Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Forest, IL

J & M Elite Renovations is a licensed, owner-led general contractor that remodels kitchens in Lake Forest, IL. A full custom kitchen here typically runs $140,000 to $250,000, with 10 to 16 weeks of construction after design and permits. We coordinate the architect or designer, the structural engineer, City of Lake Forest permits and every inspection, and Juan is on the job from the first walkthrough to the final punch list.

Lake Forest homes and what they mean for a kitchen remodel

Lake Forest's housing stock spans more than a century, and the kitchen is where that age shows most. In East Lake Forest and the older neighborhoods near Market Square, many homes were built before World War II with a closed kitchen, a butler's pantry, a back stair and sometimes a separate breakfast room. Owners today usually want those rooms combined into one kitchen that opens to the family room. In later subdivisions farther west, the job is more often updating a 1980s or 1990s kitchen with good bones but a dated layout.


Older Lake Forest homes bring predictable surprises: plaster walls, undersized electrical service, knob-and-tube wiring, cast-iron drains, radiators to reroute, and framing that doesn't match modern lumber sizes. We price what we can see up front and carry an honest contingency for what only shows up once walls are open.


Interior kitchen work generally needs a City of Lake Forest building permit with electrical, plumbing and mechanical reviews. If the home is a landmark or in a local historic district and the plan changes the exterior (new windows, a bump-out, a terrace door), Historic Preservation Commission review can add time. Subdivisions with a homeowners association may also require architectural committee sign-off. We confirm all of this before design is final.

How a Lake Forest kitchen remodel works with us

  1. Walkthrough. Juan meets you at the house, reviews structure and mechanicals, and talks through budget and timing openly.
  2. Design and engineering with your architect or kitchen designer, or ours. When a wall comes out, a licensed structural engineer sizes the beam before anything is priced.
  3. Written, fixed-scope proposal with selections, allowances and exclusions spelled out.
  4. Permits and inspections, handled by us.
  5. Construction with dust containment, floor protection and a weekly update from Juan.
  6. Final walkthrough and punch list.

What does a kitchen remodel cost in Lake Forest?

These are typical market ranges for high-end North Shore kitchens in 2026, not a quote. Your number depends on the house, the layout and your selections.


  • Refined remodel, same footprint (semi-custom or custom cabinetry, stone counters, new appliances and lighting): about $90,000 to $140,000
  • Full custom remodel with a new layout (custom cabinetry, professional appliances, relocated plumbing and gas, a lighting redesign): about $140,000 to $250,000
  • Structural or expanded kitchen (load-bearing wall removal with an engineered beam, kitchen and family room combined, or a bump-out): about $250,000 to $450,000 and up

How long does it take?

Plan on roughly 6 to 10 weeks for design and selections (custom cabinetry lead times often set the pace), 3 to 6 weeks of permit review, and 10 to 16 weeks of construction. Structural or exterior work, or historic review, can push construction to 16 to 22 weeks. These are typical ranges, not a guaranteed schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Lake Forest, IL?

    Typical ranges in 2026, not a quote: about $90,000 to $140,000 for a refined remodel in the same footprint, $140,000 to $250,000 for a full custom remodel with a new layout, and $250,000 to $450,000 or more when walls move or the kitchen expands. Cabinetry, appliances and structural work drive most of the difference.

  • How long does a kitchen remodel take in Lake Forest?

    Most full kitchen remodels take about 10 to 16 weeks of construction after roughly 6 to 10 weeks of design and selections and 3 to 6 weeks of permit review. Structural changes, exterior work or historic review can extend construction to 16 to 22 weeks.

  • Do I need a permit or historic review to remodel a kitchen in Lake Forest?

    Interior kitchen remodels in Lake Forest generally need a City building permit with electrical, plumbing and mechanical reviews. If the home is a landmark or in a local historic district and the work changes the exterior, such as windows, doors or a bump-out, Historic Preservation Commission review may also be required. J & M Elite Renovations prepares the permit package and confirms the requirements before design is final.

  • Can you remove a load-bearing wall to open up my kitchen?

    Usually, yes. A licensed structural engineer designs the beam, posts and footings, the design goes into the permit set, and the city inspects the work. In older Lake Forest homes, we also plan for rerouting plumbing, ductwork or radiator lines that run through the wall.

  • Can we live in the house during a kitchen remodel?

    Most Lake Forest families stay in the home. We seal the work area with dust barriers, protect floors along the path in and out, and help set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house.

Planning a kitchen in Lake Forest?

Call Juan at (224) 480-3019 or request a consultation. We're available Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM.