Frequently Asked Questions

You asked, we answered. What you should know about Autumn Construction Services.

General Company Information

  • Autumn Construction Services is a woman-owned mechanical contracting firm based in the Chicago area, specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and building systems construction and maintenance, as well as professional construction management administration and quality services. Since 1995, Autumn Construction Services has built a reputation for reliability, technical expertise, and client-focused services across commercial, municipal, and institutional projects.

  • Autumn Construction Services specializes in mechanical construction, including HVAC installation, plumbing systems, and building systems maintenance. Our team delivers everything from new construction and renovations to service and preventative maintenance for facilities across the greater Chicagoland region. Autumn Construction’s Professional Services team delivers program management, owner’s representation, quality and safety services, and more.

  • Yes. Autumn Construction Services is a City of Chicago certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). Autumn Construction Services is also WBE certified for Cook County, IL; DuPage, IL, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the State of Illinois CMS Business Enterprise Program. We proudly partner with public agencies and general contractors seeking to meet or exceed diversity participation goals on mechanical projects.

  • Autumn Construction Services was founded by Susan Nelson in July of 1995, providing mechanical construction and professional management services across the greater Chicagoland area for over 30 years.

  • Autumn Construction serves clients throughout the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs, including projects for Chicago Public Schools, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), the City of Chicago, and private commercial and industrial facilities.

  • Our team combines 30+ years of mechanical expertise with a hands-on leadership approach that prioritizes safety, quality, and responsiveness. As a WBE/DBE certified union-driven construction firm, Autumn Construction fulfills your diversity participation goals. As a mid-sized firm, we’re large enough to handle complex projects yet agile enough to adapt quickly and deliver personalized client service.  

Services & Capabilities

  • Autumn offers a full range of mechanical, plumbing, construction management, and HVAC services, including: 

    • New construction and renovation projects 

    • Mechanical piping and equipment installation 

    • HVAC system replacement and retrofits 

    • Preventative maintenance and service 

    • Plumbing fixture replacements 

    • RPZ (backflow) testing and certification 

    • Chiller and boiler maintenance and repairs 

    • Construction Management and Owner’s Representation 

    • Quality Assurance and Construction Safety 

    • And more 

    Learn more about our core service areas: Mechanical Construction, HVAC & Plumbing Systems Service, General Trades & Job Order Contracting, Professional Services. 

  • Yes. Autumn Construction Services provides complete mechanical and plumbing solutions, including HVAC installation, piping systems, and plumbing fixture replacements. Autumn Construction is a State of Illinois licensed plumbing contractor. We will coordinate mechanical and plumbing trades work to ensure seamless project delivery, efficient scheduling, and consistent quality control across all building systems.

  • Absolutely. Autumn specializes in commercial and institutional HVAC installation, replacement, and preventative maintenance. We service chillers, boilers, rooftop units (RTUs), air handlers, and full-service mechanical, heating and cooling systems. Our maintenance programs help maximize efficiency, extend equipment life, and ensure reliable comfort and safety year-round.

  • Plumbing certified by the state of Illinois, Autumn Construction provides a full range of commercial plumbing services, including fixture replacement, RPZ valve backflow testing and certification, piping repairs, and new system installations. Our plumbing team also supports renovations, restroom upgrades, outdoor plumbing seasonal winterization, and preventive maintenance to keep systems compliant, efficient, and operational.

  • Autumn Construction Services provides professional construction services including construction management, program management, and owner’s representation for buildings, aviation facilities, and heavy highway and municipal infrastructure projects. Autumn supports owners, institutions, and public agencies across the full construction lifecycle, offering services such as project and construction management, construction administration and inspection, contract administration, design oversight, safety management, and quality assurance and control (QA/QC). With experience in complex, secure, and 24/7 operational environments, Autumn delivers practical, field-informed oversight that helps reduce risk, improve coordination, and ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget. 

  • Yes. Autumn Construction has the experience and flexibility to manage projects of all sizes, from small system replacements and service calls to multi-million-dollar mechanical renovations and new construction projects. We tailor our project management approach to each client’s scope, schedule, and budget while maintaining the same level of safety and quality on every job.

  • Autumn Construction specializes in mechanical piping, HVAC, and plumbing systems for commercial, educational, municipal, and industrial facilities. Our project portfolio includes work for Chicago Public Schools, O’Hare International Airport, the City of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC). We’re known for solving complex mechanical challenges in secure and operational buildings and environments.

  • Yes. Autumn provides customized preventative maintenance contracts for plumbing systems and HVAC systems including chillers, boilers, rooftop units (RTUs), air handling systems, and more. Regular maintenance helps improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and reduce costly downtime.

Project Expertise

  • We partner with general contractors, municipalities, school districts, property management firms, and commercial building owners. Our experience spans education, transportation, government, and commercial facilities across the Chicagoland area.

  • Notable projects include:  

    • Buckingham Fountain Restoration – Chicago Park District 

    • Richard J. Daley Center – Mechanical system improvements 

    • Chicago Public Schools – HVAC renovations at Carver Elementary, Collins Academy, and more 

    • O’Hare International Airport – Mechanical systems renovation and upgrades at O’Hare Terminals and Facilities. 

    • MWRD Water Reclamation Plants – HVAC service, piping and equipment improvements at various facilities and buildings throughout the MWRD system. 

    See featured projects on our Project Portfolio page. 

  • Yes. Autumn Construction Services is a trusted mechanical contractor for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Our team has completed many HVAC and plumbing renovations across the district, including mechanical piping replacements, boiler upgrades, and chiller system installations. We work closely with CPS project managers and general contractors to modernize school facilities and ensure reliable, energy-efficient performance with minimal disruption to students and staff.

  • Yes. Autumn Construction has been involved in ongoing improvement and maintenance work for decades, as well as new mechanical construction projects and construction management services at O’Hare International Airport. Our team supports both HVAC and plumbing systems, delivering quality and safety management services, professional construction administration, mechanical upgrades, piping repairs, and scheduled service that help keep essential airport operations running efficiently.

  • At both the Richard J. Daley Center and Millennium Park, Autumn Construction provides mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing maintenance and repairs under a contractor services agreement with Transwestern Commercial Services. Our scope includes HVAC system servicing, plumbing fixture replacements, concrete and carpentry repairs, and subcontractor management to support the City of Chicago’s ongoing facility operations.

Bidding, Quotes & Partnerships

  • You can submit a quote request online through our Contact Form, email our estimating department at estimating@autumnconstruction.com, or call 833-728-8866. Please include project details, scope, and any plans or specifications available. Our estimating team will review and respond promptly.

  • When submitting a bid request to Autumn Construction, please include your name, phone number or email address, project drawings or specifications, the scope of work, bid due date, and any required prequalification forms or compliance documents, if available. It’s also helpful to note whether the project is public or private, and if there are specific diversity, safety, or scheduling requirements. This ensures our estimating team can provide an accurate, timely proposal.

  • Yes. Autumn Construction is a prequalified mechanical contractor with both the City of Chicago and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). We have successfully completed multiple projects under these agencies, meeting all required certifications, safety standards, and performance criteria.

  • Yes. Autumn Construction Services is a WBE/DBE certified mechanical contracting firm. We regularly team with certified minority and women-owned firms to strengthen our project teams and promote local inclusion on public and private projects.

  • Yes. Autumn Construction Services is a union contractor and proudly partners with leading union trades organizations across the Chicagoland region and beyond. Autumn works closely with skilled union professionals from Chicago Pipefitters Local 597, UA Local 149 Plumbers and Pipefitters, Plumbers Local 130, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, Construction and General Laborers’ District Council of Chicago and Vicinity, and Painters District Council #14. These partnerships ensure Autumn delivers projects with highly trained, safety-focused craftspeople while meeting union labor requirements for public, institutional, and complex construction projects.

  • We welcome partnerships with qualified subcontractors and suppliers, especially those who are certified MBE, WBE, or DBE firms. To be considered, please email your company profile, safety documentation, and trade certifications to estimating@autumnconstruction.com. Our team maintains a trusted network of trade partners for upcoming opportunities.

Careers & Culture

  • Autumn Construction offers a range of career opportunities across the mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC trades, as well as project management, estimating, and administrative roles. We hire union field professionals and office staff who are dedicated to safety, craftsmanship, and teamwork. Current openings are listed on our Careers page, or you can submit a general application to be considered for future positions.

  • Visit our Careers page to view current openings or submit a general application. We’re always looking for pipefitters, plumbers, service technicians, and project management professionals who share our commitment to quality and teamwork.

  • Working at Autumn Construction means joining a team-oriented, people-first company that values hard work, integrity, and continuous improvement. Our employees take pride in building complex mechanical systems that support schools, public facilities, and cultural landmarks across Chicago. Team members describe Autumn as collaborative, supportive, and hands-on. View our Core Values and learn more on Our Culture page.

  • Yes. Autumn Construction actively supports training and professional development for all team members. We partner with union apprenticeship programs, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago (MCA), and industry education initiatives to ensure our tradespeople have access to the latest certifications, safety courses, and skill development opportunities.

  • As a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Autumn Construction is deeply committed to supporting women in the trades and leadership roles. Our President and Founder, Susan Nelson, has led the company for over 30 years, inspiring more women to pursue careers in construction. We also encourage participation in programs like MCA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) to promote mentorship, networking, and career growth.

  • Autumn Construction’s culture is built on respect, reliability, and teamwork. We believe in doing what’s right for our clients and our people, creating a workplace where every employee is valued and empowered to succeed. Our team takes pride in solving problems, delivering quality craftsmanship, and representing a company known for being driven, dependable, and good to work with.

Service Requests & Contact

  • You can reach our team by calling 833-728-8866 or submit a contact request on our Contact page. To request a bid estimate, you can email estimating@autumnconstruction.com.

  • You can schedule HVAC or plumbing service by calling 833-728-8866 and selecting the Service Department extension, or by submitting a Service Request Contact Form on our website. Our team will confirm your request and coordinate a technician visit based on your facility’s needs and preferred timeframe.

  • Response times depend on the nature and urgency of the service request, but our technicians are typically available for same-day or next-day service. For critical facility repairs, we prioritize emergency calls to ensure essential systems are up and running as quickly as possible.

  • Our office and Service Department are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • You can reach Autumn Construction’s Service Department at 833-728-8866. Follow the extension for the Service Department.