find your county and click on it to obtain additional licensing requirements. It also provides phone numbers for you to call too.
http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Illinois-Contractor-Licenses.htm
This next link is the page where you type in the info on the contractor. Once completed it will provide you with the type of license the person holds, whether it is current and up to date, whether they carry the proper insurance, etc. If they do not turn up on this list somewhere, chances are they are unlicensed, do not hire them. When you get to this step, I can walk you through it.
https://ilesonline.idfpr.illinois.gov/DFPR/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx/LicenseLookup.aspx
Poke around on this site as it is a wealth of info - and make phone calls too, generally the people are nice and want to help the consumer.
Ok, this link is super helpful and informative! Let me know what you think!
http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/homerepair_construction.html
Here is another good link . . .
http://www.ag.state.il.us/consumers/homerepair.html
I found more . . .
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/consumer_publications.html
This ought to get you started! Keep me posted as I can walk and talk you through any and all of this.