Quick Answer

Deck Building Cost in Chicago (2026)

Average cost in Chicago

$11,504avg

$4,061 – $24,000

$26 – $60 per sq ft

In Chicago, the average is $11,504 and most projects cost between $4,061 and $24,000, or about $26 – $60 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 8 sources.

+6.2% YoY
8 sources
Updated 1 months ago
Chicagoland

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled carpentry and site prep

$1,800 – $11,000

45%

Materials

Lumber, composite, and hardware

$1,600 – $9,600

40%

Sales Tax

Chicago municipal sales tax (10.25%)

$416 – $2,460

10%

Permits & Fees

City of Chicago Department of Buildings

$602 – $900

5%

🧾Sales Tax (6.25%) — Illinois
Base cost + $719 tax$12,223

Sales Tax at 6.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Pressure-treated lumber
  • Concrete footings
  • Railing system
  • Stairs (1 set)
  • Hardware & fasteners
  • Labor

Typically Excludes

  • Composite or hardwood decking
  • Built-in seating or planters
  • Pergola or roof
  • Lighting
  • Permits

Based on a standard 200 sq ft pressure-treated wood deck.

🧮Estimate your project

Live
sq ft
Decking Material
Railing
Stairs / Multi-level

Your estimate in Chicago

$11,504

Likely range $5,177 – $24,000

  • Labor45%$5,177
  • Materials40%$4,602
  • Sales Tax10%$1,150
  • Permits & Fees5%$575

Pressure-treated Wood

$11,504

Cedar

$15,634

Composite

$19,763

Hardwood (Ipe)

$26,990

Get quotes for this project →

Calibrated to 8 researched sources for Chicago. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

$10,832

Today

$11,504

Deck Building in Chicago is ↑ 6.2% compared to roughly a year ago — about $672 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Deck Build Contractors in Chicago

Verified providers
🔨

Deck & Porches Chicago Brothers

3120 N St Louis Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA

5.0
★★★★★

71 reviews

🔨

4th Generation Construction

1913 N Leclaire Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, USA

5.0
★★★★★

45 reviews

🔨

Vista Porch Builders & Contractors

21 E Chestnut St Apt 44, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

5.0
★★★★★

40 reviews

🔨

Porch & Decks By Adam

2723 N Seminary Ave #22, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

4.9
★★★★½

46 reviews

🔨

Koval Builders Porches and Deck

3635 N Oleander Ave, Chicago, IL 60634, USA

4.7
★★★★½

105 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

❓Common Questions

Yes, Chicago requires a permit for any deck more than 30 inches above grade or any deck attached to the house. In 2026, the minimum permit fee for a backyard deck starts at $602.

Composite (mid-grade) is recommended for Chicago's 40–60 annual freeze-thaw cycles. While pressure-treated wood is cheaper at $26–$35/sq ft, composite ($35–$45/sq ft) resists the slush and temperature swings that cause wood to warp and crack.

For a standard 320 sq ft footprint, a pressure-treated wood deck averages $8,300 to $11,200, while a mid-grade composite build typically ranges from $11,200 to $14,400 including labor.

Yes, booking a project for late summer or early fall 2026 can save 5% to 10% on labor costs as demand drops before winter. Spring and early summer are peak seasons with the highest rates and longest wait times.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 1 months ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.