847-626-8803
847-626-8803
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Evanston Home Remodeling & Construction Contractor

Full-home renovations, custom homes, additions, and commercial renovations

Moller Builders takes on Evanston’s larger projects, from gutting and rebuilding a 1910s house to building new on an existing lot. We also remodel kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. One team handles planning, city permits, historic review, construction, and final inspection.

Schedule a Free Consultation or call 847-626-8803
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Remodeling & Construction in Evanston

Many Evanston homes date to the early 1900s. Projects here often go well past new finishes: older framing and plaster walls, outdated electrical and plumbing, foundation conditions, and, on landmark and historic-district properties, preservation review before a permit can be issued.

We evaluate those conditions during planning, not after demolition. That way the scope, schedule, and price reflect the house you actually have. Moller Builders serves Evanston alongside Skokie, Wilmette, and the rest of the North Shore.

MAJOR RENOVATION & CONSTRUCTION

What We Build in Evanston

01

Full-Home Renovations

Home remodeling services

A whole-home renovation takes a different kind of planning than remodeling one room at a time. We manage renovations that reconfigure layouts, open or rebuild spaces, and update kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, electrical, plumbing, and finish carpentry throughout the house, all under one plan.

Structural work is part of the job when a new layout calls for it. That can mean removing or relocating walls, reframing, or correcting existing conditions. When engineering is required, we coordinate it within the same project instead of handing it off to another contractor.

02

Custom Homes & New Construction

Custom home builds

In an established city like Evanston, most custom homes are built on an existing lot, often where another house stands today. We coordinate the full build from pre-construction planning through completion: plans, schedule, trades, materials, inspections, and close-out.

New homes in Evanston must meet the Illinois Stretch Energy Code, which applies to permit applications filed since October 1, 2025. Demolishing a landmark or a house in a local historic district also requires Preservation Commission review. We account for both before construction is scheduled.

03

Home Additions

Home additions

An addition gives you the space you need without leaving a neighborhood you like. Second-story additions, rear expansions, and larger family rooms and kitchens all have to tie into the existing foundation, framing, roof, and mechanical systems. That is where older Evanston houses need the most care.

Additions in Evanston require a current Plat of Survey, may trigger a zoning analysis, and need a temporary construction fence during the work. On historic properties they also go through preservation review. We build all of this into the plan from the first meeting.

04

Commercial Renovations

Commercial construction

We renovate and build out commercial spaces for Evanston business and property owners, including retail, restaurant, and office interiors. Commercial projects involve more reviewers and tighter schedules, often while a business is waiting to open or trying to stay open.

Our team coordinates the construction scope, trades, building systems, permits, and inspections, with a single point of contact from planning to opening day.

Planning a major renovation, new build, or addition in Evanston? Schedule a consultation.

REMODELING

Kitchens, Bathrooms & Basements

Kitchen Remodeling

Complete kitchen renovations: cabinetry, countertops, flooring, lighting, plumbing and electrical, and layout changes, including opening the kitchen to the rest of the house.

In older Evanston homes, removing cabinets often exposes outdated wiring, uneven floors, or framing that needs attention. We plan for that up front. Kitchens can be done on their own or as part of a full-home renovation.

Kitchen remodeling

Bathroom Remodeling

Plumbing, electrical, tile, showers and tubs, vanities, ventilation, and layout changes. We take on single bathrooms or several at once as part of a larger renovation.

Bathroom remodeling

Basement Remodeling

Framing, insulation, electrical and lighting, drywall, flooring, and egress or daylight windows to turn an unfinished lower level into usable living space.

Basement remodeling

Structural Repairs, Decks & Backyards

Structural Repairs

Sagging floors, undersized or damaged joists and beams, removing a load-bearing wall, or rebuilding after water or fire damage. Structural problems are common in older Evanston houses and usually need to be fixed before anything else can move forward.

When a repair needs an engineer, we coordinate the drawings and permit. Then we carry the work through to finished walls and floors, so you don’t have to hire a separate contractor for the rebuild.

Structural repairs

Decks & Backyard Remodels

New decks, deck rebuilds, patios, and backyard living spaces, designed to work with the house and the lot.

Exterior projects in Evanston may require a zoning review along with the building permit. On landmark and historic-district properties, decks and porches also go through preservation review, so we plan for both before the design is final.

RECENT EVANSTON PROJECT

Full Home Remodel in Evanston

This project covered a full basement renovation, including a new bedroom/living area, closet, and staircase access from the main floor.

The layout includes a closet and a paneled interior door, with baseboard and trim installed throughout for a finished, cohesive look. A carpeted staircase with a handrail was added to connect the space directly to the main floor above. Electrical outlets and switches were placed throughout to make the room fully functional for everyday use.

On the lower level, the team took the space from open framing to a finished, move-in-ready room. New wall framing and lighting were roughed in first, followed by insulation along the exterior walls and around new daylight windows ahead of drywall. The finished space has painted walls, carpet, recessed lighting, and a daylight window.

Framing & rough-in
Framing & insulation delivery
Insulation installed
Drywall installed
Finished lower level
Basement stairway

Why Evanston Property Owners Work With Us

Built for complex projects

Whole-home renovations, additions, and new construction involve many trades and building systems at once. We coordinate the full scope so each piece fits the next.

We plan around city review

Evanston processes permit applications in the order received and doesn’t expedite them. Larger projects go through Building and Zoning review and sometimes Engineering, Preservation, or Fire. We submit early and schedule around it.

We know older houses

Plaster walls, original wiring, and settled foundations are common here. We plan additions and structural work around what’s actually behind the walls.

Itemized pricing

A detailed proposal with no vague allowances, so you know what the scope includes before construction starts.

One point of contact

A dedicated project manager coordinates the trades, schedule, and inspections, and keeps you informed throughout.

Respect for your home

You’re often living in the house while we work. Crews protect finished areas, clean up as they go, and leave the house in good shape at the end of each day.

Charlie Moller, founder of Moller Builders, on a job site
MEET YOUR CONTRACTOR

Charlie Moller

Founder & Head of Operations

Founded in 2019, Moller Builders has grown from a small construction firm into a full-service remodeling and construction company serving Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, and the North Shore.

Charlie oversees Moller Builders projects with an emphasis on careful planning, clear communication, and quality construction. That hands-on approach matters most on complex jobs: older homes, structural work, additions, new builds, and historic-district properties.

Call Charlie: 847-626-8803
LOCAL EXPERTISE

Building in Evanston’s Historic Districts

Evanston has individually designated landmarks and several local historic districts, including the Lakeshore, Ridge, and Northeast Evanston districts. The Lakeshore district alone contains hundreds of homes, and a city survey counted more than 200 designated landmarks there.

For these properties, exterior changes that require a permit go to the Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. That covers changes to exterior design, materials, or appearance, as well as additions, new construction, and demolition.

The Commission meets monthly, and a complete application is due about three weeks before the meeting. We build that timing into your schedule and prepare plans with the Commission’s review in mind from the start.

Projects that typically need review

  • Home additions and new construction
  • Demolition, including tear-down for a new home
  • Dormers, decks, and porches
  • Window, door, siding, or roofing material changes
  • Solar panel installations
HOW IT WORKS

Our 3-Step Process

  1. 1

    Consultation & Pre-Construction

    We visit the property to understand your goals, budget, and scope, and evaluate existing conditions. For additions, new homes, and major renovations, we also identify zoning, energy-code, and historic-review requirements.

  2. 2

    Permitting & Project Start

    We coordinate permit applications with the City of Evanston, plus Preservation Commission review when it applies. Your project manager then lines up the schedule, trades, and materials.

  3. 3

    Construction & Close-Out

    We oversee the trades and the rough and final inspections, with regular updates along the way. At the end we do a final walkthrough, complete the punch list, and close out the permits.

Evanston Remodeling & Construction Services

WHERE WE WORK

Evanston Neighborhoods We Serve

Call 847-626-8803
Central Street
Older single-family homes alongside condos. Projects range from kitchen and bath renovations to additions and whole-home transformations.
Lakeshore Historic District
Large early-20th-century homes near the lake, where most exterior work, additions, and new construction go through preservation review.
Northwestern University Area
Single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and conversions, with steady demand for additions, basement finishes, and full renovations.
Ridge & Northeast Evanston
Established blocks with many older homes, designated landmarks, and historic-district properties.
South Evanston
A mix of housing ages and styles, from individual-room remodels to full renovations and rebuilds.

Nearby Areas We Serve

Skokie

Moller Builders is based in Skokie, Evanston’s neighbor to the west, and handles remodeling and construction projects throughout the village.

Chicago

From Rogers Park, just across Evanston’s southern border, to neighborhoods throughout the North Side and beyond.

Wilmette

Directly north of Evanston, with established neighborhoods and many older homes, from full renovations to additions and kitchen remodels.

Glenview

Northwest of Evanston, where projects range from updating older homes to additions and new custom construction.

Not sure if we cover your area? Contact us.

TRUSTED BY ILLINOIS HOMEOWNERS
“Charlie is very knowledgeable, thorough and honest. His team was great to work with and easy to communicate with through the entire process.”
Moshe Adler, Google Review
FAQ

Remodeling & Construction in Evanston: Common Questions

What types of projects does Moller Builders take on in Evanston?

Full-home renovations, custom homes and new construction, home additions, and commercial renovations, along with kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, structural repairs, decks, and backyard remodels.

Do you build custom homes on existing Evanston lots?

Yes. Most custom homes in Evanston replace an existing house or fill an existing lot. We coordinate the build from pre-construction planning through completion, including Illinois Stretch Energy Code requirements and, for landmark or historic-district properties, Preservation Commission review of any demolition and new construction.

How long does it take to get a remodeling permit in Evanston?

It depends on the project. Simple work that qualifies as an express permit can be issued within a day or two. Larger projects such as additions and new construction need plan review by Building and Zoning staff, sometimes with Engineering, Preservation, or Fire, and take longer. The city processes applications in the order received and doesn’t expedite, so we build permit time into the schedule from the start.

Do I need historic-district approval for my renovation?

If your home is a designated landmark or sits in a local historic district, exterior work that needs a permit, including additions, new construction, demolition, and changes to exterior materials or appearance, requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Preservation Commission. We can help you determine whether your property is affected.

What’s different about renovating an older Evanston home?

Many Evanston homes date to the early 1900s, which can mean plaster walls, older electrical or plumbing, framing and foundation conditions, and earlier renovations that weren’t done to today’s standards. We assess these early so additions and structural work don’t run into mid-project surprises.

How much does a home renovation in Evanston cost?

It depends on the size and scope of the project, structural changes, existing conditions, building-system upgrades, finishes, and permitting. Instead of quoting a generic per-square-foot number, we price the actual scope after seeing the property.

Ready to Start Your Evanston Project?

Whether it’s a full-home renovation, a new custom home, an addition, or a commercial space, tell us what you’re planning. We’ll walk you through scope, permitting, timeline, and next steps.

Schedule a Free Consultation 847-626-8803