Contractors and Service Providers

Old houses and other like structures have demands of their own, as do the landscapes and gardens that hold them. Owners need solutions to preservation and restoration problems as well as help with vigilant and ongoing maintenance.

For success, products, services and professional service providers must match with their specialized needs. The challenge is that today's building materials, construction methods, and technology are generally different from those of the past. Contemporary home building sources, large or small, often don't offer resources or solutions appropriate to older houses. And, the training and experience of service providers does not necessarily enable them to work on older mechanical systems such as heating and plumbing. The same is true in regard to systems that have been incorporated into existing structures such as air conditioning or filters.

With problem-solving in mind, the OHS offers a list of service providers and craftspeople who work with older structures. Most are from Central Illinois. The list is by no means complete nor meant to be. These entries come from OHS members with direct experience; from vendors who have been part of a Classic Homes Fair; and, in a few instances, includes specialized services that have not been found locally.

The Old House Society does not recommend these services and service providers nor warranty their skills or work. The final responsibility for hiring a competent and reliable professional rests with the owner. Plan ahead. Ask for recommendations; look at their work; discuss goals, schedules and costs; ask questions. The responsibility for evaluation, final choice, and oversight of the project is the homeowner's. Do your homework including issues of insurance, licensing, and bonding.

For more information about working with professionals look at Caring For Your Old House published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and available in the OHS library.

A-1 Restoration (309) 473-3434 Bob Wills
Refinishing architectural elements such as doors, casements, molding. Minor repair.

A Touch of Glass (309) 454-4666 Terry Garbe
Stained glass repair, etching, beveling. Design & construction for window replacement.

Joel David Abramson House Portraits (612) 798-4784 joelbarb@mac.com Joel Abramson
Specializing in archival drawings of homes to homeowners, real estate agents and innkeepers. Pen-and-ink drawings can be used on gift cards and other gift items.

Al Bar-Wilmette Platers (800) 300-6762
Door, window, & cabinet hardware restoration & refinishing. Lighting fixtures, plumbing hardware, fireplace hardware refinishing.

Allred Floor Service (309) 263-7138
Wood floor installation, maintenance, sanding, refinishing. Minor repair. In business since 1957.

Arbogast Paint Analysis (319) 351-4601 David Arbogast
Architectural conservator specializing in paint analysis.

ArchiSearch (217) 359-3848 Karen L. Kummer
History certification consultant. A business service to research & apply for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. HABS reports.

Associated Constructors (309) 827-8522
Plastering & stucco. Union shop.

Associated Sandblasting Systems (309) 827-8805
Grates, registers & other metal components refinished. Bathtubs re-surfaced.

ATC Insulators (309) 383-2161 Jim McGath
Foam and cellulose insulation.

Bailey Hardwood & Millwork (217) 529-6800 Tom Bailey
Custom & historical moldings, stairways & parts, fireplaces. Cut-to-order trim & other molding from choice of 800 knives.

Balagna House Movers (309) 245-4486 or (309) 245-2469 Fred Balagna
Building relocation. Moved 1894 Oscar Mandel House for Old House Society, a large Queen Anne style home.

Bassi Construction (217) 732-1028 Dale Bassi
Restoration General Contractor. Additions complementary to existing structures. Also experienced with pre-1940 commercial store fronts.

Bellis and Bolek (309) 827-4889 Kevin Bellis & Dave Bolek
Painters, exterior and interior. Sponge, rag wiping. No wallpaper. Not afraid of heights.

Bill's Key and Lock Shop (309) 454-1713 (Normal); (309) 827-5522 (Bloomington) Andy or William Streenz. Two locations. Locks cleaned & repaired. New keys.

Birkey & Associates (309) 261-1749 Andy Birkey
Restoration master carpenters. Commercial & other large projects.

Burge Hardware (817) 535-0838 Paul Meadows
Restores & repairs freestanding gas heaters.

C & E Mechanicals (309) 828-1422 Carl Edlund, owner
Works on old hot water heating systems, including boilers and radiators.

Calhoon Roofing Systems & Architectural Metals (309) 242-8041 Gary Calhoon
Roofing: tile, slate, metal. Copper gutters, finials. Other restoration services for existing buildings. Additions.

Carlson's Barnwood Co. (309) 522-5550
Remilled wood plank flooring & heavy antique timbers.

Central Illinois Arborist (309) 467-5508 Randy Thorndyke
Certified Arborists. Complete tree evaluation and service.

Collins Custom Renovations (217) 784-4433 Brian Collins
Wood floors: refinishing, repair, installation.

The Color People (800) 541-7174 James Martin
Architectural color consultants. A mail based service for homeowners, historic districts, and commercial buildings, old or new.

Conklin Custom Builders (309) 661-1916 Lance Conklin
Period sensitive additions to existing buildings. Environmentally friendly new construction, concrete & energy efficient.

David Draper (309) 275-4799 or (309) 828-7110.
Signmaker. Can restore painted house numbers or designs on glass such as transom windows or entry doors. Gold leaf. Stencils for decorative painting. Exterior signs painted on buildings.

Eco-Lawn (309) 451-1441 Clark Abraham
Natural lawn care. No synthetic chemicals. The safest choice for your family.

EDH Inc (309) 275-6907 or (309) 726-1799 David Harn
House & building restoration. Foundation tiling. Earth moving & grading. Demolitions.

Robert W. Edwards, Architect & Designer (309) 828-3472.
Experienced in rehabilitation & large restoration projects.

Emmett-Scharf Electric Co. (309) 664-1111
Extensive experience with older structures. Re-wiring existing structures. Wiring new additions.

Terry Everett (309) 527-4492; (309) 310-3397
Certified Arborist. Care & maintenance of old and valuable trees. Consultations. Complete tree service.

Expert House Movers (314) 486-2681 Joe Matyiko
Can move all types of buildings including large, complicated projects.

Farnsworth Group (309) 663-8435
Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, Scientists. Architect Dave Burnison 663-8436.

Jim Ferrell Custom Woodworking (309) 962-7076 or (309) 824-9663.
Custom cabinetry including historic reproductions. Finish carpentry. Familiar with unusual woods.

Bob Fink (309) 444-3732
Cutting and shaping antique glass. Small jobs such as cabinet doors or single windows. No large jobs.

Mike Finley (309) 828-6468
Painting, exterior and interior.

Francois Associates (309) 828-4055
Architects. Restoration planning, design, and consultation.

E.J. Garneau Construction (309) 664-5684
Masons. Brick and stone.

Greentree Waterproofing, Inc (309) 451-1138
Basement interior and/or exterior work on existing structures.

A. Gridley Antiques (309) 829-9615 Jim White
16 rooms specializing in period, country, & Victorian furniture. Accessories, porcelain, glassware & Victorian lighting. Knowledgeable, expert advice.

Gronemeier Concrete Cutting (309) 829-7991 Dave Gronemeier
Concrete cutting and removal.

Hafley Crane Service (309) 824-1941 or (309) 828-1941 Ralph Hafley
Truck-mounted cranes. Specializing in small & special-needs jobs.

Reggie Hankins (309) 963-4640
Stained glass windows built to order. Repairs.

Historic & Valuable Homeowner's Insurance Program National Trust for Historic Preservation
Contact Teresa McDowell (202) 588-6000. Insures dwelling 50 years old or more through an insurance underwriter. Call Brian Thoebus at Maury, Donnelly & Parr (866) 269-0944.

Historic House Colors - Exterior Color & House Paint Consulting (734) 668-0298 Robert Schweitzer
Identifying architectural styles of your home as well as exterior colors, paint or stain. Rob has taught architectural history and historic preservation for over 25 years. His work has been featured in This Old House magazine, among many others. Wide range of example projects on website.

Irish, Inc (217) 947-2322 Jim Irish
Historically correct restoration including masonry, plaster, millwork, windows.

Jacobs Bulldozing (309) 365-3641 D. Duane Jacobs
Earth moving: excavating & grading.

Doug Jenkins Painting & Decorating (309) 531-2908
Painting, exterior & interior. Faux finishing. Wallcovering installation & sales. Interior design.

JMC Photo & Digital Services (309) 663-4677 Ann Chalback
Reproduction and restoration of old photographs.

Jones & Dressler Builders (309) 663-7010 Paul Jones & Steve Dressler
Restoration. Additions to existing structures.

Bill Kaufmann (309) 963-4906
Blacksmith. Metal fabrication & repair. Founder Illinois Valley Blacksmiths Association.

Timothy Kent Gallery & Framing (309) 828-0611
Located in Historic Downtown Bloomington, providing the finest custom framing since 1975.

Kirk Repair Services (309) 452-5248
Re-wiring & repair. Antique lighting, fans, and small appliances.

Maas Radiator (309) 829-6915
Heating system radiators evaluated for pressure & leakage.

Maisenbacher’s Antiques (217) 753-3770
Antique light rewiring, and custom brass & copper polishing. Large inventory antique light fixtures for sale.

Dale McCumsey (309) 928-3920 or (309) 826-4395
Roofer. Historic roofs, houses and barns. Slate, tile, metal, standing seam. Gutter repair. Specializing in older structures.

McGraw's Ornamental Iron Works (309) 827-6921 Jeffrey McGraw
Ornamental iron work: welding, repair, and fabrication. Components.

McLean County Master Gardeners (309) 663-8306
Information on plant care & selection for central Illinois.

Wm. Masters, Inc (309) 662-8481
Heating, electrical, air-conditioning, plumbing. Experience with old mechanical systems.

Meister Mechanical Services (309) 472-3900 Mike Meister
Heating, air conditioning, geothermal. Refrigeration. Specialty and custom work. Can solve difficult problems. Experience with old mechanical systems including hot water heat. Residential or commercial. Third generation family business. Single crew, more than 35 years experience.

Ken Menestrina (309) 726-1247
Wooden floors. Sanding, refinishing, minor repairs. Installation.

Middleton Associates Inc. AIA (309) 452-1271 Randy Middleton
Experienced in rehabilitation projects. Complete architectural services.

Midwest Chemicals (800) 270-0777
Lockport, IL company specializing in refinishing claw foot bathtubs and pedestal sinks with baked-on porcelain enamel.

Miller-Whiteside Woodworking (309) 829-5025 Kent Whiteside
Cabinetry. Period style design & replication. Can build about anything in wood. Will do repairs but is a low priority. Most work done for existing homes, cabinets, furniture. All work done in shop, only install on-site.

Noack Creative Group (309) 253-9706 or (309) 467-3647 Bill Noack
Architectural drawings for restoration, additions, or replacement buildings such as garages. Watercolors and color pencil.

Oak Brothers Trim (773) 279-9064 or (773) 865-7468 Jeff Ediger
Architectural trim restoration company specializing in residential structures. Architectural restoration finishes and furniture restoration, trained in architectural conservation and preservationist practices through the Smithsonian Insititute. Paint and varnish remvoal / refinishing, trim, custom millwork, windows, hardware, plaster and paint finishing. Chicago area.

Old Century Millwork (217) 422-6573 Duane Shephard
Everything wood including trim, newel posts, architectural doors, sashes, replication & more. Traditional joinery. 100 year old machines. 300 knives or can cut to match profile.

Old House Gardens (734) 995-1486 Scott Kunst
Informative web site. Midwest business with catalogue sales. Specialist in heirloom bulbs. Public programs across the country.

Post & Beam (309) 726-2662 James King
Period custom cabinetry & home furnishings 17th- through mid 19th-Century. Historically accurate reproductions. Named Top 200 Traditional Craftsman by Early American Life magazine.

Powder Coatings Unlimited (309) 820-1444
Metal refinishing; rust & paint stripping. Iron fencing, grates, heat registers, other metal building components. Pick-up for large items.

Prairie Woodworks (309) 378-2418 Ron Skidmore and Steve Stenger
Cabinetry; replication, & built-to-custom-specification designs.

Renaissance Roofing, Inc (800) 699-5695
Large selection of clay tile and slate roof materials; also restorations and repairs; salvaged roofing materials.

Roehm Renovations (309) 663-1909 Eric Roehm
Restorations & design-appropriate additions to existing structures.

Jon Ropp (309) 275-6600
Consultant: preservation & restoration of old houses, barns, & out-buildings. Has knack for fixing unusual mechanical problems such as old plumbing fixtures.

Jack Ruch, Inc (309) 663-6595 or (309) 824-0293
Architectural moldings & trim run to order. Manufacture reproduction handrails, corners blocks, stair treads, wood molding, wainscoting, paneling, fireplace mantels, surrounds & other.

Richard Schaad Architectural Art (309) 827-7552 or (309) 530-4416.
Highly skilled decorative painting.

Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company (800) 325-8526 or (573) 785-2003.
Specialty hardwoods & re-milled lumber.

Sharpening Shop (309) 820-8383.
A complete sharpening service for all blades and knives.

John Shea Custom Renovations, Inc (309) 664-6117 John Shea
Remodeling & renovation since 1973. Experienced crew. Like unusual and challenging projects. Period or contemporary. Most work in McLean County.

Spence Farm (815) 692-3336
Family farm settled in 1830. Supplier of native Illinois trees and plants, both woodland and prairie. Education programs and tours of rural Illinois heritage.

State Farm Insurance
Largest insurer of American homes every year since 1964. Call your State Farm Agent.

Sullivan Construction (309) 242-3805 Arthur "Bud" Sullivan
Experienced general contractor specializing in historic restoration and renovation.

Traviswood (815) 692-3336
Historic Shaker reproduction furniture.

Trillium Dell Timberworks (309) 289-7921 Rick Collins
Construct or repair any timber frame buildings such as barns and carriage houses.

U. S. Heritage Group (773) 286-2100
Technical advisors in masonry restoration.

The Village Craftsman (217) 578-3834 Ronnie Schlabach
Specialty woodwork; moldings & trims. Replication. Replacement. Small jobs done here.

Laurie Wallace Design Services (309) 827-0627
Interior design services for building, remodeling, and redecorating. Extensive line of window and wall coverings, fabrics, and furnishings. Wide range of resources for stone, tile, glass, concrete, slate, specialty floor coverings, hardware, and cabinet fittings.

Brad Williams (309) 828-1506
General contractor with many years experience in all aspects of restoration work.

Chuck Wright, Jr (309) 826-6916
Many years experience as general contractor specializing in all aspects of older homes, frame to masonry.

Martin Wyckoff & Associates (309) 452-7284
Historic research & consultation. Repair books. De-acidify paper. Lamp repairs and rewiring.

Page last updated: Monday, August 11, 2008