Custom homes and remodels in a city with its own teardown guide.
Naperville, IL
Teardowns are common enough in Naperville that the city wrote a toolkit
Naperville had 149,540 people and about 55,348 housing units at the 2020 census. The city keeps a Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment, a sign that teardowns are common enough to need their own city guide. RL Builders builds custom homes and high end remodels here.
References and tours of finished RL homes are available on request. Frank is on site every day, and he's your one contact.
County
DuPage and Will Counties
Population
149,540 (2020)
Permits
City of Naperville Transportation, Engineering and Development (Building Permits)
What clients say
Homeowners on working with Frank
Frank and his team built our dream home through COVID, and the quality has been exceptional. Years later he still checks in seasonally and stays a call or text away, which is rare and appreciated.
Julie Morris, homeownerFrank handled our kitchen renovation and we could not be happier with the final project. He was on site every day, used skilled craftsmen, and made what could have been stressful feel easy.
Homeowner, kitchen renovation
What to know before building in Naperville
Naperville requires permits for new construction, additions, remodeling, decks, patios, fences and pools. Applications go through the city's online permitting portal, and the documents have to meet the city's electronic submittal requirements. The city issued 7,079 building permits in 2022.
If you're replacing a house, start with the Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment. It's a step by step guide to teardowns, covering demolition and redevelopment requirements. The city also publishes separate grading plan checklists for teardowns, new development, room additions over 500 square feet or pools, and water service upgrades. Pick the checklist that matches your job before the civil engineer starts.
Historic review is the other big item. About 320 properties sit in a locally designated historic district, and five buildings are local landmarks, under Title 6, Chapter 11 of the municipal code. The Historic Preservation Commission issues Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior alteration, construction or demolition on those properties. Reviews there lean on the Historic Building Design and Resource Manual adopted in 2010 and the 2008 Architectural and Historical Survey. You can check a property on the city's Your Place map. The Naperville Historic District itself covers 573 buildings in the older eastern part of the city and has been on the National Register since 1977.
RL coordinates the permits and lines the plans up with the city's requirements, historic review included. For a replacement home see custom homes, and for the interior only, upscale remodeling.
Sources: Naperville building permits, Naperville Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment, Naperville historic district regulations, Naperville development resources
Services
What we build in Naperville
Custom Homes
New custom homes on your lot, typically $1M to $3.5M, finished in under a year for homes up to 10,000 sq ft.
Upscale Remodeling
High end kitchen, bathroom and main living remodels with the owner on site every day.
Complete Renovations
Whole home renovations that rework layout, finishes and systems as one project.
Basement Build Outs
Finished basements from framing through final trim, built to last below grade.
Additions and Extensions
Bedrooms, baths and living space that match the house and look original.
Specialty Projects
Fire restoration, demolition and select commercial build outs.
Projects
RL projects near Naperville
Shadow Ridge
A 12,000 sq ft custom home with copper turrets, limestone block masonry and a home theater under a high strength garage floor. Built in under a year and featured on Comcast's "Builders & Buyers".
Homer Glen Ranch
A custom ranch home in Homer Glen with durable materials, clean detailing and covered outdoor areas. Completed in 2018.
Brick Estate Home
A two story brick custom home with a finished walkout lower level and a multi level outdoor living setup with a covered patio and deck.
FAQ
Building in Naperville: questions
Has RL Builders built a home in Naperville?
Yes. RL builds custom homes and remodels in Naperville. Our finished projects are in Palos Park, Orland Park, Homer Glen and Downers Grove, and we can arrange tours of finished homes.
Does Naperville have a guide for teardowns?
Yes. The Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment is a step by step guide covering demolition and redevelopment requirements, and the city publishes separate grading plan checklists for teardowns and other project types.
How do I know if my Naperville house is in the historic district?
Use the city's Your Place map. About 320 properties are in the local historic district, and exterior work, construction or demolition there needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission.
Are Naperville permit applications paper or online?
Online. Applications go through the city's permitting portal, and the documents must meet its electronic submittal requirements. Naperville requires permits for new construction, additions, remodeling, decks, patios, fences and pools.
Planning a build in Naperville?
Call (708) 301-0700 or send a few details, and Frank will talk through your lot, budget and timing.
