A 1973 Arlington Heights single-family home, with an opened-up, modernized kitchen in six weeks.
A full kitchen remodel in Arlington Heights: soffits removed throughout the kitchen perimeter, engineered hardwood through the kitchen and breakfast nook, existing living room carpet removed and hardwood floors refinished with a new stain throughout, 12x24 porcelain tile replacing the original tile from the front entry through the hallway, twelve recessed lights with dimmers, MSI quartz countertops, and a full design-build delivery in six weeks. $56,000 all-in.
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What this Arlington Heights kitchen remodel involved
This 1973 single-family home at 515 W Cedar St in Arlington Heights received a full kitchen remodel plus a first-floor flooring reset, completed in six weeks for $56,000 all-in. The scope included soffit removal across the kitchen perimeter, MSI Tier 1 quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, twelve recessed lights on dimmers, new engineered hardwood in the kitchen and breakfast nook, refinished and re-stained original living room hardwood, and 12x24 porcelain tile from the front entry through the hallway. Full kitchen remodels in Arlington Heights and the Northwest suburbs typically run $45,000 to $90,000 or more depending on cabinetry, structural changes, flooring, and electrical and plumbing scope.
Project Details
- Project Type
- Full Kitchen Remodel + First-Floor Flooring
- Address
- 515 W Cedar St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
- Neighborhood
- Arlington Heights, NW Suburbs
- Home Built
- 1973 Single-Family
- Kitchen Size
- ~175 SF · Full First-Floor Flooring Reset
- Duration
- 6 Weeks Start to Finish
- Total Cost
- $56,000 All-In
- Permits
- Electrical · Plumbing
Scope Delivered
- Kitchen
- Full Gut · Custom Cabinetry Install
- Soffits
- Removed Across Kitchen Perimeter
- Countertops
- MSI Tier 1 Quartz · ~40 SF
- Kitchen Floors
- Engineered Hardwood · Nook + Kitchen
- Living Room
- Carpet Removed · Hardwood Refinished + Stained
- Entry & Hall
- 12x24 Porcelain Tile (Replaced Original)
- Lighting
- 12 Recessed Cans + Dimmers
- Plumbing
- Sink & Dishwasher Relocation
- Electrical
- Licensed · Code-Compliant
- Paint
- Kitchen · Ceiling · Trim · Doors
- Warranty
- 1-Year Workmanship
The Project
515 W Cedar St is a single-family home in Arlington Heights, built in 1973, one of thousands of homes in the Northwest suburbs whose original kitchens were designed around the conventions of their era: dropped soffits hiding ductwork, narrow sightlines, dated cabinet layouts, and finishes that had aged out of usefulness. The kind of kitchen that doesn't need a "renovation" so much as a complete reset.
The homeowner had a clear vision: open up the kitchen, modernize every finish, and unify the entire first floor under one consistent visual language. That meant not just renovating the kitchen, but resetting every floor surface in the house at the same time. The original 1970s tile at the front entry and hallway got replaced with large-format 12x24 porcelain tile. The kitchen and breakfast nook got new engineered hardwood. And in the living room, we pulled up the existing wall-to-wall carpet to reveal the original hardwood underneath, then sanded, refinished, and re-stained it to match the rest of the home. Lighting got a complete redesign: twelve new recessed cans with dimmers across the kitchen and living room, plus a new dining room fixture.
Scope was comprehensive: complete kitchen gut, soffit removal across the entire kitchen perimeter, drywall and ceiling repair, twelve recessed lights with dimmers (six kitchen, six living room), new dining room fixture, full electrical relocation by a licensed electrician, plumbing rough-in for new sink and dishwasher positions, MSI Tier 1 quartz countertops with undermount stainless sink, professional cabinet installation, new engineered hardwood in the kitchen and breakfast nook, living room carpet removed and original hardwood refinished and re-stained throughout, 12x24 porcelain tile from front entry through hallway (replacing the original tile), new baseboard throughout (~100 LF), and full paint of kitchen walls, ceiling, trim, and doors. All electrical and plumbing brought up to current code, all permitted work inspected and passed.
The project came in at $56,000 all-in, delivered in six weeks from start to finish, fast for an Arlington Heights kitchen remodel of this scope, which typically runs 10 to 14 weeks in the NW suburbs market when you account for soffit removal, full electrical and plumbing relocation, refinished hardwood, and new tile installation.
Four moves that defined the renovation.
Soffits Removed Across the Entire Kitchen Perimeter
The single biggest visual transformation. The original 1973 kitchen had dropped soffits hiding ductwork and conduit around the entire perimeter: claustrophobic, dated, and the reason the room felt smaller than it was. We removed every linear foot, relocated the electrical conduit, and patched the ceiling to flush. The room reads dramatically taller and more open.
Three Floor Surfaces, One Unified First Floor
New engineered hardwood in the kitchen and breakfast nook. Original living room hardwood revealed beneath wall-to-wall carpet, then sanded, refinished and re-stained to match. 12x24 porcelain tile replacing the original 1970s tile from the front entry through the hallway. The result: every floor in the home redone in one project, in one visual language.
12 Recessed Cans + Dimmers · Full Lighting Redesign
Six recessed cans in the kitchen, six in the living room, plus a new dining room fixture, all on dimmers, all installed by a licensed electrician on permitted work. The space went from the dated builder-grade lighting of a 1973 kitchen to a properly designed multi-zone lighting plan in one project.
6 Weeks, Faster Than Market Norm
A kitchen remodel of this scope in Arlington Heights (soffit removal, full electrical and plumbing relocation, MSI quartz, refinished hardwood, new tile) typically runs 10 to 14 weeks in the NW suburbs market. We delivered in six weeks through pre-approved scope, parallel trade scheduling, and a dedicated project manager on site daily.
What 515 W Cedar looked like before we started.
The condition we inherited at 515 W Cedar St: original 1973 kitchen with dropped soffits, dated cabinetry, wall-to-wall carpet hiding the original hardwood in the living room, original 1970s tile at the entry and hallway, and finishes that had served the home for decades. Documentation captured before demolition began.
What 515 W Cedar looks like now.
The completed Arlington Heights remodel at 515 W Cedar St: a fully renovated kitchen, refinished and re-stained hardwood floors throughout the living and dining rooms, a new modern globe chandelier in the dining room, six new can lights in the living room, new baseboards throughout, fresh paint, and large-format 12x24 porcelain tile from the front entry through the hallway. Delivered in six weeks.
The Kitchen
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The Living, Dining & Hallway
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Planning a kitchen or whole-floor remodel in Arlington Heights or the NW suburbs? Schedule a consultation or call (312) 544-9150
What an Arlington Heights kitchen remodel of this scope actually costs.
Most Arlington Heights homeowners researching a kitchen remodel get pricing that is either too vague to compare or quoted on partial scope. Here is the full all-in number for 515 W Cedar: every line item, fully delivered.
For context, full kitchen remodels in Arlington Heights and the NW suburbs typically run $45,000 to $90,000+ depending on cabinetry source, scope of structural changes, flooring extension, and electrical/plumbing complexity. This project included soffit removal, twelve recessed lights with dimmers, full electrical and plumbing relocation, MSI Tier 1 quartz, new engineered hardwood in the kitchen, refinished and re-stained living room hardwood, and 12x24 porcelain tile from the entry through the hallway, well above a standard "cabinet-and-countertop swap" budget.
Everything delivered in 6 weeks.
Consolidated from the signed contract: every line item completed, every permit pulled, every trade brought up to current code. One-year workmanship warranty on all labor and installation.
Demolition, Soffits & Drywall
- Complete removal of existing kitchen cabinets, countertops, backsplash
- Soffit removal across entire kitchen perimeter
- Removal of existing tile flooring at kitchen and entry/hallway
- Removal of existing wall-to-wall carpet in living room
- Removal of existing baseboard in work areas
- Appliance disconnection and protection
- Drywall installation where soffit removed
- Ceiling patching, repair, and flush finish
- Tape, mud, skim coat, sanding, texture matching
- Prime all new drywall surfaces
- Daily jobsite cleanup and debris removal
Electrical, Lighting & Plumbing
- Electrical conduit relocation from soffit area
- Outlets relocated for new sink and dishwasher positions
- New outlets and switches installed as required
- Six (6) recessed can lights in kitchen with dimmers
- Six (6) recessed can lights in living room with dimmers
- Dining room light fixture installation
- All electrical by licensed electrician, brought up to code
- Plumbing rough-in for relocated sink and dishwasher
- New undermount stainless sink and faucet installed
- New 3/4 HP garbage disposal installed
- All plumbing leak-tested and inspected
Cabinets, Counters, Floors & Paint
- Professional cabinet installation per approved layout
- Panels, fillers, hardware, leveling, alignment included
- HVAC integration with decorative cover panel
- MSI Tier 1 quartz countertops (~40 SF), fab & install
- Undermount sink cutout included
- Backsplash tile installation, grouting, and sealing
- New engineered hardwood, kitchen and breakfast nook
- Living room original hardwood sanded, refinished, re-stained
- 12x24 porcelain tile from front entry through hallway
- Subfloor prep and leveling under all new flooring
- Baseboard installation throughout (~100 LF)
- Full paint, kitchen walls, ceiling, trim, doors (2 coats)
- Caulk all baseboard, final touch-ups
Why Arlington Heights homeowners choose Assembly Squad
Questions about Arlington Heights kitchen remodeling
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Arlington Heights?
Full kitchen remodels in Arlington Heights and the NW suburbs typically run $45,000 to $90,000+ depending on cabinetry source, scope of structural changes (soffit removal, wall removal), flooring extension, and electrical and plumbing complexity. The 515 W Cedar St project shown here came in at $56,000 all-in for a 1973 single-family home: full kitchen gut, soffit removal across the perimeter, twelve recessed lights with dimmers, MSI Tier 1 quartz, new engineered hardwood in the kitchen, refinished living room hardwood, 12x24 porcelain tile at the entry, and full paint. Smaller "cabinet-and-countertop refresh" projects start lower; remodels involving wall removal, custom cabinetry, or large square footage trend higher.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Arlington Heights?
Most full kitchen remodels in Arlington Heights run 10 to 14 weeks when soffit removal, electrical and plumbing relocation, refinished hardwood, and continuous flooring are part of the scope. The 515 W Cedar St project was delivered in six weeks through pre-approved scope, parallel trade scheduling (demo, electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, counters, floors, and paint sequenced tightly), and a dedicated Assembly Squad project manager on site daily. Cabinet-and-countertop-only refreshes can finish in 3 to 5 weeks; remodels with wall removal or structural work can extend to 16+ weeks.
Why remove the soffits in a 1970s Arlington Heights kitchen?
Soffit removal is the single biggest visual transformation in a 1970s kitchen. Most Arlington Heights homes built between 1965 and 1985 were designed with dropped soffits running around the entire kitchen perimeter, used to hide ductwork, electrical conduit, and plumbing vents. Removing them opens up the ceiling, makes the room read dramatically taller, and changes the entire feel of the space. The work involves drywall removal, conduit relocation by a licensed electrician, ceiling patching, taping, mudding, sanding, priming, and paint, but the visual payoff is enormous. At 515 W Cedar we removed soffit across the entire kitchen perimeter.
Should I refinish my existing hardwood or replace it during a kitchen remodel?
It depends on what is underneath. Many 1970s Arlington Heights homes were built with solid hardwood floors that were later carpeted over, like 515 W Cedar's living room. In those cases, pulling the carpet, sanding, refinishing, and re-staining the original hardwood almost always delivers a better result than installing new flooring on top, both visually (matched grain pattern, period-appropriate aesthetic) and financially. We only recommend replacement when the original floors are damaged beyond salvageable condition. If you do not know what is under your carpet, we can check during the initial site visit.
Why use 12x24 porcelain tile in entry and hallway spaces?
Large-format 12x24 porcelain tile has become the standard for entry and hallway installations in Arlington Heights kitchen remodels for three reasons: fewer grout lines (cleaner visual, easier to maintain), better wear resistance than the smaller 4x4 and 6x6 tile used in 1970s construction, and a modern proportion that makes narrow hallways read wider. At 515 W Cedar we removed the original 1970s tile and replaced it with 12x24 porcelain from the front entry through the full hallway, tying visually into the new hardwood at the kitchen threshold.
Do you work in Arlington Heights and the NW suburbs?
Yes. Assembly Squad regularly works across Arlington Heights and the broader Northwest suburbs, including Palatine, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling, Inverness, Barrington, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg. We are a fully licensed Illinois general contractor (#TGC098779) with a Chicago HQ and Lincoln Park design studio, and we serve NW suburban homeowners with the same design-build process we use for Chicago projects.
Do I need permits for a kitchen remodel in Arlington Heights?
Yes. Any kitchen remodel involving electrical or plumbing changes requires permits from the Village of Arlington Heights Department of Building & Life Safety. The 515 W Cedar project included permits for electrical (new circuits, outlets, recessed lighting, fixture installation) and plumbing (sink and dishwasher relocation), with both trades performed by licensed Illinois contractors and brought up to current code. Permits and inspections are coordinated by Assembly Squad as part of the design-build package, and homeowners do not need to handle this themselves.
What is the typical age and style of Arlington Heights homes you remodel?
Arlington Heights has a mix of pre-war bungalows, mid-century ranches, 1960s to 1980s split-levels and tri-levels, and newer construction. The bulk of our remodel work is on homes built between 1955 and 1985, where original kitchens, bathrooms, and floor plans have aged out of usefulness and the structural bones (electrical panels, plumbing stacks, ductwork) are still serviceable. 515 W Cedar, a 1973 single-family, is a textbook example: original kitchen, dropped soffits, dated tile flooring, carpet over original hardwood, and a layout that simply needed a complete reset rather than a teardown.
Planning a kitchen remodel in Arlington Heights?
Private consultation at your home, our Lincoln Park design studio, or via virtual session. Licensed Illinois GC, EPA Lead-Safe certified, fully insured, fixed-price proposals, single all-inclusive contracts.
Book a Consultation 312-544-9150