Custom homes, additions and remodels in Palos Hills, with Palos Park projects nearby.
Palos Hills, IL
A close-in Cook County city with its own permit steps
Palos Hills is almost entirely urban by Census definition, and it had 7,697 housing units in 2020. Town Square Park is the park the city is best known for online. RL Builders takes on major remodels, additions, and teardowns with a new custom home, working from our office in Lemont.
Our nearest finished homes are in Palos Park, including the 12,000 square foot Shadow Ridge. On every job Frank Lello is on site daily, you have one contact, and we build only on land you own. References and tours of finished RL homes are available on request.
County
Cook County
Population
18,530 (2020)
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 Palos Hills
A building permit is required for every new home and every residential addition in Palos Hills. The application needs the Real Estate Index Number from your property tax bill, and in most cases a plat of survey. The Building Department takes the paperwork, and the City Engineer checks that your improvements meet drainage and engineering requirements.
A teardown has two permits, not one. Demolitions need a city building permit and an EPA permit, so plan for both before you pick a start date. The city also moved to digital permit applications and contractor registration on January 1, 2026. Submitting an application online does not authorize work to begin. You wait for the issued permit.
Homeowners doing their own work must sign a hold-harmless agreement; otherwise the city requires a registered contractor. On a project this size you will want the contractor. Zoning varies across the city and the city posts a zoning map, so look up your lot's district before the design is set. If the plans need a variance, the Zoning Board of Appeals rules on it.
This is the part we take off your plate. We coordinate the permits and line the drawings up with what the city asks for before anything is submitted. We build from your architect's plans or work with your architect and designer, and the electrical is done in house because we are a licensed electrical contractor. See custom homes and whole home renovations for how we run a job.
Sources: Palos Hills building permits, Palos Hills digital permits and contractor registration, Palos Hills Building Department, Palos Hills, Illinois
Services
What we build in Palos Hills
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 Palos Hills
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".
All the Bells and Whistles
A Mediterranean inspired estate of more than 10,000 sq ft with 6 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a home theater and indoor and outdoor pools. Built start to finish in under a year.
Homer Glen Ranch
A custom ranch home in Homer Glen with durable materials, clean detailing and covered outdoor areas. Completed in 2018.
FAQ
Building in Palos Hills: questions
Do I need an EPA permit to tear down a house in Palos Hills?
The city's permit page says demolitions need both a city building permit and an EPA permit. Confirm the current steps with the Building Department before you schedule anything, because they sit ahead of the build. We coordinate the permit side once the plan is set.
Can I apply for a Palos Hills permit online?
Digital permit applications and contractor registration began January 1, 2026. The city says submitting online does not authorize work to start, so wait for the issued permit. New home permits also need your Real Estate Index Number and, in most cases, a plat of survey.
Does RL Builders build in Palos Hills?
Yes. RL Builders is based in Lemont. Our nearest finished homes are in Palos Park: Shadow Ridge and All the Bells and Whistles. We build on land you own, with Frank Lello on site every day.
What if my plan needs a variance in Palos Hills?
The Zoning Board of Appeals rules on variances, and zoning varies by district across the city. The city posts a zoning map. Check your lot's district before drawings are final so the design fits what is allowed, and tell us early if you think you'll need relief.
Planning a build in Palos Hills?
Call (708) 301-0700 or send a few details, and Frank will talk through your lot, budget and timing.
