I'll let you in on something most homeowners don't realize: the best roof decks finished in summer were designed the previous winter. While that might seem counterintuitive, the reality of Chicago's design-build process means that waiting until spring often pushes your completion date into late fall—or even the following year.
Let me walk you through why now is the right time to start planning your 2026 roof deck, and what that process actually looks like.
Why Winter is Prime Planning Season
Chicago's construction season has a rhythm. Once temperatures consistently hit the 40s in March and April, every contractor in the city gets busy at once. Permits that took six weeks in January suddenly take three months. Material suppliers have longer lead times. Scheduling trades becomes a juggling act.
But in December and January? Our design team has bandwidth to really focus on your project. We can take the time to explore options, work through the details, and develop something that genuinely fits how you live. There's no rush to get drawings out the door because spring is tomorrow.
December 2025 – January 2026: Design Phase
This is where the magic happens. We'll visit your space, understand how you want to use it, and explore what's possible within your building's structural constraints. Do you want an outdoor kitchen? A hot tub? A pergola for shade? We'll work through the options together.
Schematic design typically takes three to five weeks, depending on complexity. By the end, you'll have a clear vision of your space, detailed 3D renderings, and itemized pricing so there are no surprises.
February – March 2026: Engineering and Permits
This is the part most people underestimate. In Chicago, any structural work on a roof requires engineering drawings and a building permit. If you're in a landmark district or adding significant load, expect additional reviews.
Our in-house architect and structural engineer develop the permit drawings, and we submit them to the city. We've done this over 2,000 times, so we know exactly what Chicago's Department of Buildings wants to see. Even so, permit review can take anywhere from six weeks to several months depending on the project scope and city workload.
The projects that hit snags? Usually the ones that started the permit process in April, right when everyone else did.
April – June 2026: Construction
With your permit in hand and materials ordered during the slower winter months, we can start construction as soon as weather allows. Most projects run five to twelve weeks depending on scope. A straightforward deck replacement might be three weeks. A full-service transformation with a kitchen, pergola, fire features, and landscaping could be twelve.
The goal is enjoying your new space for summer 2026. With proper planning, that's absolutely achievable.
What to Think About Now
Even before we meet, there are questions worth considering:
How do you actually want to use the space? Quiet morning coffee? Weekend entertaining? Both? The answer shapes everything from layout to features.
What's your building situation? Condo associations may have approval processes. Landmark districts have design review. Single-family homes have more flexibility but still need permits for structural work.
What's your realistic budget range? Roof deck projects in Chicago vary widely—from $50,000 for a simple deck upgrade to $300,000+ for a full luxury buildout. Having a range in mind helps us design something that fits.
Are there features you know you want? Certain items like custom pergolas, outdoor kitchens, or hot tubs have longer lead times. Knowing early helps us plan accordingly.
The Advantage of Full-Service Design-Build
One thing that makes our approach different: you're not coordinating between an architect, an engineer, a general contractor, and a landscape designer. We have all of those disciplines in-house. When our architect draws a detail, our builders know exactly how to execute it. When our landscape team specifies plantings, they understand the structural loads involved.
That integration saves time, prevents miscommunication, and keeps the project moving forward smoothly. From your first meeting with our design team to the final walkthrough with your project manager, there's one point of contact, one cohesive vision.
Take the First Step
If 2026 is the year you want to transform your rooftop, the conversation should start now. Not because we're trying to fill our calendar—though winter availability is genuinely better—but because the design-build process takes time to do right.
Good design solves problems you didn't know you had. Proper engineering ensures your space is safe for decades. Thoughtful planning means your first summer on the roof deck is everything you imagined.
Reach out to start the conversation. We'll walk through what's possible for your specific space and develop a plan that makes sense for your timeline and budget. The skyline isn't going anywhere—but the best time to start planning is right now.