Deerfield homeowners who want a smoother remodel can hire the same team to design and build it. Design First Builders is a design-build company in Itasca, and we’ve been updating kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions around Chicagoland since 2006. Every project begins with a designer in your Deerfield home, studying the rooms the way your household moves through them.

What should Deerfield homeowners know about their houses?

The Deerfield Area Historical Society’s early history chronology says the area got its name in 1849 or 1850, when John Millen suggested Deerfield after his hometown in Massachusetts. A sawmill opened along the Des Plaines River in 1850 and moved local construction from log to wood frame buildings. The Village of Deerfield was incorporated in 1903, with fewer than 500 residents. Today the Society’s Caspar Ott log house, built in 1837, is the oldest surviving building in Lake County.

A community with that long a history has houses from many periods, from older homes close to the center of town to newer ones farther out. Each calls for a different plan, so we look closely at your house first. Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start covers what to check.

What do Deerfield homeowners usually want to change?

The projects we hear about most are a kitchen that works better for entertaining, a primary bathroom with room to breathe, a finished lower level for the kids or for guests, and more space on the main floor. For some households that means an addition, and for others it means rearranging what’s already there.

Remodeling services in Deerfield

Kitchens

A good kitchen plan follows the way your household cooks, serves, and stores. We design that layout and size custom cabinets to match it. See our Kitchen Remodeling in Chicago page, Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026), and Kitchen Layout Types: Which Shape Fits Your Home?

Bathrooms

Bathroom projects range from a hall bath refresh to a full primary suite. Each begins with one plan that covers layout, tile, fixtures, lighting, and ventilation. See our Bathroom Remodeling page, Tub or Shower in a Bathroom Remodel: How to Decide, and Small Bathroom Remodel Ideas in Chicago and the Suburbs.

Basements

A basement can become a playroom, a guest suite, an office, or a place to work out. Before we design it, we look at moisture, insulation, ceiling height, and egress. See our Basement Remodeling in Chicago page.

Home additions

A bump-out, a ground-level addition, or a second story can give you the room you need without leaving a neighborhood you like. See our Home Additions in Chicago page, Home Addition Mistakes to Avoid, and Second Story Addition: Full vs. Partial (How to Choose).

Custom cabinets for Deerfield homes

Our cabinetry comes from the AnnTucker Cabinetry shop in Itasca or from Arbor Mills, a custom cabinet maker in Lockport, Illinois. Custom Cabinets: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills in Chicago lays out the differences.

Why choose design-build for a Deerfield remodel?

With design-build, the same company designs and builds. You first see a floor plan, 3D concepts, and a cost breakdown. Once your selections are made and the drawings are checked a final time, a project manager and crew lead build what you approved. Read Design-Build vs General Contractor in Chicagoland, then see Our Home Remodeling Process.

How long does a Deerfield remodel take?

Based on our own projects, plan on about 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 addition 8 to 10 months. Your project manager sets the final schedule when the design is done. See How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Chicago? for more on bathrooms.

What does a Deerfield remodel cost?

Costs depend on the house and the plan. As a general reference, our full design-build kitchens in the Chicago area often average $100,000 to $120,000, which is an average and not a quote. Layout, cabinet choices, and finishes drive the number, and changes along the way can move it. An itemized estimate arrives with your final design.

Deerfield remodeling questions

Do you remodel homes in Deerfield?

Yes. We handle kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions for Deerfield homeowners, starting with a meeting at your home.

Can you work with an older Deerfield house?

Yes. We study the house before finalizing a design, and we advise setting money aside for anything hidden in the walls.

Where is your office?

Our showroom is at 1201 Norwood Avenue in Itasca.

How do I choose a contractor?

Put the same questions to every company and compare the responses. See Know Your Contractor and Remodeling Contractor Questions to Ask (With Good Answers).

Remodeling near Deerfield

We also serve Northbrook, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glenview, and Buffalo Grove. See all service areas or browse our projects.

Ready to plan your Deerfield remodel?

Tell us what you’d like to improve, and we’ll help you find the right place to start.