Kitchen Additions in Evanston, IL

When a Evanston kitchen needs more room, not just new cabinets

We build kitchen additions and bump-outs for Evanston homes where the kitchen has run out of room. One contractor coordinates the drawings, permit, excavation, framing, roofing, mechanical work and the new kitchen inside it.

Older homes on narrow lots

Narrow prewar lots usually mean building back, not out to the side. We check the rear setback and garage location first.

Nowhere to eat together

A bump-out with built-in bench seating and windows is one of the most popular ways to make room for meals in the kitchen.

Kitchen too small for an island or table

When the room is too narrow for an island and too tight for a table, rearranging won't help. A bump-out of several feet can make room for both.

No room for a pantry

Food stacked on counters and in the basement means the kitchen is short of storage. An addition can hold a walk-in or a wall of pantry cabinets.

Heating and cooling the new space

A cold bump-out is a common complaint. We check the furnace and AC capacity and extend supply and return so the new area stays comfortable.

No spot for a mudroom or drop zone

Adding a few feet at the back entry gives the family a landing spot for gear and leaves the kitchen for cooking.

Remodeling alone won't solve it

Sometimes the answer is cheaper than an addition: a wall removal or a new layout. We tell you honestly whether you need more square footage before drawing one.

Zoning and setback questions

Not every lot can take an addition. We look at the setbacks and coverage rules for your property first, so you know what's possible.

See your problem here?Call us (708) 400-7049 Request a callback

What the project covers

Feasibility and zoning checkA first look at what the property and the village's zoning allow, so the design starts within limits.
Design and permit drawingsFloor plans, elevations and structural details, sealed by a licensed architect or engineer when the village requires it.
Excavation and foundationUtilities located, footings dug below frost depth and a foundation poured or built to match the house.
Framing and roof tie-inFloor, walls and roof framed and tied into the existing structure, with flashing at every joint.
Windows, doors and exterior finishNew windows and doors installed, and siding, brick or trim matched to the house.
Opening the existing wallThe old exterior wall removed or opened with a beam sized by an engineer, usually near the end of the job.
The new kitchenCabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring and lighting installed across the old and new space.

Choices you'll make

Cantilevered bump-outFor a small projection, framing that hangs off the existing floor can avoid digging, if the structure supports it.

Full foundation vs. slab vs. piersWe match the foundation type to the house and the size of the addition, always below frost depth.

Rear kitchen additionA full room added at the back, giving the kitchen space to grow and room for more.

Bump-outA modest extension of the kitchen wall that adds depth without a full addition.

Windows and patio doorsA row of windows, a sliding or hinged patio door, or a skylight brings daylight into the new space.

What the work looks like in Evanston homes

Kitchen Additions in a prewar house — before — Before and after: a 1920s bungalow in Evanston

A 1920s bungalow in Evanston, a typical kitchen for Evanston. What we started with: 1960s birch cabinets painted cream over the years, chipped door edges, old brass hardware, worn beige laminate with a metal edge strip and a single glass ceiling fixture. The reason for the call: a small, dark kitchen with no room for a table. After: the kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in deep olive with polished nickel pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring through the old and new space and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. On site this meant design and permit drawings, excavation and foundation, plus the new kitchen.

Kitchen Additions in a prewar house — in progress — Before and after: a 1920s bungalow in Evanston

A 1920s bungalow in Evanston, a typical kitchen for Evanston. What we started with: 1960s birch cabinets painted cream over the years, chipped door edges, old brass hardware, worn beige laminate with a metal edge strip and a single glass ceiling fixture. The reason for the call: a small, dark kitchen with no room for a table. After: the kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in deep olive with polished nickel pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring through the old and new space and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. On site this meant design and permit drawings, excavation and foundation, plus the new kitchen.

Kitchen Additions project in Skokie, before — Kitchen Additions in a 1950s ranch, Skokie

A 1950s ranch in Skokie, a typical kitchen for Skokie. Before: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls, laminate with an aluminum edge band and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. The reason for the call: a small, dark kitchen with no room for a table. Finished kitchen: the kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in deep olive with polished nickel pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, light oak hardwood flooring through the old and new space and two glass pendants and recessed lights. On site this meant design and permit drawings, framing and roof tie-in, plus the new kitchen.
Kitchen Additions in Skokie →

Kitchen Additions project in Skokie, after — Kitchen Additions in a 1950s ranch, Skokie

A 1950s ranch in Skokie, a typical kitchen for Skokie. Before: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls, laminate with an aluminum edge band and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. The reason for the call: a small, dark kitchen with no room for a table. Finished kitchen: the kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in deep olive with polished nickel pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, light oak hardwood flooring through the old and new space and two glass pendants and recessed lights. On site this meant design and permit drawings, framing and roof tie-in, plus the new kitchen.
Kitchen Additions in Skokie →

Kitchen Additions project in Northbrook, before — Northbrook kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen additions

This one is a postwar bi-level near Techny. Before: dark walnut-stained flush-panel cabinets with brass pulls, speckled laminate and a fluorescent box light. What bothered the owners most: a small, dark kitchen with no room for a table. Finished kitchen: the kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in two-tone with brass hardware, white quartz counters, light oak LVP floor through the old and new space and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. On site this meant design and permit drawings, framing and roof tie-in, plus opening the existing wall.
Kitchen Additions in Northbrook →

Kitchen Additions project in Northbrook, after — Northbrook kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen additions

This one is a postwar bi-level near Techny. Before: dark walnut-stained flush-panel cabinets with brass pulls, speckled laminate and a fluorescent box light. What bothered the owners most: a small, dark kitchen with no room for a table. Finished kitchen: the kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in two-tone with brass hardware, white quartz counters, light oak LVP floor through the old and new space and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. On site this meant design and permit drawings, framing and roof tie-in, plus opening the existing wall.
Kitchen Additions in Northbrook →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Evanston, before — Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in a brick bungalow from the 1920s, Evanston

Finished: a new layout with an island, cabinets in light greige uppers and muted blue lowers, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Evanston →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Evanston, after — Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in a brick bungalow from the 1920s, Evanston

Finished: a new layout with an island, cabinets in light greige uppers and muted blue lowers, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Evanston →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project near Evanston, before — An Evanston brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after

A lowered dark soapstone-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers with satin brass pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project near Evanston, after — An Evanston brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after

A lowered dark soapstone-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers with satin brass pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →

How your kitchen addition goes

Site visit and feasibilityA visit to measure the house and lot and confirm an addition is possible.
Design and estimateDrawings for the addition and kitchen, plus a written, itemized estimate.
Permit and plan reviewPermit application, review comments and approval before any digging.
Building the shellWe build and close in the addition while your kitchen stays in use.
Connecting and finishingThe final stretch: break-through, drywall, cabinets, counters and a walk-through with you.

Book an estimate (708) 400-7049 Request a callback

Kitchen Additions questions from Evanston homeowners

What if my home is in a historic district?

Additional design review may apply. We find out early and design the exterior to meet it.

Does a bump-out need a foundation?

Most do. A small cantilevered bump-out can sometimes be supported by the floor framing, depending on joist direction, size and code. We'll tell you which applies.

Will the addition change my property taxes?

Added square footage is often reflected in your assessment. Your township assessor can explain how improvements are handled.

Will my furnace and air conditioner handle the extra space?

Sometimes. We check the system's capacity; if it can't take the added area, we add a separate heating and cooling solution for the addition.

Can I stay in the house during construction?

Yes, most families do. The addition is built outside, and the old kitchen stays usable until we open the wall.

Do I need a Evanston-registered contractor for kitchen addition?

All contractors working in city limits must register with the City; annual fee General Contractor $150, Trade Contractor $125. We take care of that before work starts.

Does kitchen addition need a Evanston building permit, and who files it?

Permits go through Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services), phone (847) 448-4311. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.

Can you do kitchen addition in an Evanston condo?

Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.

Does an Evanston historic district affect kitchen addition?

Evanston has locally reviewed areas, including Preservation Commission reviews exterior work in local districts, the city states it has four local historic districts (the city, s list names Lakeshore and Ridge. Exterior changes there can need review; interior-only work usually does not. We check before anything changes on the outside.

What does Evanston ask for on electrical work?

Electrical contractors must register and submit a copy of an electrical license from a testing municipality (or state license if state-regulated). Electrician must be on site for electrical rough inspections. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.

Do I need a permit for kitchen addition in Evanston?

It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).

Do you work in my part of Evanston?

Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.

Working in Evanston

Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.

ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208