Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often: about our services, pricing, billing, and what it’s like to work with us.
FAQ – Services
We don’t currently offer emergency service. Our hours are 8 AM–4 PM, Monday through Friday. For non-emergency plumbing, we typically get to you within 2 to 4 business days of your quote being approved.
Usually within 2 to 4 business days of approving your quote, though it can vary a bit by season and project size.
Yes, all our work and materials are covered for one year against defects, with free repairs if anything comes up in that time.
Often, yes. Our technicians work across multiple trades, so a faucet repair and a light fixture fix can usually happen in the same appointment. The earlier you schedule, the better our chances of bundling everything into one trip.
You can, but compatibility depends on the valve already in your wall, not just what looks right. We’ll always confirm before purchase if you go that route, so you’re not stuck with a kit that doesn’t fit.
We don’t currently have licensed plumbers on staff, and we won’t take on plumbing work that requires licensure under Chicago Code. That said, building management or HOA rules are sometimes stricter than city code, so it’s worth checking if that applies to you. Our business itself is fully licensed and insured.
Most of the everyday stuff: installing light fixtures, replacing switches and outlets, and similar work. We can also handle some bigger jobs, like adding a new outlet or upgrading an existing panel. For anything more involved, like full rewiring or new buried conduit, we’ll point you in the right direction.
We don’t have licensed electricians on staff, and we won’t take on work that requires that license under Chicago Code (building management or HOA rules can sometimes be stricter, so it’s worth checking). Our team is highly experienced with the projects we do take on, and our business is fully licensed and insured.
Safety comes first. If there’s ever a serious issue like sparks or a burning smell, we’ll shut off power right away and assess from there. If it’s something outside our scope, we’ll pause and pivot, keeping you informed the whole way through.
For simple jobs like swapping an outlet or fixture, you should expect to block off a couple of hours. It may not take that full time, but it’s best to create a buffer for any unforeseen circumstances.
We can install things like smart doorbells and thermostats, but we don’t handle the tech setup after that. That’s a different specialty.
Yes! All our work and materials are covered for one year against defects, with free repairs if anything comes up in that time.
Everything from simple door adjustments to full door, frame, and trim replacements. We also handle carpentry tied to drywall projects, exterior repairs like rotted deck boards, and most cabinet adjustments — though we don’t offer custom cabinetry.
Yes! Our carpenters have years of hands-on experience with the kind of projects we take on, and our business is fully licensed and insured.
If we run into something that changes the scope, we’ll pause and walk you through it before any extra work or charges. Just know that once a project’s underway, it’s tough for us to accommodate new preferences outside the original plan. But we’ll always do our best to work with you.
It depends on the project. A door replacement is usually a full day, while something like wainscoting depends on the size of the space and the materials involved. Submit a request and we give you a better estimate after a quick assessment!
We don’t typically offer custom builds or design guidance, but request a free estimate and we’ll let you know if your project is something we can take on.
Yes! All our work and materials are covered for one year against defects, with free repairs if anything comes up in that time.
Ceramic, porcelain, glass, natural stone, and mosaic. Though some take more finesse than others. Glass and natural stone tend to be trickier due to fragility or weight, and intricate mosaic patterns take extra time and attention to detail.
Usually yes, though it depends on what’s underneath. If there’s moisture damage or the surrounding tile has shifted, a larger area might need to come up. Finding an exact match for older tile can also be tricky.
We don’t offer standalone grout cleaning, but we will regrout and seal areas like tubs, showers, and countertops as part of a project.
For a standard bathroom or backsplash, plan to leave a couple of days blocked off. The tiling itself may take less than a day, but demolition, prep, drying time, and grouting adds up.
We don’t offer formal design consultations, but we’re happy to walk you through standard layout options, and your technician can offer input on-site.
Yes! All our work and materials are covered for one year against defects, with free repairs if anything comes up in that time.
We bring all the prep and rough materials: tape, drop cloths, patching compound, and the like. For paint itself, we generally prefer you choose and provide it, since you’re the one who’ll be living with the color and finish. Happy to offer guidance!
Absolutely, it’s your space! That said, we prefer working with Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select line for its quality and coverage, and we’d recommend sticking with a brand we know well so we can stand behind the final result.
We do! We’ve got over a decade of experience with drywall and plaster repair in the city, including two of the most common issues: water-damaged drywall and stress cracks. Both need more than a quick patch to hold up, so we make sure it’s done right.
Doors, drywall, trim, exterior ironwork like stairways, and wood finishing of all kinds. We also do solid-stain patio staining. Funny enough, painting is actually how we got our start!
Yes, including any wall repair needed afterward to get things ready for a fresh coat. We don’t currently offer wallpaper installation, though.
Yes, a little prep on your end goes a long way. Please remove wall art, electronics, and valuables from the work area, and move furniture at least 4 feet from the walls being painted. We’ll share a full prep checklist when scheduling so you know exactly what to expect.
FAQ – Quotes
Quotes are valid for 30 days from the issue date. After that, material costs and availability may have shifted enough that we’d need to revisit the numbers before proceeding.
| Not necessarily. Please review the quote carefully — if it isn’t listed, it isn’t included. It’s possible something was omitted by mistake, or it may be outside our scope of expertise. If something is missing, let us know and we’ll clarify. |
| We price our work as a flat rate rather than by the hour. This means you know the cost upfront — no surprises if the job takes longer than expected, and no pressure on our technicians to rush. The quoted price is the price for the service as described. |
| No — the Materials Estimate at the bottom of your quote is a separate estimate, not a fixed cost. The final materials charge is based on what is actually purchased and used for your project. We do our best to estimate accurately, but the final amount may vary slightly. |
Our materials markup covers the risk we take on purchasing upfront, the time spent sourcing and coordinating delivery, and our expertise in picking the right products for the job.
Yes, consumer financing is available through Wisetack. It covers the quoted total minus your deposit, paid upfront. If your final cost changes from the original quote, we may need to issue a revised loan — no fees on expired loans, though.
FAQ – Invoices
Yes. Log into your Jobber Client Portal and go to the Wallet tab to update your payment information. We require one valid payment method on file to process installments — if this lapses, it may result in a pause in work.
We accept credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers, and checks. We do not accept Venmo, Zelle, or cash.
For projects over $1,000, we collect a 45% deposit, a 45% progress payment partway through, and the remaining balance at completion. The second charge you saw is that progress payment, not a duplicate.
Not always. The flat-rate labor portion of your invoice matches the quote, but the final materials cost is based on what was actually purchased — which may differ slightly from the original estimate. If any additional work was performed beyond the original scope, those costs would also be reflected.
Our pricing is a flat rate for the service — not an hourly charge. We typically schedule more time than a job requires to account for unforeseen delays and to avoid disruptions to our calendar and yours. Finishing faster than scheduled doesn’t change the agreed-upon cost of the service.
Material costs can fluctuate based on what was actually needed for the job. We do our best to estimate accurately and will communicate any significant changes as they arise. A 35% markup is applied to all materials purchased by Fix It People, which covers procurement, upfront financing, and coordination.
No. Activities like material sourcing, pre-construction prep, and client communication are factored into our flat-rate labor price. You won’t see a separate charge for those. The exception is if an additional visit was required due to client-side factors — in that case, a dispatching fee may apply.
If you choose to tip through Jobber, 100% of the amount goes directly to the technician(s) who worked on your project. If multiple technicians were involved, the tip is split evenly. Technicians also receive bonuses for public 5-star reviews that mention them by name — it’s one of the best ways to show your appreciation.
FAQ – Working With Us
We get it, life happens. Just reach out to our office as soon as you know — the more notice you give, the more flexibility we can offer. Cancellations made before a start date is scheduled get a full refund. Once we’re closer to your start date, rescheduling or cancellation fees may apply, which we’ll always walk you through in your Service Agreement.
| You can, though since our schedule is set in advance, removing a line item after scheduling comes with a small fee. Let your Project Coordinator know as early as possible to minimize any impact. |
| We occasionally run promotions on projects valued at $300 or more — keep an eye out, and make sure to include the promo code when submitting your quote request. If a refund is ever needed, it goes back to your original payment method; full refunds are a single transaction, and partial refunds typically take 5–10 business days to process. |