Construction Costs in Champaign, IL 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Champaign. Labor input: $35.80/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 107.

$35.80

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

107

Material Cost Index

$237,291

Typical Home Value (est.)

101

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Champaign-Urbana, IL metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Champaign-Urbana, IL metropolitan area, which includes Champaign, 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 (1.19 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianIL medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$32.20$37.98$29.12+11%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$28.59$29.18$22.66+26%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$46.61$50.84$38.42+21%
Electricians (47-2111)$48.23$47.87$30.38+59%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$45.93$48.05$30.67+50%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$36.00$37.21$29.33+23%
Roofers (47-2181)$28.92$37.45$26.65+9%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$40.56$29.45$23.75+71%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)n/a$30.38$28.33+7%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$35.90$37.58$27.41+31%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$40.02$43.26$29.87+34%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$32.29$26.77+21%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$33.60$27.15+24%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$25.48$23.62+8%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$44.57$41.65$29.71+50%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 16580 (Champaign-Urbana, IL). "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.

Champaign Overview

Population

88,302

Climate Zone

Cool-Humid (Zone 5)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$45,219

Champaign Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$22,470
Labor$18,335
Permits (4%)$1,632

Estimated Total Cost

$42,437

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Champaign

Materials

$22,470

53% of total

Labor

$18,335

43% of total

Permits

$1,632

~$911 modeled allowance

13% Above National Average

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

View Illinois Statewide Costs

Compare Champaign costs with the Illinois state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Champaign vs National Average

Project TypeChampaign EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$46,004$35,000+31%
Bathroom Remodel$20,000$18,000+11%
Roof Replacement$16,500$15,000+10%
Whole House Paint$4,200$3,800+11%
Flooring Install$7,500$7,000+7%
Deck Build$13,000$12,000+8%

Material Prices in Champaign

Concrete

$150 /cubic yard

At the estimated Illinois average of $150/yd³

Lumber

$6.31 /board foot

$0.42 above the estimated Illinois average of $5.89/BF

Popular Projects in Champaign

🎨

#1 Interior Painting

Common project type to budget for in Champaign

🏚️

#2 Basement Finishing

Common project type to budget for in Champaign

🛤️

#3 Driveway Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Champaign

Construction Cost Overview for Champaign, IL

Construction and renovation costs in Champaign, IL are modeled here with a cost of living index of 101 and a material cost index of 107 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $35.80 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Champaign-Urbana, IL metro) and a typical home value estimate of $237,291, homeowners in Champaign should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Champaign sits in IECC Climate Zone 5 (Cool-Humid), 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 $45,219 in Champaign means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $46,004 represents approximately 102% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $911 for Champaign; 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 Illinois

Bloomington, IL

BLS wage: $36.89/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $46,010

Chicago, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 129 • Kitchen: $57,344

Cicero, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $45,774

Decatur, IL

BLS wage: $35.88/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,287

Elgin, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 116 • Kitchen: $50,730

Evanston, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 117 • Kitchen: $51,061

Joliet, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,354

Naperville, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 118 • Kitchen: $51,559

Peoria, IL

BLS wage: $37.97/hr • Material Index: 113 • Kitchen: $49,146

Rockford, IL

BLS wage: $37.39/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,974

Springfield, IL

BLS wage: $37.74/hr • Material Index: 117 • Kitchen: $51,122

Waukegan, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 104 • Kitchen: $44,324

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Champaign construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Champaign. 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 Champaign-Urbana, IL metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.19) 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 Champaign building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Champaign; 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 Champaign, 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 Champaign, IL?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Champaign, IL at approximately $46,004. Budget renovations start around $32,203, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $69,006 or more. The labor input is $35.80/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Champaign?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro is $35.80 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 19% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $48.23/hr; Plumbers: $45.93/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 Champaign?
Most significant renovations in Champaign, IL require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $911; 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 Champaign's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Champaign a cost of living index of 101 (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 Champaign is 107, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Champaign?
HammerIO highlights Interior Painting, Basement Finishing, Driveway Replacement as common projects to budget for in Champaign, IL; 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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