Painted walls in a home built before 1978
Sanding or cutting painted walls in a pre-1978 home can release lead dust. We follow EPA lead-safe work practices: containment, careful prep and HEPA cleanup.
Serving Highland Park & nearby Northbrook, Glenview
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Highland Park, IL
Cracked plaster, bulky soffits and patched ceilings in Highland Park kitchens, finished smooth and ready for paint.
- Kitchen remodels across Highland Park ZIP 60035
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Wall and ceiling problems we fix in Highland Park kitchens
We handle the surfaces around the cabinets: walls, ceilings, soffits and trim. In Highland Park 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.
pre-1940 soffits and dropped ceilings
Dropped kitchen ceilings from the pre-1940 can usually be removed. We check what is above and patch the original ceiling.
Popcorn ceiling in the kitchen
Removing popcorn texture is messy but straightforward. Ceilings applied before the 1980s should be tested before scraping.
Patchy walls after a remodel
Taking off a backsplash often tears the wall face. We repair the paper, skim it smooth and prime it for paint or new tile.
Wall prep for paint or tile
Good prep decides how the final wall looks. We finish to the level your paint or tile needs.
Cracks in walls and ceilings
We repair cracked drywall and plaster with tape and compound, not just filler, so the fix lasts through seasons.
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
Many soffits are empty; some hide ducts, vent pipes or wiring. We check before demolition and plan around what we find.
What's included
- Soffit and damaged board removalSoffits, bulkheads and damaged drywall or plaster are taken down carefully.
- Framing and backingWe add backing where trim or cabinets will attach later.
- 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.
- Primer and paint-ready finishRepairs are primed so paint takes evenly; painting can be included.
- CleanupWe remove debris and leave the kitchen clean.
Choices you'll make
Joint compoundsWe use quick-setting mud for deep repairs and easy-sanding compound on top.
Crown and trim profilesPaint-grade crown, casing and baseboard in simple or traditional profiles.
Standard and moisture-resistant drywallRegular drywall for most areas and moisture-resistant panels where steam and splashes hit.
Ceiling boardCeilings get stiffer board so they stay flat over time.
Texture finishesOrange peel, knockdown and smooth skim finishes, matched to the room.
Before and after: kitchens near Highland Park
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Highland Park
A 1950s ranch near St. John's, a typical kitchen for Highland Park. What we started with: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. The reason for the call: a dropped ceiling and an old light box. The result: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. On site this meant framing and backing, skim coat and texture, plus primer and paint-ready finish.
Before
AfterA Northbrook 1960s ranch: before and after
The site: a 1960s ranch near Techny. Before: 1970s dark pecan-stained cabinets and a dome ceiling light. The reason for the call: a dropped ceiling and an old light box. Finished kitchen: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. Work included taping and finishing, skim coat and texture, plus crown, casing and trim.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Northbrook →
Before
AfterKitchen Drywall & Finish Work in a postwar bi-level, Glenview
A postwar bi-level near The Park, a typical kitchen for Glenview. 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 dropped ceiling and an old light box. The result: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. Work included skim coat and texture, crown, casing and trim, plus primer and paint-ready finish.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Glenview →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Highland Park
What changed: a new layout with an island, cabinets in two-tone, white quartz counters and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Highland Park →
Before
AfterHighland Park kitchen, postwar bi-level: accessible kitchen remodeling
A lowered black honed granite counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in deep burgundy with polished nickel pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Highland Park →The project, step by step
- Look and measureWe inspect the walls and ceiling, check for moisture and confirm the scope.
- Written estimateWe send a written price with every repair spelled out.
- Repair and finishWork runs over a few days because compound needs time to dry.
- Prime, paint and cleanWe seal the finish, clean up and walk through the work with you.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work questions from Highland Park homeowners
Can you match my ceiling texture?
Usually. We match common textures like orange peel and knockdown and test on a scrap first.
Can you add crown molding to my kitchen?
We install crown and other trim to finish the room or the cabinet tops.
Do soffit removals need a permit in Highland Park?
Permit rules vary from town to town and by the work involved. We find out what applies to your project before we start.
Who do you call to fix drywall in a kitchen?
Call us. We handle wall and ceiling repair, soffits and trim around kitchen cabinets.
Should I remove the soffits before new cabinets?
It often makes sense. We remove them before the cabinet installer arrives.
Do I need a Highland Park-registered contractor for kitchen drywall and finish work?
The City publishes contractor requirements on its Building Division page (new building codes effective March 1, 2026). We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Highland Park?
Yes. Our crews work across Highland Park, including Ravinia District, Downtown Highland Park, Port Clinton, St. John's — ZIP 60035 — and nearby Northbrook, Glenview, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Highland Park
- A lot of Highland Park kitchens date from the pre-1940. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Highland Park homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
Ravinia DistrictDowntown Highland ParkPort ClintonSt. John's
ZIP 60035
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work nearby
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Other kitchen services in Highland Park
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.