Whole House Remodeling Chicago — Transform Your Entire Home
Expert Gut Rehab and Whole House Remodeling Services
Comprehensive Whole House Remodeling in Chicago
Skilled Gut Rehab Specialists Delivering Quality and Precision
Whether you’re dreaming of a complete transformation or a detailed gut rehab, our whole house remodeling services in Chicago bring your vision to life. We specialize in seamless renovations that revitalize every corner of your home, enhancing both style and functionality. With a focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail, Pegasus Construction ensures your whole house remodeling project is handled efficiently, on budget, and with minimal disruption.
Does Your Home Have Any of These Problems?
- The floor plan of the home doesn’t fit your needs and hinders rather than helps your lifestyle
- There aren’t enough bedrooms or bathrooms to accommodate the people who live there.
- The home’s design is outdated, which negatively impacts your property value.
- The design and visual aesthetic don’t reflect your style as a homeowner.
- There are multiple areas of the home that you want to change at the same time.
- You don’t have a space to do certain activities or hobbies you enjoy.
Unique Transformations, Tailored for You
New Construction
Custom new home construction in Chicago—built with quality, style, and attention to detail.
Home Additions
Seamlessly expand your living space with custom-designed home additions built to match your lifestyle.
Whole House Remodeling
Transform your entire home with a complete remodel that enhances style, functionality, and value.
Kitchen Remodeling
Revitalize your space with a kitchen remodel that blends modern design, functionality, and style.
Bathroom Remodeling
Transform your bathroom into a luxurious, spa-like retreat with modern design and high-quality finishes.
Basement Remodeling
Maximize your home’s potential with a beautifully designed, functional basement renovation.
Exterior Remodeling
Enhance your home’s curb appeal and durability with high-quality exterior remodeling and upgrades.
Construction Consulting
Optimize your project with expert construction consulting—streamlining planning, design, and execution.
How To Get Started
Our Simple Three-Step Plan
1. Schedule An Initial Call
Schedule a meeting with our team to discuss your home remodel. We’ll review your goals and help you explore the best options for your project.
2. Set Up an In-Home Consultation
A remodeling professional will visit your home to meet with you. During this meeting, you can walk them through your space and discuss your ideas and plans.
3. Start Designing Your Dream Home
After your design team has a clear understanding of your vision and goals, you’ll work together to create the design for your home remodel.
Servicing Chicago and the Surrounding Suburbs
Chicago Neighborhoods
Surrounding Suburbs
Our team of experienced builders has a solid track record when it comes to creating exceptional spaces. We ensure that the construction process is stress free, with transparent communication on both deadlines and cost estimates – guaranteeing you’ll no un welcome surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a gut rehab actually cost in Chicago?
Chicago runs higher than national data suggests. Current realistic figures: standard gut rehab, $100–$150 per square foot; mid-range, $150–$250 per square foot; luxury or premium-neighborhood projects, $250–$400 per square foot. A 1,500 sq ft bungalow gut rehab typically runs $150,000–$300,000. A 2,500 sq ft greystone, $250,000–$600,000. The budget breakdown for a $250,000 project: mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems (30–35%), kitchen and bathrooms (20–25%), framing/drywall/insulation (15–18%), flooring (10–12%), demo and debris (5–7%), permits/design/contingency (10–15%).
What’s the difference between a gut rehab and a whole house remodel?
A gut rehab strips the home to the studs — all wiring, plumbing, and HVAC come out, walls are opened, and everything is rebuilt from scratch. It’s effectively new construction inside an existing shell. A whole house remodel updates all rooms — kitchen, baths, bedrooms, living spaces — while keeping existing walls, plumbing locations, and structure largely in place. Gut rehabs cost 2–3x more but eliminate hidden problems and allow a complete floor plan reconfiguration. The right choice depends on the condition of your existing systems and whether you want to change the layout.
How long does a gut rehab take in Chicago?
Overall: 4–8 months from permit issuance to final walkthrough. Add the permitting phase upfront: standard plan review in Chicago takes 4–12 weeks for a standard project; landmark district properties or those with historic designation add 6–8 more weeks. A full gut on a standard Chicago bungalow typically takes 4–6 months of active construction. Historic properties and greystones run 6–8 months. Winter work adds 2–4 weeks to exterior-dependent phases. Plan to be out of the house for the entire duration.
Will I find knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, or lead paint in my Chicago home?
Almost certainly yes in any pre-1978 Chicago home, and virtually all pre-1940 homes. Knob-and-tube wiring is present in nearly every Chicago home built before 1940 — it cannot be covered with insulation, cannot be extended under code, and most insurers won’t cover it. Full rewire: $8,000–$15,000. Galvanized plumbing (corroding from inside out) replacement: $12,000–$20,000. Asbestos abatement: $10,000–$25,000. Lead paint remediation: $5,000–$12,000. These are not optional upgrades once walls open — they are code requirements. Budget for all of them before finalizing your number.
How does Chicago’s permit process work for a gut rehab?
Chicago maintains its own building code — one of the few major U.S. cities that does, stemming from post-Great Fire regulations. It is stricter in several areas than the International Building Code most jurisdictions use. A gut rehab typically requires separate permits for general construction, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Standard plan review takes 4–12 weeks; permit drawings must be stamped by a licensed architect or structural engineer and filed by an architect or permit expediter (homeowners cannot self-file complex projects). Permit fees for a comprehensive whole-home project run $3,500–$8,000 all-in.
What ROI can I expect from a gut rehab in Chicago?
It varies significantly by neighborhood. Premium areas — Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Bucktown — return 85–90% of cost at resale. Emerging markets — Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport — return 75–85%. The key risk is over-improving relative to the neighborhood’s capped value — a $400,000 rehab in a block of $350,000 homes won’t pencil out. We’ll help you think through finish level and scope relative to your neighborhood before you commit to a number.
Can I live in the house during a gut rehab?
Not during a true gut rehab. Utilities are disconnected, walls are open, and hazardous material remediation — asbestos, lead paint — makes the structure legally uninhabitable during those phases. Budget for alternative housing for 4–8 months. For a partial or phased remodel (not a full gut), living in place is sometimes possible room by room, but it’s disruptive and typically slows the project. We’ll be straight with you about which phases require you to be out and for how long.
How do I vet a gut rehab contractor in Chicago?
Check their active City of Chicago contractor license at the DOB online database — Illinois has no state GC license and Chicago issues its own. Verify they are EPA Lead-Safe Certified (required for pre-1978 homes). Request certificates of general liability and workers’ comp insurance and call the insurer to confirm coverage is current. Ask for at least three references from Chicago projects in similar housing types — bungalow experience doesn’t automatically transfer to greystone or courtyard building work. Confirm they pull permits in their own name. And require milestone-based payments with lien waivers at every draw — subcontractors can lien your property even after you’ve paid the GC in full.
