Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a foundation repair
Not an estimate. We read 49 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $39,769 and $95,000. One in ten came in under $26,200; one in ten ran past $177,450.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $52,850 | $39,769 – $95,000 | 49 |
| New York, NY | $40,000 | $20,000 – $80,000 | 1,137 |
| San Francisco, CA | $27,694 | $11,770 – $53,346 | 80 |
| Seattle, WA | $26,242 | $17,422 – $41,842 | 126 |
| Sacramento, CA | $19,400 | $14,308 – $29,054 | 63 |
| New Orleans, LA | $16,040 | $9,118 – $25,928 | 110 |
| Kansas City, MO | $13,302 | $8,587 – $20,832 | 169 |
| Austin, TX | $11,250 | $7,532 – $18,988 | 109 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | $5,300 – $22,000 | 237 |
| Raleigh, NC | $7,805 | $4,682 – $11,710 | 41 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $10,000 in Los Angeles to $40,000 in New York — a 4.0× spread. See all cities →
Other projects in Chicago
| Project | Median | Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | $19,266 | 3,657 |
| Garage | $25,000 | 2,470 |
| Roof Replacement | $22,981 | 1,951 |
| Interior Remodel | $100,000 | 1,266 |
| Home Addition | $150,000 | 1,175 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $25,000 | 1,027 |
| Deck or Patio | $26,645 | 1,009 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $5,000 | 613 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $23,914 | 606 |
| HVAC Replacement | $20,000 | 498 |
| Water Heater | $6,000 | 310 |
| Siding or Stucco | $18,577 | 59 |
| Window Replacement | $20,000 | 55 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 51 |
| Swimming Pool | $100,000 | 31 |
Source
Source: City of Chicago Department of Buildings — Building Permits. Permits issued in the last 24 months, classified by the work described on the permit. The figure is the declared value of the work — what the applicant reported to the city. It excludes work done without a permit and can sit below a final invoice. Read the full methodology. Data refreshed 2026-09-04.