Get Quotes from Top Carpenters in Chicago, IL

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Carpenter in Chicago?

Any carpenter in Chicago who intends to bid for or perform any type of home improvement work must first obtain a general contractor license from the Chicago Department of Building. Any carpenter who operates without a license may be liable to a maximum fine of $5,000.

There are five classes of general contractor licenses issued by the Chicago Department of Building, and each class of license has a scope of permitted works. This scope is determined by the value of the project. For example, while a general contractor Class B license only allows the license holder to bid for home improvement projects with a maximum value of $10,000,000, a Class A license holder can handle home improvement projects valued at any price.

Interested persons applying for any of the classes of general contractor license must be at least 18 years old and must mail a completed exam application form, accompanied with the relevant application fee, to the Department of Building at:

Once the application is approved, applicants can sit for the relevant contractor examination. If they pass the examination, the Department of Building will issue the general contractor license applied for. Interested persons can direct carpenter licensing queries to the Chicago Department of Building by dialing 311 if within Chicago or (312) 744-5000 if outside the city.

You can utilize the List of Licensed General Contractors provided by the Chicago Department of Building to verify the licensing status of your intended carpenter.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Carpenters in Chicago?

Carpenters in Chicago charge an average hourly rate of $34.74. This hourly rate is determined by factors like the scope and nature of the project, cost and types of materials to be used, the required labor, and the expertise and reputation of the carpenter. To find the most suitable carpenter for your budget, it is best to get bids and estimates from at least three carpenters near you. You can also reduce your chances of falling victim to scammers and deceptive contractors when you do this.

A carpenter in Chicago earns an annual average wage of $72,270. The table below provides a comparison of the mean hourly wage for carpenters in Chicago against those of carpenters in the rest of Illinois as well as across several other major American cities:

Do You Comply with Chicago Building Code for Carpentry Work?

When hiring a carpenter in Chicago, you must ensure such an individual is well-versed with the provisions of the Building Code and how it relates to your projects. The Chicago Building Code regulates the construction, alteration, maintenance, and use of buildings and structures across the city. As such, you must ensure that when hiring a carpenter in the city, you hire someone familiar with the Code and its application to your proposed projects. Failure to adhere to the Code's provision attracts penalties such as fines of up to $10,000. You can contact the Chicago Department of Building and Safety at (312) 744-3449 for all code-related inquiries.

Will You Get the Home Improvement Permits as Required by the Chicago Code?

Several building projects in Chicago involving construction, alteration, replacement, and installation of carpentry fixtures like kitchen and bathroom cabinets, wall framing, and wooden fences require permits. The Chicago Department of Buildings is responsible for reviewing permit applications and issuing several types of permits for building projects in the city.

Project owners or their hired contractors can apply for building permits. However, applicants can first rely on resources from the Zoning Ordinance Administration to confirm if their proposed project requires zoning approval. Also, applicants can verify if their projects will be subject to landmark approvals. It is important to note that the size of your project will determine the type of permits needed. For homes and building improvement, repairs, and replacement that do not require submission of plans, the appropriate permit is an Easy Permit (EPP). All other projects that are not under the Easy Permit category require Standard Plan Reviews (SPR) and Developer Services (DS) permits. Applicants can complete the relevant permit application online. Otherwise, they can complete and submit a duly signed applicable permit application form to the city's Department of Buildings at:

At certain stages of the project, after obtaining a permit, permittees must schedule inspections with the Department of Buildings. These inspections are mandatory and they are to enable building officials to assess a project's compliance with the relevant city codes.

You can direct all your permit and inspection-related queries or inquire if your hired contractor has obtained the necessary permits by contacting the city's Department of Building at (312) 744-3449. Alternatively, you can visit the office's physical location at the address provided above to make the necessary inquiries.

What Kind of Carpentry Services Do You Offer?

Carpenters in Chicago offer different kinds of services, like construction, repairs, alteration, and installation of different woodwork. Most carpenters in the city specialize in different types of carpentry work, especially rough carpentry work and finish carpentry work. Carpenters who offer rough carpentry work build wooden structures that include tunnels, temporary frame shelters, houses and commercial buildings, and sewer supports.

Meanwhile, finish carpentry involves contractors completing and adding more finesse and detail to rough carpentry work. As such, you must ensure that your carpenter specializes in performing the kind of carpentry work you need. Apart from confirming the area of specialization of your carpenter, it is wise also to ascertain how much they charge for their services, so you can draw up a financial plan for the project.

The average costs of some carpentry services in Chicago are provided below:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Carpenters in Chicago?

Carpenters in Chicago are not statutorily mandated to maintain general liability insurance policies. However, when hiring a carpenter, looking for a carpenter with adequate and active liability insurance is best. Work-related injuries are responsible for an estimated 37,000 emergency room visits each year. As such, it is advisable to hire only a carpenter with active insurance plans, especially general liability, and workers' compensation insurance, as this protects you from incurring financial liabilities resulting from any bodily harm or property damage that may occur while they work on your project. To be sure your intended carpenter is duly insured, you must make sure you request a copy of their insurance certificate. You should take further steps by verifying if the certificate is active.

Note that while carpenters in Chicago are not mandated to maintain liability insurance policies, they are required under law to carry workers' compensation insurance policies if they have more than one employee. For more information regarding the worker's compensation insurance for carpenters in Chicago, you can contact the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission at (312) 814-6500.