Anthony Vincent Construction is family owned and operated serving Northern Illinois. Let us help you decide what will help you be happier in your home.
"Anthony from Anthony Vincent Construction was fantastic and I would recommend him to every single person I know. From the beginning, Anthony was the only contractor who focused on my goals of the remodel. Since I was on a tight budget with resale in mind, Anthony helped me find ways of updating my kitchen without breaking the bank. He was open and honest throughout the process! Anthony regularly checked in with me both on the phone and in person to make sure I understood the entire process. As an added benefit, his design ideas were amazing! The team working in my kitchen were quiet, clean, and their work was impeccable! With the help of JB from Cabinet Creations I was able to seamlessly design, plan, and see what my new kitchen would look like! I would highly recommend AVC for any project and I plan to use them for all of my future projects!"
Justin K on September 2020
Anthony Vincent Construction is family owned and operated serving Northern Illinois. Let us help you decide what will help you be happier in your home.
"Anthony from Anthony Vincent Construction was fantastic and I would recommend him to every single person I know. From the beginning, Anthony was the only contractor who focused on my goals of the remodel. Since I was on a tight budget with resale in mind, Anthony helped me find ways of updating my kitchen without breaking the bank. He was open and honest throughout the process! Anthony regularly checked in with me both on the phone and in person to make sure I understood the entire process. As an added benefit, his design ideas were amazing! The team working in my kitchen were quiet, clean, and their work was impeccable! With the help of JB from Cabinet Creations I was able to seamlessly design, plan, and see what my new kitchen would look like! I would highly recommend AVC for any project and I plan to use them for all of my future projects!"
Justin K on September 2020
Kendall Developments, Inc has the knowledge and expertise for all of your home building and home improvement needs. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of the business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. With over 18 years of experience, accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are mindful of our customer interest and make their concerns the basis of our business. We make sure to develop a lasting relationship so that the next time a project is needed there will be no question on who to call. We look forward to earning your business!
"Saw this guy driving on the highway with some serious road rage. Purposely swerving into another car and blocking them when they tried to pass. I wouldn't hire someone who loses their head that easily"
Dave K on March 2024
Kendall Developments, Inc has the knowledge and expertise for all of your home building and home improvement needs. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of the business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. With over 18 years of experience, accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are mindful of our customer interest and make their concerns the basis of our business. We make sure to develop a lasting relationship so that the next time a project is needed there will be no question on who to call. We look forward to earning your business!
"Saw this guy driving on the highway with some serious road rage. Purposely swerving into another car and blocking them when they tried to pass. I wouldn't hire someone who loses their head that easily"
Dave K on March 2024
Since 2009, we’ve completed over 10,000 basement projects across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin! Matrix Basement Finishing is proud to be ranked as the #1 basement finishing company in America, delivering premium quality and unmatched durability at an incredible value. Our advanced Forever Wall System is engineered to resist water, mold, and mildew, ensuring your finished basement stays beautiful and functional for years to come—something traditional materials simply can’t match. When you choose Matrix Basement Finishing, you’ll enjoy: - Flexible financing options backed by trusted national partners - A limited lifetime warranty for long-term peace of mind - Comprehensive, all-in-one service so you’ll never need to work with a third party - Expert installation by professional installers and design consultants With Matrix Basement Finishing, you get an exceptional product, outstanding service, and a finished basement you’ll love for life.
"Amazing company work came out perfect, very easy company to work with and all customized they offer free quotes"
brandon p on March 2025
Since 2009, we’ve completed over 10,000 basement projects across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin! Matrix Basement Finishing is proud to be ranked as the #1 basement finishing company in America, delivering premium quality and unmatched durability at an incredible value. Our advanced Forever Wall System is engineered to resist water, mold, and mildew, ensuring your finished basement stays beautiful and functional for years to come—something traditional materials simply can’t match. When you choose Matrix Basement Finishing, you’ll enjoy: - Flexible financing options backed by trusted national partners - A limited lifetime warranty for long-term peace of mind - Comprehensive, all-in-one service so you’ll never need to work with a third party - Expert installation by professional installers and design consultants With Matrix Basement Finishing, you get an exceptional product, outstanding service, and a finished basement you’ll love for life.
"Amazing company work came out perfect, very easy company to work with and all customized they offer free quotes"
brandon p on March 2025
HandyKarl is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Karl and his crew are top notch. Great communication, attention to detail, and very fair pricing. Remodeling can be very overwhelming and Karl makes the process a piece of cake. Lastly, Karl recommends upgrades and finishing touches that are always the more affordable option - never any surprises with expensive add-ons or the final bill!"
Jon R on August 2023
HandyKarl is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Karl and his crew are top notch. Great communication, attention to detail, and very fair pricing. Remodeling can be very overwhelming and Karl makes the process a piece of cake. Lastly, Karl recommends upgrades and finishing touches that are always the more affordable option - never any surprises with expensive add-ons or the final bill!"
Jon R on August 2023
When quality of service counts, count on Basement 2 Finish! Basement 2 Finish is the right choice for all of your major basement remodeling needs because we put people first. We listen, and work with you from start to finish to ensure all your ideas come to fruition. Established in 1985, we have close to 30 years of dedication to our community and the surrounding Chicagoland area. We are properly licensed and bonded to meet all state requirements and specialize in all aspects of basement finishing and renovation. Our goal is to bring comfort, value, and peace of mind to your home, and our expert team is ready to assist you. Basement finishing services include building your basement kitchen, kitchenette, bathroom, home gym, family room, game room, home theater, wet bar, man-cave, wine cellar, custom built-ins, children's playroom, additional bedrooms, and much more! Look to Basement 2 Finish for all of your major basement remodeling needs; we look forward to doing business with you!
"Great work by Vito and the whole Basement 2 Finish team. My basement looks fantastic! Take a look at my project on their website. Plainfield, IL"
Jarrod F on April 2025
When quality of service counts, count on Basement 2 Finish! Basement 2 Finish is the right choice for all of your major basement remodeling needs because we put people first. We listen, and work with you from start to finish to ensure all your ideas come to fruition. Established in 1985, we have close to 30 years of dedication to our community and the surrounding Chicagoland area. We are properly licensed and bonded to meet all state requirements and specialize in all aspects of basement finishing and renovation. Our goal is to bring comfort, value, and peace of mind to your home, and our expert team is ready to assist you. Basement finishing services include building your basement kitchen, kitchenette, bathroom, home gym, family room, game room, home theater, wet bar, man-cave, wine cellar, custom built-ins, children's playroom, additional bedrooms, and much more! Look to Basement 2 Finish for all of your major basement remodeling needs; we look forward to doing business with you!
"Great work by Vito and the whole Basement 2 Finish team. My basement looks fantastic! Take a look at my project on their website. Plainfield, IL"
Jarrod F on April 2025
First Class Home Remodelers, Inc., is a family business with two divisions. Commercial property management and we are a general construction company that enjoys creating fun, functional, custom spaces for our customers. There is nothing that we cannot create; as we love a challenge. Give us a call for a consultation on your next home improvement project.
"First Class remodel our basement w/full size bath in a short time. Also remodel my large deck & my gazebo plus installed exterior siding! A class and clean company!"
Angeles P on September 2024
First Class Home Remodelers, Inc., is a family business with two divisions. Commercial property management and we are a general construction company that enjoys creating fun, functional, custom spaces for our customers. There is nothing that we cannot create; as we love a challenge. Give us a call for a consultation on your next home improvement project.
"First Class remodel our basement w/full size bath in a short time. Also remodel my large deck & my gazebo plus installed exterior siding! A class and clean company!"
Angeles P on September 2024
At Rhodium Contractors we specialize in indoor & outdoor home renovation, as well as general handymen work. We are strongly committed to providing high-quality work and customer service. We offer free estimates and will work with you side by side on every aspect along the way. We uphold a high standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and responsibility in all of our jobs. There is no job too big, or too small for our team. Call in today and let us put our experience to work for you!
"did a good job"
Alicia J on May 2024
At Rhodium Contractors we specialize in indoor & outdoor home renovation, as well as general handymen work. We are strongly committed to providing high-quality work and customer service. We offer free estimates and will work with you side by side on every aspect along the way. We uphold a high standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and responsibility in all of our jobs. There is no job too big, or too small for our team. Call in today and let us put our experience to work for you!
"did a good job"
Alicia J on May 2024
Emanuel Matula went into business for himself in 2003. Emanuel is not only the owner, but he also performs the work with his employees. Emanuel Matula has over 10 years of experience in the residential and commercial remodeling field. Every homeowner that gets a bid from Emanuel receives a free accurate quote with very competitive pricing. Customer service is always a top priority for Emanuel and his employees. Call Emanuel today and you will be glad that you did!
"Thanks Emanuel and the entire team for the excellent work you did on my basement. Your work exceeded my expectations! You delivered within the estimated budget and timeline. Verillah"
Verillah O on February 2024
Emanuel Matula went into business for himself in 2003. Emanuel is not only the owner, but he also performs the work with his employees. Emanuel Matula has over 10 years of experience in the residential and commercial remodeling field. Every homeowner that gets a bid from Emanuel receives a free accurate quote with very competitive pricing. Customer service is always a top priority for Emanuel and his employees. Call Emanuel today and you will be glad that you did!
"Thanks Emanuel and the entire team for the excellent work you did on my basement. Your work exceeded my expectations! You delivered within the estimated budget and timeline. Verillah"
Verillah O on February 2024
We are a locally owned and operated basement finishing specialist servicing the Chicagoland area. Our focus is providing clients with a clear, upfront vision of expectations through a design/build approach. Our free design service provides potential customers with a collaborative consultation geared towards budget, wants, needs and lifestyle.
"Reviews All project manager98 basement remodel40 work33 field manager29 +6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest Charlie Bressler Local Guide·5 reviews·8 photos What initially seemed like a good idea with a decent turnout went from ok, to bad, to worse. … More Jason Vassallo 8 reviews·18 photos a month ago We had an incredible experience with Matrix Basements! From start to finish, the team was professional, communicative, and a pleasure to work with. The craftsmanship is top-notch—every detail was handled with care and precision. You can … More Photo 1 in review by Jason Vassallo Photo 2 in review by Jason Vassallo Photo 3 in review by Jason Vassallo Photo 4 in review by Jason Vassallo 🙏1 Matrix Basements (Owner) a month ago Thank you so much, Jason! We’re incredibly grateful for your kind words and for trusting Matrix Basements with your home. Hearing how much you enjoyed the process — and seeing your beautiful new space — means the world to our entire team. We’re honored to have been part of bringing your vision to life! Ann Michel 7 reviews·4 photos 4 months ago We are very pleased with our the renovation of our basement. We had several bids from different contractors, and although Matrix was the highest bid, I would say it was well worth every dollar spent. The process started off slow, the start … More Photo 1 in review by Ann Michel Photo 2 in review by Ann Michel Photo 3 in review by Ann Michel Photo 4 in review by Ann Michel ❤️1 Matrix Basements (Owner) 4 months ago Thank you for sharing your experience with Matrix Basements. We appreciate your feedback. Kathleen Tracy 3 reviews·5 photos 4 months ago We recently had our basement completed by Matrix. We are thrilled with having the extra living space! Having the Builder Trend app allowed us to see the schedule and follow the process, so there weren't many surprises. Matrix got a 4-star … More Photo 1 in review by Kathleen Tracy Photo 2 in review by Kathleen Tracy Photo 3 in review by Kathleen Tracy Photo 4 in review by Kathleen Tracy+2 Matrix Basements (Owner) 4 months ago Your feedback is incredibly valuable. We are thrilled to hear that you are enjoying the extra living space in your basement completed by Matrix. We appreciate your detailed review and will take your concerns into consideration for future projects. Matrix Basements [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basements Reviews Overall, we had a great experience with the Matrix Home Solutions team from start to finish. Jamie V and his team did an amazing job transforming our dark ... 5.0(226) Better Business Bureau [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basement Finishing | BBB Complaints | Better Business ... We were promised great customer service and quality workmanship, which we have not received to date. Poor customer service the start with the salesman and on up ... People also ask How reliable are Matrix Home Solutions' services? What is the warranty on a matrix basement? Who owns Matrix Basement Systems? Who is the CEO of Matrix Home Solutions? Feedback People also search for Reliable Home Improvem... DGI Design x Build (Devon Gr... Drury Design reviews Advance Design Studio revi... Design First Builders reviews Feedback Angie's List [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basement Finishing Reviews - Arlington Heights, IL From start to finish, the team was professional, communicative, and a pleasure to work with. The craftsmanship is top-notch—every detail was handled with care ... 4.7(269) Houzz [*** Link removed ***] MATRIX BASEMENT FINISHING - Project Photos & Reviews Overall the experience with Matrix was good they were professional, high quality repairs and planning was relatively seamless. On occasion there were some ... 4.8(218) Indeed Job Search App installed Matrix Basement Finishing Employee Reviews in Arlington Heights, IL Working at Matrix Home Solutions has been an absolute pleasure. The company exudes innovation and excellence in every aspect of its operations. 3.4(31) People also search for HomeAdvisor [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basement Finishing Chicagoland Area The quality of the craftsmanship is outstanding every detail was thoughtfully executed. They stayed on schedule and within budget, which was ... 4.2(41) Reddit · r/Naperville 20+ comments · 6 months ago Anyone have recommendations for a basement finishing quote? I used Matrix a few years ago. Easy to work with, only finished half the basement, and even let us do the floors and painting ourselves to save ... Matrix Basements [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basements Reviews - Page 13 Jul 22, 2020 — We had a fantastic experience with Matrix from start to finish. The sales staff, project manager, and contractors were all excellent at their ... 5.0(226) People also search for Reliable Home Improvem... DGI Design x Build (Devon Gr... Drury Design reviews Advance Design Studio revi... Design First Builders reviews Feedback Results are personalized - Try without personalization 60202, Evanston, IL - From your device Update location Dark theme: on Help Feedback Privacy Terms Charlie Bressler Local Guide·5 reviews·8 photos just now New What initially seemed like a good idea with a decent turnout went from ok, to bad, to worse. Last winter we had our bathroom remodeled to more appropriately accommodate me in my recovery process and moving forward from several strokes. We had a rep come out to give us a quote based on what we wanted/would need and after some convincing and offering of discounts, we settled on a price and worked out a loan agreement to get it done. The project was to turn our bathtub in our main bathroom into a standing shower with a grab bar to allow for ease of entry and exit for myself, plus a wider vanity to allow for both myself and my wife to use the sink at the same time. We also opted to replace the flooring, which was tile, to a vinyl that became less cool and easy to walk on. We picked out the design and style with the rep who's name I don't remember, and set a date for everything to be done. The first issue after the fact that we noticed, was that the wrong vanity had been installed. When this issue was raised, the solution was to reimburse us for part of the installation because that seemed easier at the time. Fine. Everything else seemed to be ok, so we let it go and moved on. Fast forward to today, we had a drainage issue with that shower stall and called a plumber to address the issue. In the process of doing that, he discovered that the pipe for the shower drain, which had been moved from its original placement on the initial install, had not only been installed incorrectly, but had been sealed improperly and now that the seal has begun to erode away is causing a small (for now) leak. We now have a quote for an exploration into the problem where the other company will have to open up part of the celling in the basement in order to assess the issue and determine a correct fix. That this problem exists in the first place is unacceptable and we are frankly livid with the matter."
Charlie B on June 2025
We are a locally owned and operated basement finishing specialist servicing the Chicagoland area. Our focus is providing clients with a clear, upfront vision of expectations through a design/build approach. Our free design service provides potential customers with a collaborative consultation geared towards budget, wants, needs and lifestyle.
"Reviews All project manager98 basement remodel40 work33 field manager29 +6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest Charlie Bressler Local Guide·5 reviews·8 photos What initially seemed like a good idea with a decent turnout went from ok, to bad, to worse. … More Jason Vassallo 8 reviews·18 photos a month ago We had an incredible experience with Matrix Basements! From start to finish, the team was professional, communicative, and a pleasure to work with. The craftsmanship is top-notch—every detail was handled with care and precision. You can … More Photo 1 in review by Jason Vassallo Photo 2 in review by Jason Vassallo Photo 3 in review by Jason Vassallo Photo 4 in review by Jason Vassallo 🙏1 Matrix Basements (Owner) a month ago Thank you so much, Jason! We’re incredibly grateful for your kind words and for trusting Matrix Basements with your home. Hearing how much you enjoyed the process — and seeing your beautiful new space — means the world to our entire team. We’re honored to have been part of bringing your vision to life! Ann Michel 7 reviews·4 photos 4 months ago We are very pleased with our the renovation of our basement. We had several bids from different contractors, and although Matrix was the highest bid, I would say it was well worth every dollar spent. The process started off slow, the start … More Photo 1 in review by Ann Michel Photo 2 in review by Ann Michel Photo 3 in review by Ann Michel Photo 4 in review by Ann Michel ❤️1 Matrix Basements (Owner) 4 months ago Thank you for sharing your experience with Matrix Basements. We appreciate your feedback. Kathleen Tracy 3 reviews·5 photos 4 months ago We recently had our basement completed by Matrix. We are thrilled with having the extra living space! Having the Builder Trend app allowed us to see the schedule and follow the process, so there weren't many surprises. Matrix got a 4-star … More Photo 1 in review by Kathleen Tracy Photo 2 in review by Kathleen Tracy Photo 3 in review by Kathleen Tracy Photo 4 in review by Kathleen Tracy+2 Matrix Basements (Owner) 4 months ago Your feedback is incredibly valuable. We are thrilled to hear that you are enjoying the extra living space in your basement completed by Matrix. We appreciate your detailed review and will take your concerns into consideration for future projects. Matrix Basements [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basements Reviews Overall, we had a great experience with the Matrix Home Solutions team from start to finish. Jamie V and his team did an amazing job transforming our dark ... 5.0(226) Better Business Bureau [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basement Finishing | BBB Complaints | Better Business ... We were promised great customer service and quality workmanship, which we have not received to date. Poor customer service the start with the salesman and on up ... People also ask How reliable are Matrix Home Solutions' services? What is the warranty on a matrix basement? Who owns Matrix Basement Systems? Who is the CEO of Matrix Home Solutions? Feedback People also search for Reliable Home Improvem... DGI Design x Build (Devon Gr... Drury Design reviews Advance Design Studio revi... Design First Builders reviews Feedback Angie's List [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basement Finishing Reviews - Arlington Heights, IL From start to finish, the team was professional, communicative, and a pleasure to work with. The craftsmanship is top-notch—every detail was handled with care ... 4.7(269) Houzz [*** Link removed ***] MATRIX BASEMENT FINISHING - Project Photos & Reviews Overall the experience with Matrix was good they were professional, high quality repairs and planning was relatively seamless. On occasion there were some ... 4.8(218) Indeed Job Search App installed Matrix Basement Finishing Employee Reviews in Arlington Heights, IL Working at Matrix Home Solutions has been an absolute pleasure. The company exudes innovation and excellence in every aspect of its operations. 3.4(31) People also search for HomeAdvisor [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basement Finishing Chicagoland Area The quality of the craftsmanship is outstanding every detail was thoughtfully executed. They stayed on schedule and within budget, which was ... 4.2(41) Reddit · r/Naperville 20+ comments · 6 months ago Anyone have recommendations for a basement finishing quote? I used Matrix a few years ago. Easy to work with, only finished half the basement, and even let us do the floors and painting ourselves to save ... Matrix Basements [*** Link removed ***] Matrix Basements Reviews - Page 13 Jul 22, 2020 — We had a fantastic experience with Matrix from start to finish. The sales staff, project manager, and contractors were all excellent at their ... 5.0(226) People also search for Reliable Home Improvem... DGI Design x Build (Devon Gr... Drury Design reviews Advance Design Studio revi... Design First Builders reviews Feedback Results are personalized - Try without personalization 60202, Evanston, IL - From your device Update location Dark theme: on Help Feedback Privacy Terms Charlie Bressler Local Guide·5 reviews·8 photos just now New What initially seemed like a good idea with a decent turnout went from ok, to bad, to worse. Last winter we had our bathroom remodeled to more appropriately accommodate me in my recovery process and moving forward from several strokes. We had a rep come out to give us a quote based on what we wanted/would need and after some convincing and offering of discounts, we settled on a price and worked out a loan agreement to get it done. The project was to turn our bathtub in our main bathroom into a standing shower with a grab bar to allow for ease of entry and exit for myself, plus a wider vanity to allow for both myself and my wife to use the sink at the same time. We also opted to replace the flooring, which was tile, to a vinyl that became less cool and easy to walk on. We picked out the design and style with the rep who's name I don't remember, and set a date for everything to be done. The first issue after the fact that we noticed, was that the wrong vanity had been installed. When this issue was raised, the solution was to reimburse us for part of the installation because that seemed easier at the time. Fine. Everything else seemed to be ok, so we let it go and moved on. Fast forward to today, we had a drainage issue with that shower stall and called a plumber to address the issue. In the process of doing that, he discovered that the pipe for the shower drain, which had been moved from its original placement on the initial install, had not only been installed incorrectly, but had been sealed improperly and now that the seal has begun to erode away is causing a small (for now) leak. We now have a quote for an exploration into the problem where the other company will have to open up part of the celling in the basement in order to assess the issue and determine a correct fix. That this problem exists in the first place is unacceptable and we are frankly livid with the matter."
Charlie B on June 2025
At ADP Constructions Inc., we take pride in delivering high-quality construction and remodeling services tailored to your needs. We have been proudly in the construction business since the early 2000's, providing high-quality services to our clients. Our team has completed numerous projects, ranging from small renovations to large-scale constructions. We can help design & build your dream kitchen, bathroom, additions, basements and more! Design your remodel from the ground up with the help of ADP! With years of experience in the industry, our skilled team specializes in residential and commercial projects, ensuring superior craftsmanship, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction in every job we undertake. We offer free consultations.
"Great job on my bathroom project with competitive price , once again thanks for team"
vimal m on May 2025
At ADP Constructions Inc., we take pride in delivering high-quality construction and remodeling services tailored to your needs. We have been proudly in the construction business since the early 2000's, providing high-quality services to our clients. Our team has completed numerous projects, ranging from small renovations to large-scale constructions. We can help design & build your dream kitchen, bathroom, additions, basements and more! Design your remodel from the ground up with the help of ADP! With years of experience in the industry, our skilled team specializes in residential and commercial projects, ensuring superior craftsmanship, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction in every job we undertake. We offer free consultations.
"Great job on my bathroom project with competitive price , once again thanks for team"
vimal m on May 2025
Pre-made bars cost $1,200 to $6,500, while custom bars range from $2,000 to $22,500, depending on features. For basic needs, pre-fabricated options are more economical and offer quicker installation. Custom bars cost more but provide exact specifications and potentially higher quality. The simplest and most affordable options are freestanding bar cabinets and bar carts.
A good basement bar size depends on your available space and entertaining needs. Most residential bars range from six to 12 feet in length. Standard bar height is 42 inches, while counter-height bars (36 inches) are more family-friendly. Allow 24 to 30 inches of width per person for comfortable seating and at least 36 to 42 inches of clearance behind the bar for movement. For entertaining, an eight to 10-foot bar comfortably seats three to four people.
Permit requirements vary by location, but generally include building permits for structural changes, plumbing permits for wet bars, and electrical permits for new circuits or significant wiring work. Some municipalities also require inspections during and after construction. Check with your local building department before starting your project, as skipping required permits can lead to complications when selling your home and may void insurance coverage if issues arise later.