Wood deck cost in Chicago, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $8,900 – $17,900
- Per sq ft
- $29.50 – $59
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #5
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Chicago, plan on $8,900 to $17,900 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $29.50 to $59 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 18% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, 33% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Chicago, IL, standard level
$11,600 to $15,200
About $38.50 to $50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $5,650 | $7,400 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $120 |
| Total | $11,600 | $15,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Chicago, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 50% |
| Labor | $4,350 | $6,550 | $8,700 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $8,900 | $13,400 | $17,900 | 100% |
Where the Chicago price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Chicago wages are 1.32 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chicago metro is 107.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,750, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.6) and land at $50 to $160.
Specs and site conditions that change a Chicago bid
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Height and stairs
A second-story deck needs more structure. New stairs run $1,400-$2,600 installed.
Climate in Chicago: timing your wood deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chicago Midway Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Chicago (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Chicago gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 1.9 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 20 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 19 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 23 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 32 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 52 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 59 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 35 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Chicago?
Because every project leans on different trades, Chicago's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +24% and paver patio +22%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $14,700 – $29,500 | +22% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,500 – $5,000 | +24% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,650 – $6,600 | +22% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $35,500 – $71,100 | +22% |
Extras that change the Chicago total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Chicago by the average of the local wage index (1.32) and goods index (1.07), a factor of 1.20. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,700 – $3,100 |
Cost by quality level and size in Chicago
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chicago wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$8,900 to $12,500
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$11,600 to $15,200
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$14,300 to $17,900
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,600 – $5,050 | $4,700 – $6,150 | $5,800 – $7,250 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,300 – $6,050 | $5,600 – $7,350 | $6,900 – $8,650 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $9,500 – $13,300 | $12,400 – $16,200 | $15,200 – $19,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $11,900 – $16,600 | $15,400 – $20,200 | $19,000 – $23,800 |
Chicago labor market for wood deck
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Chicago is 1.32 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $38.68 an hour, which is 33% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.26 and $54.79 an hour. BLS counts 14,220 of them working in the area, 31.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.27 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $48.44 an hour. About 26,690 work in the metro. That is 59.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($54.79 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,200. At the 25th percentile ($28.26) it shrinks by about $1,400. The total moves by 16.3% or 10.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 4,513,280 jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. That makes it the 3rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.90% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.25 | $29.27 | $48.44 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.32 | |||||
Is Chicago cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Chicago. Niles is the lowest at about $10,500 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | $8,900 – $17,900 | $13,400 | |
| Niles, MI55 miles | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | −21% |
| Kenosha, WI55 miles | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | −12% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −17% |
| Rockford, IL75 miles | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | −11% |
| Milwaukee, WI80 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −15% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $8,700 – $17,500 | $13,100 | −2% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Chicago comes in at #5 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Chicago is 2% above the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $8,150 – $16,300 | $12,200 | −9% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | −11% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $7,750 – $15,500 | $11,600 | −13% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $8,200 – $16,400 | $12,300 | −8% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $8,100 – $16,300 | $12,200 | −9% |
Cities with a workforce like Chicago's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chicago against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $8,650 – $17,400 | $13,000 | −3% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $7,100 – $14,300 | $10,700 | −20% |
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $8,800 – $17,600 | $13,200 | −1% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,600 | −21% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed wood deck report for Chicago, IL, $9
Multi-page report for Chicago, IL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Wood deck in Chicago: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Chicago?
For 300 sq ft, expect $8,900 to $17,900 in the Chicago area. A standard-spec job lands at $11,600 to $15,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Chicago?
About $29.50 to $59 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Chicago or Niles?
Niles is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $10,500, which is 21% less than Chicago ($13,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chicago?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $6,550 out of $13,400. Materials are 50% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Chicago?
$9,500 to $19,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Chicago?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $160 for fees in the Chicago area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chicago expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Illinois?
Chicago is 2% above the Illinois statewide estimate ($13,100 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chicago?
The BLS median is $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.26 to $54.79.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Chicago?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $8,900 to $12,500 and premium work $14,300 to $17,900. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+When is the best time to build a wood deck in Chicago?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add stairs" add in Chicago?
$1,700 to $3,100, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Chicago
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020