Illinois, firmly in the very center of the Midwest, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and beautiful natural landscapes. From the bustling metropolis of Chicago to the rolling hills of the rural countryside, Illinois offers many opportunities for residents and visitors alike. The state boasts a strong economy, an excellent education system, and a vibrant arts and culture scene.

If you want to build a commercial or residential space in Illinois, the list below features the leading construction companies working in the state. Our team handpicked the firms after evaluating their portfolios, backgrounds, awards, industry affiliations, and press features.

Leopardo Companies, Inc.

5200 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Leopardo Companies evolved from a small family business in 1977 to a nationally recognized general contractor that collaborates with Fortune 100 companies and builds high-end projects. The firm works with clients in Illinois, Florida, and California on aviation, education, community, federal, health care, historical, hospitality, industrial, office, residential, retail, senior living, science, and technology projects.

Because of its outstanding work portfolio, Leopardo Companies has been named one of the 2018 Top Contractors in America by the Engineering News-Record and Building Design + Construction. 

Mike Leopardo has been in the construction industry for 30 years, helping to expand Leopardo from a small family-owned business to one of the nation’s leading general contractors. Mike—as president and CEO—is responsible for the overall business strategy and measures that impact Leopardo’s offices, hundreds of employees and job sites, various service offerings, and all of its markets. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in construction technology engineering and previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Jane Addams Hull-House, one of Chicago’s largest and oldest not-for-profit social service agencies.

Bulley & Andrews, LLC.

1755 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

Launched in 1891, family-owned and operated Bulley & Andrews (B&A) is one of the region’s most accomplished construction companies. B&A is run by Allan E. Bulley III. The firm is committed to delivering professional services to projects that enhance people’s lives and help communities grow in quantifiable and meaningful ways.

Bulley & Andrews is rooted in the unsophistication of a time when construction practices depended on horses, ropes, and pulleys. It keeps its ties to that tradition while staying at the forefront of invention and best construction practices. The company is well-known for its refined approach to building—it uses technology and a solution-driven perspective to deliver projects that live up to expectations. The firm, which serves a diverse portfolio of clients, is dedicated to creating and restoring unique structures and numerous properties that define and serve their respective owners.

Skender Construction

1330 W Fulton Market, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607

Partnership, clarity, and efficiency are the traits that have helped Skender Construction into one of the region’s most preferred general contracting firms. During its six decades of practice, the firm has counted on its loyal team of industry experts, partnered with leading architectural firms in the country, and teamed with the most adept developers in the industry. As a result, the firm has created some of Illinois’ most renowned landmarks. Its completed works include projects in the health care, lab sciences, higher education, senior living, affordable housing, retail, multifamily, and hospitality sectors.

Justin Brown leads the company as its president and CEO. Brown oversees the company’s strategic growth, and he has expanded the firm’s services to preconstruction, planning, design-build, project management, sustainability, and consulting expertise. The firm’s vast construction background and active role as a member of the AGC, NAIOP, and USGBC enabled it to develop a comprehensive delivery method incorporating cutting-edge design and construction technologies. As a result, the firm has a progressive, cost-effective, and highly efficient building practice that can produce large-scale developments for the most sophisticated and demanding clients.

Holland Construction Services

4495 North Illinois Street, Swansea, IL 62226

Since 1986, Holland Construction Services has provided quality construction services throughout southern and central Illinois and the St. Louis region. The firm’s unwavering commitment to integrity is key to its success and business value. Its mission: achieve total customer satisfaction by providing high-quality, professional, and personalized construction services. The company establishes lasting relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers by making the construction process a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved. 

Holland Construction Services specializes in commercial construction and is currently run by president Mike Marchal. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in construction management. 

Under Mike’s watch, the studio has been recognized with various awards over multiple years, including St. Louis Business Journal’s Building Award Winner, Star Building System’s Master Builder and Outstanding Builder of the Year, and the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis’ Annual Safety Award.

Norcon, Inc.

661 West Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60654

Norcon, Inc. is a mid-sized construction management firm in Chicago. Norcon was established in 1999 by proficient builders Jeff Jozwiak and Charles Norwesh as a leader in today’s advanced construction industry. Its comprehensive project portfolio includes commercial, retail, educational, pharmaceutical, hospitality, religious, and high-end residential projects. Although most of the firm’s work is in Chicago and the nearby suburbs, Norcon has reached more than a dozen states to complete client projects.

Norcon supervises the whole construction process, from the initial preconstruction phase to the completion. It is a member of the United States Green Building Council and recently completed its office building construction, which achieved LEED Gold status and was certified by the SERF (Society of Environmentally Responsible Facilities). In 2006, Norcon was the Chicago construction management firm chosen to build for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Goldberg General Contracting, Inc.

3510 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618

Goldberg General Contracting, Inc. (CGC) specializes in the restoration, renovation, and new construction of custom residential and light commercial projects. With experience in modern design, the studio is building at the leading edge of custom construction in Chicago. The firm has established a reputation for skillful preservation work. GGC has restored projects by famous architects such as Louis Sullivan, John Wellborn Root, Howard Van Doren Shaw, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. 

Since 1987, GGC has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects with more than 15 design awards. For its rehabilitation work, the firm was granted the coveted Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award from Landmarks Illinois and acknowledged by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for distinction in exterior restoration. The firm was also selected as the National Custom Builder of the Year by Custom Home magazine in 2010.

Scott Simpson Design + Build

1529 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL 60062

Launched in 1994, Scott Simpson Design + Build is staffed by architects and builders who love their work. The firm specializes in designing and building new construction, historic renovation, and green building. Founded in 1994, the studio has built over 100 homes in Chicago’s North Shore and is now expanding to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Colorado. 

With more than 25 years of experience, the firm knows that each space needs passion, process, and patience to evolve into an accomplished design and quality build. Whether homeowners need design-build expertise for brand-new construction, historic renovation, or sophisticated green building, the firm’s process will be collaborative, organized, lively, and open to discovery.

Scott Simpson Design + Build is run by Kathleen Henrikson as partner and CEO. Under her watch, the company is proudly LEED Certified and holds affiliations with the U.S. Green Building Council, Chicagoland’s Green Building Community, Sustainable Business Chicago, and the American Institute of Architects.

Orren Pickell Building Group

444 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 200, Wilmette, IL 60091

Orren Pickell Building Group oversees all aspects of bespoke home construction and remodeling for clients in Chicagoland, Southern Wisconsin, and Harbor Country, Michigan. With over 40 years in the industry, the company has built a reputation for exceptional value, artistry, and service. Its estimates, design, construction, home improvements, and cabinetry expertise give homeowners the peace of mind they need for all phases of their new home or renovation projects.

Orren Pickell has over 37 years of practice and the tools and knowledge to guide its clients through every step of custom building or renovation—and the firm provides those services on schedule and under budget. During 40 years of inventive processes and exacting attention to detail, founder Orren Pickell’s name has become synonymous with great design and superb craftsmanship. He works alongside Lisa Pickell, who joined the company in 2004 as a renovation division manager, rose to the position of chief operating officer in 2010, and was named president in 2017.

Among the many awards the firm has received over its years in the business are the 22nd Century Media “Best Home Builder” by North Shore Choice Awards (2019) and Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago Best Custom Builder for a Traditional Home (2019).

Benvenuti and Stein

899 1/2 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL 60093

Since 1977, Benvenuti and Stein has established trust in Chicago and the North Shore through innovative design solutions and skillful custom home construction. The design-build firm provides all three disciplines of design, construction, and custom cabinetry from a single source. Designers and construction crews work together to provide streamlined building and remodeling solutions. The company also produces cabinetry at its Evanston millwork facility. The team creates, builds, assembles, and installs custom millwork tailored to suit the client’s needs, even integrating appliances and built-in electronics to ensure a perfect fit.

Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price

The firm has won multiple awards, including the 2020 Chrysalis Award for Residential Specialty under $50,000, the 2016 Winnetka Preservation Award for Rehabilitation, and the 2015 Professional Remodeler Magazine Design Award. With over four decades in the business, clients continue to seek the firm’s expertise due to its ability to combine veteran craftspeople’s experience and precision with contemporary ideas, techniques, and technology.