Is it expensive to renovate in Chicago?

A typical project in the Chicago area costs about 18% more than the U.S. average. Construction workers there earn $85,000 a year on average, 30% above the U.S. average of $65,360 (2025 U.S. government wage data). Labor is a big part of what most jobs cost, so local pay moves the price.

Why does Chicago cost more than average?

Materials cost about the same across the country. What changes the price is local pay. Of the 44 large metro areas we track, the Chicago area ranks 3 for construction pay, where number 1 pays the most.

Do these prices cover the whole Chicago area?

Yes. These prices are for the whole Chicago metro area, meaning the city and the towns around it. Quotes still change by neighborhood, contractor and the size of the job, so get two or three local bids. For a number that fits your project, use the calculator in any cost guide.

Costs in Chicago

Home improvement costs in Chicago (2026)

Most home projects in the Chicago area cost about 18% more than the U.S. average. Construction workers there earn $85,000 a year on average, 30% above the national average. The table below shows what 100 projects cost in the Chicago area.

Construction pay in Chicago

$85,000 a year on average

Projects here cost about 18% more than the U.S. average.

		Across the U.S.
How Much Do Gutter Guards Cost?	Roofing	$5–$12/linear ft	$5.90–$14/linear ft
How Much Do Kitchen Countertops Cost?	Remodeling	$50–$200/sq ft	$59–$240/sq ft
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?	Solar & Energy	$15,000–$35,000	$17,700–$41,300
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?	Remodeling	$6,000–$25,000	$7,100–$29,500
How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost?	Roofing	$150–$400	$180–$470
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$3,000–$10,000	$3,500–$11,800
How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$4–$8/sq ft	$4.70–$9.45/sq ft
How Much Does a Fire Pit Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$300–$5,000	$350–$5,900
How Much Does a French Drain Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$1,500–$6,000	$1,800–$7,100
How Much Does a Garage Conversion Cost?	Remodeling	$6,000–$27,000	$7,100–$31,900
How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$1,200–$3,500	$1,400–$4,100
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Install?	Heating & Cooling	$6,000–$20,000	$7,100–$23,600
How Much Does a Home Addition Cost?	Remodeling	$22,000–$100,000	$26,000–$118,000
How Much Does a Home Battery Cost?	Solar & Energy	$12,000–$20,000/unit	$14,200–$23,600/unit
How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$5,000–$25,000	$5,900–$29,500
How Much Does a Kitchen Island Cost?	Remodeling	$3,000–$10,000	$3,500–$11,800
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?	Remodeling	$15,000–$50,000	$17,700–$59,000
How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost?	Roofing	$15,000–$40,000	$17,700–$47,200
How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$3,000–$16,000	$3,500–$18,900
How Much Does a Pergola Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$2,000–$8,000	$2,400–$9,400
How Much Does a Pole Barn Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$10,000–$40,000	$11,800–$47,200
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$3,000–$12,000	$3,500–$14,200
How Much Does a Septic System Cost?	Plumbing	$3,000–$20,000	$3,500–$23,600
How Much Does a Sprinkler System Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$1,600–$5,000	$1,900–$5,900
How Much Does a Storage Shed Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$1,500–$10,000	$1,800–$11,800
How Much Does a Sunroom Addition Cost?	Remodeling	$20,000–$60,000	$23,600–$70,800
How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost?	Heating & Cooling	$1,500–$4,500	$1,800–$5,300
How Much Does a Walk-In Shower Cost?	Remodeling	$4,500–$15,000	$5,300–$17,700
How Much Does a Water Softener Cost?	Plumbing	$800–$3,500	$940–$4,100
How Much Does a Whole House Generator Cost?	Solar & Energy	$7,000–$15,000	$8,300–$17,700
How Much Does Air Conditioner Repair Cost?	Heating & Cooling	$150–$700/unit	$180–$830/unit
How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$3,000–$7,000	$3,500–$8,300
How Much Does an Egress Window Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$2,500–$6,000	$3,000–$7,100
How Much Does an Inground Pool Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$45,000–$90,000	$53,100–$106,200
How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$6,000–$35,000	$7,100–$41,300
How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$8–$20/sq ft	$9.45–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?	Remodeling	$1,200–$3,200	$1,400–$3,800
How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost?	Insulation	$1–$4/sq ft	$1.20–$4.70/sq ft
How Much Does Basement Waterproofing Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$2,500–$12,000	$3,000–$14,200
How Much Does Bathtub Refinishing Cost?	Remodeling	$300–$650	$350–$770
How Much Does Blown-In Insulation Cost?	Insulation	$0.9–$2.4/sq ft	$1.05–$2.85/sq ft
How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?	Remodeling	$2–$8/sq ft	$2.35–$9.45/sq ft
How Much Does Chimney Repair Cost?	Roofing	$200–$2,500/unit	$240–$3,000/unit
How Much Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost?	Insulation	$3,000–$8,000	$3,500–$9,400
How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost?	Plumbing	$150–$500/unit	$180–$590/unit
How Much Does Driveway Sealing Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$100–$300	$120–$350
How Much Does Drywall Installation Cost?	Remodeling	$1.5–$3.5/sq ft	$1.75–$4.15/sq ft
How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost?	Remodeling	$3–$25/sq ft	$3.55–$30/sq ft
How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$2,500–$15,000	$3,000–$17,700
How Much Does Garage Door Replacement Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$1,000–$3,500	$1,200–$4,100
How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost?	Roofing	$100–$350	$120–$410
How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost?	Roofing	$1,000–$4,500	$1,200–$5,300
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$4,000–$25,000	$4,700–$29,500
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage?	Remodeling	$20,000–$50,000	$23,600–$59,000
How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU?	Remodeling	$80,000–$250,000/sq ft	$94,400–$295,000/sq ft
How Much Does It Cost to Epoxy a Garage Floor?	Remodeling	$1,500–$3,500	$1,800–$4,100
How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement?	Remodeling	$15,000–$50,000	$17,700–$59,000
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Ceiling Fan?	Electrical	$150–$600/unit	$180–$710/unit
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Fence?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$2,000–$8,000	$2,400–$9,400
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Fireplace?	Remodeling	$1,000–$10,000	$1,200–$11,800
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Mini Split?	Heating & Cooling	$2,000–$14,500	$2,400–$17,100
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight?	Roofing	$1,200–$4,200/unit	$1,400–$5,000/unit
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Sump Pump?	Plumbing	$650–$2,000	$770–$2,400
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Toilet?	Plumbing	$250–$800	$300–$940
How Much Does It Cost to Install an EV Charger at Home?	Solar & Energy	$1,000–$3,000	$1,200–$3,500
How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting?	Electrical	$125–$300/unit	$150–$350/unit
How Much Does It Cost to Install Sod?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$1–$3.5/sq ft	$1.20–$4.15/sq ft
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior?	Windows & Exterior	$3,000–$10,000	$3,500–$11,800
How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Interior of a House?	Remodeling	$2,000–$6,000	$2,400–$7,100
How Much Does It Cost to Pump a Septic Tank?	Plumbing	$250–$600	$300–$710
How Much Does It Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?	Remodeling	$4,000–$10,000	$4,700–$11,800
How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House?	Plumbing	$4,000–$15,000	$4,700–$17,700
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Boiler?	Heating & Cooling	$4,000–$10,000	$4,700–$11,800
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Central AC Unit?	Heating & Cooling	$4,000–$12,000	$4,700–$14,200
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Furnace?	Heating & Cooling	$3,000–$12,000	$3,500–$14,200
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof?	Roofing	$7,000–$18,000	$8,300–$21,200
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Heater?	Heating & Cooling	$900–$3,500	$1,100–$4,100
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Well Pump?	Plumbing	$1,500–$4,000	$1,800–$4,700
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an HVAC System?	Heating & Cooling	$7,000–$20,000	$8,300–$23,600
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Ductwork?	Heating & Cooling	$1,400–$12,000	$1,700–$14,200
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?	Electrical	$8,000–$30,000	$9,400–$35,400
How Much Does It Cost to Soundproof a Room?	Remodeling	$1,000–$3,000	$1,200–$3,500
How Much Does It Cost to Stucco a House?	Windows & Exterior	$8,000–$30,000	$9,400–$35,400
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel?	Electrical	$1,500–$6,000	$1,800–$7,100
How Much Does Landscaping Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$3,000–$15,000	$3,500–$17,700
How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?	Remodeling	$1,500–$6,000	$1,800–$7,100
How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost?	Remodeling	$1–$6/sq ft	$1.20–$7.10/sq ft
How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$200–$600	$240–$710
How Much Does Radiant Floor Heating Cost?	Heating & Cooling	$6–$20/sq ft	$7.10–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Radon Mitigation Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$800–$2,500	$940–$3,000
How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?	Roofing	$350–$1,900	$410–$2,200
How Much Does Sewer Line Replacement Cost?	Plumbing	$3,000–$12,000	$3,500–$14,200
How Much Does Siding Replacement Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$7,000–$20,000	$8,300–$23,600
How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost?	Insulation	$1.5–$5/sq ft	$1.75–$5.90/sq ft
How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$8–$20/sq ft	$9.45–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Tile Installation Cost?	Remodeling	$7–$20/sq ft	$8.25–$24/sq ft
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$400–$1,800/unit	$470–$2,100/unit
How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost?	Outdoor & Landscaping	$250–$1,000	$300–$1,200
How Much Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost?	Remodeling	$3–$10/sq ft	$3.55–$12/sq ft
How Much Does Window Replacement Cost?	Windows & Exterior	$5,000–$15,000	$5,900–$17,700

What these prices are: Each one is the U.S. price for that project, adjusted for what construction workers earn in the Chicago area. Materials cost about the same everywhere, so the difference is mostly pay. These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Prices still change by neighborhood and contractor, so get two or three local bids. You can also see prices for all of Illinois.

What each trade earns in the Chicago area

Average yearly pay for each trade in 2025, and how it compares with the U.S. average. The numbers come from U.S. government wage data.

Trade	Chicago	vs. U.S.
Electricians	$94,450	+32%
Plumbers	$96,430	+34%
Heating and cooling technicians	$79,340	+22%
Carpenters	$83,110	+27%
Roofers	$81,010	+39%
Painters	$70,720	+28%
Construction laborers	$69,180	+33%

What Chicago permits say jobs cost

When someone files for a building permit, they write down what the job will cost. This table uses 27,318 home-sized permits issued in the last 12 months (City of Chicago Building Permits). It shows the median filed value (half of jobs listed less, half listed more) and the middle 50%, the range where the middle half of jobs fall. People often list less than the final price, so use these numbers as a check, not a quote. See every city on what projects actually cost.

Project	Permits	Median filed	Middle 50%
Electrical panel / service upgrade	2,650	$4,000	$2,500 – $6,200
Solar panel installation	1,888	$20,400	$14,000 – $27,200
Roof replacement	1,143	$21,000	$13,400 – $30,000
Deck	899	$25,000	$14,000 – $45,000
Detached garage	759	$28,900	$23,000 – $35,000
Home addition / ADU	609	$150,000	$100,000 – $250,000
HVAC replacement	584	$12,100	$5,500 – $20,000
Kitchen remodel	568	$25,000	$22,600 – $65,000
Window replacement	337	$10,000	$5,000 – $20,000
Bathroom remodel	303	$22,900	$13,500 – $40,000
Water heater replacement	194	$5,500	$3,600 – $10,500
EV charger installation	134	$3,600	$2,300 – $4,700
Standby generator	60	$13,000	$11,100 – $15,200

Contractors with the most permits (last 12 months)

Contractor	Permits
SUNRUN INSTALLATION SERVICES INC	617
CURRENT COMMUNICATIONS CORP	185
ROBERT LESNICKI	165
ALVAREZ ELECTRICAL TECH	164
BLUE LINE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTO	163
CHAVEZ ELECTRIC	154
MARON ELECTRIC COMPANY	147
KAPITAL ELECTRIC COMPANY	144

These counts come from public permit records. They show how busy a contractor is, not whether we recommend them. Chicago licenses general contractors at the city level. Before you hire anyone, check their license and get two or three written bids.

Common questions

Is it expensive to renovate in Chicago?: A typical project in the Chicago area costs about 18% more than the U.S. average. Construction workers there earn $85,000 a year on average, 30% above the U.S. average of $65,360 (2025 U.S. government wage data). Labor is a big part of what most jobs cost, so local pay moves the price.
Why does Chicago cost more than average?: Materials cost about the same across the country. What changes the price is local pay. Of the 44 large metro areas we track, the Chicago area ranks 3 for construction pay, where number 1 pays the most.
Do these prices cover the whole Chicago area?: Yes. These prices are for the whole Chicago metro area, meaning the city and the towns around it. Quotes still change by neighborhood, contractor and the size of the job, so get two or three local bids. For a number that fits your project, use the calculator in any cost guide.

Compare other cities on the cost by city page, see prices across Illinois, or see the trade pay data behind these prices.