Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a foundation repair
Not an estimate. We read 47 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $40,184 and $87,500. One in ten came in under $27,190; one in ten ran past $160,000.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $52,850 | $40,184 – $87,500 | 47 |
| New York, NY | $40,755 | $20,000 – $80,000 | 1,143 |
| San Francisco, CA | $27,388 | $11,540 – $50,000 | 79 |
| Seattle, WA | $26,000 | $17,000 – $43,000 | 125 |
| Sacramento, CA | $19,400 | $14,308 – $29,054 | 63 |
| New Orleans, LA | $16,100 | $9,135 – $25,885 | 107 |
| Kansas City, MO | $13,343 | $8,707 – $20,832 | 153 |
| Austin, TX | $12,183 | $7,625 – $18,988 | 113 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | $5,000 – $22,000 | 237 |
| Raleigh, NC | $7,859 | $5,287 – $11,853 | 44 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $10,000 in Los Angeles to $40,755 in New York — a 4.1× spread. See all cities →
Other projects in Chicago
| Project | Median | Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | $19,535 | 3,655 |
| Garage | $25,000 | 2,461 |
| Roof Replacement | $22,940 | 1,962 |
| Interior Remodel | $100,000 | 1,239 |
| Home Addition | $150,000 | 1,168 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $25,000 | 1,046 |
| Deck or Patio | $28,000 | 991 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $5,000 | 624 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $24,000 | 590 |
| HVAC Replacement | $20,000 | 488 |
| Water Heater | $6,048 | 309 |
| Siding or Stucco | $19,150 | 58 |
| Window Replacement | $20,000 | 57 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 53 |
| 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 2026-09-24.