Lake Forest basement buildout by Delta: exposed black-painted ceiling joists, refinished oak staircase with iron spindle railing, light gray walls, wood-look plank flooring

Basement Remodeling in Highwood, IL

Design-build basement remodel planned for Bungalow homes in 1920s-1980s

Schedule consultation Call (847) 847-4148

Local lens

Basement Remodeling planned for Highwood homes

Delta - Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling is a Lake County design-build basement remodeling firm working in Highwood, Illinois, on Bungalow homes from the 1920s-1980s era. Moisture management, mechanical routing, and use planning are scoped before any finishes.

Basements in Highwood are rarely a blank slate. Moisture, mechanicals, ceiling height, and use planning get solved before any finishes. We scope each project around the actual use plan, not a generic finished-basement package.

By Katarzyna Pindral CEO, Delta - Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling

Tier	Range	What's typical
Basic finish	$45K–$80K	Framing, drywall, basic electrical and lighting, flooring, paint. No new bathroom, no wet bar, no structural work.
Full basement remodel	$80K–$160K	Includes a new bathroom, wet bar or kitchenette, theater or rec room zoning, egress windows, custom storage. Most projects.
Lower-level suite buildout	$160K–$280K+	In-law suite with kitchen, full bath, bedroom, and living area. Structural work, ejector pump plumbing, premium finishes, custom millwork.

Moisture

Sump, perimeter drainage, and vapor barriers are scoped before any framing in a Highwood lower level, and below-grade materials are selected for that moisture reality.

Mechanicals

HVAC, ductwork, and plumbing routing in a Bungalow Highwood home are mapped before framing, since ceiling height is usually the binding constraint.

Use planning

Family room, guest suite, theater, wet bar, or gym: deciding the split is the first design problem, not the last.

Permits

City of Highwood Building and Zoning Department, 17 Highwood Avenue, second floor, Highwood, IL 60040 (847-432-1924). Office hours Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We submit, schedule inspections, and close out the project.

The basement is unused square footage

Most Highwood homes have between 700 and 1,400 square feet of lower-level space currently used as storage. A finished basement adds a real room to the house (family use, office, or guest) without expanding the footprint above grade.

You need a guest room without an addition

A basement bedroom and bathroom solve the guest-room problem in a compact Highwood home without building up or out. Feasibility depends on ceiling height and egress options.

Existing finished basement feels wet or dated

Lower levels finished in a previous decade often have low ceilings, poor lighting, and lingering moisture. A re-remodel reworks the framing, drainage, and lighting plan rather than resurfacing over the same conditions.

You want a separated home office or rec space

Lower levels work well for home offices and rec rooms because they separate work or leisure from the household noise on the main floor. Acoustic, lighting, and HVAC planning make the difference.

Nearby proof Basement Remodeling | Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest Basement: Open Ceiling + Oak

Lower-level buildout in Lake Forest with an industrial-modern open ceiling: exposed joists, ductwork, and steel columns painted matte black for height and finish drama. Refinished oak staircase with iron spindle railing, light gray walls, wood-look plank flooring, and zoned recessed lighting. Moisture management and mechanical routing handled before any finishes.

See this project

Lake Forest basement: open-ceiling living zone with exposed joists and wood-look plank flooring

Lake Forest basement: refinished oak staircase descending into open-ceiling lower level

Lake Forest basement: industrial-style exposed ductwork painted matte black

Lake Forest basement: iron spindle railing detail on oak staircase

Highland Park basement by Delta: refinished oak staircase with traditional turned spindle railing, mahogany handrail, integrated LED step lighting

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Local difference

Why Highwood kitchen and bathroom remodeling is different

Highwood remodeling is often more compact than Lake Forest or Bannockburn work. The best projects do not overbuild the footprint; they improve storage, lighting, circulation, and durability inside rooms that already have a clear size limit.

How long does a basement remodel take in Highwood?

Most Highwood basement projects run ten to twenty weeks depending on scope. Adding a bathroom, kitchenette, or media room with structural work extends the timeline. The schedule is locked at the end of design.

Do you handle waterproofing as part of a Highwood basement remodel?

Yes. In Highwood lower levels, waterproofing, drainage, vapor barriers, and moisture-appropriate material selection are scoped as part of the design. A finished basement that skips moisture work fails eventually, so we treat it as a foundational decision rather than an add-on.

Do you handle permits for basement work in Highwood?

Yes. City of Highwood Building and Zoning Department, 17 Highwood Avenue, second floor, Highwood, IL 60040 (847-432-1924). Office hours Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Egress windows, electrical service upgrades, and bathroom additions require permits and inspections. We manage every submission and inspection.

Can you add a full bathroom to a Highwood basement?

Yes, in most Highwood homes. Plumbing routing depends on the existing waste line elevation and may require an ejector pump. We confirm feasibility during the design phase before the bathroom is locked into the floor plan.

Other remodeling services in Highwood

Kitchen Remodeling in Highwood

Kitchen Remodeling planned for Highwood homes.

Bathroom Remodeling in Highwood

Bathroom Remodeling planned for Highwood homes.

Accessible Bathroom Design in Highwood

Accessible Bathroom Design planned for Highwood homes.

Accessible Kitchen Design in Highwood

Accessible Kitchen Design planned for Highwood homes.

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Start the conversation

Schedule a Highwood basement remodel consultation

Tell us about the room. We will follow up within one business day with the next step. No high-pressure sales call.

Prefer to talk now? (847) 847-4148

From the owner

Katarzyna Pindral

CEO & Founder, Delta - Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling

"I started this firm in 1987. Every project carries the same standard I'd apply to my own home."

3-Year Workmanship Warranty Best of Houzz 2024 Best of Houzz 2023