Holes from old cabinets, outlets or fixtures
Remodels leave walls full of patches waiting to happen. We repair every opening so the new kitchen starts with clean walls.
Serving 49 Chicago-area suburbs
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Chicago & the Suburbs
Cracked plaster, bulky soffits and patched ceilings in Chicagoland kitchens, finished smooth and ready for paint.
- Local crews working in the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Evanston
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Wall and ceiling problems we fix in Chicagoland kitchens
After a leak, a remodel or years of wear, kitchen walls and ceilings need a careful finisher. We patch, tape, skim and texture so repairs in your Chicagoland kitchen blend in, and we add crown molding or trim where it finishes the room.
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.
Cracks in walls and ceilings
Hairline cracks at corners and seams come back if they are only caulked. We open them, tape and refinish so they stay closed.
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.
Popcorn ceiling in the kitchen
We remove popcorn ceilings and skim them smooth, after testing when the age of the home calls for it.
No crown or worn trim
Crown molding at the ceiling, new casing around doorways and a clean baseboard finish a kitchen. We install and caulk trim ready for paint.
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.
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.
What's included
- Inspection and moisture checkWe look at the damage and check for moisture before planning any patch.
- Protection and dust controlWe tape off the kitchen and use dust control during sanding and demolition.
- Framing and backingWe add backing where trim or cabinets will attach later.
- Taping and finishingWe finish joints in multiple coats so they vanish under paint.
- Skim coat and textureWe match existing texture or skim the surface flat, whichever you choose.
- Crown, casing and trimNew trim goes up tight and ready for paint.
- Primer and paint-ready finishRepairs are primed so paint takes evenly; painting can be included.
Choices you'll make
Standard and moisture-resistant drywallHalf-inch board is standard on walls; moisture-resistant board is often used near the sink.
Joint compoundsSetting compound for strength and fast fills, lightweight compound for finish coats.
Crown and trim profilesPaint-grade crown, casing and baseboard in simple or traditional profiles.
Stain-blocking primerWe seal stained areas with stain-blocking primer before paint.
Paper and mesh tapePaper tape for strength on seams and corners, mesh where it suits the repair.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work across Chicagoland
The same job looks different in a 1920s bungalow, a 1970s split-level and a new subdivision. Here is what we plan for in different parts of the region.
Prewar towns
Plaster walls in an older Evanston and Oak Park home
We repair plaster rather than tearing it out when it is still sound, using plaster washers, bonding agents and setting compound.
Postwar suburbs
2000s 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.
St. Charles, Oak Brook, Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake, Naperville, Hoffman Estates
Condo and townhome towns
Ceiling repairs in a condo
Condo ceilings can include fire-rated assemblies. We repair them with the right board and follow building rules on work hours.
Evanston, Arlington Heights, Lisle, Schaumburg, Palatine, Itasca
Recent kitchen drywall and finish work work around Chicagoland
Before
AfterAddison kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen drywall & finish work
This one is a postwar bi-level in Addison. Before: dark walnut-stained flush-panel cabinets with brass pulls and a fluorescent box light. The reason for the call: a cracked ceiling and dated lighting box. Finished kitchen: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. Work included inspection and moisture check, framing and backing, plus skim coat and texture.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Addison →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a newer open-plan house in Plainfield
The site: a newer open-plan house in Plainfield. The kitchen as it was: gray shaker cabinets and black cage pendants. What bothered the owners most: bulky soffits and a cracked ceiling. Finished kitchen: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. On site this meant inspection and moisture check, framing and backing, plus skim coat and texture.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Plainfield →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen drywall & finish work
The site: a postwar bi-level in Northbrook. What we started with: 1970s dark pecan-stained cabinets and a dome ceiling light. What bothered the owners most: a cracked ceiling and dated lighting box. After: soffits removed, ceiling and walls refinished smooth and painted, new crown molding. On site this meant framing and backing, skim coat and texture, plus crown, casing and trim.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work in Northbrook →How your kitchen drywall and finish work goes
- Look and measureWe inspect the walls and ceiling, check for moisture and confirm the scope.
- Written estimateYou get an itemized estimate that lists each area and finish.
- 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.
Questions about kitchen drywall and finish work
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.
What is inside a kitchen soffit?
Sometimes nothing. Often a duct, vent pipe, plumbing line or wiring. We open a small inspection hole to find out.
Should I remove the soffits before new cabinets?
Usually, if what is inside can be moved. We check before you order cabinets.
What affects the cost of drywall and finish work?
The scope and what we find behind the surface. You get an itemized estimate after we inspect.
Can you add crown molding to my kitchen?
We install crown and other trim to finish the room or the cabinet tops.
Which towns do you serve?
Chicago and 49 suburbs, from Naperville and Aurora to Evanston, Schaumburg and Orland Park. Pick your town below for local details and ZIP codes.
Kitchen Drywall & Finish Work near you
Pick your town for local details, ZIP codes and nearby projects.
DuPage County
Cook County
Kane County
Lake County
Will County
McHenry County
Helpful guides
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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