1. Start with the material
Not every builder works with every material. In this directory, 29% of builders say on their own website that they build wood decks, 39% composite and 13% PVC. 35% mention pergolas or covered decks, and 16% screened or three-season porches. Pick the material first, then call the builders who confirm it. On every town page you can tap a material to narrow the list.
2. Check that they work in your town
Deck builders drive to the job, but most stay within a set area. Each town page lists the builders based there first, then nearby ones with their distance. Ask on the first call whether they have built decks in your town and know its permit rules. What a town asks for differs a lot. See deck permit rules by city.
3. Read the reviews, not just the stars
A 4.8 from 300 reviews tells you more than a 5.0 from 4. Read a few recent reviews and look for the things that matter on a deck job: did they show up when they said, did the permit and inspections go smoothly, did they clean up, and how did they handle a problem.
4. Ask how it will be built
A deck is a structure people stand on, so the parts you cannot see matter most. Ask how deep the footings go and when the town inspects them. Rockford, Naperville, Elgin, Joliet, Schaumburg and Chicago all use 42 inches for footings or piers on an attached deck. Ask how the deck is fastened to the house and what railing height you will get. Naperville, Elgin, Joliet and Schaumburg require a guard at least 36 inches high once a deck is about 30 inches off the ground. Chicago's guidelines say 42 inches.
5. Get it in writing
Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, a job over $1,000 at a home needs a written contract you sign before work starts. It must list the total cost with materials, any charge for the estimate, and the company's business name and address. The company must also give you the state pamphlet "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights". More on the contract rule
6. Ask about insurance
Illinois requires home repair companies to carry liability and property damage insurance unless they have a net worth of at least $1,000,000, but nobody checks it for you. Ask for a certificate of insurance. Illinois does not license general contractors, so a "licensed" claim usually means a local registration. Ask which town or county it is with.
7. Be careful with deposits
The Attorney General's advice: never pay in cash or by Venmo or Zelle, and never pay in full until the work is done to your satisfaction. Agree on the payment schedule in the contract. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door offering a deal.
Questions to ask every deck builder
Ask each builder the same questions and write the answers down. Then compare.
- Do you build in the material I want (wood, composite, PVC)?
- Have you built decks in my town, and will you pull the permit?
- Who calls JULIE before the footings are dug, you or me?
- How deep do the footings go, and when is the footing inspection?
- How is the deck fastened to the house, and how is that joint flashed?
- What railing do you use, and how high will it be?
- Can I see a certificate of your liability insurance?
- Is the estimate free? Is it in writing, with materials listed?
- How much is the deposit, and when is the rest due?
- What does your warranty cover, and for how long? Is it in writing?
- Will your own crew do the work, or a subcontractor?
- When could you start, and how will you tell me if that changes?
From Illinois Deck Builders, deckbuildersillinois.com. Find deck builders by town, with ratings and phone numbers.