2nd Life Home Remodeling in New Berlin WI
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(414) 973-9177

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Home Remodeling in Milwaukee, WI

Kitchen, bath, basement, and attic remodeling for Milwaukee bungalows, duplexes, and historic homes — by a family-owned team that respects original character.

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Or call (414) 973-9177  ·  Family-owned since 2003

★ 5.0 (10)
Houzz
★ 4.7 (31)
Google
★ 4.8 (111)
Angi
A+
BBB since 2011
NARI
Certified Member
WI Lic#
1192772
Since 2003
Family-owned
1-Year
Workmanship warranty

Trusted Remodelers Serving Milwaukee

Milwaukee has one of the richest housing stocks in the Midwest, and remodeling here means knowing which era you’re standing in. The bungalows and flats of Bay View and the south side, the Arts and Crafts and Tudor homes of Washington Heights and Story Hill, the duplexes that fill entire neighborhoods, the Cream City brick of the oldest blocks — each was built differently, and each fails differently.

2nd Life Home Remodeling is family-owned and based about 20 minutes west in New Berlin. We’ve spent 20+ years working on exactly these homes — modernizing kitchens and baths behind original plaster and trim, finishing lower levels, and converting attics into real bedrooms and offices. We handle Milwaukee permitting through the Department of Neighborhood Services, and if your home is designated historic or sits in a historic district, we manage the Certificate of Appropriateness process too.

Our Milwaukee Remodeling Services

Four core services, tailored to Milwaukee’s homes.

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Answer a few quick questions and get a ballpark range in minutes — no pressure, no obligation.

Remodeling in Milwaukee: Local Know-How

What Milwaukee homeowners should know
Permitting
Milwaukee permits are issued by the Department of Neighborhood Services at the Permit & Development Center (809 N. Broadway, 1st Floor). Permits expire after two years, and construction must start with an inspection within 180 days of issue. If your home is designated historic or sits in a historic district, exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission (Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Room B-1; (414) 286-5712) before a permit will be issued. We manage both.
Home styles & era
Milwaukee bungalows, flats, and duplexes across the south and near-west sides; Arts and Crafts, Tudor, and Colonial Revival homes in Washington Heights, Story Hill, and Enderis Park; Victorians and Cream City brick in the oldest neighborhoods; and postwar ranches toward the city’s edges.
Older-home notes
Century homes here regularly hide knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, plaster-and-lath walls, and minimal insulation. Attic conversions need headroom, egress, and insulation resolved before anything else, and a finished basement bedroom requires a permit and an egress window.
Climate
Lake Michigan winters and humid summers are hard on century-old roofs, Cream City brick, stone foundations, and original windows. Energy-efficient, weather-resistant upgrades are part of every remodel we plan.
Bay ViewWashington HeightsStory HillEnderis ParkJackson ParkTippecanoeSherman ParkRiverwest

Recent Milwaukee-Area Projects

A look at our craftsmanship from your local neighbors.

What Milwaukee Homeowners Say

★ 5.0 Houzz (10)  ·  ★ 4.7 Google (31)  ·  ★ 4.8 Angi (111)
“Great communication — Tim let us know what was happening every step of the way. Our house was built in 1922, so hurdles were expected, but the crew showed up on time each day, cleaned up, and met all our requests. When a small flooring issue came up months later, they honored their one-year warranty and came right out. Highly recommend — we’ll be using them again.”
— Elizabeth P., verified 2nd Life client ★★★★★ via Angi

Milwaukee Remodeling FAQs

Does my Milwaukee home need a Certificate of Appropriateness?
If it’s a designated historic structure or sits in a City historic district, yes — exterior alterations need a COA from the Historic Preservation Commission before DNS will issue a building permit. You can check your address under the “Special Interest” tab on the City’s My Milwaukee Home lookup, or we’ll check it for you at no charge.
Can you convert a Milwaukee attic into a bedroom?
Often, yes — it’s one of our four core services. DNS treats attic alterations and conversions as their own permit category, and the deciding factors are headroom, stair access, egress, and insulation. We assess all four before we quote, so nobody is sold a conversion that can’t legally happen.
What about knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized plumbing?
Very common in Milwaukee’s century homes. We identify knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, and insulation gaps during design and build the corrections into the scope, so they’re priced in rather than sprung on you as a change order.
How far is 2nd Life from Milwaukee?
About 20 minutes west in New Berlin (18480 W. National Ave, New Berlin, WI 53146), family-owned since 2003.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes — Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor License #1192772, NARI Certified Member, BBB A+ since 2011, and a one-year workmanship warranty on every project.

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Ready to Remodel Your Milwaukee Home?

Free in-home estimates for Milwaukee homeowners. Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor License #1192772  ·  Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM CT

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