in Chicago
every remodel
& insured
Remodel the kitchen at the heart of your home
Bofran Builders takes on full-scope kitchen remodeling across Chicago and the North Shore — gut renovations, wall removals, open-concept conversions and kitchen expansions. One licensed general contractor from demolition to final walkthrough, family-owned since 1999.
Kitchen remodeling that goes down to the studs — and sometimes through them
Most kitchen problems aren't about finishes. They're about walls in the wrong place, too little counter between the stove and the sink, and a room cut off from the rest of the house. Fixing that takes a builder, not just an installer.
As a licensed Chicago general contractor with our own framing crew, we take kitchens apart and rebuild them properly: demolition, structural changes, plumbing and electrical rough-in, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, counters, tile and lighting — under one contract, with one schedule. Whether your kitchen needs a full gut, a load-bearing wall removed or new square footage added, you get one accountable team from first sketch to final walkthrough. Want numbers first? Try the kitchen remodel cost calculator or start with our Chicago home renovation guide.
- Full-gut remodels — taken to the studs, rebuilt to code, not patched over
- In-house framing crew for wall removals, beams and open-concept conversions
- We pull and manage every Chicago building permit and inspection
- Transparent, itemized pricing — you see where every dollar goes
- Dust barriers and a temporary-kitchen plan, so your home stays livable
- Backed by a 5-year warranty and a 30-day post-project check-in
Four ways we rebuild kitchens
Every kitchen we take on is a full remodel — the difference is how far the walls move. Tap through the four scopes to compare typical cost, timeline and what each one is best for, then run your own numbers in the calculator.
Full Kitchen Remodel
We strip the room to the studs and rebuild it: new plumbing and electrical where they belong, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, counters, tile, lighting and ventilation. The layout stays, but everything behind and in front of the walls is new — and finally up to code.
- Down-to-the-studs demolition — no painting over problems
- New rough plumbing, wiring & proper ventilation
- Cabinets, counters, tile & lighting installed by one crew
Layout Changes & Wall Removal
The most requested change in Chicago's older housing stock: take out the wall between the kitchen and the dining or living room. Our own framing crew opens the wall, sets an engineered beam sized by a structural engineer, and reroutes anything hiding inside — then rebuilds the kitchen around the new, open plan.
- Load-bearing walls removed with engineered LVL or steel beams
- Galley and closed kitchens converted to open concept
- Islands & peninsulas added where the old wall stood
Kitchen Expansions
Some kitchens can't be fixed inside their own walls. A rear extension or bump-out adds the square footage a real working kitchen needs — foundation, framing, roofline and all — and we tie it into the existing house so it reads as original. This is where being an addition builder matters.
- Bump-outs & rear extensions with full foundation work
- Roofline, siding & floors matched to the existing home
- Read more on our Chicago home additions page
Kitchens in Larger Renovations
Many of our kitchen projects are the centerpiece of something bigger — a full first-floor renovation, a gut rehab or a home addition. Because we self-perform the structural work and run all the trades, folding the kitchen into a larger project usually costs less per room than doing them one at a time.
- Kitchen + dining + living rebuilt as one open plan
- Whole-house gut renovations with the kitchen at the center
- One permit package, one schedule, one contractor
Which kitchen layout fits your house?
Layout decides how a kitchen works long before finishes do. Click through the six classic layouts to see what each does best — and what to watch out for in Chicago's bungalows, two-flats and frame houses.
Galley Kitchen
Two parallel runs of cabinets with a walkway between — the layout most Chicago bungalows and two-flats were born with. Efficient for one cook, tight for a family, and the layout we most often open up.
Works well when
- Space is narrow and every inch must work
- One cook rules the kitchen
- Budget favors function over footprint
Watch out for
- Walkways under 42 inches feel cramped fast
- No natural spot for seating or gathering
- Often worth removing a wall — see layout changes above
L-Shape Kitchen
Cabinets along two adjacent walls, leaving the rest of the room open. One of the most adaptable layouts — it plays well with a small table, an island later, or an open plan now.
Works well when
- You want an eat-in corner or future island
- The room opens to dining or living space
- Two people cook at the same time
Watch out for
- The corner cabinet — plan a lazy Susan or drawer system
- Long L runs stretch the work triangle
- Appliance placement can crowd one leg
U-Shape Kitchen
Cabinets and counters wrap three walls. The most storage and workspace you can get without adding square footage — a strong choice for serious cooks in mid-size rooms.
Works well when
- You need serious storage without an addition
- The room is at least 10 feet wide
- The tight work triangle suits how you cook
Watch out for
- Two corners to solve, not one
- Can feel closed-in in smaller rooms
- Seating usually has to live outside the U
Island Kitchen
A freestanding island adds prep space, seating and storage in one move — and becomes the social center of the house. It needs room to breathe: we plan 42–48 inches of clearance on every working side.
Works well when
- The room (or new open plan) is 12+ feet wide
- You want seating without a separate table
- You're already moving plumbing or adding circuits
Watch out for
- Undersized rooms — a cramped island is worse than none
- Sinks or cooktops in islands need real ventilation planning
- Often depends on a wall coming out first
Peninsula Kitchen
A connected counter that juts out from a wall or cabinet run — seating and prep space like an island, but anchored on one end. Ideal when a full island won't fit, or as the half-wall replacement after opening up a galley.
Works well when
- The room is too narrow for a true island
- You're opening a wall and want a breakfast bar in its place
- You want to define the kitchen without closing it
Watch out for
- The dead corner where peninsula meets wall
- Traffic flow around the single open end
- Overhangs need 15+ inches for real seating
Open-Concept Kitchen
The kitchen, dining and living areas share one continuous space, usually with an island as the anchor. Getting there in an older Chicago home almost always means removing a load-bearing wall — which is exactly the structural work our framing crew self-performs.
Works well when
- You cook, host and parent at the same time
- Natural light needs to reach the middle of the house
- Resale value matters — buyers consistently want it
Watch out for
- Load-bearing walls need engineered beams, not guesswork
- Ventilation matters more when the kitchen has no door
- Heating & cooling should be rebalanced for the new space
Kitchen remodel cost calculator
Get an instant, Chicago-specific ballpark for your kitchen. Pick the scope, set your kitchen's size, choose your cabinet and finish levels and tell us if a wall is coming out — the estimated range updates in real time. Cabinets are the single biggest cost driver, so picking a cabinet level narrows your range the most.
Estimates are planning ranges based on 2025–2026 Chicago-area pricing and your inputs — actual cost depends on design, site conditions, cabinet selections, appliances and permits. Load-bearing wall removal typically adds $8,000–$20,000 including engineering and the beam. For a firm, itemized number, request a free on-site estimate.
What a kitchen remodel actually looks like
The question every family asks: how long will we be without a kitchen? Here's the honest sequence. Click each phase to see what happens — and what we need from you.
Design & selections
We measure the existing kitchen, talk through how your family actually uses it, and settle the layout — including whether a wall should come out. Then the decisions that drive the schedule: cabinets, counters, appliances and flooring. Cabinet lead times set the calendar, so we lock selections before anything else moves.
- On-site assessment & measurements
- Layout options — with structural feasibility checked up front
- Cabinet, counter, appliance & finish selections
- Itemized estimate — you see every line
Permits & ordering
While Chicago reviews the permit package, materials go on order — cabinets first, since they take the longest. If a load-bearing wall is coming out, the structural engineer's beam calculations go in with the permit drawings. Nothing gets demolished until the paperwork and the critical materials are in hand.
- Permit drawings & applications — we handle all of it
- Structural engineering for any wall removal
- Cabinets, counters & appliances ordered
- Build schedule locked & shared with you
Demolition & rough-in
Dust barriers go up, your temporary kitchen gets set up in another room, and the old kitchen comes out. Walls open, beams go in if the layout is changing, and the new plumbing, electrical and ventilation are roughed in exactly where the new design needs them. City inspections happen before anything closes up.
- Dust containment & temporary kitchen set up first
- Demolition to the studs — surprises found now, not later
- Beam installation for wall removals
- Plumbing, electrical & HVAC rough-in + city inspections
Build & finishes
The room comes back together in sequence: insulation and drywall, flooring, then cabinet installation — the week the kitchen starts looking like a kitchen again. Counter templating follows cabinets, tile and lighting follow counters, and appliances go in last so nothing gets scratched along the way. Lighting is the piece most kitchens underplan — see our guide to layered kitchen lighting design.
- Insulation, drywall & paint
- Flooring & cabinet installation
- Counter template & install, then backsplash tile
- Lighting, plumbing fixtures & appliances
Punch list & warranty
We walk the finished kitchen together, list anything that isn't right, and fix it before we call the job done. You get your permit sign-offs, appliance documentation and the 5-year warranty in writing — then a 30-day check-in after you've actually lived in the space.
- Final walkthrough & punch-list completion
- Final city inspections & sign-off
- 5-year warranty delivered in writing
- 30-day post-project check-in
What kitchen remodeling actually costs in Chicago
Most full-scope Chicago kitchen remodels land between $60,000 and $120,000 — and the scope decides the rest. Here's how the numbers break down, and where the budget actually goes.
Typical project totals by scope
| Scope | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Full remodel — same layout | $60K–$120K |
| Remodel + layout change | $75K–$150K |
| Load-bearing wall removal (add-on) | +$8K–$20K |
| Kitchen expansion — added sq ft | $150K–$300K |
By location
| Area | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $60K–$125K |
| Evanston | $62K–$130K |
| Glenview | $62K–$130K |
| Wilmette | $65K–$140K |
| Northbrook | $65K–$140K |
| Winnetka | $70K–$150K |
Where the budget goes
Cabinets are the single biggest line on almost every kitchen — which is why we lock cabinet selections before demolition, not during it.
Cost drivers to keep in mind: cabinet grade (stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom is the widest swing on the whole project), structural work (+$8K–$20K per load-bearing wall), relocating plumbing or gas lines, and Chicago permit fees. Planning a bigger project? See our Chicago home renovation guide or the home addition cost breakdown.
The room that sells the house — and feeds the family
No room influences buyers like the kitchen, and no room works harder day to day. A well-built kitchen remodel typically returns 50–70% of its cost in added home value in the Chicago market — and an open, functional kitchen is consistently the feature that makes a listing move.
But the better math is daily: the kitchen is where breakfast happens, homework happens, guests end up. A remodel you'll use three times a day for fifteen years is a different kind of investment than one you admire from the doorway.
Three clear steps from first call to first meal
No mystery, no runaround. You always know what's done and what's next. Most kitchen remodels take 3–5 months from first consultation to final walkthrough.
Plan the project
Free consultation and on-site assessment. We talk through how you cook and live, check the structural realities of your layout ideas, and deliver a clear, itemized estimate. No obligation, no pressure.
Permits & selections
We handle all Chicago permit applications, drawings and structural engineering, while you finalize cabinets, counters and appliances with our guidance — so everything is ordered and approved before demo day.
Build & move back in
Our crew takes it from demolition through beams, rough-in, cabinets, counters and finishes — keeping you updated the whole way. We finish with a walkthrough, a 30-day check-in and your 5-year warranty.
A kitchen contractor who's actually a builder
Plenty of crews can set cabinets. The difference shows up when a wall needs to come out, a beam needs to go in, or the floor isn't level once the old kitchen is gone. We've been building in Chicago since 1999.
In-house framing crew
Wall removals, beams and structural changes are done by our own framers — not subbed out. That's why we can open up a kitchen other contractors won't touch.
Licensed & insured
A licensed and insured Chicago general contractor, so your remodel meets code, passes inspection and protects your investment from day one.
Permits handled
Drawings, applications, engineering and inspections — we manage the whole Chicago permit process so your remodel is legal, documented and never a problem at resale.
One accountable team
Demolition, structure, plumbing, electrical, cabinets and tile coordinated by one contractor on one schedule — no gaps between trades, no finger-pointing.
Transparent pricing
An itemized estimate before we start and honest talk about where money is well spent — and where it isn't. No allowance games, no surprise change orders.
A livable jobsite
Sealed dust barriers, a working temporary kitchen, daily cleanup and short, announced utility shutoffs. You're living there — we build like we remember that.
The kitchen projects we're built for
We'd rather tell you straight than waste your week collecting the wrong bid. Bofran is a general contractor set up for full-scope construction — here's what that means for your kitchen.
Bring us in when…
- The kitchen is coming out down to the studs
- A wall needs to move — especially a load-bearing one
- You're converting a closed kitchen to open concept
- The kitchen needs more square footage — a bump-out or extension
- The kitchen is part of a bigger renovation or addition
- Plumbing, gas or electrical needs to be relocated and permitted
We're not the right crew for…
- Cabinet refacing or painting existing cabinets
- A countertop swap with everything else staying put
- Installing a single appliance or fixture
- Quick cosmetic refreshes on a flip timeline
- Handyman-scale repairs and touch-ups
Not sure which side your project lands on? Send us the basics or call (773) 969-9097 — we'll tell you honestly, and point you in the right direction either way.
Kitchen remodeling across Chicago & the North Shore
Bofran Builders remodels kitchens across Chicago and the nearby suburbs. We know what's behind the plaster in a 1920s bungalow, what Evanston and Wilmette expect in a permit package, and how to open up a Winnetka colonial without losing its character.
Don't see your neighborhood? Get in touch — we likely serve your area too.
Chicago Neighborhoods
- Lincoln Park
- Lakeview
- Wicker Park
- West Loop
- Bucktown
- Logan Square
- And more
Nearby Suburbs
- Evanston
- Glenview
- Wilmette
- Winnetka
- Northbrook
- Oak Park
- And more
Built to last — and backed in writing
- 5-year warranty on every kitchen remodel, in writing
- 30-day post-project check-in to make sure everything is perfect
- Priority support if you ever need a repair
- Ongoing maintenance advice to protect your investment
What clients say about working with us
"Our architect recommended Bofran Builders and we couldn't be happier. Frank and his team worked with us throughout building our new home, making excellent suggestions. Built on schedule despite permit obstacles — and more affordable than other contractors. The craftsmanship is phenomenal."
"The deck and staircase construction on a residential building was completed fast, under budget and with high quality. Even the city inspector was impressed with the workmanship."
"They did a great job replacing both support beams on our rooftop pergola — a tricky job with heavy materials in a tight space. I appreciated the attention to detail matching the existing accents and the timeliness to finish."
Kitchen remodeling FAQs
Most full-scope Chicago kitchen remodels run $60,000 to $120,000. Changing the layout or removing walls typically lands between $75,000 and $150,000, and a kitchen expansion that adds square footage usually starts around $150,000. Cabinets, countertops and labor are the biggest cost drivers. Try our kitchen cost calculator for a range tailored to your project.
Plan on 8–12 weeks of construction for a full kitchen remodel, 10–14 weeks when walls are moving, and 12–16 weeks for a kitchen expansion. Before demolition there is a design and permitting phase of roughly 4–8 weeks for selections, drawings, permits and cabinet lead times. We lock the schedule before we open a single wall.
Yes — most families do. Before demo we help you set up a temporary kitchen (fridge, microwave, coffee station) in another room, seal the work zone behind dust barriers, and schedule water and power shutoffs in short, announced windows so the rest of the house keeps working.
A purely cosmetic update usually does not need one, but the moment plumbing moves, circuits are added or any wall comes out, Chicago requires permits and inspections. That describes almost every project we take on — so we handle the drawings, permit applications and inspections as part of the job. Read more about why permits matter.
In most Chicago homes, yes — including load-bearing walls. Our own framing crew opens the wall, installs an engineered beam (flush or dropped, LVL or steel) sized by a structural engineer, and restores floors and finishes so the two rooms read as one space. It is the single most requested change we build in kitchen remodels.
A well-built kitchen remodel typically returns 50–70% of its cost in added home value — and the kitchen is the room buyers judge first. Just as important, it is the room you use every single day. A kitchen that finally works for how your family cooks and gathers pays you back every morning, not just at resale.
Honestly, no — we are built for full-scope remodels: gut renovations, layout changes, structural work and expansions. If you only need cabinet refacing, a countertop swap or a single appliance hooked up, a smaller specialty crew will serve you better and cheaper. Not sure which side your project falls on? Call us and we will tell you straight.
It's easy. Call us at (773) 969-9097, fill out our online form, or email bofranbuilders@gmail.com. We'll schedule a consultation to discuss your project and provide a detailed, no-obligation estimate.
Ready for the kitchen your house deserves?
Tell us about your kitchen and we'll reach out within one business day with next steps and a clear, itemized estimate — from a Chicago contractor building since 1999.
Call us directly
Request your free estimate
We'll get back to you within one business day.