Glencoe Home Remodeling: Kitchens, Baths, Basements & Additions

Design First Builders is a design-build company providing Glencoe home remodeling for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions on the North Shore. In a village known for its architecture, we design each project around the house you have and the way you live in it. We’ve been remodeling homes across Chicago’s northern and western suburbs since 2006, and we come to your Glencoe home to start the conversation.

What makes Glencoe home remodeling different?

Glencoe is a place where the homes and the surroundings both matter. The Chicago Botanic Garden, with 385 acres at 1000 Lake Cook Road, is in Glencoe, and the Glencoe Park District preserves a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed cottage at Ravine Bluffs Park. 

For homeowners, that means design matters. A remodel here works best when it respects the character of the house and takes advantage of its setting.

How do we approach Glencoe home remodeling?

We start with the house, then the family. Here’s the thinking behind each project.

Respect what’s there

Original details, proportions, and materials can become the starting point for a design instead of something to remove. We look closely at how the house was built before we propose changes.

Make the house work today

However, even beautiful homes can have closed-off kitchens, tight bathrooms, or too little storage. Those are the places where a remodel makes the biggest difference.

Plan for the unexpected

Older houses can hide surprises, so we suggest setting aside an extra 10–15% of your budget.

Glencoe home remodeling services

Kitchen remodeling in Glencoe

The kitchen is where a household’s day tends to come together. Many homeowners want more room to cook and gather, and the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that 35% of renovating homeowners increased their kitchen’s footprint. We can rework a layout, add storage, and build custom cabinetry to suit your home. See our kitchen remodeling projects and our kitchen remodel cost guide.

Bathroom remodeling in Glencoe

A good bathroom feels calm and works hard: soft light, smart storage, and a shower or tub you’ll enjoy. Whether it’s a hall bath or a primary suite, we plan the layout, tile, and fixtures together. See our bathroom remodeling page and luxury bathroom remodel ideas.

Basement remodeling in Glencoe

A basement can become a family room, guest suite, office, or play space without changing your home’s footprint. See our basement remodeling page.

Home additions in Glencoe

If your household has outgrown the house but you love the street, an addition can give you more space, whether it’s a family room, a primary suite, or a second story. We plan how the new space connects, so it feels like part of the home. See our home additions page and the guide to home addition mistakes.

Custom cabinets for Glencoe homes

Custom cabinets are made to your measurements and your style, which makes them a natural match for homes with character. Compare our two lines in AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills custom cabinets.

Why choose a design-build team for Glencoe home remodeling?

When design and construction come from one team, the plan you approve is the one that gets built. That means one point of contact, a dedicated project manager, and no gap between the person who drew your plans and the people who build them. See how it compares in design-build vs. general contractor, and what to ask before you hire in our remodeling contractor questions.

How long will Glencoe home remodeling take?

Expect roughly eight to twelve weeks for a typical kitchen, and several months for an addition. The schedule depends on your design and when materials arrive, and we’ll give you a clear timeline before you commit.

What will Glencoe home remodeling cost?

A full design-build kitchen with us around Chicago commonly lands near $100,000–$120,000. That’s a starting point to help you plan, not a quote. Your layout, cabinets, and finishes set the real number, and the best way to get it is to talk through your project.

Glencoe home remodeling questions

Do you offer Glencoe home remodeling?

Yes. We work with Glencoe homeowners on kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions, and we visit your home for the first meeting.

Can you remodel an older Glencoe home?

Yes. Older homes need extra planning, so we look closely at the house first and design around what we find.

Do you work on the North Shore?

Yes. We serve Glencoe and nearby communities, including Winnetka, Highland Park, and Wilmette.

Where is your office?

We’re based at 1201 Norwood Avenue in Itasca, and we serve Glencoe and the Chicago area.

How do I choose a remodeling contractor?

Ask each contractor the same questions and compare their answers. See our contractor red flags and questions guide.

Remodeling across the North Shore

Besides Glencoe, we work with homeowners in Winnetka, Highland Park, Wilmette, Northbrook, Glenview, and Evanston. See all service areas.

Ready to talk about your Glencoe home?

The first step is a conversation at your home about what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d like to change.