Home Remodeling in Essex County, NJ
Stronghold Construction has been remodeling Essex County homes for more than 20 years — from center-hall colonials in Short Hills and Livingston to Victorian rebuilds in Montclair, Tudor renovations in West Orange, and craftsman restorations in Maplewood and Glen Ridge. Every project runs on fixed pricing, our own licensed crews, and the finish quality that has kept our Essex County clients quietly referring us to their neighbors for two decades.
We're the general contractor Essex homeowners call for the projects that require more than swapping cabinets: opening a kitchen into a family room in a 1920s colonial, restoring original millwork in a Montclair Victorian, adding a primary suite over the garage in Livingston, or gut-renovating a Short Hills home from the studs while you rent elsewhere for six months.
Kitchen Remodeling in Montclair, Livingston, Short Hills & West Orange
Custom Shaker or flat-panel cabinetry, honed quartz or marble counters, professional appliances (Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador), and the structural work — steel beams, LVL headers, floor reinforcement — that lets us open Essex County kitchens into dining and family rooms without compromising the character of the original home. Our typical Essex kitchen renovation runs $85,000–$225,000 and completes in 8–12 weeks.
Bathroom Renovation in Essex County
Full primary suite baths, hall baths, and powder rooms — waterproofed to code, tiled meticulously, and finished with the plumbing fixtures and details expected in Short Hills, Millburn, and Glen Ridge. Curbless walk-in showers, freestanding tubs, heated floors, and cabinetry-quality vanities.
Whole-Home Renovations in Essex County
Gut-renovate an entire Livingston colonial, restore a Montclair Victorian, or expand a West Orange split-level with a full second-floor addition. We manage architects, structural engineers, township approvals, and every trade on-site so you talk to one project manager, not fifteen subcontractors.
Working in Essex County
Essex County housing is defined by its historic character — center-hall colonials, Tudors, Victorians, and craftsman bungalows built between 1890 and 1940 that need renovation choices sympathetic to their original architecture. Montclair has strict Historic Preservation Commission review for exterior work in designated districts. Short Hills and Millburn have particular expectations around finish quality and site protection during construction. West Orange and Livingston township permit offices require detailed drawings, structural stamps for any load-bearing modifications, and separate electrical and plumbing subcode permits. Our two decades of Essex County experience means we already know each township's inspector, review timeline, and paperwork requirements — so your project starts on schedule and passes final inspection when it should.
What's Included on Every Essex County Project
Essex County Towns We Serve
Essex County Renovation FAQs
Do you work in Montclair historic districts?
Yes. We regularly navigate Montclair Historic Preservation Commission review for exterior renovations in designated districts, and we can advise up-front on what changes will and will not be approved before you invest in architectural drawings.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Short Hills or Livingston?
Essex County kitchen remodels typically run $85,000 to $225,000+ depending on scope, cabinetry level, appliance package, and whether walls or the floor plan are changing. Every proposal we send is itemized and fixed-price, not an allowance-based estimate that grows during construction.
Do I need permits for a bathroom remodel in Essex County?
Yes. Any plumbing or electrical work in Essex County requires a construction permit through your local township. We handle the entire permit application — construction, plumbing, electrical, and fire subcodes — and coordinate every inspection.
How long does a whole-home renovation take?
A typical full-gut Essex County renovation runs 6–9 months from permit issuance depending on square footage and structural scope. We provide a fixed schedule at contract signing with weekly progress updates, not open-ended promises.
Free Estimate for Your Essex County Renovation
Licensed NJ HIC #13VH13936900 · Fully insured · 20+ years. Call or text 201-686-8232 or request an on-site consultation below.