Construction Costs in Eau Claire, WI 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Eau Claire. Labor input: $33.56/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Eau Claire, WI metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 95.

$33.56

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

95

Material Cost Index

$218,253

Typical Home Value (est.)

96

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Eau Claire, WI metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Eau Claire, WI metropolitan area, which includes Eau Claire, 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 (1.12 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianWI medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$28.41$29.65$29.12-2%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$28.00$26.97$22.66+24%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$44.26$41.03$38.42+15%
Electricians (47-2111)$36.24$36.80$30.38+19%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$44.58$39.04$30.67+45%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$29.46$29.67$29.330%
Roofers (47-2181)$24.70$28.54$26.65-7%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$22.71$24.08$23.75-4%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$28.47$28.83$28.330%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$29.33$30.89$27.41+7%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$39.35$38.52$29.87+32%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$30.14$26.77+13%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$25.42$27.15-6%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$23.81$23.62+1%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$36.56$37.38$29.71+23%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 20740 (Eau Claire, 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.

Eau Claire Overview

Population

70,478

Climate Zone

Cold (Zone 6)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$43,087

Eau Claire Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$19,950
Labor$17,187
Permits (4%)$1,485

Estimated Total Cost

$38,622

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Eau Claire

Materials

$19,950

52% of total

Labor

$17,187

45% of total

Permits

$1,485

~$959 modeled allowance

3% Above National Average

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

View Wisconsin Statewide Costs

Compare Eau Claire costs with the Wisconsin state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Eau Claire vs National Average

Project TypeEau Claire EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$40,846$35,000+17%
Bathroom Remodel$17,500$18,000-3%
Roof Replacement$14,500$15,000-3%
Whole House Paint$3,700$3,800-3%
Flooring Install$7,000$7,0000%
Deck Build$11,500$12,000-4%

Material Prices in Eau Claire

Concrete

$135 /cubic yard

$2 above the estimated Wisconsin average of $133/yd³

Lumber

$5.63 /board foot

$0.41 above the estimated Wisconsin average of $5.22/BF

Popular Projects in Eau Claire

🏚️

#1 Basement Finishing

Common project type to budget for in Eau Claire

🏡

#2 Fence Installation

Common project type to budget for in Eau Claire

🍳

#3 Kitchen Remodel

Common project type to budget for in Eau Claire

Construction Cost Overview for Eau Claire, WI

Construction and renovation costs in Eau Claire, WI are modeled here with a cost of living index of 96 and a material cost index of 95 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $33.56 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Eau Claire, WI metro) and a typical home value estimate of $218,253, homeowners in Eau Claire should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Eau Claire 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 $43,087 in Eau Claire means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $40,846 represents approximately 95% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $959 for Eau Claire; 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 Wisconsin

Appleton, WI

BLS wage: $35.37/hr • Material Index: 91 • Kitchen: $38,758

Green Bay, WI

BLS wage: $31.52/hr • Material Index: 98 • Kitchen: $42,358

Janesville, WI

BLS wage: $36.60/hr • Material Index: 89 • Kitchen: $37,727

Kenosha, WI

BLS wage: $30.40/hr • Material Index: 96 • Kitchen: $41,261

La Crosse, WI

BLS wage: $31.31/hr • Material Index: 91 • Kitchen: $38,550

Madison, WI

BLS wage: $34.26/hr • Material Index: 99 • Kitchen: $42,952

Milwaukee, WI

BLS wage: $34.15/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $46,782

Oshkosh, WI

BLS wage: $36.68/hr • Material Index: 90 • Kitchen: $38,074

Racine, WI

BLS wage: $33.38/hr • Material Index: 86 • Kitchen: $36,103

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Eau Claire construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Eau Claire. 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 Eau Claire, WI metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.12) 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 Eau Claire building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Eau Claire; 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 Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire, WI?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Eau Claire, WI at approximately $40,846. Budget renovations start around $28,592, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $61,269 or more. The labor input is $33.56/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Eau Claire, WI metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Eau Claire?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Eau Claire, WI metro is $33.56 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 12% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $36.24/hr; Plumbers: $44.58/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 Eau Claire?
Most significant renovations in Eau Claire, WI require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $959; 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 Eau Claire's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Eau Claire a cost of living index of 96 (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 Eau Claire is 95, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Eau Claire?
HammerIO highlights Basement Finishing, Fence Installation, Kitchen Remodel as common projects to budget for in Eau Claire, WI; 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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