Construction Costs in Denver, CO 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Denver. Labor input: $31.58/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 117.

$31.58

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

117

Material Cost Index

$482,996

Typical Home Value (est.)

127

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area, which includes Denver, 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 medianCO medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$31.21$30.21$29.12+7%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$23.44$23.03$22.66+3%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$40.10$39.05$38.42+4%
Electricians (47-2111)$30.36$29.92$30.380%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$30.72$30.40$30.670%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$34.41$31.35$29.33+17%
Roofers (47-2181)$26.84$24.88$26.65+1%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$27.92$25.47$23.75+18%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$30.89$29.70$28.33+9%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$29.87$29.18$27.41+9%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$36.12$31.37$29.87+21%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$27.74$26.77+4%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)$22.71$22.13$27.15-16%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$24.87$24.42$23.62+5%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$29.63$27.83$29.710%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 19740 (Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO). "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.

Denver Overview

Population

715,522

Climate Zone

Cool-Humid (Zone 5)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$76,237

Denver Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$24,570
Labor$16,173
Permits (4%)$1,630

Estimated Total Cost

$42,373

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Denver

Materials

$24,570

58% of total

Labor

$16,173

38% of total

Permits

$1,630

~$2,288 modeled allowance

13% Above National Average

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

View Colorado Statewide Costs

Compare Denver costs with the Colorado state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Denver vs National Average

Project TypeDenver EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$51,038$35,000+46%
Bathroom Remodel$22,000$18,000+22%
Roof Replacement$18,500$15,000+23%
Whole House Paint$4,700$3,800+24%
Flooring Install$8,500$7,000+21%
Deck Build$14,500$12,000+21%

Material Prices in Denver

Concrete

$165 /cubic yard

$1 above the estimated Colorado average of $164/yd³

Lumber

$6.60 /board foot

$0.17 above the estimated Colorado average of $6.43/BF

Popular Projects in Denver

🌳

#1 Landscaping

Common project type to budget for in Denver

🚿

#2 Bathroom Renovation

Common project type to budget for in Denver

🎨

#3 Interior Painting

Common project type to budget for in Denver

Construction Cost Overview for Denver, CO

Construction and renovation costs in Denver, CO are modeled here with a cost of living index of 127 and a material cost index of 117 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $31.58 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro) and a typical home value estimate of $482,996, homeowners in Denver should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Denver 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 $76,237 in Denver means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $51,038 represents approximately 67% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $2,288 for Denver; 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 Colorado

Aurora, CO

BLS wage: $31.58/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,242

Boulder, CO

BLS wage: $30.46/hr • Material Index: 111 • Kitchen: $47,863

Centennial, CO

BLS wage: $31.58/hr • Material Index: 103 • Kitchen: $43,714

Colorado Springs, CO

BLS wage: $29.04/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,699

Fort Collins, CO

BLS wage: $29.57/hr • Material Index: 101 • Kitchen: $42,818

Lakewood, CO

BLS wage: $31.58/hr • Material Index: 112 • Kitchen: $48,513

Pueblo, CO

BLS wage: $28.90/hr • Material Index: 100 • Kitchen: $42,129

Thornton, CO

BLS wage: $31.58/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,934

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Denver construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Denver. 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 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 Denver building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Denver; 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 Denver, 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 Denver, CO?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Denver, CO at approximately $51,038. Budget renovations start around $35,727, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $76,557 or more. The labor input is $31.58/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Denver?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro is $31.58 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 5% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $30.36/hr; Plumbers: $30.72/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 Denver?
Most significant renovations in Denver, CO require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $2,288; 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 Denver's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Denver a cost of living index of 127 (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 Denver is 117, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Denver?
HammerIO highlights Landscaping, Bathroom Renovation, Interior Painting as common projects to budget for in Denver, CO; 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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