Construction Costs in Appleton, WI 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Appleton. Labor input: $35.37/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Appleton, WI metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 91.

$35.37

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

91

Material Cost Index

$223,239

Typical Home Value (est.)

94

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Appleton, WI metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Appleton, WI metropolitan area, which includes Appleton, compared with the U.S. median for each occupation. These are what employees earn, not what contractors bill: a contractor's hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit. The calculator below scales its labor share by the local-to-national ratio for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors (1.18 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianWI medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$30.04$29.65$29.12+3%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$28.49$26.97$22.66+26%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$47.58$41.03$38.42+24%
Electricians (47-2111)$32.13$36.80$30.38+6%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$44.11$39.04$30.67+44%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$29.62$29.67$29.33+1%
Roofers (47-2181)$29.75$28.54$26.65+12%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$24.34$24.08$23.75+2%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)n/a$28.83$28.33+2%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$33.17$30.89$27.41+21%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$38.40$38.52$29.87+29%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$30.14$26.77+13%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$25.42$27.15-6%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$23.81$23.62+1%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$39.14$37.38$29.71+32%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 11540 (Appleton, WI). "n/a" means BLS suppressed the metro estimate; the state column still applies and "vs U.S." then compares the state median. Retrieved September 2026 via the BLS Public Data API.

Appleton Overview

Population

75,644

Climate Zone

Cold (Zone 6)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$44,241

Appleton Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$19,110
Labor$18,114
Permits (4%)$1,489

Estimated Total Cost

$38,713

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Appleton

Materials

$19,110

49% of total

Labor

$18,114

47% of total

Permits

$1,489

~$833 modeled allowance

3% Above National Average

The same kitchen remodel at the national average would cost approximately $37,492. HammerIO's model places Appleton above the national baseline because of its modeled labor and material factors.

View Wisconsin Statewide Costs

Compare Appleton costs with the Wisconsin state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Appleton vs National Average

Project TypeAppleton EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$38,758$35,000+11%
Bathroom Remodel$16,500$18,000-8%
Roof Replacement$14,000$15,000-7%
Whole House Paint$3,500$3,800-8%
Flooring Install$6,500$7,000-7%
Deck Build$11,000$12,000-8%

Material Prices in Appleton

Concrete

$125 /cubic yard

$2 below the estimated Wisconsin average of $127/yd³

Lumber

$5.44 /board foot

$0.44 above the estimated Wisconsin average of $5.00/BF

Popular Projects in Appleton

🛤️

#1 Driveway Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Appleton

🍳

#2 Kitchen Remodel

Common project type to budget for in Appleton

🏗️

#3 Flooring Installation

Common project type to budget for in Appleton

Construction Cost Overview for Appleton, WI

Construction and renovation costs in Appleton, WI are modeled here with a cost of living index of 94 and a material cost index of 91 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $35.37 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Appleton, WI metro) and a typical home value estimate of $223,239, homeowners in Appleton should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Appleton sits in IECC Climate Zone 6 (Cold), which influences insulation requirements, HVAC sizing, and overall material choices for both new construction and remodeling projects. Low seismic risk in the model. The median household income of $44,241 in Appleton means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $38,758 represents approximately 88% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $833 for Appleton; actual fees vary by project scope, valuation, and the local fee schedule. Major renovations involving structural, electrical, or plumbing work generally require permits, so confirm with the local building department. Scheduling outside peak season may improve contractor availability and pricing flexibility.

Other Cities in Wisconsin

Eau Claire, WI

BLS wage: $33.56/hr • Material Index: 95 • Kitchen: $40,846

Green Bay, WI

BLS wage: $31.52/hr • Material Index: 98 • Kitchen: $42,358

Janesville, WI

BLS wage: $36.60/hr • Material Index: 89 • Kitchen: $37,727

Kenosha, WI

BLS wage: $30.40/hr • Material Index: 96 • Kitchen: $41,261

La Crosse, WI

BLS wage: $31.31/hr • Material Index: 91 • Kitchen: $38,550

Madison, WI

BLS wage: $34.26/hr • Material Index: 99 • Kitchen: $42,952

Milwaukee, WI

BLS wage: $34.15/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $46,782

Oshkosh, WI

BLS wage: $36.68/hr • Material Index: 90 • Kitchen: $38,074

Racine, WI

BLS wage: $33.38/hr • Material Index: 86 • Kitchen: $36,103

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Appleton construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Appleton. Public data sources below are used as benchmarks and context; the city figures are estimates, not official statistics or contractor quotes.

  1. Labor rates, the calculator uses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) median hourly wages for the Appleton, WI metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.18) for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates; the full trade table is above.
  2. Materials pricing trends are checked against the BLS Producer Price Index (PPI) for Construction Materials, (national price indexes for materials such as lumber, concrete, and steel); the city material index is a modeled regional adjustment.
  3. Building permit costs are shown as a modeled allowance; confirm actual fees with the Appleton building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Appleton; it is not a licensed proprietary city cost index.
  5. Building codes and standards cross-referenced with EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rules and OSHA Construction Safety Standards.

Authoritative construction cost data sources:

Cost Disclaimer: Estimates are modeled planning ranges for Appleton, not local quotes. Actual project costs depend on site conditions, design complexity, contractor availability, material grades, and permitting timelines. Always obtain 3+ contractor bids before committing to any project. Actual prices can differ substantially from these estimates.

Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Appleton, WI?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Appleton, WI at approximately $38,758. Budget renovations start around $27,131, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $58,137 or more. The labor input is $35.37/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Appleton, WI metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Appleton?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Appleton, WI metro is $35.37 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 18% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $32.13/hr; Plumbers: $44.11/hr. These are published employee wages, not contractor quotes; a contractor's billed hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so ask for trade-specific pricing in each bid.
Do I need a building permit for home renovations in Appleton?
Most significant renovations in Appleton, WI require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $833; actual fees depend on the local fee schedule and project scope. Projects involving structural changes, electrical rewiring, plumbing modifications, or additions almost always require permits. Cosmetic updates like interior painting, replacing fixtures, or installing new flooring typically do not.
How does Appleton's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Appleton a cost of living index of 94 (national baseline = 100). Higher-cost areas tend to have higher labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees. The model's material cost index for Appleton is 91, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Appleton?
HammerIO highlights Driveway Replacement, Kitchen Remodel, Flooring Installation as common projects to budget for in Appleton, WI; this is a planning shortlist, not survey data. Resale cost recovery varies widely by project type, scope, and local market, so compare kitchen, bathroom, and roof budgets against local home values and buyer expectations before choosing upgrades.

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