Repair, full rebuild, or new construction. We build porches to Chicago's current code — designed to hold up to weather, wear, and inspection.
After the Wrightwood collapse in 2003, the city's porch safety ordinance became one of the strictest in the country. We build to it — not around it.
They're also a defining liability when they fail. Akats Construction builds and repairs porches for homeowners and landlords throughout Chicago — bringing older structures up to current code and building new ones designed to hold up for decades.
Whichever fits your situation, we'll be straight with you about which one your porch actually needs.
Most porch work we do in Chicago is repair. We identify what's actually failing and fix only what needs fixing.
When repair isn't enough, we tear out the existing porch and build a new one to current code, sized correctly with compliant connections.
Properties that don't have a porch — or want one added. Rear porches, front entrances, elevated decks. We handle design, permits, and construction.
Older two- and three-flats have a lot of porches that were built decades ago and have been accumulating wear, rot, and deferred maintenance. Here's what we find when we look.
Wood that's rotted, split, or soft underfoot. Often worse than it looks from above.
The board that ties the porch to the building. If this is wrong, the whole porch is at risk.
Spacing, height, or strength out of spec. Code requires specific dimensions and load ratings.
Footings that have shifted or weren't sized right. The porch leans or feels loose.
Wood-to-concrete contact without proper isolation. Rot starts at the base.
Old designs that don't meet today's code. Inspectors will flag these immediately.
The city's porch ordinance sets specific requirements for railing height, post sizing, ledger board connections, and load capacity. These standards were tightened significantly after 2003.
If your porch hasn't had work done since then, it's probably not in compliance. Selling, refinancing, or getting inspected? It comes up fast.
Chicago's porch code was updated significantly after the Wrightwood Avenue collapse. If your porch hasn't been touched since then, it's probably not in compliance with current standards.
Porch violations are among the most common code violations issued on Chicago residential buildings. We handle the violation side end-to-end — assess, repair to code, document, and help you through re-inspection.
Repair, rebuild, or new — we'll come out, take a look, and give you a straight answer about what your porch actually needs. También hablamos español.
If you need a quick answer about your specific porch, a phone call is faster than a form. Here are the questions we get most.
It depends on the scope. Major structural work and new porch construction typically require permits. Cosmetic repairs and minor maintenance usually don't. We'll advise on what's needed for your specific project.
The clearest way is to have it looked at. If you've received a violation notice, it will identify the specific issue. If you want a proactive assessment before a sale or inspection, we can come out and tell you where it stands.
Yes. We design new porches to be consistent with the existing architecture of the building.
We work with pressure-treated lumber, composite decking, and other materials appropriate for Chicago's climate and the city's code requirements.
Yes. We work on two-flats, three-flats, and larger multi-unit residential buildings regularly. Rear porch stacks on Chicago two and three-flats are a common project for us.
