Basic cost of a porch replacement

There are hundreds of thousands of porches located within the Chicago city limits. Many of then still require replacement. People shopping around for contractors come across different companies and different prices...

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Dos and don'ts during a porch inspection

If the building you manage has porch(es) that received a violation notice from the City, an inspection will be required once the construction is complete. Building inspector's sign off on the permit will result in dismissal of the case and should also prevent the fines from being imposed on the building owner.

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Porch construction - column splice detail

Column is a vital element of a porch structure. It has to be properly designed and, what is more important, installed correctly. Due to limited length of 6x6 posts, most porches are built using several posts connected with each other. Connection of two 6x6 posts is called a 'column splice'.

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Porch construction vs. type of lumber

The most common lumber used for porch construction is yellow pine. Yellow pine comes in different types (grades). The lower the number, the better quality of the wood. Grade 2 is allowed for porch construction because it will pass...

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New porch design - engineer's experience is an important factor

Porch drawings have to be drawn by a licensed professional. This means that practically every state licensed architect or engineer can design the structure. Such a porch may be code compliant but it is likely that you will not only pay a lot more than you should have...

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Porch foundations - A How-to

Porch foundations are an integral part of the porch structure. According to the building codes of Chicago and suburbs, porch foundations (commonly called 'footings') need to go 42" below the frost line.

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Porch inspections - myths vs. reality

There are nearly dozens of inspections of newly constructed porches, performed daily by City of Chicago Building Department. However, even if a porch is signed off on, there is no guarantee the structure is code compliant or safe. The best example of this is...

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Metal vs. wood porch

What is the difference between a metal and a wood porch?
1. The cost - on average a metal porch is 50% more expensive
2. Life expectancy - a wood porch will last longer (if properly maintained it can last up to 50 years)...

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FAQs - repair vs. replacement of a porch

Q: Do I need drawings and a permit for porch work?
A: In most cases - yes. If you received a violation notice from the City, the inspector may make a note that permit and/or drawings are not required in case of some non-structural repairs...

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