Soffits above the cabinets
Many 1970s 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 Downers Grove & nearby Lisle, Woodridge
Kitchen Remodeling in Downers Grove, IL
Get your kitchen remodel priced by a contractor who works in Downers Grove — and know what to expect before the estimate visit.
- Local crews working in Downers Grove ZIP 60515, 60516
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Kitchen problems we solve in Downers Grove
Most Downers Grove homeowners call us about one thing that bothers them every day: a cramped layout, worn-out cabinets or a dark, closed kitchen. We plan the whole room around how you cook, then handle cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting and the trades behind the walls.
Tile counters and fluorescent box lights
We replace tile or laminate counters with quartz or granite and swap the fluorescent box for recessed LEDs — two changes that make the kitchen feel new.
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
Orange oak, almond appliances, laminate with rolled edges, a fluorescent light box — we replace the finishes that date the room and keep anything still worth keeping.
The kitchen is dark
One ceiling fixture leaves you working in your own shadow. We plan recessed lights, pendants over the island and LED under-cabinet strips on separate switches and dimmers.
Two people can't cook at once
If one person has to step aside every time the other opens the fridge, the zones are wrong. We separate prep, cooking and cleanup so the kitchen works for two.
Small kitchen that feels cramped
In a small kitchen every inch counts: cabinets to the ceiling, slim appliances and smart corner storage.
Not enough storage
We add tall pantry cabinets, deep drawers for pots, pull-outs for spices and trays, and cabinets that run to the ceiling instead of stopping a foot short.
Everything in a kitchen remodel
- Demolition and protectionDust barriers, covered floors and a clean site at the end of every day; we haul away everything we remove.
- Backsplash and tileSubway, zellige, slab or large-format tile with clean edges and outlets set flush with the tile.
- Plumbing and gasNew supply and drain lines where the sink moves, dishwasher hookup and gas for the range.
- Electrical and lightingCircuits for the range, microwave and dishwasher, code-compliant outlets and layered lighting.
- Drywall and paintPatching, new drywall where walls open, and finished paint so the room is ready to use.
- Range hood ventingWe run the duct for a vented hood through the wall or roof and seal it against drafts.
- Project managementA single point of contact who schedules the trades and keeps you informed.
Materials and options
Flat-panel (slab) cabinetsSeamless doors in wood veneer or matte laminate for a modern, minimal look.
Granite and quartziteNatural stone slabs you choose in person; heat resistant, sealed once a year or so.
Hardwood flooringTies the kitchen to the rest of the floor and can be refinished as it wears.
Quartz countersEngineered stone that never needs sealing and resists stains — the everyday workhorse.
Luxury vinyl plankWaterproof, warm underfoot and forgiving on uneven subfloors — popular in busy kitchens.
Kitchen Remodeling before and after — Downers Grove homes
Before
In progress
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Downers Grove
A postwar Cape Cod near Denburn Woods, a typical kitchen for Downers Grove. Before: dark walnut-stained flush-panel cabinets with brass pulls, speckled laminate, brick-pattern sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light. What bothered the owners most: a dated kitchen with worn surfaces everywhere. Finished kitchen: cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights. Work included plumbing and gas, electrical and lighting, plus project management.
Before
AfterA Lisle two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Four Lakes Village. What we started with: 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. What bothered the owners most: a kitchen that looked and worked like it was decades old. Finished kitchen: cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights. The job covered backsplash and tile, plumbing and gas, plus project management.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lisle →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Woodridge
A 1990s two-story colonial near The Ridge, a typical kitchen for Woodridge. What we started with: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs, almond laminate with a backsplash lip, beige sheet vinyl and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. The reason for the call: tired laminate, old flooring and poor light. Finished kitchen: cabinets in soft white with brushed nickel bar pulls, black honed granite counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. On site this meant demolition and protection, backsplash and tile, plus project management.
Kitchen Remodeling in Woodridge →
Before
AfterA Downers Grove postwar bi-level: before and after
What changed: a new layout with an island, cabinets in light greige uppers and muted blue lowers, black honed granite counters and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Downers Grove →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement in a 1960s ranch, Downers Grove
New cabinets in light gray uppers and dusty rose lowers with matte black pulls, installed level and ready for warm walnut butcher block counters.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation & Replacement in Downers Grove →The project, step by step
- In-home consultationWe measure the room, look at the walls, wiring and plumbing and listen to what isn't working.
- 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-throughWe adjust every door and drawer, finish the punch list and walk the kitchen with you.
Kitchen Remodeling questions from Downers Grove homeowners
My home was built before 1978. Is lead paint an issue?
We assume older painted surfaces may contain lead and work lead-safe: containment, HEPA vacuums and careful cleanup.
Is it worth keeping my 1970s layout?
If the layout works, keeping it lets the budget go to cabinets and counters. We suggest changes only where they pay off.
Can we live at home during the remodel?
Usually. We close off the kitchen with dust barriers and set up a temporary kitchen corner so daily life keeps going.
Can I keep my appliances?
Yes. Give us the model numbers and we plan the cabinets around them, or around the upgrades you plan to make.
What does a kitchen remodel cost?
There's no honest number without seeing the room. We measure, discuss options and send a detailed written estimate.
Can Downers Grove bulk pickup take my old appliance or cabinets?
Republic Services (630-964-3232): two bulk items and/or white goods per week; additional white goods need 9 stickers each, additional bulk items need stickers. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Which Downers Grove homes do you most often see for kitchen remodel?
In Downers Grove we see Mix of housing from mid-19th century onward, Sears and other kit homes and Frequent teardowns replaced by new houses. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Does kitchen remodel need a Downers Grove building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Building Division (https://cvportal.downers.us), phone 630-434-5515. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Does a Downers Grove historic district affect kitchen remodel?
Downers Grove has locally reviewed areas, including Shady Lane Estates, E.H. Prince Subdivision and Maple Ave/Main St corridor. Exterior changes there can need review; interior-only work usually does not. We check before anything changes on the outside.
Do I need a permit for kitchen remodel in Downers Grove?
It depends on the scope. Downers Grove's rule in short: Village states most projects require a permit and applications are submitted online; First review about 10 business days. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Downers Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Downers Grove, including Denburn Woods, Shady Lane Estates, E.H. Prince Subdivision — ZIP 60515, 60516 — and nearby Lisle, Woodridge, Oak Brook.
Working in Downers Grove
- A lot of Downers Grove kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Downers Grove 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.
Denburn WoodsShady Lane EstatesE.H. Prince Subdivision
ZIP 60515ZIP 60516
Kitchen Remodeling nearby
More for Downers Grove homeowners
- All kitchen services in Downers GroveRemodels, cabinets, counters, plumbing, appliances and repairs
- Kitchen Remodeling across ChicagolandEvery town we cover for this service
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 Downers Grove
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.