Home Renovation Lake Forest | Orren Pickell Building Group

Finding the best home renovation Lake Forest has to offer is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes, and the process matters as much as the finished space. Orren Pickell Building Group has spent nearly 50 years bringing architects, designers, and builders together under one roof, so your kitchen remodel, addition, or whole-home renovation moves through design and construction with one accountable team instead of a chain of separate contractors. That holds true whether your home sits in a historic district near Green Bay Road or in one of the newer subdivisions closer to the lake.

A Design-Build Team That Treats Your Project Like It’s Personal

Every Orren Pickell renovation is handled by the same in-house team from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. There is no design firm on one side and a separate contractor on the other. Open Book Pricing means you see every line item before work begins, so costs stay predictable instead of climbing once the project is underway. A dedicated punch list team does a final walkthrough before you move back in, and the work is backed by a warranty that follows the project from construction into ongoing maintenance. You can see this approach across our portfolio of Lake Forest renovations, or stop by our customer builder design studio to talk through your project in person.

Renovation Services for Every Room and Every Era

Renovation covers a lot of ground, and the right approach looks different depending on the room and the age of the house.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

A kitchen or bathroom remodel is often the fastest way to change how a home feels day to day. Our in-house cabinetry team builds custom cabinets rather than ordering from a catalog, so layouts fit your kitchen exactly instead of the other way around. Bathrooms get the same attention, from soaking tubs to curbless showers, using the same designers and builders who work on our custom homes.

Additions and Whole-Home Renovations

Outgrowing a house is one of the most common reasons Lake Forest families call us. Second-story additions, primary suite additions, and full whole-home renovations all draw on the same custom home building expertise we bring to new construction, so an addition matches the original architecture instead of looking like an afterthought.

Renovating a Historic Lake Forest Home

Lake Forest was incorporated in 1861, and many of its neighborhoods fall under the Lake Forest Historic Preservation Commission’s review, with added rules around tree removal and building scale. We manage that process for you, from historic district paperwork to standard permits, so a renovation that respects the home’s original character does not stall in city review.

Your Lake Forest Renovation Deserves One Accountable Team

A renovation almost always goes smoothly when one team owns the whole process, from the first design sketch through the final walkthrough. That is what nearly 50 years of building and remodeling in Lake Forest has taught us. Whether you are updating a kitchen, adding a second story, or renovating a historic home from top to bottom, talk with our team or call 847-572-5200 to schedule a free consultation.

FAQs About Home Renovation Lake Forest

How long does a home renovation take in Lake Forest?

Most bathroom remodels run 4 to 8 weeks, kitchens run 6 to 12 weeks, and a whole-home renovation typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on scope. We map out a realistic schedule before construction starts.

Do I need a permit to renovate my Lake Forest home?

Almost always, yes. Lake Forest requires permits for most construction work, and homes in a historic district or on the local landmark register go through an added design review. We manage that entire process.

Can Orren Pickell renovate a historic home?

Yes. Our team regularly works on Lake Forest’s older homes, updating systems and layouts while preserving the architectural details that make the home distinct.

What’s the difference between a remodel and a whole-home renovation?

A remodel usually focuses on one or two rooms, like a kitchen or bathroom. A whole-home renovation touches nearly every room and system, from layout to electrical and plumbing, and is closer in scope to building a new home inside an existing structure.

FAQs About Orren Pickell Building Group

How long has Orren Pickell worked in Lake Forest?

Nearly 50 years. Orren Pickell founded the company in 1976, and his daughter Lisa Pickell now leads it as president, using the same design-build approach the company started with.

Does Orren Pickell handle both design and construction?

Yes. Architects, interior designers, and builders all work for the same company, so your renovation moves from concept to construction without changing teams partway through.