When you picture expanding your Elmhurst home, you probably imagine more sunlight in the kitchen or a spacious new family room, not hours of navigating permit lines or zoning codes. Yet many projects pause there. Building permits across the U.S. have fallen to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.312 million units as of August 2025, the lowest level in
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), often called coach houses, granny flats, or basement apartments, have become a creative answer to Chicago’s rising housing demand. Though the city has made incremental progress in expanding ADU-friendly policies, permit distribution tells a more nuanced story. 5% of ADU permits are concentrated on the North and Northwest side of the city, which goes to show
Home renovations are rarely as quick as homeowners hope. In fact, recent data shows that about 15% of homeowners have had to pause their remodeling plans, most commonly because of delays in approvals or project logistics. Those interruptions can derail budgets, throw off contractor schedules, and drain the momentum that keeps a renovation on track. Time is money when it
When a homeowner sets out to expand, rebuild, or reconfigure a property, one of the first and often trickiest questions is: How much of the lot can I actually build on? In Glenview, Illinois, “lot coverage” rules serve as invisible fences that often govern whether a grand vision is feasible or whether you’ll need to ask for a variance. These
Remodeling your home should feel exciting. Yet, many Park Ridge homeowners find themselves stuck in uncertainty before the first hammer swings. Nearly 78% of homeowners overspend on their renovations, and 41% run into major delays, often because of permit complications that no one saw coming. It’s easy to assume a small remodel won’t need city approval. Maybe you’re just updating
Home improvement projects often begin with excitement and clear plans, but delays and unexpected costs can quickly change that. According to a recent survey, 58% of homeowners say renovations take longer than expected. While there are many reasons behind these slowdowns, one of the most common and easily avoidable culprits is missing or skipping the required permits. Hinsdale, Illinois, does
