Soffits above the cabinets
Many 1990s kitchens have a boxed soffit over the wall cabinets. We find out what is inside, reroute ducts where possible and take the cabinets to the ceiling.
Serving Crystal Lake & nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin
Kitchen Remodeling in Crystal Lake, IL
Get your kitchen remodel priced by a contractor who works in Crystal Lake — and know what to expect before the estimate visit.
- Local crews working in Crystal Lake ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Kitchen problems we solve in Crystal Lake
We remodel Crystal Lake kitchens from the studs out or keep the layout and replace everything in it — whichever solves your problem. One crew coordinates design, demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinets and counters, so you have one schedule and one point of contact.
Tile counters and fluorescent box lights
Grout lines that never come clean and a buzzing light box are typical in 1990s kitchens. Stone counters and flush LED lighting change the whole room.
Kitchen cut off from the family room
If the cook can't see the rest of the family, we open the wall or reorient the layout so the kitchen faces the room.
Dated look
Oak cabinets, tile counters and a dropped light box make a kitchen look its age. New surfaces and lighting bring it up to date.
Two people can't cook at once
When the sink, range and fridge sit in a line with no landing space, we rearrange the zones and widen the aisle to a comfortable 42 inches where the room allows.
New appliances won't fit
Today's appliances are bigger and need more power and venting. We build the openings, circuits and ducts around the models you choose.
No counter space
Groceries end up on the stove and there is nowhere to roll out dough. We add working surface by extending a cabinet run, adding a peninsula or reclaiming a blind corner.
No place to sit
An island or peninsula with a 12–15 inch overhang gives you stools for coffee and homework. We check the clearances so seating doesn't block the walkway.
What's included
- Demolition and protectionDust barriers, covered floors and a clean site at the end of every day; we haul away everything we remove.
- CabinetsNew cabinet boxes and doors in the style you choose, leveled, anchored and adjusted.
- CountertopsQuartz, granite, quartzite or butcher block, templated after the cabinets are set.
- Backsplash and tileTile backsplash with straight grout lines, finished edges and outlets brought out to the tile surface.
- Plumbing and gasSink, faucet, dishwasher and ice-maker lines, plus gas line changes by licensed trades.
- Electrical and lightingDedicated appliance circuits, GFCI outlets, recessed lights, pendants and under-cabinet LEDs.
- Project managementA single point of contact who schedules the trades and keeps you informed.
Materials and options
Shaker cabinetsClean five-piece doors that suit both classic and modern kitchens, painted or stained.
Granite and quartziteEach slab is unique — pick yours at the yard. Periodic sealing keeps it stain resistant.
Luxury vinyl plankA waterproof floor that handles spills and dogs and installs over most subfloors.
Quartz countersConsistent color, no sealing and easy cleaning; keep hot pans on a trivet.
Hardwood flooringTies the kitchen to the rest of the floor and can be refinished as it wears.
Before and after: kitchens near Crystal Lake
Before
In progress
AfterA Crystal Lake two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near The Villages. What we started with: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim, white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines, oak parquet and a brass chandelier over the nook. What bothered the owners most: worn-out cabinets and a kitchen that no longer worked. After: cabinets in warm taupe with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light beige 18x18 porcelain tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. Work included countertops, backsplash and tile, plus project management.
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1980s two-story, Lake Zurich
This one is a 1980s two-story in Lake Zurich. The kitchen as it was: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim, white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines, oak parquet and a brass chandelier over the nook. What bothered the owners most: worn-out cabinets and a kitchen that no longer worked. Finished kitchen: cabinets in deep olive with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. The job covered demolition and protection, cabinets, plus project management.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Elgin
A 1980s two-story near Gifford Park, a typical kitchen for Elgin. Before: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above, white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam, 12-inch beige ceramic tile and two hanging glass pendants. The main complaint was a kitchen that looked and worked like it was decades old. After: cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. Work included plumbing and gas, electrical and lighting, plus project management.
Kitchen Remodeling in Elgin →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Crystal Lake
A new layout with an island, cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers, warm walnut butcher block counters and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Crystal Lake →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Crystal Lake
New cabinets in light greige uppers and muted blue lowers with satin brass pulls, installed level and ready for charcoal concrete-look quartz counters.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement in Crystal Lake →The project, step by step
- In-home consultationA walk-through of your kitchen: measurements, a look behind the sink and at the panel, and your wish list.
- Design and written estimateLayout drawings, material choices and a line-item estimate you can compare.
- Ordering and permitsWe place cabinet and counter orders and submit permit drawings while you wait for delivery.
- ConstructionTear-out, rough-ins, inspections, cabinet install, counter templating, tile and fixtures.
- Final walk-throughPunch-list fixes, final cleaning and a walk-through before we call the job done.
Kitchen Remodeling questions from Crystal Lake homeowners
Is it worth keeping my 1990s layout?
If it works for you, yes. Keeping the plumbing and gas in place leaves more budget for what you see.
Can I keep my appliances?
Usually yes. We build the openings around them; if you plan to upgrade later, we can size openings for the new models now.
Can we live at home during the remodel?
Yes. We contain the dust, keep a path clear and help set up a temporary kitchen so you can still make coffee and dinner.
How long will a remodeled kitchen last?
The structure lasts for decades; surfaces like paint and grout need occasional care.
Do you help with design and choosing materials?
Yes. We draw the layout, show 3D views and help you pick cabinets, counters, tile and lighting that work together.
Crystal Lake plumbing code: who can do the plumbing for kitchen remodel?
Plumbing work requires a copy of the plumber's license, State plumbing contractor registration, and an original plumber's letter of intent (notarized or with corporate seal). Our plumbing connections are made by licensed plumbers.
Does a Crystal Lake historic district affect kitchen remodel?
Crystal Lake has locally reviewed areas, including e.g., Colonel Palmer House and Dole Mansion). Exterior changes there can need review; interior-only work usually does not. We check before anything changes on the outside.
Does kitchen remodel need a Crystal Lake building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division (ezAPP online permits), phone (815) 356-3605. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
What kind of Crystal Lake homes do you work in?
In Crystal Lake we see Many older lakeshore homes varying in size and style and Downtown homes range in size and age. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Can Crystal Lake bulk pickup take my old appliance or cabinets?
Hauler: Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), (844) 633-3577. One bulk item per week included. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Do I need a permit for kitchen remodel in Crystal Lake?
It depends on the scope. Crystal Lake's rule in short: Kitchen alteration handout (Nov 2019) requires a contractor list and two sets of plans showing floor plans, electrical layout, structure and plumbing changes; inspections for rough electrical, plumbing, framing, insulation and final. We handle the permit when one is needed with City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Crystal Lake?
Yes. Our crews work across Crystal Lake, including Downtown, Coventry, Four Colonies, The Villages — ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098 — and nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin, Hoffman Estates.
Working in Crystal Lake
- A lot of Crystal Lake kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Crystal Lake homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
DowntownCoventryFour ColoniesThe VillagesWedgewoodBurtons Bridge
ZIP 60014ZIP 60012ZIP 60098
Kitchen Remodeling nearby
- Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Zurich 12.9 mi
- Kitchen Remodeling in Elgin 13.4 mi
- Kitchen Remodeling in Hoffman Estates 15.2 mi
- Kitchen Remodeling in Palatine 16.9 mi
More for Crystal Lake homeowners
- All kitchen services in Crystal LakeRemodels, cabinets, counters, plumbing, appliances and repairs
- Kitchen Remodeling across ChicagolandEvery town we cover for this service
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Costs and budgetingKitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago: Budget Breakdown, Cost per Square Foot and LaborKitchen remodel cost is driven by scope more than size. National cost guides put a typical project between about $14,600 and $41,600, with an average…3 min read
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Running the projectKitchen Remodel Timeline & Checklist: How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?How long does a kitchen remodel take? For a same-layout kitchen, construction usually runs about four to eight weeks once cabinets and materials are…3 min read
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Running the projectKitchen Remodel Permits: Do I Need a Permit to Remodel My Kitchen?Usually yes. Kitchen work that touches plumbing, electrical wiring, gas lines, ventilation or the structure almost always needs a permit and…3 min read
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Running the projectHow to Choose a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor: Questions, Paperwork and Contract ChecklistTo choose a kitchen remodeling contractor in the Chicago area, confirm local licensing or registration and insurance, ask specific questions about…3 min read
Other kitchen services in Crystal Lake
Kitchen Design & Layout PlanningLayouts, 3D plans and material picks before work starts.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & ReplacementNew cabinets installed, leveled and ready for counters.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen Backsplash InstallationTile backsplashes with clean lines and flush outlets.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.