Veteran-Owned • Family-Run Since 1968 • Showroom in Third Lake, IL
Veteran-Owned • Family-Run Since 1968 • Showroom in Third Lake, IL
KITCHEN, BATHROOM, AND HOME REMODELING IN LAKE BLUFF, IL
Century Kitchens & Bath designs and builds custom kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, additions, basements, and whole-home projects for Lake Bluff homeowners across the village's historic core, the Lake Michigan-facing neighborhoods near Sheridan Road, and the 1970s-1990s subdivisions west of the train tracks. American-made cabinetry. Bertch vanities. In-house licensed plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. Free 3D rendering. Itemized menu-style estimates. A written limited lifetime warranty signed by the owner.
Call (847) 395-3418
1968
The year Century opened. Older than every direct Lake Bluff remodeling competitor by at least three decades.
Aaa Village
Lake Bluff carries a Moody's Aaa credit rating, the highest possible municipal bond rating. The work standards in the village match the financial standards.
$25K–$400K
The full Lake Bluff project range. Most kitchens run $65,000 to $150,000. Most primary baths run $50,000 to $125,000. Whole-home and addition projects run $125,000 to $400,000.
Lifetime
Written limited warranty on every product and service we install. Signed by the owner.
"Excellent. Love it. Our designers, Mary and Kelsey, were great to work with. Their design was well thought out and professionally done."
— Mark and Laura B., verified Century clients
NORTH SHORE PRICING, NORTH SHORE STANDARDS
Lake Bluff and Lake Forest share more than a boundary line. Both villages developed during the 1880s railroad-era as North Shore retreats from Chicago. Both built their early commercial districts around the Chicago and North Western Railway. Both today maintain Historic Preservation Commissions, active Architectural Review processes, and median household incomes north of $190,000. Both buyers expect Lake Michigan-village quality work that reflects the home's place in the community.
But Lake Bluff is materially smaller (5,878 residents to Lake Forest's 19,000), and the median home value runs roughly 30 to 40 percent below comparable Lake Forest properties. A four-bedroom traditional in Lake Bluff sells for $700,000 to $1,000,000 where the same home in East Lake Forest crosses well past $1,500,000. The Lake Bluff buyer is paying meaningfully less for the home, which means there is less budget headroom for an over-priced renovation that assumes Lake Forest pricing.
This is where Century fits the Lake Bluff market specifically. We build at Lake Forest quality standards. Our pricing reflects the actual market, not the boutique design-build premium that some North Shore firms apply uniformly across both villages. A Lake Bluff client paying $100,000 for a kitchen remodel should get $100,000 of work, not $80,000 of work with a $20,000 "North Shore tax" baked into the estimate.
Lake Bluff's housing stock divides into three categories.
The historic core
The historic core centered on the Lake Bluff Uptown Commercial Historic District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places, November 2006) includes prewar homes, early-1900s construction including the Lake Bluff Train Station designed by Frost & Granger in 1904, and structures designed by Webster Tomlinson, a member of "The Eighteen" Prairie School architects. Renovation work on properties in or near the historic core requires careful coordination with the Lake Bluff Historic Preservation Commission, the Architectural Board of Review, or both, depending on the project scope and the home's specific designation.
Sheridan Road corridor and east-side neighborhoods
The Sheridan Road corridor and east-side neighborhoods near Lake Michigan include estate-tier homes built primarily between 1900 and 1960, with characteristic North Shore traditional and Colonial Revival architecture. These homes have plaster walls, original hardwood floors, structural framing built to pre-modern code, and sometimes original galvanized supply lines or knob-and-tube wiring remnants in less-renovated areas. Renovation work is more invasive than newer construction because the original conditions are less forgiving.
West-side subdivisions
The west-side subdivisions built primarily between 1970 and the 1990s house the village's "Brady Bunch era" stock. These homes have larger footprints than the historic core, three or four bedrooms (76.86 percent of Lake Bluff homes have three or four bedrooms), and renovation profiles similar to Libertyville's 1980s-1990s subdivision construction but with the buyer expectations and finish standards of the North Shore market. Most kitchen and primary bath renovations we run in Lake Bluff are in this category.
We have been working on Lake Bluff homes alongside our Lake Forest work since 1968. The crew that handles a historic-district kitchen remodel in Lake Forest is the same crew that handles a primary suite addition in Lake Bluff. The standards are the same. The pricing reflects each village's actual market.
LAKE BLUFF KITCHEN REMODELING
Most Lake Bluff kitchens we remodel divide by the home's construction category.
Historic core kitchens in prewar homes near the Uptown Commercial Historic District are typically smaller than current standards, originally built around a dedicated pantry and back hallway, and require careful coordination with the Architectural Board of Review when the project involves exterior changes. Renovation work often involves capturing space from adjacent pantries or back hallways, reconfiguring the layout to support modern entertaining, and updating original plaster walls and electrical to current standards.
Projects in this category typically run $80,000 to $200,000 depending on scope.
East-side estate kitchens in Sheridan Road-area homes are larger than the historic core kitchens but built with mid-century specifications that no longer match current entertaining patterns. The most common project in this category involves removing the wall between the kitchen and family room, expanding the island into a real prep-and-seating piece, updating to premium cabinet lines (Wellborn Forest, custom local builders for upper-tier projects), upgrading countertops to quartzite or marble, and rebuilding the lighting plan.
Projects in this category typically run $90,000 to $200,000.
West-side subdivision kitchens in 1970s-1990s Lake Bluff homes are the most common project type we run in the village. Full cabinet replacement with semi-custom American-made lines (Wellborn Forest, Kith, Woodland), quartz countertops, custom tile backsplash, full lighting redesign, plumbing and electrical updates, and often wall removal between the kitchen and family room.
Projects in this category typically run $65,000 to $120,000.
Most Lake Bluff kitchens we build run $65,000 to $150,000. Estate-scale historic-district or Sheridan Road-corridor projects with premium materials and structural changes can exceed $200,000.
Free consultation
Custom 3D rendering at no charge
Itemized menu-style estimate
In-house licensed plumbers and electricians
Designated project manager
Village permits and ABR coordination where required
Daily site protection and cleanup
Written limited lifetime warranty
LAKE BLUFF BATHROOM REMODELING
Bathroom remodels in Lake Bluff divide by bathroom type and by the home's underlying construction category.
Powder rooms in Lake Bluff homes typically run $22,000 to $45,000. Most projects involve replacing the original vanity with a statement piece (often a furniture-style or custom-built unit), installing decorative tile or grass cloth wallpaper, upgrading lighting, and replacing the toilet. Powder rooms in historic-core homes near the Uptown Commercial Historic District often require period-appropriate fixture and finish selections.
Typical investment: $22,000 to $45,000
Secondary bathrooms (kids' baths, hall baths, guest baths) in Lake Bluff typically run $30,000 to $65,000. For Lake Bluff families with school-age children, we usually retain a tub. For empty-nesters in 1970s-1990s west-side subdivisions where the secondary bath now serves as a guest bath, the tub often comes out in favor of an expanded walk-in shower. East-side estate-home secondary baths sometimes warrant premium fixtures and stone selections that push the upper end of the range.
Typical investment: $30,000 to $65,000
Primary suite bathrooms in Lake Bluff typically run $75,000 to $150,000. The most common Lake Bluff primary bath project we run involves removing the 1985-2005 garden-tub-and-separate-shower formula in 1990s west-side subdivision homes, converting to a curbless walk-in shower with frameless glass and Schluter waterproofing, repositioning the tub (often replaced with a freestanding model), updating the double vanity with Bertch furniture-grade construction or custom local cabinet builders for the higher end, installing heated floors, and replacing tile from floor to ceiling. For historic-core and east-side estate-home primary suites, renovation often involves reconfiguring the original layout to capture additional square footage from adjacent closets or under-used spaces.
Typical investment: $75,000 to $150,000
Most Lake Bluff bathrooms run within the ranges above. Estate-scale historic or east-side primary suites with steam showers, marble or quartzite throughout, custom storage built-ins, and integrated dressing rooms can exceed $175,000.
Free consultation
Custom 3D rendering at no charge
Schluter waterproofing standard on tile showers
In-house licensed plumbers
Designated project manager
Village permits and inspections
Written limited lifetime warranty
LAKE BLUFF WHOLE-HOME AND ADDITION PROJECTS
Many Lake Bluff projects extend beyond a single room. The premium buyer profile and older average construction year (1973) drive demand for whole-home renovations, primary suite additions, finished basements, and the kind of coordinated multi-room work that turns a 1970s or 1980s home into a 2030s home. The historic core and east-side estate homes generate steady demand for additions that have to balance modern function with the village's architectural review process.
Multi-room renovations covering kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, paint, and systems updates in a single coordinated project. Most Lake Bluff whole-home projects run $150,000 to $400,000 depending on scope and the home's underlying condition. For historic-core homes, whole-home renovations typically include structural work, plaster repair, and original system replacements (galvanized plumbing, knob-and-tube wiring) that newer homes do not require.
Footprint expansions including primary suite additions, family room build-outs, sunroom additions, and second-story additions over single-story homes. Build-out additions in Lake Bluff typically run $120,000 to $275,000. Second-story additions run $200,000 to $450,000. Primary suite additions with full bathroom, walk-in closet, and sitting area typically run $200,000 to $400,000. All additions in Lake Bluff require Architectural Board of Review coordination.
Below-grade build-outs converting unfinished basement to livable space. Most Lake Bluff finished basement projects run $60,000 to $150,000 depending on scope, whether a bathroom or wet bar is included, and the level of finish. Common for both 1970s-1990s subdivision homes and east-side estate properties that use the basement as overflow entertaining space, home theater, or in-law suites.
Mudrooms in Lake Bluff typically run $18,000 to $50,000. Particularly common in 1980s-1990s west-side subdivision homes that have an oversized garage entry but no dedicated mudroom built-in. Laundry rooms run $22,000 to $65,000 depending on relocation requirements and cabinet scope. Combined mudroom-laundry projects sharing a wall typically run $35,000 to $85,000.
Refacing original 1970s and 1980s brick, brass-and-marble, or oak-mantel surrounds with stacked stone, large-format porcelain tile, or shiplap. Most Lake Bluff fireplace remodels run $10,000 to $35,000. Larger projects involving conversion from wood-burning to gas, full-wall stone or marble installation, or built-in cabinetry flanking the fireplace can run $45,000 or more.
For Lake Bluff homes carrying historic landmark designation, the Village provides a full waiver of building permit fees plus a 50% property tax rebate (up to $2,000 annually for eight years). Owner-occupants making substantial investments in landmark properties may also qualify for the Illinois Historic Property Tax Assessment Freeze. We have experience working on landmark properties and coordinate the regulatory submissions.
HPC, ARCHITECTURAL BOARD OF REVIEW, AND BUILDING PERMITS
The Village of Lake Bluff maintains two separate advisory boards that affect residential remodeling: the Historic Preservation Commission and the Architectural Board of Review. Most Lake Bluff projects do not require coordination with either, but enough do that the village's review process needs to be addressed in any serious remodeling conversation.
The HPC advises the Village on preservation matters and reviews proposed work on locally designated landmark properties and properties within the Uptown Commercial Historic District. The Village has commissioned four separate surveys of its historic resources over 25 years. HPC review may apply when the project involves exterior changes to a landmark property or a property within a historic district.
ABR is a separate advisory board that reviews the design of new homes, additions, larger decks, and certain other exterior changes. ABR review applies to a broader set of projects than HPC review and is often the relevant board for additions and exterior modifications even on non-historic properties.
Demolition review is required for any building over 50 years old that is proposed for demolition of 50 percent or more of its exterior walls. This affects renovation projects that involve substantial exterior wall changes even on non-historic properties.
The Village requires contractors working in Lake Bluff to hold or apply for a Lake Bluff Contractor's License, separate from the Illinois General Contractor license. Century holds the required licenses for Lake Bluff work.
A Construction Debris Recycling Plan is required on projects of 2,000 square feet or larger (combined addition plus remodeling area).
Building permit fees in Lake Bluff are waived for work occurring on the same property as a designated landmark, with certain exclusions. Standard residential remodeling permits typically run $300 to $1,500 depending on project scope and value.
We prepare HPC submissions, ABR submissions, demolition review packets, and Construction Debris Recycling Plans on your behalf. We pull every permit your project requires. We meet inspectors at the home so you do not lose a workday. The Village's Community Development Department (847-283-6885) is the agency we coordinate with for all of this. We have been doing it for decades.
LAKE BLUFF PRICING AT A GLANCE
Most clients across all categories invest in the middle of these ranges. Estate-scale historic-district renovations, east-side Sheridan Road corridor projects, and large landmark-property whole-home renovations can exceed the upper bounds.
Every Century estimate is itemized line by line. You see the exact dollar allocation for every line of the project before you sign anything.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN EVERY LAKE BLUFF PROJECT
We stack the items most Lake Bluff contractors charge for separately into your project, then hand you a written limited lifetime warranty on top. Every Century Lake Bluff project includes:
Free in-home or in-showroom consultation
We come to Lake Bluff. The showroom is twenty-five minutes north on Route 45.
Custom 3D rendering at no charge
You walk the finished space before any deposit clears.
Itemized menu-style estimate
Every line, every dollar.
In-house licensed plumbers, electricians, and carpenters
No outside trade subs on critical trades.
One designated project manager from start to finish
The same person from first consultation through final walkthrough.
HPC and ABR coordination
For projects requiring Historic Preservation Commission or Architectural Board of Review review, we prepare and submit the packages on your behalf.
Lake Bluff Contractor's License compliance
We hold the required village licenses for Lake Bluff work.
Demolition review packets when required
For renovation projects involving substantial exterior wall changes on buildings over 50 years old.
Construction Debris Recycling Plans
Required on projects 2,000 sq ft or larger. We prepare and submit.
Structural engineering coordination
For additions and load-bearing wall removal. We coordinate with licensed structural engineers and include the cost in the estimate.
Schluter waterproofing standard on tile showers
Industry-leading membrane and underfloor heating systems, manufacturer-warranty backed.
Daily site protection and end-of-day cleanup
Drop cloths, dust containment, swept floors before the crew leaves.
Written limited lifetime warranty
Covers all products and services purchased through Century, in writing, signed by the owner.
Direct phone line
(847) 395-3418
Lake Bluff has a roster of remodeling firms covering it, mostly as an adjacent market to their primary Lake Forest focus. Century is different. We have been working on Lake Bluff homes alongside our Lake Forest work since 1968, longer than any direct competitor. The crew that handles a historic-district kitchen remodel in Lake Forest is the same crew that handles a primary suite addition in Lake Bluff. The standards are the same. The pricing reflects each village's actual market, not a uniform North Shore premium applied across both.
HOW A LAKE BLUFF PROJECT WORKS
Free consultation at your Lake Bluff home or at our Third Lake showroom, twenty-five minutes north on Route 45. For historic-core and east-side estate properties, we typically meet at the home first to assess the existing conditions.
Your designer builds a 3D rendering of your finished project at no charge. For projects requiring HPC or ABR review, we develop the rendering in coordination with the submission package.
Cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, hardware, and lighting in our Third Lake showroom with real samples in your hand.
Every line itemized. Materials, labor, fixtures, permits, structural engineering if required, HPC or ABR submission costs if applicable, and Construction Debris Recycling Plan preparation if the project size triggers the requirement.
Our in-house licensed crews execute on schedule. We pull permits, meet inspectors, and coordinate any village board review timing into the construction schedule. Written limited lifetime warranty filed at completion.
WHAT CENTURY CLIENTS SAY
The same designers and crew, project after project.
"Excellent. Love it. Our designers, Mary and Kelsey, were great to work with. Their design was well thought out and professionally done. We will definitely refer Century to friends and give references upon request. Very honest, fair, and a collaborative effort."
— Mark and Laura B.
Kitchen renovation, screened porch addition, bathroom and laundry remodel
"One word. Excellent. Andrew and Randi were on top of all the aspects. Demolition, electrician, construction, and finishing. All was done perfectly. We highly recommend Century Kitchens & Bath. The quality of work and attention to details are outstanding."
— Robert and Ingrid D.
Complete kitchen, two bathrooms, three closets, partial bedroom remodel
"Steve, the owner, did a great job of working around issues and finding cost-effective ways to get things done. The crew was always on time and they did what they said they were going to do."
— Patricia P.
Complete kitchen design and remodel
LAKE BLUFF PROJECT QUESTIONS
A kitchen remodel in Lake Bluff costs between $50,000 and $250,000 depending on scope and finish level. Most Lake Bluff kitchens we build run $65,000 to $150,000 for a full renovation. Cosmetic refresh projects run $50,000 to $75,000. Projects with wall removal and structural changes run $120,000 to $200,000. Estate-scale historic-district or east-side estate kitchens with premium materials can exceed $200,000.
A bathroom remodel in Lake Bluff costs between $22,000 and $200,000 depending on bathroom type. Powder rooms typically run $22,000 to $45,000. Secondary bathrooms run $30,000 to $65,000. Primary suite renovations generally run $75,000 to $150,000. Estate-scale Lake Bluff primary suites with steam showers, marble or quartzite, and custom storage can exceed $175,000.
Home additions in Lake Bluff typically run $120,000 to $450,000 depending on type. Build-out additions run $120,000 to $275,000. Second-story additions run $200,000 to $450,000. Primary suite additions including a full bathroom, walk-in closet, and sitting area typically run $200,000 to $400,000. All Lake Bluff additions require Architectural Board of Review coordination.
Most whole-home renovations in Lake Bluff run $150,000 to $400,000 depending on scope and the home's condition. For historic-core homes, whole-home renovations typically include structural work, plaster repair, and original system replacements that newer homes do not require, which pushes pricing toward the upper end. For 1970s-1990s west-side subdivisions, whole-home projects focus on cosmetic and functional updates with selective structural changes, typically landing in the middle of the range.
Yes. Century works on Lake Bluff homes carrying historic landmark designation and on properties within the Uptown Commercial Historic District. For landmark properties, the Village waives building permit fees and provides a 50 percent property tax rebate (up to $2,000 annually for eight years after designation). We coordinate the Historic Preservation Commission submissions when projects involve exterior changes on landmark or historic-district properties.
Yes. Century prepares and submits Architectural Board of Review (ABR) packages for Lake Bluff projects that require review. ABR review applies to new homes, additions, larger decks, and certain other exterior changes. Most interior-only kitchen and bathroom remodels do not require ABR review, but we confirm with the Village before committing to design work.
Yes. The Village of Lake Bluff requires contractors working in the village to hold or apply for a Lake Bluff Contractor's License, separate from the Illinois General Contractor license. Century holds the required licenses for Lake Bluff work.
Yes. Century pulls permits and coordinates inspections with the Village of Lake Bluff Community Development Department (847-283-6885). Permits for Lake Bluff residential remodeling projects typically run $300 to $1,500 depending on scope. Permits are waived for work on landmark-designated properties (with certain exclusions).
Lake Bluff requires demolition review for any building over 50 years old that is proposed for demolition of 50 percent or more of its exterior walls. This affects renovation projects that involve substantial exterior wall changes even on non-historic properties. Century prepares the Demolition Letter of Intent and coordinates the public review process with the Historic Preservation Commission when projects trigger this requirement.
The Village of Lake Bluff requires a Construction Debris Recycling Plan on residential projects of 2,000 square feet or larger (total of addition plus remodeling area). The plan specifies how construction debris will be managed and recycled. Century prepares and submits the plan for projects that trigger this requirement.
Yes. Century employs licensed plumbers, electricians, and carpenters directly. We do not subcontract these critical trades to outside companies.
Century's showroom is at 33978 N. Hwy 45, Unit C, Third Lake, IL 60030, approximately twenty-five minutes north of Lake Bluff via Route 45. In-home consultations are available throughout Lake Bluff.
Century Kitchens & Bath provides a written limited lifetime warranty on all products and services purchased through us, signed by the owner.
Century Kitchens & Bath is owned and operated by Steve Donato. The company was founded in 1968 and is veteran-owned. Direct phone line: (847) 395-3418.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Spend an hour with a Century designer at your Lake Bluff home or at our Third Lake showroom. We will walk through your space, talk through the design direction, the realistic budget calibrated to the Lake Bluff market, and the village's review process if your project requires HPC or ABR coordination. No deposit. No pressure. No obligation.
Showroom: 33978 N. Hwy 45, Unit C, Third Lake, IL 60030
Open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm • In-home consultations available throughout Lake Bluff
