Questions, answered.
How the project management model works, what quotes include, and what to expect during and after the job. If your question is not here, call us - we will give a real answer.
The Lake & Oak Co. model
Are you a general contractor or a trade?
We are a general contractor and project management company. We coordinate a vetted network of trade specialists across six services: HVAC, roofing, bathroom remodels, painting, flooring, and trim. You pay Lake & Oak Co., and we pay the trade partners on every job.
Do you employ the people doing the work?
No, and we are upfront about that. Our trade partners are independent specialists we have vetted, license-verified, and worked with repeatedly. The value we provide is the project management layer - single point of contact, sequenced scheduling, one warranty.
Why hire you instead of going direct to a trade?
If your project is exactly one trade and you already know a great roofer or painter, you may not need us. Most Chicagoland projects involve two to four trades - paint, flooring, a bath update, sometimes mechanical work. Coordinating that yourself costs time and ends with no single party accountable when something breaks.
How do you vet your trade partners?
Every partner has to clear license verification, insurance review, reference checks with prior customers, and a trial job we observe in person. We only continue with partners whose punch lists close cleanly and whose work matches our standard. Partners who slip get replaced.
Quotes, pricing, and payment
Are quotes free?
Yes. In-home estimates are free, with no obligation. A written line-item quote follows within 48 hours.
How firm is the quote?
The line-item quote is the price. We do not change it without your written sign-off. If a discovery on site genuinely changes scope (e.g., hidden water damage), we stop, document, and get your approval before continuing.
Do you offer financing?
Yes - through Hearth, GreenSky, and Synchrony. Pre-qualifying is a soft credit pull, takes about two minutes, and never affects your score. See our financing page for partner details.
When do I pay?
Standard payment schedule is a deposit at signing, a progress payment at midway, and balance on completion after walkthrough. Schedules can flex for larger projects.
During the project
Who is my point of contact?
Your project lead. Same person from quote through warranty. Direct line, daily check-ins, on site for milestones.
How long does a typical project take?
It depends on scope. A cosmetic bathroom refresh is one to two weeks. HVAC replacement is one to three days. A roof replacement is one to three days. A multi-trade bundle (paint + floor + bath) typically runs three to five weeks.
Will the work site be cleaned up daily?
Yes. Daily cleanup is in the contract. If a trade partner skips it, your project lead handles it. We do not leave dust and debris between work days.
What if I am not happy with something?
Call your project lead. We do a formal walkthrough at the end of every job and document a punch list. Anything on the list gets fixed before final payment.
After the project
What does the warranty cover?
Our written warranty covers workmanship for one year on cosmetic work and longer for major-system installs (per manufacturer terms on HVAC, roof, etc.). If something is wrong, you call us - not the trade partner. We coordinate the fix.
Do you do follow-up service or maintenance?
We do not do annual maintenance contracts. But for warranty work or for adding new scope (e.g., a second bathroom a year later), call your same project lead - they keep your file.