Construction Costs in Billings, MT 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Billings. Labor input: $29.59/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Billings, MT metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 92.

$29.59

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

92

Material Cost Index

$382,862

Typical Home Value (est.)

96

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Billings, MT metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Billings, MT metropolitan area, which includes Billings, 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 (0.98 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianMT medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$28.34$28.28$29.12-3%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$23.68$23.96$22.66+5%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$36.75$36.98$38.42-4%
Electricians (47-2111)$38.93$36.90$30.38+28%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$39.27$38.44$30.67+28%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$29.92$29.26$29.33+2%
Roofers (47-2181)$24.99$28.38$26.65-6%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$27.95$28.03$23.75+18%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)n/a$28.92$28.33+2%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$30.12$29.63$27.41+10%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)n/a$26.94$29.87-10%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$28.21$26.77+5%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$18.13$27.15-33%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$24.14$23.13$23.62+2%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$30.04$29.53$29.71+1%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 13740 (Billings, MT). "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.

Billings Overview

Population

119,510

Climate Zone

Cold (Zone 6)

Seismic Risk

moderate

Median Household Income

$64,005

Billings Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$19,320
Labor$15,154
Permits (4%)$1,379

Estimated Total Cost

$35,853

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Billings

Materials

$19,320

54% of total

Labor

$15,154

42% of total

Permits

$1,379

~$1,312 modeled allowance

4% Below National Average

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

View Montana Statewide Costs

Compare Billings costs with the Montana state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Billings vs National Average

Project TypeBillings EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$38,220$35,000+9%
Bathroom Remodel$16,500$18,000-8%
Roof Replacement$13,500$15,000-10%
Whole House Paint$3,400$3,800-11%
Flooring Install$6,500$7,000-7%
Deck Build$11,000$12,000-8%

Material Prices in Billings

Concrete

$130 /cubic yard

$1 above the estimated Montana average of $129/yd³

Lumber

$4.65 /board foot

$0.41 below the estimated Montana average of $5.06/BF

Popular Projects in Billings

🏡

#1 Fence Installation

Common project type to budget for in Billings

❄️

#2 HVAC Upgrade

Common project type to budget for in Billings

🪵

#3 Deck Build

Common project type to budget for in Billings

Construction Cost Overview for Billings, MT

Construction and renovation costs in Billings, MT are modeled here with a cost of living index of 96 and a material cost index of 92 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $29.59 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Billings, MT metro) and a typical home value estimate of $382,862, homeowners in Billings should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Billings sits in IECC Climate Zone 6 (Cold), which influences insulation requirements, HVAC sizing, and overall material choices for both new construction and remodeling projects. Moderate seismic risk in the model, confirm local seismic design requirements with the building department. The median household income of $64,005 in Billings means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $38,220 represents approximately 60% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $1,312 for Billings; 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 Montana

Bozeman, MT

BLS wage: $31.67/hr • Material Index: 99 • Kitchen: $41,686

Great Falls, MT

BLS wage: $29.81/hr • Material Index: 90 • Kitchen: $37,246

Helena, MT

BLS wage: $29.45/hr • Material Index: 87 • Kitchen: $35,890

Missoula, MT

BLS wage: $29.12/hr • Material Index: 101 • Kitchen: $42,717

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Billings construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Billings. 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 Billings, MT metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (0.98) 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 Billings building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Billings; 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 Billings, 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 Billings, MT?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Billings, MT at approximately $38,220. Budget renovations start around $26,754, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $57,330 or more. The labor input is $29.59/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Billings, MT metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Billings?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Billings, MT metro is $29.59 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 2% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $38.93/hr; Plumbers: $39.27/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 Billings?
Most significant renovations in Billings, MT require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $1,312; 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 Billings's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Billings a cost of living index of 96 (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 Billings is 92, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Billings?
HammerIO highlights Fence Installation, HVAC Upgrade, Deck Build as common projects to budget for in Billings, MT; 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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