Cost to Build a Deck in Chicago, IL (2026)
In Chicago a 12×16 ft deck costs about $5,210 in pressure-treated pine and $10,615 in composite, installed — 15% above the US average. Below: local prices by size, footing depth, permits and a calculator priced for Chicago.
Pressure-treated pine
$23–$30 /sq ft
Cedar
$33–$43 /sq ft
Composite
$48–$63 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Chicago
Priced with Chicago labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$9,341 – $12,207
192 sq ft · about $55.28/sq ft
- Materials
- $6,474
- Labour
- $4,141
- Footings (42 in deep)
- 3 × about $224
- Frost-depth adjustment
- +$173
Mid-range estimate for a rectangular deck attached to the house, with one beam line per 12 ft of depth and footings every 8 ft. Excludes demolition, permits and site work. For railing, stairs and a full line-item breakdown use the main deck cost calculator.
Chicago deck cost by size and material
Mid-range installed prices for a standard-height deck attached to the house, with footings at 42 inches. Add railing and stairs in the deck cost calculator.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated pine | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $2,796 | $3,877 | $5,611 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $3,951 | $5,507 | $8,004 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $5,210 | $7,284 | $10,615 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $8,856 | $12,314 | $17,864 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $10,955 | $15,277 | $22,214 |
What makes a deck in Chicago cost what it does
Two-flats and three-flats with stacked rear porches are common, and heavy winter snow sits on them for weeks.
Labour here runs 8% above the Illinois average, so a pressure-treated 12×16 that averages $4,949 across Illinois comes to about $5,210 in Chicago. Cold, snowy winters with deep freeze-thaw cycling and hot, humid summers.
Footings
Footings in Chicago go about 42 inches deep, which costs roughly $224 per 12 inch footing installed. A 12×16 deck needs about 3. Size them with the deck footing calculator.
Deck permits in Chicago
Permits are issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings. Chicago has its own building code and detailed porch and deck design requirements, tightened after the 2003 porch collapse; 42 inch footings are standard. Typical fees run $300–$900. For the state rules that sit behind the local ones, see deck cost in Illinois.
Choosing decking in Chicago
Composite adds about $5,405 to a 12×16 deck here over pressure-treated. Union-scale labour in the Chicago area makes repeated wood maintenance costly. Run the numbers for your deck in the composite vs wood calculator.
Best time to build
May to October.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost in Chicago?
A 12×16 ft deck in Chicago costs about $5,210 in pressure-treated pine, $7,284 in cedar and $10,615 in composite, installed. That is $23–$30 per square foot for pressure-treated and $48–$63 for composite.
Is building a deck in Chicago more expensive than elsewhere in Illinois?
A typical deck in Chicago runs 4% above the Illinois average and 15% above the US average, mainly because of local labour rates. Two-flats and three-flats with stacked rear porches are common, and heavy winter snow sits on them for weeks.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Chicago?
Permits are issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings. Chicago has its own building code and detailed porch and deck design requirements, tightened after the 2003 porch collapse; 42 inch footings are standard. Budget roughly $300–$900 for the permit, more if drawings by a design professional are required.
How deep do deck footings have to be in Chicago?
About 42 inches. Each 12 inch footing at that depth costs roughly $224 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3. Always confirm the required depth with the Chicago Department of Buildings before digging — the footing inspection happens before any concrete goes in.
Should I choose composite or wood for a deck in Chicago?
Composite adds about $5,405 to a 12×16 deck in Chicago but removes staining every two to three years. Union-scale labour in the Chicago area makes repeated wood maintenance costly.
Price the rest of the project
Figures are planning estimates built from national installed prices adjusted for Illinois and Chicago labour, materials and footing depth. Get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.