Illinois Construction Pros
Illinois Construction Pros home
Request an Estimate (877) 838-5444

Illinois Construction Pros

Kitchen Remodeling in Illinois

In Illinois, we plan kitchen remodeling projects in Chicago and Naperville. A kitchen remodel replaces or reworks the parts of the kitchen that no longer fit how you live: cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, and sometimes the layout itself. A smaller update keeps the footprint and swaps surfaces. A larger remodel moves the sink, appliances or walls, which brings plumbing, electrical and ventilation changes. It makes sense when storage is short, work areas are cramped, surfaces are worn, or you plan to stay in the home and want the room to work better every day.
Request an Estimate (877) 838-5444
Remodeled kitchen in an older Belleville-area brick home with deep window reveals, a navy island with brass pulls and oak open shelving.
Illustrative image

Illinois context

Planning kitchen remodeling in Illinois

  1. Local building codes with a state baseline

    Illinois cities, villages and counties adopt their own building codes. When they adopt or amend one, they must report the code, its edition and local amendments to the Capital Development Board at least 30 days before it takes effect. Starting January 1, 2025, Public Act 103-0510 requires local codes to regulate structural design at least as strictly as the International Residential Code for homes, the IBC for new commercial buildings and the IEBC for existing ones. For a new home where no local residential code exists, the Illinois Residential Building Code Act lets the builder and buyer agree on a code. If they do not, the IRC, the state energy code and the state plumbing code apply by law.

  2. Statewide energy and plumbing codes

    The Illinois Energy Conservation Code applies to residential buildings and privately funded commercial buildings across the state. The current version, based on the 2024 IECC with Illinois amendments, took effect for permit applications on November 30, 2025. Local governments generally cannot make residential energy rules weaker or stricter. The exceptions include municipalities with 1,000,000 or more people and towns that adopt the Illinois Stretch Energy Code. The Illinois Plumbing Code also applies statewide.

  3. Two climate zones, snow and frost

    Illinois spans energy-code climate zones 4A and 5A. A county list on the Department of Energy's OpenEI site places southern counties such as St. Clair and Jackson in zone 4A. Average snowfall runs from about 36 inches a year in the north, heaviest around Chicago because of lake-effect snow, to less than 10 inches in the far south. In a 1980 to 1996 study, the deepest observed frost depths ranged from 5 inches in far southern Illinois to 30 inches in far northern Illinois.

Sources (8)

Permits

Kitchen work that changes plumbing, electrical circuits, gas lines, ventilation or walls commonly needs a permit and inspections. Purely cosmetic work, such as painting or replacing cabinets in the same place, may not. Requirements vary by city and county, so the local building department confirms what applies before work begins.

Contractor licensing

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (roofing) and Illinois Department of Public Health (plumbing)

Illinois licenses some trades at the state level, including roofing and plumbing. The Home Repair and Remodeling Act does not create a license. It sets contract, disclosure and insurance rules for home repair and remodeling work, including a written contract for jobs over $1,000 and the 'Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights' pamphlet. Roofing contractors must hold a state license from IDFPR: a limited license covers residential properties of 8 units or less, and an unlimited license also covers commercial and industrial properties. IDPH licenses plumbers, and plumbing contractors must register with the state. Local rules vary; Rockford, for example, states that general contractors are not required to be licensed. Before you hire anyone, check roofing licenses with IDFPR's License Look Up, plumbing licenses with IDPH's verification tool, and ask your city whether it licenses or registers contractors.

Check a contractor’s status (opens the official Illinois site in a new tab)

Building permits

Permits in Illinois

Building codes and permits in Illinois are handled locally. Each city, village or county that adopts a building code reports it to the Capital Development Board, while the state energy and plumbing codes apply everywhere. What needs a permit varies from town to town: Naperville does not require a permit to put an asphalt shingle roof on a single-family home when the existing sheathing stays in place, while Rockford requires permits for all roofing work. We confirm the permit path with the local office during planning, before any work is scheduled.

Sources (8)

What’s included

Kitchen Remodeling in Illinois: scope and options

  • Layout planning for work zones, walkways, storage and seating
  • Removal of old cabinets, counters, flooring and fixtures
  • Cabinet installation, whether new, refaced or partly replaced
  • Countertop templating and installation, plus backsplash tile
  • Plumbing and electrical updates for sinks, appliances and lighting, coordinated with licensed trades where required
  • Range hood and kitchen ventilation installation
  • Appliance placement, clearances and hookup planning
  • Drywall repair, flooring, trim and paint to finish the room

Common options

Keep the layout or change it
Leaving the sink, range and refrigerator where they are limits plumbing, gas and electrical changes. Moving them can fix a poor workflow but adds rough-in work and inspections.
Cabinet approach
Stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets, or refacing boxes that are still sound. The choice affects lead time, available sizes and finish options.
Countertop material
Quartz, natural stone, solid surface, laminate or butcher block. Each differs in heat and stain resistance, seams and upkeep.
Island or peninsula
An island adds prep space and seating but needs walking room on every side. A peninsula can give similar counter space in a tighter room.
Lighting plan
Layered lighting with ceiling fixtures, under-cabinet task lights and pendants, set on separate switches or dimmers so each can be used on its own.

What this service does not cover

  • Appliance purchases, unless they are written into the agreed scope
  • Asbestos or lead-based paint abatement, which is handled by certified specialists
  • Removing load-bearing walls without engineered plans where the jurisdiction requires them
  • Repairs to hidden damage found during demolition, such as rot or outdated wiring, until the work is reviewed with you and added by written change order
  • Work in other rooms that is outside the agreed scope

Budget planning

What affects cost

  • Layout changes

    Moving plumbing, gas lines or walls takes more labor and inspection than keeping the current footprint.

  • Cabinets

    Construction quality, finish, and whether they are stock, semi-custom or custom.

  • Countertops

    Material, thickness, edge profile, number of seams and the cutouts needed for sinks and cooktops.

  • Electrical capacity

    Older homes may need new circuits or panel work to support current appliances and lighting.

  • Ventilation

    Venting a range hood outdoors through a wall or roof adds labor compared with a recirculating hood.

  • Conditions behind walls and floors

    Water damage, rot or outdated wiring found after demolition adds work before new finishes go in.

  • Finish selections

    Tile, hardware, faucets, sinks and light fixtures range widely in price and installation effort.

Scheduling

What affects the schedule

  • Lead times for cabinets, counters and special-order appliances
  • Countertop templating, which can only happen after cabinets are installed
  • Permit review and the timing of required inspections
  • Selections made late or changed after ordering
  • Conditions found once walls and floors are opened

How to prepare

  • Empty cabinets, drawers and counters before demolition day
  • Set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, small refrigerator and coffee maker
  • Write down what you store and how you cook so the plan fits your habits
  • Choose appliances early so cabinets can be sized around them
  • Plan to keep children and pets away from the work area
  • Clear a path from the entry to the kitchen for deliveries and debris removal

Process

How Kitchen Remodeling Projects Work

  1. 1

    Consult

    We walk the kitchen with you and talk through how you cook, store food and gather. We note what works, what does not, and the plumbing, electrical and ventilation that could shape the plan.

  2. 2

    Plan

    We set the layout, choose cabinets, counters and finishes, and put the scope in writing. Long-lead items are ordered and any permits are requested before demolition starts.

  3. 3

    Build

    Demolition, rough-in work and inspections come first, then cabinets, counters, backsplash, fixtures and trim. The work area is kept separated from the rest of the home to limit dust.

  4. 4

    Enjoy

    A final walkthrough, completion of any punch-list items, and a review of care for new surfaces, fixtures and appliances.

Service areas

Where we plan kitchen remodeling projects in Illinois

Availability is confirmed for each project address before anything is scheduled.

Other communities

Related services in Illinois

Questions

Kitchen Remodeling FAQs

Can I stay in my home during a kitchen remodel?

Most people do. Plan on a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house and expect dust, noise and limited use of the kitchen sink while work is underway. Separating the work area helps keep dust out of the rest of the home.

Should I pick appliances before or after the design?

Early. Appliance sizes, venting and electrical needs affect cabinet sizes and the layout. Changing an appliance after cabinets are ordered can force changes to cabinets, counters or wiring.

Is it worth changing my kitchen layout?

It depends on how well the current layout works. If moving between the sink, range and refrigerator is awkward or prep space is short, a new layout can help. If the flow is fine, keeping it lets more of the budget go to cabinets and surfaces.

Can I keep my existing cabinets?

If the cabinet boxes are sound and the layout is staying, refacing or painting can update the look. If cabinets are damaged, poorly sized or the layout is changing, replacement usually makes more sense.

What happens if problems are found behind the walls?

Opening walls and floors can reveal water damage, rot or outdated wiring. The issue should be shown to you, documented, and priced as a written change order before the added work starts.

How do I choose a countertop material?

Compare heat, stain and scratch resistance along with upkeep. Quartz needs little maintenance, natural stone varies by stone and may need sealing, laminate is a lower-cost option, and butcher block needs regular oiling.

Ready to Plan Kitchen Remodeling in Illinois?

Share the scope and the address. We'll confirm availability and follow up to talk through options and next steps.

Request an Estimate (877) 838-5444
CallRequest an Estimate