Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a window replacement
Not an estimate. We read 57 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $8,900 and $80,000. One in ten came in under $5,000; one in ten ran past $107,200.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $20,000 | $8,900 – $80,000 | 57 |
| New York, NY | $50,000 | $20,820 – $100,000 | 366 |
| New Orleans, LA | $17,725 | $7,387 – $33,936 | 88 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $14,496 | $10,000 – $19,430 | 52 |
| San Francisco, CA | $13,860 | $6,000 – $30,000 | 289 |
| Seattle, WA | $13,515 | $7,983 – $31,901 | 34 |
| Sacramento, CA | $10,000 | $8,000 – $71,438 | 29 |
| Detroit, MI | $8,242 | $4,284 – $14,350 | 316 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,500 | $1,800 – $8,000 | 3,474 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $3,500 in Los Angeles to $50,000 in New York — a 14.3× 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 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 53 |
| Foundation Repair | $52,850 | 47 |
| 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.