Start Your Home Project in Wilmette

Wilmette offers a diverse architectural tapestry that speaks to its long history as a desirable North Shore community, and GS Construction is intimately familiar with the nuances of remodeling homes across its distinct eras. East Wilmette, particularly the charming CAGE neighborhood—named for Chestnut, Ashland, Greenwood, and Elmwood avenues—is a treasure trove of pre-war architecture. Here, you’ll find an abundance of colonials, Tudors, Victorians, and foursquares, many constructed between the 1890s and 1930s. These homes, often characterized by their sturdy original construction, tend to feature more compartmentalized floor plans, smaller kitchens, and original mechanical systems that, while robust for their time, often require updating. Their proximity to landmarks like Gillson Park and the distinctive 1928 Spanish Court arcades of Plaza del Lago adds to their enduring appeal. Our kitchen remodels frequently focus on opening up these traditional layouts, creating more expansive, light-filled spaces that honor the home’s character while embracing modern living. Bathroom and basement remodels in these older homes commonly involve addressing aged infrastructure, such as retiring galvanized supply lines and replacing tired drain tile, to ensure long-term functionality and prevent common issues like basement dampness.

As you move farther west in Wilmette, the housing stock transitions towards mid-century designs, particularly around areas like Edens Plaza. These homes, often built from the 1950s onward, present a different set of remodeling opportunities and challenges. While they might offer slightly more open floor plans than their pre-war counterparts, they too benefit from updated kitchens, refreshed bathrooms, and basement finishing that transforms underutilized spaces into vibrant living areas. Throughout Wilmette, lot constraints can influence the scope of additions and whole-home projects, requiring thoughtful design and precise execution to maximize space without overwhelming the property. We work diligently to scale our projects appropriately, whether it's a multi-story addition or a subtle expansion, ensuring it complements the existing architecture and neighborhood aesthetic.

Wilmette's commitment to preserving its character also means navigating specific local considerations. While there isn't a blanket historic district covering the entire village, certain projects, particularly additions or significant exterior changes in established areas, may be subject to appearance review by the Village, ensuring design harmony. Furthermore, some areas of Wilmette are known to be flood-prone, making robust basement waterproofing and proper drainage solutions a critical component of many remodeling projects. It’s also important to note the Village's ongoing lead service line replacement policy: while the village-wide program aims to replace roughly 2,200 remaining lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner, a replacement triggered by an addition or service upgrade becomes the owner's expense. GS Construction carefully times this aspect of a project to minimize unexpected costs for our clients. The community's excellent public schools, with most of the village feeding into District 39 and then the highly regarded New Trier High School, also contribute to the desirability of remodeling and improving homes here. Commuting is well-served by both the Metra UP-N line from the Wilmette Metra station and the Purple Line's Linden terminal, making home improvements a sound investment for families valuing both quality of life and convenient access to Chicago. From restoring the grandeur of a Victorian near the Wilmette Historical Museum to modernizing a mid-century ranch, GS Construction possesses the expertise and local insight to transform Wilmette homes for the next generation.