Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a window replacement
Not an estimate. We read 55 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $8,700 and $79,636. One in ten came in under $5,000; one in ten ran past $100,000.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $20,000 | $8,700 – $79,636 | 55 |
| New York, NY | $50,000 | $23,000 – $100,000 | 381 |
| New Orleans, LA | $18,076 | $7,416 – $33,915 | 89 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $14,496 | $10,500 – $19,430 | 48 |
| Seattle, WA | $13,942 | $7,733 – $32,535 | 33 |
| San Francisco, CA | $13,000 | $6,000 – $30,000 | 295 |
| Sacramento, CA | $10,000 | $8,000 – $71,438 | 29 |
| Detroit, MI | $8,357 | $4,282 – $14,538 | 303 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,400 | $1,800 – $7,985 | 3,517 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $3,400 in Los Angeles to $50,000 in New York — a 14.7× 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 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 51 |
| Foundation Repair | $52,850 | 49 |
| 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.