1980s soffits and dropped ceilings
Fluorescent light boxes and boxed soffits were common in that era. We remove them and finish a flat ceiling ready for new lights.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Buffalo Grove, IL
Cracked plaster, bulky soffits and patched ceilings in Buffalo Grove kitchens, finished smooth and ready for paint.
- Kitchen remodels across Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Wall and ceiling problems we fix in Buffalo Grove kitchens
We handle the surfaces around the cabinets: walls, ceilings, soffits and trim. In Buffalo Grove that can mean patching plaster in an older house, taking down a soffit before new cabinets go in, or matching a ceiling texture after a plumbing repair.
Water-stained or sagging ceiling
Ceilings that sag after a leak need new drywall, not just paint. We replace the affected section and blend it into the rest.
Bulky soffits above the cabinets
Boxed soffits over the uppers make a kitchen feel low and limit cabinet height. We open them, deal with what is inside and finish the ceiling flat.
Texture that doesn't match
If a past patch was left smooth, we can retexture it, or skim the whole ceiling smooth if you prefer.
No crown or worn trim
Gaps between cabinets and ceiling or worn door casing make a kitchen look unfinished. New trim fixes both.
Wall damage behind the sink or range
We cut out water-damaged wall behind the sink, let the cavity dry and close it up with new board.
Ducts or pipes inside the soffit
When a soffit carries a duct or a plumbing vent, it can sometimes be rerouted, made smaller or built into the new cabinet design.
Wall prep for paint or tile
We level and prime walls for paint, or check flatness and backing before tile goes up.
What the project covers
- Soffit and damaged board removalSoffits, bulkheads and damaged drywall or plaster are taken down carefully.
- New drywallNew board is hung and fastened, with moisture-resistant board where it makes sense.
- Plaster repairWe stabilize and patch plaster so it bonds with the existing wall.
- Taping and finishingSeams are taped and coated in several layers, sanded between coats.
- Skim coat and textureWe match existing texture or skim the surface flat, whichever you choose.
- Crown, casing and trimCrown molding and other trim are installed, nailed, filled and caulked.
- CleanupDust is vacuumed with HEPA equipment and the kitchen is wiped down.
Choices you'll make
Stain-blocking primerA sealing primer stops water stains from bleeding through new paint.
Crown and trim profilesPaint-grade crown, casing and baseboard in simple or traditional profiles.
Paper and mesh tapePaper tape for strength on seams and corners, mesh where it suits the repair.
Standard and moisture-resistant drywallRegular drywall for most areas and moisture-resistant panels where steam and splashes hit.
Ceiling boardSag-resistant half-inch or five-eighths board keeps ceilings flat between joists.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work before and after — Buffalo Grove homes
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen drywall & finish work
This one is a 1980s two-story near Green Knolls. Before: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. The reason for the call: a dropped ceiling and an old light box. After: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. On site this meant soffit and damaged board removal, new drywall, plus crown, casing and trim.
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, postwar Cape Cod: kitchen drywall & finish work
This one is a postwar Cape Cod in Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: dark walnut-stained flush-panel cabinets with brass pulls and a fluorescent box light. What bothered the owners most: a cracked ceiling and dated lighting box. Finished kitchen: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. On site this meant new drywall, plaster repair, plus taping and finishing.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterKitchen Drywall & Finish Work in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Lake Zurich
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lake Zurich, a typical kitchen for Lake Zurich. Before: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and two hanging glass pendants. What bothered the owners most: soffits that limited how tall the cabinets could be. After: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. On site this meant soffit and damaged board removal, plaster repair, plus taping and finishing.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterA Buffalo Grove 1980s two-story: before and after
A new layout with an island, cabinets in light warm taupe, warm walnut butcher block counters and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: accessible kitchen remodeling
A lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in light greige with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Buffalo Grove →How your kitchen drywall and finish work goes
- Look and measureAt the visit we see the damage, ask about leaks and plan the repair.
- Written estimateYou get an itemized estimate that lists each area and finish.
- Repair and finishWe remove, patch, tape and finish, allowing dry time between coats.
- Prime, paint and cleanWe seal the finish, clean up and walk through the work with you.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work questions from Buffalo Grove homeowners
What is considered minor drywall repair?
Small holes, nail pops, hairline cracks and dents. Larger areas or water-damaged sections are more involved.
What is inside a kitchen soffit?
It varies. We check before quoting removal so there are no surprises.
Should I remove the soffits before new cabinets?
Usually, if what is inside can be moved. We check before you order cabinets.
Who do you call to fix drywall in a kitchen?
A finisher who can match texture and paint-ready surfaces. We do that every day.
Can you match my ceiling texture?
Usually. We match common textures like orange peel and knockdown and test on a scrap first.
Do I need a Buffalo Grove-registered contractor for kitchen drywall and finish work?
All contractors working in the Village must register annually; $75 per trade, no fee for state-licensed contractors. We take care of that before work starts.
What is the Buffalo Grove building department phone number?
Permits go through Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services (BS&A Online), phone 847-459-2530. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for kitchen drywall and finish work in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work nearby
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Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
Kitchen Design & Layout PlanningLayouts, 3D plans and material picks before work starts.
Accessible Kitchen RemodelingKitchens that work for every age and ability.
Kitchen AdditionsBump-outs that add room for an island or dining area.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.