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Home Remodeling in Riverwoods, IL

DESIGN-BUILD REMODELS FOR RIVERWOODS' WOODED CONTEMPORARY HOMES

Riverwoods homes were built to belong to the trees

Most NW suburbs have lots. Riverwoods has woods. The 1960s-70s contemporaries throughout the village were designed with the mature oaks and hickories in mind, often using lots of glass to bring the woods inside. The preservation ethic is strong here, and renovations need to respect it. You can't just clear-cut the back yard for an addition.

Skor Construction remodels Riverwoods homes within the village's character. We finished a basement project in Riverwoods (Project 4 in our portfolio) that involved a full lower-level build-out without disrupting the upstairs or the surrounding landscape. Most projects here run $30,000 to $500,000. We're a design-build firm, 15 years in business.

The Village of Riverwoods tree preservation ordinance is one of the strictest around

Riverwoods protects trees aggressively. Removing any tree over 4 inches caliper (smaller threshold than most surrounding villages) requires Village review. Construction access, staging areas, and equipment routing all factor into the permit process. Standard residential permits run 4 to 6 weeks for interior-only work, longer for projects with exterior components.

We design every Riverwoods project around the existing trees rather than treating them as obstacles to work around. The site walk includes mapping every protected tree on the property and identifying construction routes that minimize impact. The Village inspectors are experienced with these constraints and the permit process moves smoothly when the submittal accounts for the ordinance properly.

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What we build in Riverwoods

Basement build-outs are the most common project because they happen entirely below grade without disturbing the wooded landscape. Our Riverwoods basement (Project 4) involved a full finished lower level with a wet bar, family room, full bathroom, and guest suite. The work also included egress window installation, waterproofing, sound insulation, and built-in storage. Budget was in the $200,000 to $300,000 range.

Kitchen remodels and primary bath updates are the other common projects. Many Riverwoods kitchens were designed with the wooded view as the centerpiece, so the remodels often emphasize floor-to-ceiling windows and natural materials that bring the outdoors in. Basement finishing, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and home additions.

Riverwoods remodeling FAQs

The questions we hear most often from homeowners in Riverwoods and the surrounding Northwest suburbs and North Shore.

How long does a basement build-out in Riverwoods take?expand_more

A full Riverwoods basement build-out runs 12 to 16 weeks of construction. Pre-construction including design and Village permits adds 8 to 12 weeks. Total timeline from contract to walkthrough: 5 to 7 months for a substantial basement project.

What does a Riverwoods remodel cost?expand_more

Basement build-outs $55,000 to $350,000 depending on finish level and whether the project includes wet bars, theater rooms, or guest suites with full baths. Kitchen remodels $70,000 to $200,000. Primary bath remodels $30,000 to $150,000. Whole-home remodels $200,000 to $500,000.

How does the Riverwoods tree ordinance affect my project?expand_more

Riverwoods protects trees as small as 4 inches caliper, stricter than most surrounding villages. Interior-only projects rarely trigger the ordinance, but anything with an exterior component (additions, exterior facade work, even some site grading) requires Village review. We design around protected trees and prep the required documentation.

Can you finish a basement with a guest suite and full bath?expand_more

Yes. Our Riverwoods basement project included exactly that configuration: family room, wet bar, full bathroom, and guest suite. Basement bathrooms require careful plumbing routing (often with pump systems for waste below the main sewer line), egress window installation, and waterproofing. We coordinate all of that as part of the project.

Can you work on a 1970s contemporary with floor-to-ceiling windows?expand_more

Yes. The mid-century and 1970s contemporary homes in Riverwoods often have signature window walls that are part of the original architectural character. We replace and reframe these carefully, often upgrading single-pane glass to high-performance insulated units while keeping the original sightlines and proportions intact.

What warranty do you offer on remodeling work?expand_more

1-Year Coverage covers defects in workmanship and materials for interior finishes (paint, drywall, trim, cabinetry, flooring, tile, caulking, sealants), fixtures, doors, and hardware, plus cosmetic work not covered under a longer term.

2-Year Coverage covers defects in workmanship for plumbing systems (supply and waste lines, fixtures, connections), electrical systems (wiring, outlets, switches, and lighting we install), and HVAC modifications or installations we perform.

5-Year Coverage covers defects in workmanship for roof installation and modifications, window and exterior door installation, and siding and exterior cladding systems.

Manufacturer warranties on appliances, fixtures, and materials pass through directly to you.

updated dining space with hardwood-look flooring, fireplace, and patio access completed by Skor Construction in Arlington Height-optimized
custom kitchen island with seating and floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinetry remodeled by Skor Construction in Mount Prospect, IL.-optimized
finished basement bathroom in Riverwoods, IL by Skor Construction featuring contemporary black cabinetry and gray flooring.-optimized
completed home addition by Skor Construction in Mount Prospect, IL featuring expanded rear living space, new windows, and exteri-optimized
luxury kitchen renovation with custom storage solutions, designer finishes, and bright natural tones by Skor Construction in Mou-optimized

Our Design-Build Process

1 | Plan

It starts with a quick discovery call and an in-person visit, where we walk the space, talk through what you want, and pressure-test ideas against your budget. Within about a week, we send a written investment range so you can decide whether to move forward before anyone designs in a vacuum.

2 | Design/Proposal

We move into paid design with our architect and interior design partners, producing real floor plans, 3D renderings, and guided selections for finishes and materials. We coordinate the trades and handle permitting, then close with a detailed, fixed-price construction proposal covering scope, allowances, and schedule.

3 | Build

With your approval, we start construction, led by a dedicated project manager with weekly check-ins, so you always know what's happening and what's next. You leave with a finished space, a written workmanship warranty, and a real human to call if anything needs attention down the road. 

Skor Construction Cost Guide Graphic

Remodeling Cost Guide

Our comprehensive cost guide contains real numbers for remodels in the Chicagoland area. Inside, you'll find:

— Remodeling costs for whole home remodels, additions, kitchen remodels, exterior facade and structural updates, bathroom remodels, basement finishing, and remodels

— Commercial property remodeling costs

— Tiered pricing with what's included at each tier

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Where We Work

We've been remodeling homes across Chicago's North Shore and Northwest Suburbs since 2009, and we know these neighborhoods well, from the way local permitting works to the styles of homes that define each community. These are the towns we work in most often, but our service area continues to grow.

If you don't see your town listed, reach out to us anyway, and we'll let you know whether we can help with your project. 

Our Service Area

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What Our Clients Think

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I can’t give Anton and his crew enough stars for the amazing remodel they did on my downtown Palatine condo kitchen. They did excellent work and their communication and work ethic were outstanding. Highly recommend

Sandy Domin

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Our primary bathroom renovation was completed professionally and flawlessly from the initial proposal to the spectacular result. We are extremely happy with Skor Construction, and highly recommend Anton and his team.

Susan Yankee

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Anton and his crew helped us so much. He was so patient and explained fully his designed proposal. Everything went so well and looks gorgeous. Thank you for your time, patience and effort.

Monica Guzman

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The Skor builder team was very responsive and professional. They left the site clean and the work was done on time and with no issues. I will use them in the future for other remodeling projects.

Christopher Kim

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I recently completed a basement renovation with Anton and the team at Skor Construction, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. They were professional, thorough, responsive, and consistently on time. The project involved a challenging layout, but they completely reconfigured and updated the space with skill and attention to detail. I’m thrilled with the outcome and will absolutely turn to Skor Construction for any future home renovation projects.

Lisa Vandesteeg

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Skor Construction is fabulous. I was looking for a general contractor for a home addition and renovations. Anton took the time to keep me posted and respected my time and budget. He conducted a home visit, spending hours talking about options, processes, and what to expect. His knowledge and understanding greatly impressed me. I would recommend Anton and his team 10 out of 10 times.

Rob Schultz

Ready to plan your Riverwoods remodel?

START WITH A NO-PRESSURE CONVERSATION

Tell us about your home and what you want to change. We'll set up a discovery call and an in-person walkthrough so you can see how we work before you commit to anything.

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