Our guide to Chicago remodeling costs, including kitchen, bath, and whole-home (plus outdoor budgets and permit tips!) UPDATED: Read our most up-to-date Chicago Kitchen Remodeling Costs and Bathroom Remodeling Costs (Photo above) Remodel by Sweeten general contractor Christina. Photo: Chicago Home Photos Figuring out the cost of renovating a house can be nerve-wracking for first-time Chicago renovators. You’ve finally moved on from daydreaming to starting a remodel of your home. Start by gathering some basic details: know what you can actually afford, and plan to add a small reserve on top of ..read more

Ready to start your remodel? Here’s everything you need to know about hiring a general contractor in Chicago Home remodeled by a general contractor with Sweeten in Logan Square, Chicago Major remodeling projects are extremely complex, and require a high degree of planning, coordination, and oversight. That’s where general contractors come in!  At Sweeten, we’re experts at all things general contractors — we pre-screen them for our network, carefully select the best ones for your remodeling project, and work we closely with many of the top general contractors in Chicago every day. So ..read more

Our guide will get you started on achieving a budget, getting a handle on project duration, and finding your general contractor You’re in good company if you’re looking to elevate your kitchen. Remodeling a kitchen in Chicago is one of the most highly requested projects because it can add significant value to your home. However, kitchen spaces involve complex systems that require strict adherence to building codes. The right contractor will guide you through the most challenging parts of the process, but here we break down kitchen remodeling, so you can feel prepared for the journey. Getti ..read more

Our expert advice outlines how to set an achievable budget, how long the project will take, and how to find your general contractor A growing number of Chicago homeowners are improving the way they use their bathrooms as well as their experience. A renovation makes an impact whether refreshing the surface elements or creating an entirely new layout.  During the process, a bathroom’s major systems—electrical and plumbing—can be involved, including flooring and fixtures. As a result, there are specific rules in the Windy City you must follow to ensure you build with safety in mind. We wi ..read more

A two-decade-old condo undergoes a resale-focused renovation in Bucktown, Chicago  “After” photos courtesy of Sweeten homeowner Before: Making old bathrooms new again For this Chicago homeowner, updating her bathrooms were important. Plus, time was of the essence: she was living in the 1,500-square-foot condo in Bucktown (located on the northwest side of the city) and wanted to sell. However, she knew that putting some money into refreshing the place with a renovation would increase the resale value. So, that’s exactly what she did!  “BEFORE” of master bathroom “DURING” of master ..read more

From kitchens and outdoor spaces to flex rooms, Chicago home design trends point to customization, utility, and eye-grabbing accents (Above) Chicago design project by Carly Moeller. Photos by Dustin Halleck Photography. Like homeowners nationally, those in Chicago are looking to remodel their homes to do more and with style. When tackling remodeling projects, they’re going beyond what’s new. They’re considering exactly what they want, prioritizing to meet the budget. The overriding themes: comfort, convenience, cleanliness, and wellness. With the help of interior designers, Carly Moeller of Un ..read more

How to turn that 2-flat or 3-flat into a single-family dwelling If you’re searching for a single-family home in Chicago, availability and price may be a stumbling block, especially in some parts of the city. But there is another option. Take a look at two or three-flats. Consider a deconversion, where a multi-family building is converted into a multistory, single-family home. Here’s a full overview of what you should know about making a multi-family your very own. In Avondale, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Lakeview and Andersonville there is an abundance of multi-family housing stock, with a pr ..read more

Creating an ADU in Chicago is possible with existing structures or building new Thanks to a decision by the City Council, accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are now allowed in five areas of the city of Chicago. The new Chicago ADU pilot program removes the ADU ban in place since 1957. The benefits of Chicago ADUs include creating more affordable housing units while providing income for homeowners. They also offer space for family members at different life stages, also known as multi-generational housing. In this guide, Sweeten reviews how a newly-approved Chicago ADU could be an asset for ho ..read more

A renovation takes advantage of sky-high ceilings in a Chicago warehouse loft Homeowners: Leah + Brian Olson posted their Chicago loft renovation on Sweeten Where: Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois Primary renovation: Renovating the kitchen and bath in a 1900s brick warehouse, upgrading appliances, and installing a luxe-look Sweeten general contractor in Chicago Homeowner’s quote: “It (gives) a sense of accomplishment living in a space that we spent so much time and thought planning out.” Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guid ..read more

Sweeten is an all-in-one renovation platform—our free service matches you with vetted general contractors, supporting the project from payments to punch list. Share the news with your remodeling Chicago friends…Sweeten is officially in the Midwest. Bring us your fixer-uppers, from condos and bungalows to two- and three-flats. Our free service will help you find the right general contractor for the job—and monitor the project until it’s completed.  Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or a long-term homeowner with an outdated layout, you probably have a lot of questions. Our 2019 ..read more