August 2025
Contractors
Electricians
Handymen
Illinois Valley Resource Guide
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Appliances
Building Material
Cabinets
Chainsaws
Contractors/ Construction
Doors & Windows
Electrical
Fireplaces
Flooring
Furniture
Handyman
Heating & Cooling
Home Improvement/ Remodeling
Kitchen & Bath
Landscaping Material & Supplies
Lawn Mower Sales & Repair
Illinois’ longest operating lumberyard continues to thrive along Peru’s historic riverfront. Maze Lumber has been providing top quality building materials to Illinois Valley contractors and homeowners for over 177 years, still owned by the founding fathers (Maze).
Located in a 15,000-square foot showroom and office, we offer building materials for the modern home as well as a full line of the traditional lumber items used in home building, commercial construction, and industrial applications.
Our experienced sales staff takes pride in their ability to provide knowledgeable assistance along with prompt delivery at reasonable prices.
Loans
Lumber Yard
Overhead Doors
Plumbing
Post-frame Buildings
Rental Equipment
Roofing
Stone Products
Windows
APPLIANCES
Grassers Plumbing & Heating Inc.
404 W. Main St. McNabb, IL 61335
815-882-2111 grassersplumbingheating.com
BUILDING MATERIAL
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com
CABINETS
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
CHAINSAWS
Smith’s Sales and Service 1604 Peoria St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-0132
CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION
Bruce Full Carpentry
4483 E 250th Rd Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-7179
Judd Construction
Hennepin, IL 61327 815-925-7333
Mauch Carpentry
705 Illinois Ave. Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-5142
Custom Kitchens & Bathrooms
Custom Tiled Showers & Floors
Complete Home Remodeling
Over
Free
Fully
and
Mark Lucas-Owner/Carpenter
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
ELECTRICAL
Grassers Plumbing & Heating Inc.
404 W. Main St. McNabb, IL 61335
815-882-2111
grassersplumbingheating.com
Kettman Heating & Plumbing, Inc.
107 E. Harrison St. Granville, IL 61326
815-339-6124
kettmanheating.com
FIREPLACES
Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
FLOORING
Carpet Weavers
4250 Mahoney Dr. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 410-4999
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com
FURNITURE
Meyers Furniture & Bedding
1901 N. State Highway 251 Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-6263 www.meyersfurnitureandbedding.com
HANDYMAN
Hunter Handyman Services
LaSalle, IL 61301 chris7884@gmail.com (815) 780-7884
Why hiring a painter is the right choice
Few home improvements can change the look of a room faster and more affordably than a painting makeover. In fact, homeowners often turn to paint before they make any other renovations. Home Light, a real estate technology company, says painting a home’s interior can net a return on investment as high as 107 percent.
Although painting is a project that can be tackled by do-it-yourselfers, there are various advantages to calling in a professional to handle painting projects. Here is a look at some of the benefits to working with a professional painter.
CUT DOWN ON THE JOB TIME
A professional painter can reduce the project timeline. Painters have the skill set and experience to complete a project in a timely manner. This means the job will be streamlined from preparation to clean-up.
PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
Professional painters are likely to do a job that is nearly flawless, especially after homeowners exercise their due diligence and vet painters carefully. Professionals will pay attention to the small details that less experienced painters wouldn’t think about.
REDUCE YOUR WORKLOAD
Painting can be a time-consuming job, and most of it occurs even before you pick up a brush. It can take hours to prep walls, patch holes, remove moldings, and apply painter’s tape. Homeowners who do not have much time
are better off leaving trusting the project to a professional.
PAINTERS ALREADY HAVE EQUIPMENT
Do-it-yourselfers may need to buy new tools before beginning the job. This means brushes, rollers, tape, tarps, trays, and much more. Unless you plan to paint multiple times, this can make stocking up a considerable investment. Professionals already have all the right gear and tools of the trade.
LASTING RESULTS
Professional painters understand which products will produce the desired results, depending on the wear and tear of the space. Paints are not all created equal, and certain walls, floors and trim may require unique priming and preparation that novices are not familiar with. Professional painters can help ensure durability and save homeowners from having to do the job again in a few months or years.
A SAFER EXPERIENCE
Painting can be a challenging job when it involves painting hard-to-reach spaces and/ or climbing and balancing on tall ladders. Homeowners are not at risk of injury when hiring a professional painter. In addition, professional painters should be licensed and insured. This means if an injury or incident occurs, the homeowner will not be on the hook for the cost.
A fresh coat of paint can produce amazing results. Leaving the work to a professional can ensure a job is done correctly and beautifully and completed on time. HI254741
HEATING
Energy
224 N. Main St. Toluca, IL 61369 815-452-2332
Grassers Plumbing & Heating Inc.
404 W. Main St. McNabb, IL 61335 815-882-2111
grassersplumbingheating.com
Kettman Heating & Plumbing, Inc.
107 E. Harrison St. Granville, IL 61326 815-339-6124
kettmanheating.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT/ REMODELING
Mark Lucas Remodeling Peru, IL 61354 815-223-4805
KITCHEN & BATH
Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com
LANDSCAPING MATERIAL & SUPPLIES
Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com
LAWN MOWER SALES & REPAIR
Smith’s Sales and Service
1604 Peoria St.
Peru, IL 61354
815-223-0132
LOANS
First State Bank
Mendota (815) 538-2265
McNabb (815) 882-2146
Peru (815) 224-4484
Ottawa (815) 433-3727
Princeton (815) 872-0002
LaMoille (815) 638-2398
www.firststatebank.biz
Hometown National Bank
LaSalle, Joliet (815) 220-2288
myhtnb.com
LUMBERYARD
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St.
Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
OVERHEAD DOORS
Overhead Door Company of the Illinois Valley 617 Shooting Park Rd. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 223-8471
www.overheaddoorillinoisvalley.com
PLUMBING
Grassers Plumbing & Heating Inc.
404 W. Main St. McNabb, IL 61335
815-882-2111 grassersplumbingheating.com
Kettman Heating & Plumbing, Inc.
107 E. Harrison St. Granville, IL 61326
815-339-6124 kettmanheating.com
Lenhausen Plumbing & Heating
422 South Locust St. Wenona, IL 61377
815-992-1818
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
What is a quiet room?
(And why you should create one at home)
distracting sounds in and around a home. Lawn care workers with their mowers and blowers also may contribute to ambient noise. A dedicated quiet room can be beneficial for anyone, and most especially for people who experience sensory issues.
WHAT IS A QUIET ROOM?
A quiet room is a space where a person can enjoy peace and quiet in a distraction-free environment. According to designer Rachel Cannon, “a quiet room is a sanctuary from the stimulation and overwhelm that we encounter every day.” A quiet room may go by various names, including a mindfulness room or cozy cove, but the common goal is to remove as many sensory distractions as possible so that an individual can disconnect from the outside world and reap some calming benefits.
According to School Specialty, LLC, an education resource provider, schools are now providing quiet rooms for over-stimulated students, and homeowners can take similar cues to create these relax-
HOW TO CREATE A QUIET ROOM
The first step in establishing a quiet room is to identify a location that is far away from
the main action of the household. A bedroom, basement, nook in the garage, or even an attic can be a good spot for a quiet room.
Soundproofing the space can make it even more inviting. Sounds will bounce off of walls and floors, but acoustic panels can help muffle noises. If acoustic panels are not in the design plan, thicker draperies, wallpaper, carpeting, and wall art can help counteract echoes and noise infiltration. Soft furniture also can absorb sound.
Small rooms work better as quiet spaces, as such areas can feel more cozy. Less is needed to decorate the space if it is on the smaller side. Bring in warm, soft lighting and soft decor. A sound machine playing favorite ocean or natural sounds also can mask outside noises even more.
Establish rules that govern how the quiet space is to be used. When someone is inside the area, they should not be disturbed. If possible, use the quiet room during naturally quiet times of the day. Keep the room stocked with books, journals, crafting items, or whatever it is you need to unwind and relax.
Quiet rooms can be special retreats homeowners use to escape the hustle and bustle of a household. HI254739
POST-FRAME BUILDINGS
N L Morton Buildings
203 N. 4099th Road
Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-9325
www.nlmortonbuildings.com
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
Rental Pros 2
1150 38th St. Peru,IL61354 (815) 224-2800
United Rentals
2901 Peoria St. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 223-7962
www.unitedrentals.com
ROOFING
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
Northern Illinois Seamless Roofing
705 Illinois Ave Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-5142
www.northernillinoisseamlessroofing.com
STONE PRODUCTS
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
WINDOWS
Maze Lumber
1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354
815-223-1742
www.mazelumber.com
Cooking up a kitchen remodel
Asuccessful kitchen renovation project requires careful planning and a detailed vision of what the space will look like upon completion. Whether a homeowner is thinking about giving the kitchen a major overhaul or just a minor refresh, bringing that vision to life doesn’t happen overnight. There is a process that must go into a kitchen renovation. Embarking on a kitchen remodel can be an exciting venture and homeowners may be eager to dive right in, but familiarizing oneself with what to expect prior to the start can help property owners navigate the process more smoothly.
• Inspiration and design: The first phase involves dreaming up kitchen plans and making practical decisions regarding efficiency and functionality. Considerable time may be spent work ing with a designer and architect, which will involve choosing materials and a color scheme.
• Creating a budget: According to Angi, the average kitchen remodel costs $26,934, but price ultimately varies depending on the scope of the work. Costs may be less or more depending on the size of the kitchen and the materials chosen.
• Demolition: Before a homeowner can have a new kitchen, the old one must be removed. The real physical transformation begins with the dem olition, which tends to be quick but messy. It is essential to set up an alternative “mini kitchen” elsewhere, or expect to be dining out throughout the remodel. The demo process may reveal any is sues that will need to be remedied before the real work can begin, such as structural damage, leaks, mold, or other hiccups.
• Contractor work begins: It can take one to three weeks for contractors to install plumbing, mechanical components, electrical wiring, ductwork, and more, followed by structural needs and drywall, according to sink and faucet manufacturer Blanco. Flooring and cabinets will follow, and can take another week or more. Fabricating custom countertops is a lengthy process and can represent the bulk of a kitchen renovation timeline. Expect a few weeks for countertops to be measured, made and then installed.
• Appliances and nishing touches: Appliances will be delivered and hooked up at the tail end of the renovation. Finally, the backsplash, fixtures and lighting are put into place. The last leg of the remodel will include painting, trim work and installation of hardware on cabinets and drawers.
Once all the work is done, it is essential for homeowners to make sure everything is to their liking. According to HGTV and Kitchy Crouse of CK Interior Design, a regular kitchen renovation can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks. With so much time devoted to the space, homeowners should ensure it lives up to their ex-
As the renovation begins, homeowners should remember that unexpected issues can arise, including delays due to material availability or unforeseen challenges. Maintaining an open communication with the contractor, asking questions and remaining flexible helps. Although a kitchen remodel is initially disruptive, it is an investment that ultimately enhances a home’s value. FH259140
