Before the design, before the estimate, before anything gets drawn, there are questions. Here are the ones homeowners across Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin ask most often, answered without the runaround.
Composite and wood decks, swim/spa decks, covered and screened porches, pergolas, gazebos, three-season and four-season rooms, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, pavers and patios, covered patios, deck railing, lighting, and underdeck waterproofing. Home additions, basement remodels, and bath and kitchen remodels are also available. The Services page has the full breakdown.
The north and northwest suburbs of Chicago, the Rockford corridor, and Walworth County, Wisconsin. The full list of cities is on the Areas We Serve page.
Yes, and properly insured for residential construction across Illinois and Wisconsin. Licensing details are available on request.
Founded in 2021 by Gil Alvarez and Andrew DeBruyne. Two active crews, 25+ completed projects, and 15 years of combined experience.
Submit a consultation request, and Gil will be in touch within one business day to confirm the project is a good fit. From there, a free in-home visit is scheduled to walk the property and get into the specifics.
It depends on the season. Spring and early summer fill fastest. If you have a specific date in mind, reach out sooner rather than later.
Every project is priced against a real design, so the cost reflects the actual scope. The consultation defines it, the 3D design makes it visible, and the estimate is tied to exactly what was drawn.
Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, AZEK, and Westbury, installed to manufacturer specifications to activate the strongest available warranty coverage on each product.
Composite, in most cases. Pressure-treated wood requires a staining and sealing routine that most homeowners stop following within a few years. In the Northern Illinois climate, composite holds up better and requires less maintenance over time. If wood is the preference, Echelon builds it to the same structural standard.
A decorative border around the perimeter of the deck that frames the field boards. Production crews typically skip it because of the extra time involved. Echelon includes it on every deck build as standard.
Vinyl, composite, aluminum, and cable rail, all specified in the 3D design so you see exactly how each option reads against the home before anything is ordered.
Composite decking around an existing pool, yes. Pool construction itself is outside the scope.
Yes. Outdoor kitchens are part of Echelon’s outdoor living scope, designed as part of the complete 3D design and built as one integrated project.
A covered porch has an open-sided roof. A screened porch adds walls of screening to keep insects out. In Northern Illinois, where the comfortable outdoor window is short, a screened porch extends it on both ends of summer.
A screened porch with windows or panels that close against wind and rain. Open in summer for full airflow, closed in spring and fall for a few more comfortable weeks. Not insulated for winter.
A fully insulated, climate-controlled addition usable year-round. Echelon manages all permitting and HOA submissions in-house.
The frame gets inspected first. If the structure is solid, new composite boards go over a reinforced frame. If it is not worth saving, Echelon says so in writing at the estimate stage. Not three days into demo.
Echelon resurfaces decks 10 years old or younger. Older decks often have structural issues that make full replacement the more honest path. The consultation determines that upfront.
Gil or Andrew inspects the frame, ledger, posts, and connections during the in-home consultation. The assessment comes with the estimate, reasoning included. No “we will figure it out when we get started.”
Gil or Andrew visits the property, walks the site, and has an honest conversation about layout, materials, and budget. The 3D design phase follows.
Within one week of the consultation. Approve the design, and the estimate follows within two days.
That is exactly what the design review is for. Nothing is final until you say it is. Changes at the design stage cost nothing.
Yes. The project portfolio covers completed builds across the service area. Gil can also walk through relevant examples during the consultation.
Echelon does. Every project includes municipal permitting and HOA submission handling. You do not manage the paperwork.
About 2.5 weeks on average.
Not at all. The crew works independently, and portal access gives live visibility into the project schedule throughout.
A deposit secures your spot. Remaining payments are tied to construction milestones, spelled out in the contract before you sign. No surprise invoices.
Gil or Andrew walks the completed space with you, punchlist items are addressed immediately, and the labor warranty starts from that date. Maintenance expectations for your boards, railings, and underdeck systems are reviewed together.
Yes, through Acorns via JobTread. Bring it up during the consultation, and the team will walk you through the options.
Gil is the Managing Member, handling sales and design. He is on the other end of the first call, at the consultation, and managing the 3D design process through approval.
Andrew is the Project Manager, overseeing crew coordination and every build from pre-construction through the final walkthrough. He co-founded Echelon after years at one of the largest deck companies in the country.
Yes. Gil handles the front end, and Andrew handles the build. No account managers between you and the people running the work.
A 3-month labor warranty on treated wood installations and a 1-year labor warranty on composite builds. Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, AZEK, and Westbury each carry manufacturer warranties on top. Full details on the Warranties and Guarantees page.
Call the office. The same team that built the project comes back and makes it right. No call centers, no third-party routing.
Mild soap and water for composite boards. Skip the pressure washer; it can damage the cap layer and void manufacturer coverage. Maintenance specifics for railings and underdeck systems are covered at the final walkthrough.
Something keeping you up at night about the project? Reach out. The answer is closer than you think.