Deck and Porch Builders in Chicago, IL

Chicago Deck Installation

In many parts of the country, a deck can not only be used for most of the year, but it will require very little maintenance, too. In Chicago, deck installation is a job that will require a little more planning if you want to get the most out of your investment. Because of the long, cold winters in Chicago, deck builders are going to be far more careful about the materials they choose and the design of the deck itself. If the proper legwork is put in before the actual deck installation, Chicago homeowners will be just as happy with their new addition as any homeowner in a far milder climate.

Materials
There are nearly as many deck designs as there are decks, for folks in the Windy City, the material you choose to build with will be almost as important as who you invite over to enjoy it. Warmer, drier areas might be able to get away with any old wood, but Chicago deck installation will only be successful if you choose something that can handle rain, snow, and dramatic annual temperature changes. Pressure-treated lumber is certainly an option, but if you want a deck that will last for years without a lot of maintenance, there's no harm in checking out plastic lumber, composite lumber, or tropical hardwoods. These materials will be more costly and in some cases more difficult to wok with, but when the end result is a beautiful installation that won't require a lot of additional work, there are a lot of homeowners who are glad to make the trade.

Designing Your Deck
Since there are a wide variety of property sizes in and around Chicago, deck design will change a lot from one property to the next. Talking with a local Chicago deck builder is definitely a great first step when planning your installation, but you can get some great ideas on your own, too. As with so many other things, the internet has also changed how homeowners can get what they want from a home improvement project. Instead of going out and trying to find books or magazines to get deck ideas, you can now get a huge sampling of deck designs at the click of a mouse. Not every deck you see online will be an option for every property, but looking at what other people have done will make it a lot easier to clearly convey to your contractor what you want from your deck.

Hiring a Deck Builder
Chicago deck builders are able to handle each step of your project from design to completion. Since you will be relying a lot on his or her expertise, it is very important to find a deck builder that you will be comfortable with (and, of course, your wallet will be comfortable with, too). Word of mouth is a great way to find a Chicago deck builder who will do a good job, but if this path fails, picking an ad out of the phone book is not your only other option. HomeAdvisor can easily connect you with several local Chicago deck builders who have been pre-screened and approved; you'll even have access to feedback left by other homeowners who have used a particular contractor!

Prices
There will, of course, be a wide range of prices due to the vastly different sizes and specifications of each individual deck installation. Chicago homeowners looking to build a deck might spend anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on how large or involved the project is! According to our figures here at HomeAdvisor, most Chicago deck projects fall in the $3,000 to $6,000 range with only the most difficult installations costing $7,000 or more. Our numbers put the national average at about $7,600, which makes deck installation in Chicago a relative bargain!