Evanston Home Remodeling

Design First Builders is a design-build remodeling company serving Evanston, Illinois homeowners. Designers and builders work as one team on your kitchen, bathroom, basement, or addition, so the plan on paper is the one that gets built. We’re based in Itasca, with a design studio and AnnTucker Cabinetry shop at 1201 Norwood Avenue, and we’ve remodeled homes across Chicagoland since 2006.

What makes remodeling in Evanston different?

Evanston has an unusual mix of old and new homes. According to the City of Evanston, the city has five National Register Historic Districts and four Local Historic Districts, plus more than 850 individually registered Local Landmarks. Wikipedia notes that Evanston was incorporated as a town on December 29, 1863, organized as a city in 1892, and sits on Lake Michigan about 12 miles north of the Loop.

For a homeowner, that mix means two houses on the same block can need different plans. One may be a landmark or sit in a historic district. Another may be a postwar house with a layout that no longer fits how your family lives. So the first step on any Evanston project is a close look at the home itself, including its status.

What remodeling goals do Evanston homeowners bring us?

Most conversations start with one of these:

• A kitchen that feels closed in, with too little counter space or storage
• A bathroom that hasn’t changed in decades
• A basement that could be living space instead of a storage room
• A growing family that needs one more bedroom or a larger main floor
• A house with good bones that needs a layout update

Which Evanston home remodeling projects do we handle?

Kitchen remodeling in Evanston

A kitchen is where plans and cabinets meet, so we design the layout and the cabinetry together. Choose our AnnTucker Cabinetry line, or Arbor Mills, based in Lockport, Illinois. See our kitchen remodeling page.

Bathroom remodeling in Evanston

We plan tile, fixtures, lighting, and layout as one design. Explore our bathroom remodeling page and ideas for a luxurious bathroom.

Basement remodeling in Evanston

Turn unused square footage into a family room, an office, or a guest space. See our basement remodeling page.

Home additions in Evanston

If you want to stay put but need more room, we design additions that suit the house you have. Learn more about home additions.

Why choose a design-build team in Evanston?

With design-build, one company designs and builds, so you deal with one team instead of several. Houzz asked 2,866 U.S. homeowners renovating kitchens or baths what they struggled with, and 48% said finding trustworthy pros. Our answer is a clear process, a dedicated project manager, and one point of contact. Read design-build vs. general contractor.

What’s our Evanston remodeling process?

1. Consultation. We learn what you want and what isn’t working.
2. Design. We develop layouts, finishes, and cabinetry with you.
3. Selections. You pick materials, fixtures, and appliances.
4. Construction. Your project manager runs the schedule and keeps you posted.
5. Final walkthrough. We review the finished space together.

See our process for the details.

How long does an Evanston remodel take?

Your project manager confirms the schedule once your design is final. Kitchens take about 8–12 weeks, primary bathrooms about 8–12 weeks, guest bathrooms about 4–6 weeks, and additions about 4–6 months.

What does an Evanston remodel cost?

Every project is different, so there’s no one price. In the Chicago area, our full design-build kitchens often average $100,000–$120,000, and that’s an average, not a quote. The size of the room, layout changes, cabinets, finishes, and what turns up inside older walls can move the total. Prices can also change if scope or selections change or if material costs move. Your itemized estimate comes once the design and scope are final.

See our work near Evanston

Browse a Chicago kitchen, a Park Ridge kitchen, and more in our projects.

Evanston remodeling questions

Do you remodel homes in Evanston?

Yes. We take on kitchen, bathroom, basement, and addition projects for Evanston homeowners.

Can you remodel a historic or older Evanston home?

Yes. We begin with the house and its status, then design around it.

Where is your office?

We’re at 1201 Norwood Avenue in Itasca, where our design studio is located.

How do I compare contractors?

Ask each company the same questions, then compare the answers. See remodeling contractor questions to ask and how to know your contractor.

Remodeling near Evanston

We also serve Wilmette, Skokie, Glenview, Northbrook, Winnetka, Glencoe, Park Ridge, Highland Park, and Chicago. See all service areas.

Ready to plan your Evanston remodel?

Tell us what’s not working in your home, and we’ll talk through what’s possible.