La Grange homeowners can hand both the design and the building of a remodel to one team. Design First Builders is a design-build company in Itasca, and since 2006 we’ve been remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions throughout Chicagoland. Every project begins with a designer in your home, paying attention to how the rooms really get used.

What should La Grange homeowners know about their houses?

The La Grange Area Historical Society says Franklin D. Cossitt bought and developed a large tract of land, about 600 acres next to the railroad, which was incorporated as the Village of La Grange in 1879. Improvements began in earnest in 1873, when Cossitt planted trees, donated property to churches and schools, laid out streets, and built homes. The Village of La Grange describes a community with historic homes, a historic district, and traditional downtown business districts that preserve much of the character its founder envisioned.

Homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s are often solid and full of character, but they come with their own limits: smaller kitchens, one bathroom for a whole family, and floor plans made for another era. We study the house first, and Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start explains what to check.

What do La Grange homeowners usually want to change?

In older La Grange houses, the most common wishes are a kitchen that opens toward the family, a second bathroom or a roomier primary bath, a finished basement, and more space on the second floor. The best results keep the character of the house while improving how it lives.

Remodeling services in La Grange

Kitchens

An older kitchen often needs a new plan more than a new coat of paint. We build the layout around how you cook and gather, and we 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

Adding storage, improving the shower, and making better use of tight space are common goals. 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

An older basement can become a family room, an office, a guest suite, or a gym. We look at moisture, insulation, ceiling height, and egress before we plan the space. See our Basement Remodeling in Chicago page.

Home additions

If your house needs more room, a bump-out, a rear addition, or a second story can add it while keeping you on the street 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 La Grange homes

Cabinets are available from our AnnTucker Cabinetry shop in Itasca or from Arbor Mills, a custom cabinet maker in Lockport, Illinois. See Custom Cabinets: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills in Chicago to compare them.

Why choose design-build for a La Grange remodel?

In design-build, the team that draws your plans is the team that builds them. Early on you review a floor plan, 3D concepts, and a cost breakdown. After your selections and a last review of the drawings, 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 La Grange remodel take?

Based on our own projects, kitchens and primary bathrooms usually take 8 to 12 weeks, and guest bathrooms 4 to 6 weeks. Additions take 4 to 6 months, and a second story 8 to 10 months. Your project manager sets the final schedule once the design is done. See How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Chicago? for more on bathrooms.

What does a La Grange remodel cost?

The cost depends on your house and your 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, cabinets, and finishes drive the total, and changes after work begins can shift it. An itemized estimate arrives with the final design.

La Grange remodeling questions

Do you remodel homes in La Grange?

Yes. We take on kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions for La Grange homeowners, and we start with a visit to your home.

Can you work with an older La Grange house?

Yes. We examine the house before the design is final, and we suggest setting aside a reserve for anything 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 La Grange

We also serve Hinsdale, Brookfield, Downers Grove, Oak Park, and Elmhurst. See all service areas or browse our projects.

Ready to plan your La Grange remodel?

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