Construction Costs in Burlington, VT 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Burlington. Labor input: $31.66/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 102.

$31.66

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

102

Material Cost Index

$401,736

Typical Home Value (est.)

112

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metropolitan area, which includes Burlington, 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 (1.05 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianVT medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$30.19$30.00$29.12+4%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$24.01$23.36$22.66+6%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$40.77$39.66$38.42+6%
Electricians (47-2111)$32.14$30.49$30.38+6%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$32.43$29.89$30.67+6%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$32.90$29.88$29.33+12%
Roofers (47-2181)n/a$28.39$26.65+7%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$28.21$25.54$23.75+19%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$29.57$28.76$28.33+4%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$30.06$29.40$27.41+10%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$29.84$28.65$29.870%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$26.87$26.87$26.770%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$24.62$27.15-9%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$25.76$23.62+9%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$29.23$28.00$29.71-2%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 15540 (Burlington-South Burlington, VT). "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.

Burlington Overview

Population

44,743

Climate Zone

Cold (Zone 6)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$87,341

Burlington Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$21,420
Labor$16,214
Permits (4%)$1,505

Estimated Total Cost

$39,139

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Burlington

Materials

$21,420

55% of total

Labor

$16,214

41% of total

Permits

$1,505

~$1,894 modeled allowance

4% Above National Average

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

View Vermont Statewide Costs

Compare Burlington costs with the Vermont state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Burlington vs National Average

Project TypeBurlington EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$43,042$35,000+23%
Bathroom Remodel$18,500$18,000+3%
Roof Replacement$15,500$15,000+3%
Whole House Paint$3,900$3,800+3%
Flooring Install$7,000$7,0000%
Deck Build$12,500$12,000+4%

Material Prices in Burlington

Concrete

$145 /cubic yard

$2 above the estimated Vermont average of $143/yd³

Lumber

$5.57 /board foot

$0.04 below the estimated Vermont average of $5.61/BF

Popular Projects in Burlington

🪟

#1 Window Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Burlington

📐

#2 Room Addition

Common project type to budget for in Burlington

🌳

#3 Landscaping

Common project type to budget for in Burlington

Construction Cost Overview for Burlington, VT

Construction and renovation costs in Burlington, VT are modeled here with a cost of living index of 112 and a material cost index of 102 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $31.66 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro) and a typical home value estimate of $401,736, homeowners in Burlington should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Burlington 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 $87,341 in Burlington means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $43,042 represents approximately 49% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $1,894 for Burlington; 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 Vermont

Montpelier, VT

BLS wage: $31.01/hr • Material Index: 101 • Kitchen: $42,638

Rutland, VT

BLS wage: $31.01/hr • Material Index: 98 • Kitchen: $41,031

South Burlington, VT

BLS wage: $31.66/hr • Material Index: 103 • Kitchen: $43,697

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Burlington construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Burlington. 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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.05) 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 Burlington building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Burlington; 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, VT?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Burlington, VT at approximately $43,042. Budget renovations start around $30,129, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $64,563 or more. The labor input is $31.66/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Burlington?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro is $31.66 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 5% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $32.14/hr; Plumbers: $32.43/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 Burlington?
Most significant renovations in Burlington, VT require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $1,894; 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 Burlington's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Burlington a cost of living index of 112 (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 Burlington is 102, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Burlington?
HammerIO highlights Window Replacement, Room Addition, Landscaping as common projects to budget for in Burlington, VT; 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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