Highwood homeowners can have one team plan and build their remodel. Design First Builders is a design-build company in Itasca, and since 2006 we’ve been remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions across Chicagoland. For the first meeting, a designer visits your Highwood house and sees how each room works for the people who live in it.

What should Highwood homeowners know about their houses?

The Highwood Historical Society says the first non-native settlers arrived in 1846, the town’s first plat map was filed on August 22, 1868, and the name came from its location on the highest ground between Chicago and Milwaukee. Highwood incorporated in 1887, the same year troops arrived at Camp Highwood, which became Fort Sheridan in 1888. The Society says construction at the fort brought Highwood’s first large wave of immigrant settlers. Bricklayers, carpenters, and laborers settled their families in town, and in the 1920s northern Italian masons, carpenters, and landscapers came to work on the large estates in Lake Forest and Highland Park.

A town built up over generations by working tradespeople is likely to have a mix of older homes in many sizes, often on compact lots. Each one has its own history of changes, so we look closely at yours before we plan anything. Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start explains what to check first.

What do Highwood homeowners usually want to change?

Common requests include a kitchen that makes better use of a smaller footprint, a bathroom with more storage and a bigger shower, a finished basement, and extra space for a growing household. In an older home, the goal is often to update the inside while keeping what’s worth keeping.

Remodeling services in Highwood

Kitchens

In a compact kitchen, smart storage and a clear work triangle matter more than size. We design around how you cook and size custom cabinets to the room. See our Kitchen Remodeling in Chicago page, Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026), and Kitchen Layout Types: Which Shape Fits Your Home?

Bathrooms

Whether you’re updating a hall bath or building a primary suite, one plan covers layout, tile, fixtures, lighting, and ventilation. See our Bathroom Remodeling page, Small Bathroom Remodel Ideas in Chicago and the Suburbs, and Tub or Shower in a Bathroom Remodel: How to Decide.

Basements

Lower levels can become a family room, a guest suite, an office, or a gym. We check moisture, insulation, ceiling height, and egress first. See our Basement Remodeling in Chicago page.

Home additions

When the house is too small for the household, a bump-out, a rear addition, or a second story can add the space. 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 Highwood homes

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

Why choose design-build for a Highwood remodel?

With design-build, the people who plan your project also build it. You first review a floor plan, 3D concepts, and a cost breakdown. Once your materials are chosen and the drawings are checked again, 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 Highwood remodel take?

On our past projects, kitchens and primary bathrooms have taken about 8 to 12 weeks, and guest bathrooms 4 to 6 weeks. An addition runs 4 to 6 months, or 8 to 10 months with a second story. Your project manager sets the final schedule once the design is complete. See How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Chicago? for more on bathrooms.

What does a Highwood remodel cost?

Each house is different. 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, cabinets, and finishes shape the total, and changes along the way can move it. You get an itemized estimate with the final design.

Highwood remodeling questions

Do you remodel homes in Highwood?

Yes. We take on kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions for Highwood homeowners, and the first meeting is at your house.

Can you work with an older Highwood house?

Yes. We inspect the house before the design is final, and we recommend a reserve for anything found behind the walls.

Where is your office?

Our showroom is at 1201 Norwood Avenue in Itasca.

How do I choose a contractor?

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

Remodeling near Highwood

We also serve Highland Park, Lake Forest, Fort Sheridan, Glencoe, and Northbrook. See all service areas or browse our projects.

Ready to plan your Highwood remodel?

Tell us what you’d like to change, and we’ll help you pick a starting point.