Our Services
We develop our own residential and mixed-use buildings across Chicago's near-northwest side, and we provide construction management for owners and investors building in the same neighborhoods. Same team, same standards, same ground-level knowledge.
Residential & Mixed-Use Development
New construction, gut rehab, condo conversion — we know the work.
BirchBuild's portfolio of 35+ completed buildings runs deep in Chicago's near-northwest neighborhoods — Noble Square, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, and East Village. Multi-unit new construction, mixed-use with ground-floor commercial, gut rehabs, and condo conversions. We know how these projects are permitted, how they're built, which subcontractors deliver, and what inspectors look for in each ward.
- ✓New construction — single-family and multi-unit
- ✓Mixed-use development (commercial + residential)
- ✓Gut rehab and full renovation management
- ✓Condo conversion and unit buildout coordination
- ✓Landmark and historic district compliance
- ✓Neighborhood zoning and FAR analysis
- ✓Lender draw request preparation and reporting
Construction Management
Development experience applied to your project.
For owners and investors who need experienced oversight on their builds, we provide full construction management — from contractor selection through closeout. We coordinate GCs, subcontractors, architects, and inspectors, review every change order, verify pay applications, and track schedule and budget so you have a clear picture at every stage. Having built 35+ projects ourselves, we bring a developer's perspective to every decision.
- ✓Contractor and design team selection
- ✓Master schedule development and weekly tracking
- ✓GC and subcontractor coordination
- ✓Change order review and negotiation
- ✓Pay application verification before funds are released
- ✓Quality control inspections at key milestones
- ✓Owner reporting — budget vs. actual, schedule variance
- ✓Punch list management and project closeout
Preconstruction & Budget Development
Where most projects are won or lost.
The cheapest change you'll ever make is on paper. Before a permit is filed or a GC is hired, we work with your design team to build a realistic budget, identify scope gaps, and stress-test the schedule. We run a competitive bid process, pre-qualify contractors, and make sure the team you hire is the right team for your specific project in your specific neighborhood.
- ✓Conceptual and detailed construction budgeting
- ✓Project schedule development
- ✓Design review for constructability and code compliance
- ✓Competitive bid solicitation and leveling
- ✓Contractor prequalification and reference checks
- ✓Phasing and site logistics planning
- ✓Risk identification and contingency analysis
Chicago Permitting & Entitlements
Local knowledge that keeps projects moving.
Chicago's Department of Buildings averages 70-day permit review cycles — and an incomplete submission resets the clock. Mixed-use and residential projects often require multi-departmental sign-off across zoning, fire, and accessibility review. We know what each department flags, how to prepare a clean submission, and when to bring in a permit expediter.
- ✓Permit strategy and sequencing
- ✓E-Plan submission preparation and coordination
- ✓Multi-department review management (DOB, Zoning, Fire, Accessibility)
- ✓Permit expediter coordination
- ✓Zoning analysis and variance support
- ✓Inspection scheduling and sign-off management
- ✓Certificate of occupancy procurement
GC Procurement & Oversight
Hire the right contractor. Then hold them to it.
Hiring the wrong general contractor on a $1.5M gut rehab or new construction project can mean six-figure losses and a schedule that never recovers. We run a structured procurement process that ensures you're comparing apples to apples, that the contract protects you, and that your GC's accountability is built in from day one.
- ✓Scope of work development for bidding
- ✓Bid package preparation and distribution
- ✓Bid leveling and contractor interviews
- ✓GC contract review — scope, schedule, payment terms, retainage
- ✓Subcontractor qualification review
- ✓Ongoing performance monitoring against contract requirements
- ✓Default and dispute documentation if needed
You know how to find and capitalize deals. We know how to get them built without you managing a GC every day.
You're putting capital into a Chicago property. We protect that investment with independent oversight, lender reporting, and a clear picture of where the project stands at every milestone.
You want to manage your own project but need an experienced construction professional to structure the process, vet contractors, and flag problems before they become expensive.
Not sure which service fits your project?
Most of our clients start with a conversation. Tell us what you're building and where you are in the process — we'll tell you where we can add the most value.
Talk to BirchBuild