Deck Contractors in Hampshire, IL

Hampshire sits about 52 miles northwest of Chicago, farther out than most of the places we serve, and it shows in the lots. As deck contractors in Hampshire, IL, we see a mix of homes in the old village center near Route 72 and newer subdivisions on what used to be farmland. Many backyards in the newer subdivisions have few mature trees, and that affects how we plan railings, shade and material color.

From Henpeck to Hampshire

The village has a longer history than its new streets suggest. The first settler, Zenas Allen, arrived in 1836, when the settlement was called Henpeck and sat on the Chicago-Galena stagecoach trail. The name changed to Hampshire in 1845, and in 1876 the village moved to the railroad line and incorporated. By 1893 it was the second-largest milk producing and shipping station in Illinois. Today the population has climbed from 2,900 in 2000 to 7,667 in 2020, with most of that growth in subdivisions.

How permits work in Hampshire

Hampshire handles building permits through an online system called CommunityCore, and plan review is done by SAFEbuilt, a third-party firm, which takes up to five business days for residential permits. The village's residential code is the 2018 International Residential Code with local amendments in Chapter 5 of the village code, and decks are listed as one of the common projects covered by its small-project permit guidelines.

A few points from the village's pages that matter for decks:

• A building permit does not include approval for grading or other civil engineering work. If a project changes drainage or touches the right-of-way, a separate Public Works and Engineering permit may also be needed.
• Hampshire has adopted the Kane County Stormwater Ordinance, which is worth keeping in mind on lots near drainage swales or detention areas.
• The permit must be posted in plain view on the job site until the work is finished.
• Fees can differ in developments governed by separate agreements, so your subdivision may not use the standard schedule.

We submit the application, upload drawings, respond to reviewer comments and schedule inspections through the system.

Wind, sun and snow on open lots

Without tree cover, a deck takes the full force of summer sun and winter wind. Nearby Elgin averages a July high of 84.1°F and gets about 32 inches of snow in a typical year. On exposed lots we often suggest:

• Lighter composite colors that stay cooler to bare feet
• A pergola or roof over part of the deck for shade, with posts and connections sized for wind and snow
• Privacy screens on the windward side to make the deck usable on breezy evenings
• Hidden fasteners and good gapping so blowing snow and meltwater drain off

People here stay put

About 95.9% of Hampshire residents lived in the same house a year earlier, and 83.3% of homes are owner-occupied, according to Census figures. If you plan to be in your home for years, it is worth building for the long haul: proper footings, flashing at the ledger and materials you will not have to refinish every season.

Our services

Composite decks, wood decks, deck repair and replacement, covered decks and pergolas, railings and stairs, and staining and sealing for wood. Call (847) 380-8109 for a free visit. You will receive a written quote with materials, layout and permit steps listed.

Call (847) 380-8109