Construction Costs in Clearwater, FL 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Clearwater. Labor input: $27.38/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 97.

$27.38

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

97

Material Cost Index

$259,415

Typical Home Value (est.)

105

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan area, which includes Clearwater, 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 (0.91 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianFL medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$25.06$23.98$29.12-14%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$21.04$21.17$22.66-7%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$36.05$36.44$38.42-6%
Electricians (47-2111)$27.62$27.52$30.38-9%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$25.00$25.44$30.67-18%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$24.30$27.24$29.33-17%
Roofers (47-2181)$22.68$22.88$26.65-15%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$22.87$22.85$23.75-4%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$23.83$23.54$28.33-16%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$23.84$23.40$27.41-13%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$27.64$25.37$29.87-7%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$22.25$22.73$26.77-17%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)$27.41$27.41$27.15+1%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$22.65$23.62-4%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$23.80$23.87$29.71-20%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 45300 (Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL). "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.

Clearwater Overview

Population

117,793

Climate Zone

Hot-Humid / Hot-Dry (Zone 2)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$56,629

Clearwater Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$20,370
Labor$14,022
Permits (4%)$1,376

Estimated Total Cost

$35,768

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Clearwater

Materials

$20,370

57% of total

Labor

$14,022

39% of total

Permits

$1,376

~$728 modeled allowance

5% Below National Average

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

View Florida Statewide Costs

Compare Clearwater costs with the Florida state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Clearwater vs National Average

Project TypeClearwater EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$40,460$35,000+16%
Bathroom Remodel$17,500$18,000-3%
Roof Replacement$14,500$15,000-3%
Whole House Paint$3,700$3,800-3%
Flooring Install$6,500$7,000-7%
Deck Build$11,500$12,000-4%

Material Prices in Clearwater

Concrete

$135 /cubic yard

$1 below the estimated Florida average of $136/yd³

Lumber

$5.18 /board foot

$0.15 below the estimated Florida average of $5.33/BF

Popular Projects in Clearwater

🧱

#1 Siding Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Clearwater

🚗

#2 Garage Build

Common project type to budget for in Clearwater

❄️

#3 HVAC Upgrade

Common project type to budget for in Clearwater

Construction Cost Overview for Clearwater, FL

Construction and renovation costs in Clearwater, FL are modeled here with a cost of living index of 105 and a material cost index of 97 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $27.38 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro) and a typical home value estimate of $259,415, homeowners in Clearwater should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Clearwater sits in IECC Climate Zone 2 (Hot-Humid / Hot-Dry), 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 $56,629 in Clearwater means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $40,460 represents approximately 71% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $728 for Clearwater; 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 Florida

Boca Raton, FL

BLS wage: $27.98/hr • Material Index: 110 • Kitchen: $47,550

Cape Coral, FL

BLS wage: $26.92/hr • Material Index: 97 • Kitchen: $40,639

Coral Springs, FL

BLS wage: $27.98/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $45,830

Davie, FL

BLS wage: $27.98/hr • Material Index: 97 • Kitchen: $40,494

Daytona Beach, FL

BLS wage: $26.30/hr • Material Index: 95 • Kitchen: $39,362

Deltona, FL

BLS wage: $26.30/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,349

Fort Lauderdale, FL

BLS wage: $27.98/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,399

Gainesville, FL

BLS wage: $26.28/hr • Material Index: 100 • Kitchen: $42,196

Jacksonville, FL

BLS wage: $27.53/hr • Material Index: 104 • Kitchen: $44,173

Kissimmee, FL

BLS wage: $26.69/hr • Material Index: 100 • Kitchen: $42,062

Lakeland, FL

BLS wage: $25.63/hr • Material Index: 98 • Kitchen: $40,936

Miami, FL

BLS wage: $27.98/hr • Material Index: 112 • Kitchen: $48,502

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Clearwater construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Clearwater. 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (0.91) 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 Clearwater building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Clearwater; 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 Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, FL?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Clearwater, FL at approximately $40,460. Budget renovations start around $28,322, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $60,690 or more. The labor input is $27.38/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Clearwater?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro is $27.38 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 9% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $27.62/hr; Plumbers: $25.00/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 Clearwater?
Most significant renovations in Clearwater, FL require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $728; 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 Clearwater's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Clearwater a cost of living index of 105 (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 Clearwater is 97, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Clearwater?
HammerIO highlights Siding Replacement, Garage Build, HVAC Upgrade as common projects to budget for in Clearwater, FL; 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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