Kitchen Remodeling in Winnetka, IL

J & M Elite Renovations is a licensed, owner-led general contractor that remodels kitchens in Winnetka, IL, with a focus on older homes. A full custom Winnetka kitchen typically runs $150,000 to $275,000, with about 10 to 16 weeks of construction once design and Village permits are in place. We coordinate design, structural engineering, permits and inspections, and Juan runs every job personally.

Remodeling a kitchen in an older Winnetka home

Much of Winnetka was built between about 1900 and 1940: Tudor and Georgian Revival homes, Colonials, and Prairie-influenced houses on tree-lined streets east and west of Green Bay Road. Those homes were designed with the kitchen as a service room. A typical layout has a compact kitchen, a butler's pantry, a back hall or back stair and a small breakfast room. Most Winnetka kitchen projects we plan are about combining those rooms into one well-lit kitchen that connects to the family room without losing the character of the house.

That means working with what's behind the walls: plaster on wood or metal lath, older wiring, steam or hot-water radiators that need to move, cast-iron and galvanized piping, and floor framing that sometimes needs reinforcement before stone counters and a large island go in. We open up and assess these conditions carefully and price them honestly, and we match trim profiles, door styles and built-ins so the new kitchen looks like it belongs in the house.

Remodeling rather than rebuilding is common in Winnetka for good reason. The Village reviews applications to demolish a principal structure through its Historic Preservation Commission, and a home found to be historically or architecturally significant can face a demolition delay of up to 270 days. Interior kitchen work doesn't go through that process, but it does need Village of Winnetka building and trade permits. If your plan expands the house, a bump-out or addition also has to fit the Village's zoning limits on building size, setbacks and lot coverage, so we check those numbers before design goes too far. On narrower east Winnetka streets, we also plan dumpster placement, deliveries and parking with the neighbors in mind.

Our process

1. On-site consultation with Juan to walk the house, review structure and mechanicals, and talk candidly about budget and schedule.
2. Design and engineering with your architect or designer, or ours, plus a licensed structural engineer whenever walls or floors change.
3. Written, fixed-scope proposal with clear allowances and exclusions.
4. Village permits and inspections, handled by us.
5. Protected, clean construction with dust containment and weekly updates.
6. Final walkthrough and punch list.

What does a kitchen remodel cost in Winnetka?

**Typical market ranges for high-end North Shore kitchens in 2026, not a quote:**

• Refined remodel in the existing footprint: about $95,000 to $150,000
• Full custom remodel, pantry and breakfast room combined, new layout: about $150,000 to $275,000
• Structural or expanded kitchen (engineered beam, reframed floor, bump-out or rear addition): about $275,000 to $500,000 and up

Older-home conditions, cabinetry level and appliance packages move these numbers the most.

How long does it take?

Typically 6 to 10 weeks for design and selections, 3 to 6 weeks for Village permit review, and 10 to 16 weeks of construction. Expansions that need zoning review or structural work often take 16 to 24 weeks to build. These are typical ranges, not a guaranteed schedule.

Ready to plan a Winnetka kitchen?

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.