Construction Costs in Duluth, MN 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Duluth. Labor input: $34.21/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Duluth, MN-WI metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 100.

$34.21

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

100

Material Cost Index

$197,630

Typical Home Value (est.)

102

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Duluth, MN-WI metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Duluth, MN-WI metropolitan area, which includes Duluth, 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 (1.14 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianMN medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$29.10$31.22$29.120%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$29.49$28.97$22.66+30%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$44.05$46.93$38.42+15%
Electricians (47-2111)$39.76$37.58$30.38+31%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$40.89$45.39$30.67+33%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$36.40$36.71$29.33+24%
Roofers (47-2181)$35.03$35.81$26.65+31%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$23.90$27.54$23.75+1%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$28.95$29.46$28.33+2%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$33.81$32.13$27.41+23%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$38.78$45.78$29.87+30%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$33.92$26.77+27%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$28.55$27.15+5%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$26.13$23.62+11%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$41.65$35.08$29.71+40%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 20260 (Duluth, MN-WI). "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.

Duluth Overview

Population

90,884

Climate Zone

Cold (Zone 6)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$55,943

Duluth Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$21,000
Labor$17,520
Permits (4%)$1,541

Estimated Total Cost

$40,061

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Duluth

Materials

$21,000

52% of total

Labor

$17,520

44% of total

Permits

$1,541

~$952 modeled allowance

7% Above National Average

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

View Minnesota Statewide Costs

Compare Duluth costs with the Minnesota state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Duluth vs National Average

Project TypeDuluth EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$43,176$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 Duluth

Concrete

$140 /cubic yard

At the estimated Minnesota average of $140/yd³

Lumber

$5.19 /board foot

$0.31 below the estimated Minnesota average of $5.50/BF

Popular Projects in Duluth

🏡

#1 Fence Installation

Common project type to budget for in Duluth

❄️

#2 HVAC Upgrade

Common project type to budget for in Duluth

🪵

#3 Deck Build

Common project type to budget for in Duluth

Construction Cost Overview for Duluth, MN

Construction and renovation costs in Duluth, MN are modeled here with a cost of living index of 102 and a material cost index of 100 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $34.21 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Duluth, MN-WI metro) and a typical home value estimate of $197,630, homeowners in Duluth should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Duluth 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 $55,943 in Duluth means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $43,176 represents approximately 77% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $952 for Duluth; 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 Minnesota

Bloomington, MN

BLS wage: $38.35/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $46,424

Brooklyn Park, MN

BLS wage: $38.35/hr • Material Index: 101 • Kitchen: $43,915

Mankato, MN

BLS wage: $32.68/hr • Material Index: 90 • Kitchen: $37,901

Minneapolis, MN

BLS wage: $38.35/hr • Material Index: 109 • Kitchen: $48,031

Plymouth, MN

BLS wage: $38.35/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $47,113

Rochester, MN

BLS wage: $35.66/hr • Material Index: 102 • Kitchen: $44,458

St. Cloud, MN

BLS wage: $38.35/hr • Material Index: 102 • Kitchen: $44,201

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Duluth construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Duluth. 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 Duluth, MN-WI metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.14) 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 Duluth building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Duluth; 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 Duluth, 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 Duluth, MN?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Duluth, MN at approximately $43,176. Budget renovations start around $30,223, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $64,764 or more. The labor input is $34.21/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Duluth, MN-WI metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Duluth?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Duluth, MN-WI metro is $34.21 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 14% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $39.76/hr; Plumbers: $40.89/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 Duluth?
Most significant renovations in Duluth, MN require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $952; 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 Duluth's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Duluth a cost of living index of 102 (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 Duluth is 100, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Duluth?
HammerIO highlights Fence Installation, HVAC Upgrade, Deck Build as common projects to budget for in Duluth, MN; 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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