Framing Construction Leads in Chicago (2026): 569 Projects in the Award Window
To find framing construction leads in Chicago, work from building permits and time the call to the build stage. On September 23, 2026, 569 permitted projects in the City of Chicago were still at the point where framing is awarded, and 451 of them were permitted in the last 90 days. The builder or general contractor books framing crews while the foundation is going in, often from a short list of crews it already trusts. Builtie reads the permits, 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.
How many framing projects are open in Chicago right now
| Measure | Chicago |
|---|---|
| Projects in the framing award window | 569 |
| Of those, permitted in the last 90 days | 451 |
| Median declared construction value of those projects | $1,127,127 |
| Rank among the nine covered cities for framing | 7 of 9 |
A project counts when its permit was issued in the last four years, the build is still inside the stage when framing is awarded, and the job is big enough to be worth quoting: at least $15k of framing work. Trade sub-permits are not counted as projects.
Read September 23, 2026 from Builtie's permit data. Chicago is one of nine cities with live counts.
When framing is awarded, and who decides
Builtie times framing at 0% to 20% of the way through a build, with the last realistic approach at about 30%; the framing crew is usually on site between 15% and 45%. The builder or general contractor books framing crews while the foundation is going in, often from a short list of crews it already trusts.
Tap a stage. The highlighted stage is where framing is typically awarded.
What to lead with when you call: crew availability for the exact weeks the foundation will be ready, lumber sourcing and your safety record.
How Chicago permits show framing work
Chicago permits are filed for the project, so a new permit usually means the framing package is still open, and the name on it is the builder or general contractor who will award it.
Other trades in Chicago
| Trade | Projects in the award window | Permitted in the last 90 days |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical leads in Chicago | 1,180 | 689 |
| Plumbing leads in Chicago | 1,136 | 645 |
| HVAC and Mechanical leads in Chicago | 1,183 | 692 |
| Roofing leads in Chicago | 915 | 604 |
| Drywall leads in Chicago | 1,133 | 350 |
| Flooring leads in Chicago | 1,057 | 194 |
| Cabinetry and Millwork leads in Chicago | 976 | 113 |
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.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find framing construction leads in Chicago?
Start from building permits, not bid boards: most private framing work is awarded by the builder or GC without a public bid. Builtie reads Chicago's permits, keeps the 569 projects still inside the framing award window (569 on September 23, 2026), and attaches the builder or general contractor with a verified decision maker.
When should framing contractors contact a builder in Chicago?
Between about 0% and 20% of the way through the build, and no later than about 30%. After that the package is usually awarded, and the project is better used as an introduction for the builder's next job.
Who awards framing work on new construction in Chicago?
The builder or general contractor books framing crews while the foundation is going in, often from a short list of crews it already trusts.
How many framing projects does Builtie track in Chicago?
569 projects were inside the framing award window on September 23, 2026, 451 of them permitted in the last 90 days. The count refreshes hourly.
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.