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Decks & porches built for Chicago weather
Bofran Builders designs and builds composite and wood decks, rooftop decks and code-compliant porch systems across Chicago and the suburbs — engineered by our own framing crew to outlast freeze-thaw winters and packed summer cookouts alike. Licensed and insured since 1999.
A deck or porch is a structure first — and a living room second
In Chicago, a porch isn't decoration. It's an elevated structure that carries people, snow loads and decades of weather — which is why the city holds porches and decks to some of the strictest rules in the country. We build to those rules as a floor, not a ceiling.
As a licensed Chicago general contractor with our own framing crew, we handle the whole project: engineered drawings, permits, demolition, footings, framing, decking, railings and stairs. Whether it's a composite deck in the backyard, a rooftop deck over the garage, or a full rear porch rebuild on a three-flat, you get one accountable team — and a structure that passes inspection the first time. Want numbers first? Try the deck & porch cost calculator or jump to the 2026 cost guide.
- Engineered to Chicago's 100 psf porch load requirement — not just "to code-ish"
- We manage every permit, drawing and inspection with the city
- In-house framing crew builds the structure — posts, beams, joists and stairs
- Composite, cedar and pressure-treated builds with straight material guidance
- Rooftop and garage-top decks with proper waterproofing and drainage
- Backed by a 5-year warranty and a 30-day post-project check-in
Every kind of deck & porch
Not sure what fits your home, lot and budget? Tap through the options to compare typical cost and timeline — then run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Composite Decks
Trex, TimberTech and similar composite boards shrug off Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles, never need staining, and won't splinter under bare feet. The board costs more than wood — but over ten years, composite usually wins on total cost. We build the frame in pressure-treated structure either way, so the bones are solid.
- No staining or sealing — ever
- 25+ year board warranties from major brands
- Hidden fasteners and picture-frame borders available
Wood Decks
Pressure-treated pine keeps the budget down; cedar steps up the look and natural rot resistance. A well-built wood deck is the most affordable way to add real outdoor living space — just plan on staining or sealing every 2–3 years to get its full life in our climate.
- Pressure-treated or cedar decking & railings
- Lowest upfront cost of any deck build
- Stainable to match your home's trim and style
Rooftop & Garage-Top Decks
On a standard Chicago lot, the roof is often the only yard you have. We build rooftop decks over garages and flat-roofed homes — structural evaluation, waterproofing, drainage, engineered framing and railings, all permitted and inspected. It's the highest-impact outdoor upgrade in the city, and it pairs naturally with a home addition.
- Garage-top, main-roof and addition-top decks
- Waterproof membrane, drainage & structural framing
- Skyline views — and serious resale appeal
Rear Porch Systems
The wooden back porch is Chicago's signature structure — and its most regulated. We demolish and rebuild 2- and 3-story rear porch systems to the city's post-2003 rules: 100 psf design load, engineered drawings, proper footings, bolted connections and code-height guardrails. If your porch predates those rules, it's likely under-built.
- Full 2- & 3-story porch system rebuilds
- Engineered drawings & permits handled for you
- A must for owners of 2-flats, 3-flats & condos
Front Porches
A front porch sets the tone for the whole house — and on Chicago bungalows, Victorians and foursquares, it has to match the architecture. We rebuild and build new front porches with correct columns, railings, stairs and trim details, so the result looks original to the home, not bolted on.
- Rebuilds that match your home's original style
- Columns, railings, stairs, skirting & ceilings
- One of the strongest curb-appeal upgrades
Screened & 3-Season Porches
Screens keep the mosquitoes out from May to October; add windows and it becomes a 3-season room you'll use from March to Thanksgiving. Either way it's the most livable square footage a Chicago backyard can gain — dinner outside without the bugs, rain or street noise.
- Screened porches & convertible window systems
- Roofed structure built to full porch code
- Upgrade path: screens now, windows later
Pergolas & Shade Structures
A pergola turns a bare deck or patio into a destination — defined space, filtered shade and a frame for lighting, fans or vines. We build freestanding and attached pergolas in cedar and low-maintenance composite, sized and anchored for Chicago wind loads.
- Freestanding or attached to house or garage
- Cedar, composite & aluminum-clad options
- Pairs with any deck or rooftop project
Porch & Deck Repair
Soft boards, wobbly railings, rusted hangers, leaning stairs — we'll tell you honestly whether your porch or deck needs a repair or a rebuild. Keep in mind: in Chicago, repairing or replacing structural elements like posts, beams, stringers or joists requires a permit and licensed drawings. We handle both.
- Board, railing, stair & structural repairs
- Honest repair-vs-replace assessments
- Permits pulled when structure is involved
Deck & porch cost calculator
Get an instant, Chicago-specific ballpark. Choose your project type, set the size, pick a material and tell us if there's an old structure to remove — your estimated range updates in real time.
Estimates are planning ranges based on 2025–2026 Chicago-area pricing and your inputs — actual cost depends on design, site access, structural conditions, permits and railing/stair selections. Rear porch systems are priced per footprint square foot across all stories. For a firm, itemized number, request a free on-site estimate.
What decks & porches actually cost in Chicago
Most Chicago decks land between $35 and $90 per square foot installed, and porch systems are priced by the structure. Here's how it breaks down — and what common projects tend to total.
Cost by project type
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated deck | $30–$55 /sq ft |
| Cedar deck | $40–$70 /sq ft |
| Composite deck | $50–$90 /sq ft |
| Rooftop / garage-top deck | $80–$150 /sq ft |
| Front porch (build or rebuild) | $15K–$40K |
| Rear porch — 2-story | $28K–$55K |
| Rear porch — 3-story | $45K–$90K |
| Screened / 3-season porch | $30K–$70K |
| Pergola / shade structure | $8K–$25K |
By project size
| Project | Typical total |
|---|---|
| 200 sq ft wood deck | $7K–$13K |
| 300 sq ft composite deck | $15K–$27K |
| 350 sq ft rooftop deck | $28K–$52K |
| 140 sq ft 3-story porch rebuild | $45K–$73K |
What moves the number
| Driver | Impact |
|---|---|
| Height & stories | +20–60% |
| Demolition & haul-away | +$2K–$8K |
| Stairs & landings | +$3K–$12K |
| Railing upgrades | +$40–$120/ln ft |
| Permits & drawings | +$1K–$6K |
Ranges reflect 2025–2026 Chicago-area installed pricing through a licensed general contractor, including standard railings and typical footings. Tight alley access, engineered steel, premium railing systems and multi-landing stairs push toward the high end. For the two structural porch systems, engineered drawings and permits are always part of the job — see the porch code section for why.
Wood vs. composite: the 10-year math
The sticker price is only half the story. Wood costs less on day one — then asks for stain, sealer and board swaps every few years. Toggle below to see how the numbers shift once Chicago winters have had a decade to work on each material.
Pressure-treated
- Maintenance Stain/seal every 2–3 yrs
- Typical lifespan 10–15 yrs
- Feel underfoot Can splinter with age
- Best for Tight budgets, rentals
Cedar
- Maintenance Stain/seal every 2–3 yrs
- Typical lifespan 15–20 yrs
- Feel underfoot Warm, classic grain
- Best for Traditional homes, porches
Composite
- Maintenance Soap & water, that's it
- Typical lifespan 25–50 yrs
- Feel underfoot Splinter-free, uniform
- Best for Keep-it-forever homes
Ownership figures assume professional staining/sealing on a typical maintenance cycle; DIY upkeep lowers the wood numbers but costs you the weekends. Structural framing is pressure-treated lumber in all three builds. We'll price your project both ways on request — no pressure either direction.
The Chicago porch code, translated
After the 2003 Lincoln Park porch collapse, Chicago rewrote the rules on porches and decks — and it enforces them. Here's what the code actually requires, and a quick way to gut-check the porch you have now.
Design load
Every element of a porch or deck must be designed to carry 100 pounds per square foot of live load — roughly a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. Pre-2003 porches were often built to a fraction of that.
Guardrails
Guardrails generally must be at least 42 inches high, with openings tight enough that a 4-inch ball can't pass through the lower portion. Loose or low railings are the most common violation we see.
Licensed drawings
Repairing or replacing structural elements — posts, beams, stringers, joists, foundations — always requires a permit, with plans from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. We provide them.
Zoning limits
Rear porches are limited in how far they can project (10 feet), their area per unit (150 sq ft, stairs excluded) and how close they can sit to lot lines. We design within the envelope so permits clear.
Is your porch overdue for a look?
Answer six quick questions about the porch or deck you have now. Your result updates as you go.
Was it built before 2003 (pre-porch-ordinance) or are you not sure?
Do any posts sit directly on soil, or on cracked / sinking concrete?
Does it bounce, sway or lean when people walk on it?
Are railings loose, lower than 42 inches, or open enough for a 4-inch ball?
Are the connections nailed only — no bolts or metal hangers visible?
Any soft, rotted or split boards at the stairs, joists or beams?
This checker is general information, not a structural inspection or an engineering opinion. If anything about your porch worries you, have it looked at in person — we do that for free.
Outdoor space is the cheapest square footage you'll ever add
A deck costs a fraction of what an interior addition does per square foot, yet it changes how you live in the house from April through October — and decks consistently rank among the best-returning exterior projects at resale, typically recouping 50–80% of their cost.
In Chicago there's a second kind of return: risk removed. An aging, non-compliant porch is a red flag for buyers, home inspectors and insurers — and a liability for landlords. A permitted, engineered rebuild protects the value your building already has.
Three clear steps from idea to first cookout
No mystery, no runaround. You always know what's done and what's next. Most decks finish within a few weeks of permit approval; porch systems within 3–6 weeks.
Plan the project
We start with a free consultation and site visit, look at your structure, talk through materials and layout, and give you a clear, itemized estimate. No obligation, no pressure.
Drawings & permits
We produce the engineered drawings, file the Chicago permit application and handle every question the city asks — so the project is fully approved before demolition starts.
Build & walkthrough
Our own crew demolishes, frames, decks and rails — then we walk the finished structure with you and the inspector. You get a 30-day check-in and a 5-year warranty in writing.
A deck & porch builder that owns the structure
Plenty of crews can screw down deck boards. The difference is in the framing, the footings and the paperwork — and that's exactly the part we never sub out.
Licensed & insured
A licensed and insured Chicago general contractor — the credential the city requires for structural porch work, and the protection your investment deserves.
In-house framing crew
Posts, beams, joists and stairs are built by our own framers — the same crew that frames our custom homes. The structure is the job; we don't hand it off.
Permits handled
Engineered drawings, permit filings, inspections — we run the whole city process so your porch is legal, insurable and sellable. You never set foot in a permit office.
Clear communication
Direct owner involvement and frequent updates. You'll always know what's happening on your project and what comes next — no chasing.
Straight material advice
Wood or composite, repair or rebuild — we price it both ways and tell you what we'd do on our own house. No steering toward the bigger ticket.
Built to match
Railing profiles, stair details, trim and stain matched to your home's architecture — a porch that looks original to the house, not bolted on.
Decks & porches across Chicago & the suburbs
Bofran Builders builds and rebuilds decks and porches for homeowners, two- and three-flat owners and condo associations across Chicago and the nearby suburbs. We know the porch rules, alley access quirks and architectural styles of each neighborhood — from Lincoln Park greystones to Evanston foursquares.
Don't see your neighborhood? Get in touch — we likely serve your area too.
Chicago Neighborhoods
- Lincoln Park
- Lakeview
- Wicker Park
- West Loop
- Bucktown
- Logan Square
- And more
Nearby Suburbs
- Glenview
- Evanston
- Oak Park
- Park Ridge
- Northbrook
- Highland Park
- And more
Built to last — and backed in writing
- 5-year warranty on every deck and porch we build, in writing
- 30-day post-project check-in to make sure everything is perfect
- Priority support if you ever need a repair
- Seasonal maintenance advice to protect your investment
What our clients say
"The deck and staircase construction on a residential building was completed fast, under budget and with high quality. Even the city inspector was impressed with the workmanship."
"They did a great job replacing both support beams on our rooftop pergola — a tricky job with heavy materials in a tight space. I appreciated the attention to detail matching the existing accents and the timeliness to finish."
"Our architect recommended Bofran Builders and we couldn't be happier. Frank and his team worked with us throughout building our new home, making excellent suggestions. Built on schedule despite permit obstacles — and more affordable than other contractors. The craftsmanship is phenomenal."
Deck & porch FAQs
Most Chicago decks run $35 to $90 per square foot installed, depending on material and height. Pressure-treated wood is typically $30–$55/sq ft, cedar $40–$70/sq ft, and composite $50–$90/sq ft. A typical 300 sq ft composite deck lands between $15,000 and $27,000. Elevated and rooftop decks cost more because of the structural work involved. Try the cost calculator for a number tailored to your project.
A 2-story rear porch system typically runs $28,000–$55,000 and a 3-story system $45,000–$90,000, including demolition, engineered drawings, permits and code-compliant construction. The biggest cost drivers are the number of stories, stair runs, footings and lot access. Every rebuild we do is engineered to Chicago's 100 psf porch load requirement.
In most cases, yes. Chicago requires a building permit for new decks and porches and for any repair or replacement of structural elements like posts, beams, stringers or joists, with plans prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. The narrow exception is a small porch less than 6 feet off the ground with no more than 50 square feet of landing area. Bofran Builders handles the drawings, permits and inspections on every project.
Chicago's porch rules were tightened after the 2003 Lincoln Park porch collapse. The essentials: porches and decks must be designed for 100 pounds per square foot of live load, guardrails must generally be at least 42 inches high with openings tight enough that a 4-inch ball cannot pass through, and structural work requires permitted plans from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. Zoning also limits how far a rear porch can project and how close it can sit to lot lines. See the porch code section for the plain-English version.
Composite handles Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles, snow and summer sun with almost no maintenance and typically lasts 25+ years, but costs more upfront. Wood costs less on day one, then needs staining or sealing every 2–3 years and usually lasts 10–20 years depending on species and upkeep. Over a 10-year window, composite often ends up costing about the same or less — compare them in the materials section. We build both and will give you straight numbers for each.
Once permits are in hand, most decks take 1–3 weeks to build, screened porches 4–8 weeks, rear porch rebuilds 3–6 weeks, and rooftop decks 4–8 weeks. Chicago permit review typically adds 2–6 weeks up front depending on the project, and we manage that whole process for you.
Yes. Rooftop and garage-top decks are one of our specialties and one of the best ways to add outdoor space on a tight Chicago lot. They need a structural evaluation, proper waterproofing and drainage, engineered drawings and permits — all of which we handle in-house with our own framing crew.
Yes — decks are consistently among the best-returning exterior projects, typically recouping 50–80% of their cost at resale. In Chicago, a safe, code-compliant porch also protects the value you already have: an aging or non-compliant porch is a red flag for buyers, inspectors and insurers.
It's easy. Call us at (773) 969-9097, fill out our online form, or email bofranbuilders@gmail.com. We'll schedule a consultation, look at your space, and provide a detailed, no-obligation estimate.
Ready for a deck or porch you never worry about?
Tell us about your project and we'll reach out within one business day with next steps and a clear, itemized estimate — from a Chicago contractor building since 1999.
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