Lake homes are different jobs. Shoreland zoning decides what you can build and where. The season decides when. And the owner is often two hours away in Chicago, trusting someone else to watch the house. Elite Improvements has remodeled and built on a dozen lakes in Walworth, Racine and Kenosha Counties, and we run every lake project the same way: permits handled, work scheduled for the off-season when you want it, and a written photo update every week wherever you are.
If you live in Chicago
Most of our lake clients do not live at the lake. Here is how that works: one project manager with a cell number; a weekly email with photos and the next week’s plan; selections handled by email, video call, or a single Saturday trip; keys and alarm codes managed by us; and a schedule built so the house is finished before Memorial Day or after Labor Day, whichever you want. We have run whole-home remodels start to finish for owners who saw the house three times. Remodeling your lake home from Chicago →
The lakes we work on
Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, Fontana, Linn) — Estates, classic cottages and everything between. Shoreland permitting through the Town of Linn and the City of Lake Geneva; HOA and lakeshore-path considerations. High-end finishes, second-story additions, whole-home remodels.
Delavan Lake — A mix of year-round and weekend homes. Our Delavan marble-tile bathroom remodel is here.
Powers Lake — A private lake with strict shoreline rules. We took a whole-home remodel here all the way to a new home on the same lot. Powers Lake project →
Lake Michigan shore (Kenosha and Racine Counties) — A different animal: bluff erosion, lakefront ordinances, and wind and ice loads that punish ordinary siding and roofing. Our Lake Michigan whole-home remodel, kitchen to dog bath to new exterior, is here. Pleasant Prairie project →
Lauderdale Lakes — Three connected lakes near Elkhorn; many 1960s–80s ranches ready for whole-home updates.
Lake Como — Small lots and cottages outside Lake Geneva; bump-outs and second stories are common.
Pell Lake — Approachable lake homes near Genoa City; kitchens, baths, roofing and siding.
Twin Lakes (Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth) — Village permitting, cottages and newer builds side by side.
Bohners Lake and Browns Lake — Burlington’s lakes and our home market for 16 years.
Tichigan Lake and Wind Lake — Fox River chain near Waterford; older cottages, exterior-heavy work.
Eagle Lake — Kansasville; remodel-heavy.
Lake projects
The remodel that became a new lake home
1,800 sq ft, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, built in six months on a tight lakefront lot. About $789,000.
Whole-home remodel built for Lake Michigan weather
Kitchen opened up, fireplace swapped for a lake-view window, three baths, custom dog bath, Hardie siding and new roof. About $489,000.
What lake projects cost
Same ranges as our pricing page, with two lake-specific adds: shoreline and erosion-control work when the project touches the lake side of the setback, and access costs on tight lots. We price both in the proposal, not after.
Common lake-home projects
Second-story additions for bedrooms and views · Open-plan kitchens for a crowd · Bunk rooms and extra baths · Four-season porches · Primary suites on the main floor for aging owners · Siding, roofing and windows rated for wind · Tear-down and rebuild when the old cottage cannot be saved
FAQ
Do I need a special permit for lakefront work? Usually yes: county shoreland zoning plus the local municipality, and sometimes the DNR for anything near the water. We handle all of it.
When should a lake project happen? Interior work in winter; exterior work in spring or fall. Call by September to be on the winter schedule.
Can you watch the house in the off-season? We are not a home-watch service, but during a project your PM is there weekly and will flag anything wrong.
Book a free planning meeting Call 262-716-6663
Built once, built right, built for generations. Elite Improvements.
Built once, built right, built for generations. Elite Improvements.