Construction Leads in Chicago by Trade (2026)
Chicago has open projects for 26 trades in Builtie's permit feed. On October 9, 2026 the largest was painting, with 1,364 projects still inside its award window. The data is the City of Chicago's own building permits; Builtie estimates each project's stage and attaches the builder or general contractor with a verified decision maker.
The same four steps, whether the buyer is a builder, a designer, an owner or a company you want to acquire.
Open projects in Chicago, by trade
Each trade is counted separately, because each is bought at a different stage of the build. Trades are listed in the order they are usually awarded, from site work to finishes; the award window is how far through the build that contract is usually decided.
| Trade | Projects in the award window | Permitted in the last 90 days | Award window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation and Site Work | 64 | 63 | Before construction starts |
| Construction Site Security | 299 | 169 | Before the start to 15% |
| Concrete and Foundation | 389 | 377 | Before the start to 5% |
| Structural Steel | 628 | 576 | 0% to 15% |
| Elevators | 210 | 131 | 0% to 20% |
| Framing | 785 | 672 | 0% to 20% |
| Painting | 1,364 | 855 | 5% to 35% |
| Masonry | 929 | 715 | 10% to 30% |
| Waterproofing | 973 | 681 | 10% to 35% |
| Roofing | 1,087 | 795 | 15% to 35% |
| Windows, Doors and Glazing | 1,149 | 857 | 15% to 35% |
| Electrical | 1,354 | 845 | 20% to 45% |
| HVAC and Mechanical | 1,362 | 853 | 20% to 45% |
| Plumbing | 1,283 | 774 | 20% to 45% |
| Fire Protection | 910 | 381 | 25% to 50% |
| Signage and Wayfinding | 872 | 176 | 25% to 70% |
| Insulation | 984 | 410 | 30% to 55% |
| Drywall | 1,174 | 408 | 35% to 60% |
| Low Voltage and Data | 1,091 | 325 | 35% to 60% |
| Tile | 920 | 147 | 45% to 65% |
| Cabinetry and Millwork | 939 | 123 | 50% to 70% |
| Flooring | 1,018 | 202 | 50% to 70% |
| Countertops | 953 | 65 | 55% to 75% |
| Finish Carpentry | 989 | 101 | 55% to 75% |
| Appliances and Equipment | 967 | 35 | 65% to 90% |
| Landscaping | 959 | 27 | 65% to 90% |
The ten trades with the most open projects in Chicago, read October 9, 2026.
What sells early and what sells late in Chicago
Early trades (excavation and site work, site security, concrete, structural steel, elevator) need projects permitted recently, before the structure goes up. Late trades (cabinetry, flooring, countertop, finish carpentry, appliance and equipment) are bought from projects permitted a year or more ago that are only now reaching the finishes, so their counts lean on the older permits.
The broadest trade count in Chicago covers 445 new buildings and 941 renovations or alterations. Most open work is renovation and alteration, so owners, designers and renovation contractors decide as often as builders do.
What the Chicago data covers
Chicago issues one combined permit per project, so the name on it is usually the general contractor or developer, which is the company a trade wants to reach.
Customers who work from Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville, Schaumburg and Skokie are shown this feed as their nearest covered market; those cities' own permits are not counted here.
See also: the Chicago market guide, construction lead software in Chicago, construction lead generation software in Illinois, and every market and trade Builtie covers.
Plans
Builtie's Starter plan is $79 per seat per month (CAD) for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds the LinkedIn and email outreach you run yourself. Opening a project spends one credit, and the decision makers, emails, phones and AI call script inside it are included. Your monthly credits reset at each renewal, and extra credit packs are valid for 30 days. The free trial runs 7 days with 10 projects. Custom, where Builtie's team runs the outreach for you, starts from CAD $1,500 a month on top of a Growth seat.
Builtie's deepest coverage is in the Greater Toronto Area, where it started; depth in any city depends on what that municipality publishes. Ask for live sample projects in your own service area before you buy.
Permits issued in Chicago: Chicago construction permits by month; the September 2026 report; by building type: new residential construction, residential renovation, new commercial construction, commercial renovation, new institutional construction, institutional renovation, industrial renovation.
Frequently asked questions
Which trades have the most open construction projects in Chicago?
On October 9, 2026: painting, 1,364 projects; HVAC, 1,362 projects; electrical, 1,354 projects; plumbing, 1,283 projects; drywall, 1,174 projects.
Where does Builtie get Chicago construction leads?
From the City of Chicago's building permits. Builtie estimates each project's stage, keeps the ones still inside each trade's award window and attaches the builder or general contractor with a verified decision maker.
Does the Chicago count include nearby cities?
No. It counts the City of Chicago only. Customers in Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville, Schaumburg and Skokie are shown it as their nearest covered market.
When should I contact a builder in Chicago?
It depends on the trade. Site work and concrete are bought before or at the start of construction; framing, steel and windows in the first fifth of the build; mechanical, electrical and plumbing at about 20% to 45%; drywall and finishes after that; landscaping and appliances near the end.
What does Builtie cost?
Starter is $79 per seat per month for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds LinkedIn and email outreach. There is a 7-day free trial with 10 projects.