Remodeling your home in Willowbrook for the first time? Here’s what to look out for.
Published 5/27/25
There comes a time when your home starts to feel a bit boring…. Maybe your kitchen hasn’t changed since your home was built 50 years ago, maybe those popcorn ceilings have gotten old, or maybe you want your home to feel like “home” again. When it comes to getting your home remodeled, it can be pretty overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. There’s budgets to set, projects and designs to pick, and who to trust to turn your vision into reality. So much so that it might stall you from taking the leap of faith. But fear not, because we’re here to give you the roadmap to home remodeling in Willowbrook–from setting your budget to seeing the finished product.
Whether you’re remodeling a small room or modernizing the whole home, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to get your project started.
Looking for Something In Particular?
- When Is The Right Time to Remodel Your Home?
- Budgeting 101: Because Renovation Regret Is Expensive
- Choosing The Right Remodels
- What To Expect During The Remodeling Process
- How To Choose The Right Remodeling Contractor
- Ready To Remodel In Willowbrook?
When Is The Right Time to Remodel Your Home?
To keep things real with you, there’s no “perfect” time to remodel your home. But when you decide to start a home project will come down to seasonal and emotional timing.
Best Season to Remodel
Spring and summer are usually the most popular times that homeowners decide to remodel their homes. The weather is nice and sunny, the kids are out of school, and you can open the windows without freezing your toes off. However, if you find yourself wanting to remodel your home when the leaves start to turn brown, you might be able to start sooner since contractors aren’t as busy.
So there isn’t a “best” season, it all depends on how much you’re willing to wait to get your remodel finished.
Remodeling When “You Feel Like It”
Emotionally speaking, the right time is when your home stops matching your lifestyle. Maybe your family is growing and you’ll need to turn that basement into a bedroom, or you’ll need to turn that unused room into an office for your remote job. We’ve even seen homeowners want to remodel since they got tired of how their kitchen looked.
So when you’re feeling motivated, it’s a sign to scroll through some designs!
Budgeting 101: Because Renovation Regret Is Expensive
Most of us have champagne taste with a sparkling water budget–and that’s totally fine. But in truth, you’ll want to set your expectations early so you won’t have to stress but costs later.
Here’s what you’ll want to consider: 1. Total budget – What is the maximum amount you’re willing to spend? 2. Wiggle room – It’s safe to add an extra 10-20% to your budget for unexpected expenses
With your budget, it’ll narrow down what type of projects you can choose. If you’re choosing a contractor (as opposed to a Do-It-Yourself project), the money will go to the contractors, materials, and permits, designs and inspections (depends on the contractor–some offer free inspections and/or designs).
Pricing Factors
Pricing will vary depending on the scope of your project (example: full kitchen gut vs. replacing countertops), how big your room is, materials used, prior damage (if any), time of year, and the labor costs.
Typical Costs of Home Remodeling Projects In Willowbrook
- Kitchen Remodel: $10k-$47k
- Bathroom Remodel: $6k-13k
- Flooring: $250-$2.5k
- Whole Home Remodel: $105 per square foot
Choosing The Right Remodels
While home remodeling in Willowbrook can be an expensive hobby, you don’t need to transform your house all in one go–you’re free to piece it together with the right projects. Plus, you probably like the dual vanity bathrooms you have and won’t want to change it for the world.
So to pick the best remodels for your home, walk through the house and do a fun scan. What are your biggest cons, or “ew” moments?
- Cramped kitchen? Open up the walls or rework the layout.
- Outdated finishes? New flooring, cabinets, countertops or lights might sneak to the top of your priority list.
- Not enough storage? Built-in and custom closets will give you the space you need.
Find those spots for the biggest potential and visualize what you might want it to look like. Then, write them down and compile a list for what you would want to change first.
What To Expect During The Remodeling Process
Now that you have a list of remodeling projects you’re thinking about taking on, here’s what you should expect when it comes to the remodeling process.
While every contractor does things slightly differently, the typical steps are:
- Consultation & Design – This is a conversation between you and the contractor to figure out your goals, the design and materials you want, costs, and timeline.
- Permits & Planning – Some projects require permits to ensure the builds are legally safe (like room additions), your contractor will handle any permit applications.
- Demolition & Prep – Bring on the boom! This step involves tearing out old or damaged materials and prepping the space for new construction. It can get messy, so be prepared for dust, and get some headphones ready to block out the noise.
- Construction & Installation – This is where the fun begins. Walls go up, new floors come in, shiny countertops replace the old, and your vision slowly starts coming to life. Expect occasional check-ins with your contractor.
- Final Walkthrough – Once the work is done, you’ll get to walk through your new space with your contractor to spot any final touch-ups or fixes to ensure the final product is exactly how you like it.
While all this is going on, remember to communicate clearly and frequently with your contractor–not just to build a relationship, but to build your vision to a T. Have some space to store your belongings and be patient, you can’t rush greatness!
How To Choose The Right Remodeling Contractor
So you got some projects in mind, you know what to expect, now it’s time to find your trusty handymen that will put it all together! The hands you leave your home to is the difference between a property disaster and your dream estate.
What to look for:
- Local experience: Knows Willowbrook codes, climate, and materials
- Transparent Communication: No hidden fees, no disappearing acts, and friendly too.
- Licensed and Insured: Always
- Portfolio of work: You want to see their style, not just hear about it (they’ll have a gallery on their site and social media profiles)
- Good vibes: You’re going to be working together a lot—trust matters
Don’t just take their word for it. Read reviews and give them a call.
Ready To Remodel In Willowbrook?
Now that you know how to get your first remodel started-from inspection to choosing a contractor to dreaming up your vision–all that’s left to do now is make the leap of faith and give those builders a call!
If you want to skip all the research and find a trusted contractor in Willowbrook who will build your dream projects right, and values craftsmanship, let’s talk.