Restoration Services
Residential Restorations
Residential Restorations by Michaelson & Messinger Insurance Specialists, LLC
A house is not a project to the family that lives in it. Michaelson & Messinger restores homes after fire, water, and storm damage with that in mind. We have rebuilt 1920s bungalows in Chicago, brick Georgians in Oak Lawn, split levels in Downers Grove, and new construction in Naperville, each to the standard of its neighborhood and each on a schedule the family could plan around.
Every Age of Home
The western suburbs and Chicago hold a century of housing. Balloon framed homes from the 1890s need fire damage traced inside the walls. Plaster homes from the 1920s need finishes matched, not replaced with drywall. Postwar ranches have slab ductwork that carries smoke everywhere. Modern homes have engineered lumber and open plans that burn fast. We know each of these, and our estimates and repairs reflect it.
What We Restore
- Structure: framing, roof systems, load bearing walls, foundations where damaged
- Exterior: roofing, siding, masonry, windows, doors, porches, and garages
- Mechanical: electrical service and wiring, plumbing, HVAC, brought to current code
- Interior: insulation, drywall and plaster, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, trim, doors, paint
- Specialty: original trim and millwork salvage, hardwood floor matching, custom cabinetry
Living Through the Rebuild
Our adjusting team makes sure your additional living expense coverage pays for housing while you are out. Our project manager gives you a schedule, updates it as work moves, and is your single point of contact. Our reviews describe crews that show up before 7 a.m., clean the site every day, and finish when they said they would.
Upgrades During the Rebuild
Many families open a wall, move a kitchen, add a bathroom, or finish a basement while the house is already opened up. We price upgrades separately from the insurance scope so the carrier’s payment and your investment stay clear.
Written Warranty
All work is contracted item by item and covered by a written warranty. When something needs attention after you move home, we come back.
Talk to Us
Call 630.654.2600 any hour. If you have a claim, we will adjust it and rebuild. If you have a settlement already and need a contractor, we will bid the work.
Frequently Asked Questions: Residential Restorations
Can I make changes or upgrades during the rebuild?
Yes, and many clients do. The house is already open, so moving a wall, updating a kitchen, or adding a bathroom costs far less than it would later. We price upgrades separately from the insurance scope so you always know what the carrier is paying and what you are adding.
Do you restore older homes with plaster and original woodwork?
Yes. We repair and match plaster, salvage original trim and doors, and match hardwood species and profiles. Many of the homes we restore are pre 1940.
Who is my point of contact during the rebuild?
A project manager assigned to your home, reachable by phone, who schedules the work, updates the timeline, and walks you through selections.
Will the crews clean up every day?
Yes. Our reviews mention it often. The site is swept and secured at the end of each day.
Can I pick my own finishes?
Yes. You choose cabinets, counters, flooring, tile, fixtures, and paint. Selections at or below the insurance allowance are covered. Upgrades are priced separately.
How do you keep the schedule on track?
We order long lead items such as cabinets and windows early, sequence the trades, and give you a written schedule that the project manager updates as work moves.
Do you handle the permit and inspections?
Yes. Every rebuild is performed under permit with the village, city, or county, and we schedule and pass each inspection.
