Deck & Outdoor Living
Chicago
Chicago summers are short and worth every square foot. We build decks, pergolas, patios, and outdoor living spaces that extend your home's livable footprint — built to handle Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles and look great doing it.
Chicago’s Trusted
Deck & Outdoor Living Contractor
Outdoor structures in Chicago need to be built for the climate — not just for aesthetics. We size footings correctly for frost depth, use hardware rated for ground contact, and select materials that handle Chicago's temperature swings without warping, splitting, or failing. Lee & Sam is a licensed general contractor serving Chicago, the suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Our team brings 25+ years of outdoor construction expertise to every deck and patio project. We handle all city permits, inspections, and zoning requirements for outdoor structures.
Serving all 55 Chicago neighborhoods — from Lincoln Park to Hyde Park — plus the North Shore, Western and South suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Every Outdoor Project
We Build
Wood Decks
Pressure-treated and cedar deck construction with properly sized footings, framing, decking, railings, and stairs — built to code and permitted with the city.
Composite Decks
Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon composite deck installation — low maintenance, warrantied materials that look great and hold up to Chicago winters without the annual maintenance of wood.
Pergolas & Shade Structures
Freestanding and attached pergolas, shade sails, and covered patio structures that extend outdoor comfort into Chicago's shoulder seasons.
Patios & Hardscaping
Concrete, paver, and natural stone patio installation with proper base preparation, drainage, and edging for Chicago's frost-heave conditions.
Outdoor Kitchens
Built-in grills, countertops, cabinetry, and sink stations that turn your deck or patio into a full outdoor entertaining space.
Permits & Inspections
Decks in Chicago require permits and inspections. We handle all zoning research, permit applications, and inspection scheduling as part of every project.
Our Deck & Outdoor
Living Process
Design & Zoning Review
We assess your yard, check setback requirements, and develop a design that maximizes your outdoor space within your property's zoning constraints.
Permitting
All deck permits submitted and approved before any work begins — including structural drawings where required by your municipality.
Construction
Footings, framing, decking, railings, and all finish elements installed by our crew — sequenced for weather and inspections throughout.
Final Inspection & Walkthrough
City inspection passed, final walkthrough completed, and all punch list items resolved before we close out the project.
Deck & Outdoor Living Across
Chicago & Chicagoland
Deck & Outdoor Projects
Across Chicago
Deck & Outdoor Living
FAQs
Have more questions? We're happy to walk your outdoor space and discuss your options.
Call Us NowYes — any deck attached to the house or over 30 inches above grade requires a permit in Chicago. We handle all permit applications and inspection scheduling as part of every deck project.
Both work well when installed correctly. Composite requires less maintenance (no staining or sealing) and has a longer warranty. Wood has a lower upfront cost and is easier to repair. We help you choose based on your budget, aesthetic preference, and maintenance appetite.
Chicago's frost depth is 42 inches — footings must extend below frost line to prevent heaving. We always size and pour footings correctly, which is the single most important structural decision in a Chicago deck.
Most decks take 1–3 weeks from permit approval to completion. Larger projects with pergolas, outdoor kitchens, or complex designs take 3–6 weeks.
Ready to Start Your
Deck & Outdoor Project?
Get a free, detailed estimate from Chicago's trusted deck & outdoor living contractor.