How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Old Town?

Kitchen remodeling in Old Town typically ranges from $15,000 to $80,000+ depending on scope and finishes. Cosmetic updates start around $15,000 to $22,000, mid-range remodels run $22,000 to $50,000+, and complete transformations with layout changes typically cost $50,000 to $80,000+.

How long does a Old Town renovation take?

A kitchen remodel typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from demo to completion. Bathroom remodels usually require 4 to 6 weeks. Whole home renovations generally need 10 to 16 weeks. Timeline depends on project scope and any required approvals.

Do I need a permit to remodel in Old Town?

Yes, Chicago building permits are required for most kitchen and bathroom remodels that involve plumbing, electrical, or structural changes. We advise you on when a permit is needed and coordinate permit pull-through when the project scope calls for it. Permits typically take 2 to 4 weeks.

What's the best time to start a renovation?

We work year-round in Chicago, though late fall through early spring can sometimes offer more flexible scheduling. The best time to start is when you're ready and have a clear vision for your project.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Old Town?

Bathroom remodels range from $12,000 for powder room updates to $55,000+ for luxury primary bathrooms. Half baths typically cost $12,000 to $20,000, full bathrooms run $20,000 to $32,000+, and primary bathrooms with custom features cost $32,000 to $55,000+.

What should I know about renovating in Old Town?

Old Town properties have unique characteristics that influence renovation planning. We're familiar with historic district preservation, Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, established neighborhood and can guide you through the process specific to this neighborhood.

Will my renovation increase my home's value?

Kitchen and bathroom remodels typically offer strong returns in Old Town's competitive real estate market, often recouping 65% to 85% of the investment. Beyond resale value, the improved functionality provides immediate quality of life benefits.

Old Town Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling | Wood Contracting Chicago

Your Trusted Old Town Renovator

Created:

January 17, 2026

Last Updated:

June 24, 2026

Old Town homeowners come to Wood Contracting for kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home remodeling led by a contractor with more than 30 years of hands-on experience. We remodel kitchens, bathrooms, and whole homes across the frame cottages and Victorian row houses of the Old Town Triangle landmark district, the vintage walk-ups, and the Wells Street condos. Bathrooms typically take 4 to 6 weeks and kitchens 6 to 10, with cost ranges in the summary below. We hold Illinois GC license TGC105501, are EPA Lead-Safe certified, carry full insurance, and coordinate city permits, landmark review where it applies, and any association approvals your building requires.

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Old Town Remodeling At a Glance

Here is what most Old Town homeowners want to know up front:

Kitchen remodels: $15,000 to $80,000+, depending on finishes and how much the layout or original infrastructure changes.
Bathroom remodels: $12,000 to $55,000+, from a powder room update to a full primary bathroom.
Timelines: expect 4 to 6 weeks for a bathroom, 6 to 10 for a kitchen, and 10 to 16 for a whole home.
Approvals: homes in the Old Town Triangle landmark district can add a review of exterior changes; a condo or walk-up may add an association sign-off; most interior work still needs a city permit. We coordinate whichever applies.
Older-home realities: these are some of the oldest homes in the city, so balloon framing, knob-and-tube wiring, and out-of-square floors are common. We account for them before the first wall comes down.
Credentials: Illinois GC license TGC105501, EPA Lead-Safe certified, fully insured.
Starting out: a free consultation with Dillon, usually arranged within the same week.

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Why Old Town Homeowners Trust Wood Contracting

Old Town pairs some of the oldest surviving homes in Chicago, frame cottages and Victorian row houses, many inside the Old Town Triangle landmark district, with vintage walk-ups and newer Wells Street condos. The contractor you choose has to respect that history and modernize at the same time, and on a landmarked block that means knowing what review the work will trigger before you start. Respecting the history while modernizing the home is our specialty, and about 90% of our work comes from referrals and repeat clients who have seen us do it.

Every consultation begins with Dillon Wood in person rather than a salesperson, so the person responsible for the result is there from the outset.

We have earned that the slow way, one old house at a time. We have remodeled Old Town's frame cottages, Victorian row houses, vintage walk-ups, and Wells Street condos, including kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and full historic-home renovations. We know what hides behind the plaster in a 150-year-old cottage and how to modernize it without erasing the character that makes Old Town what it is.

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Kitchen Remodeling in Old Town

Old Town holds some of the oldest homes in the city, built with tiny rear kitchens and additions stacked on over a century, so the work usually opens the space without losing a load-bearing wall or a stack that cannot move. The structure decides the plan before any finish does.

Our kitchen remodeling then installs cabinetry, quartz or natural stone counters, tile or stone backsplash, and appliances, either matching period detail or going fully modern inside the historic shell.

Bathroom Remodeling in Old Town

Open a wall in an Old Town bathroom and the age shows: balloon framing, cast-iron drains, galvanized lines, and plaster over a century of movement. We open it and rebuild on a sound base instead of patching over it.

With rooms below, waterproofing comes first, and our bathroom remodeling sets pan and membrane correctly before adding curbless showers, soaking tubs, double vanities, and heated floors.

Whole-Home, Row House, and Condo Renovations

A full historic-home renovation is some of our most rewarding Old Town work: kitchen, every bathroom, flooring, and layout updated while period detail and, on landmarked blocks, the exterior are protected. Most take 10 to 16 weeks.

That whole home renovation depends heavily on custom carpentry and built-ins to match original millwork, and many homes finish a lower level with basement finishing. Walk-ups and newer buildings get full condo renovation.

What Renovating an Old Town Home Actually Looks Like

What a project needs hinges on the property. A home in the Old Town Triangle landmark district can add exterior review on top of the city permit, a condo or walk-up can add an association sign-off, and an interior remodel of an unlandmarked home is mostly a permit matter. We pin that down before demolition and prepare the paperwork.

Work touching plumbing, electrical, or structure requires a Chicago permit. We advise when one applies and coordinate it with any landmark or association review, generally a 2 to 4 week city window.

What To Expect During Your Remodeling Journey

Our remodeling process is all about simplicity, transparency, and setting proper expectations. Remodeling projects can be stressful and we're here to make it as easy as possible.

1. Free Estimate

We'll do a site visit to see your space, take measurements, and walk you through your options with a free, no-commitment estimate.

2. Proposal

You'll get a clear, itemized proposal that breaks down the full scope of work, timeline, and costs to get a straightforward look at exactly what you're getting.

3. Design Selection

Work with our team or your designer to select materials, finishes, and fixtures. We'll handle permits, your HOA, and any building coordination.

4. Build

Our dedicated team completes your project with careful attention to detail. Dillon or your project manager communicates throughout and ensures quality at every stage.

5. Final Review

We review every detail together and address any items immediately. Your project is backed by our 1-year workmanship warranty.

Common Questions About Old Town Remodeling

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Service Areas Beyond Old Town

Old Town is one of our core near-north service areas, and we work the surrounding neighborhoods just as often. We regularly complete projects in Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville, West Loop, South Loop, and Printer's Row. Every one of them has its own architecture and approval quirks, and our approach stays just as detailed across the board.

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Ready to Start Your Old Town Renovation?

It starts with a conversation. We will visit your home, look at the space together, talk through your goals, explain how a remodel unfolds in a home this old, and give you a clear-eyed sense of what is possible and what it costs.

That sit-down is with Dillon himself, not a closer. It is how we learn your project and how you decide whether we are your crew. There is no pressure and no obligation, and the answer is usually clear by the end.

Reach out by phone, email, or the contact form for your free consultation. We typically reply within one business day and can often be at your door the same week.

Old Town Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling