Arlington Heights homeowners who are tired of juggling a designer and a builder can hire one company for both. Design First Builders is a design-build remodeler based in Itasca, and we’ve been working on kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions in the Chicago suburbs since 2006. We start at your house, with a designer who watches how you move through each room.

What is the story behind Arlington Heights homes?

The Village of Arlington Heights says the community began in the mid-1800s with settler Asa Dunton, a stonecutter from New England, and was first known as “Dunton” before it officially became Arlington Heights in 1874. The village adds that the railroad depot shaped the walkable downtown that is still the heart of town. An Illinois House resolution marking the village’s 125th anniversary says Arlington Heights was incorporated on January 18, 1887, and grew quickly in the 1950s and 1960s as the Chicago-area economy expanded.

What do Arlington Heights homeowners usually want to change?

A kitchen that’s walled off from the family room comes up often. So does a bathroom with one small sink and a cramped shower, or a basement that has been waiting years for a purpose. Others have outgrown the house and look at a bump-out, a primary suite, or a second story. If your home is older, start with Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start.

Remodeling services in Arlington Heights

Kitchens

We shape the plan around how your household cooks, eats, and entertains, then size the cabinets to match. See our Kitchen Remodeling in Chicago page, read Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026), and compare layouts in Kitchen Layout Types: Which Shape Fits Your Home?

Bathrooms

Walk-in showers, new vanities, better lighting, and more storage are common asks, and each is planned as part of one layout. See our Bathroom Remodeling page, read How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Chicago?, and see Small Bathroom Remodel Ideas in Chicago and the Suburbs.

Basements

A lower level can turn into a guest suite, a home theater, a hangout space, or a home office. See our Basement Remodeling in Chicago page.

Home additions

If you want to stay on your street but need more space, an addition such as a bigger kitchen, a primary suite, or a second story is worth a look. See our Home Additions in Chicago page, read Kitchen Bump-Out Addition: 5 Times It Makes Sense, and Second Story Addition: Full vs. Partial (How to Choose).

Custom cabinets for Arlington Heights homes

You can choose from our AnnTucker Cabinetry shop in Itasca or Arbor Mills, a custom cabinet maker in Lockport, Illinois. Custom Cabinets: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills in Chicago explains the difference.

How does design-build work for an Arlington Heights remodel?

One team draws your plans and then builds them. Before work starts you review a floor plan, 3D concepts, and a cost breakdown. When you’ve picked your materials and the drawings have had a last review, a project manager and crew lead carry out what you approved. Read Design-Build vs General Contractor in Chicagoland, then see Our Home Remodeling Process.

How long does an Arlington Heights remodel take?

Our past projects point to 8 to 12 weeks for a kitchen or primary bathroom and 4 to 6 weeks for a guest bathroom. A one- or two-story addition usually takes 4 to 6 months, and a second story 8 to 10 months. Your project manager sets the final schedule when the design is complete.

What does an Arlington Heights remodel cost?

There is no one price for every house. As a general reference, full design-build kitchens with us in the Chicago area often average $100,000 to $120,000, which is an average and not a quote. Your layout, cabinets, and finishes shape the total, and so do changes made mid-project. Your itemized estimate comes with the final design.

Arlington Heights remodeling questions

Do you remodel homes in Arlington Heights?

Yes. Arlington Heights homeowners hire us for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions, and a designer visits your home for the first meeting.

Do I need an architect before I call you?

No. You can start with a conversation about what you want to change, and our team takes you from first design through construction.

Where is your office?

You’ll find our showroom at 1201 Norwood Avenue in Itasca.

How do I choose a contractor?

Give every contractor the same list of questions and compare their answers. See Know Your Contractor and Remodeling Contractor Questions to Ask (With Good Answers).

Remodeling near Arlington Heights

We also serve Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, and Hoffman Estates. See all service areas.

Ready to plan your Arlington Heights remodel?

Tell us what you’d like to change, and we’ll help you choose where to start.