Construction Costs in Fort Collins, CO 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Fort Collins. Labor input: $29.57/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 101.

$29.57

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

101

Material Cost Index

$498,357

Typical Home Value (est.)

111

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metropolitan area, which includes Fort Collins, 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 (0.98 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianCO medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$28.04$30.21$29.12-4%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$22.86$23.03$22.66+1%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$37.82$39.05$38.42-2%
Electricians (47-2111)$29.52$29.92$30.38-3%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$29.14$30.40$30.67-5%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$31.87$31.35$29.33+9%
Roofers (47-2181)$23.37$24.88$26.65-12%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$23.51$25.47$23.75-1%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$29.39$29.70$28.33+4%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$28.31$29.18$27.41+3%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$32.27$31.37$29.87+8%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$27.74$26.77+4%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$22.13$27.15-18%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$23.71$24.42$23.620%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$25.31$27.83$29.71-15%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 22660 (Fort Collins-Loveland, 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.

Fort Collins Overview

Population

169,810

Climate Zone

Cool-Humid (Zone 5)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$88,521

Fort Collins Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$21,210
Labor$15,144
Permits (4%)$1,454

Estimated Total Cost

$37,808

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Fort Collins

Materials

$21,210

56% of total

Labor

$15,144

40% of total

Permits

$1,454

~$1,411 modeled allowance

1% Above National Average

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

View Colorado Statewide Costs

Compare Fort Collins costs with the Colorado state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Fort Collins vs National Average

Project TypeFort Collins EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$42,818$35,000+22%
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 Fort Collins

Concrete

$140 /cubic yard

$1 below the estimated Colorado average of $141/yd³

Lumber

$5.25 /board foot

$0.30 below the estimated Colorado average of $5.55/BF

Popular Projects in Fort Collins

🏠

#1 Roof Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Fort Collins

🎨

#2 Interior Painting

Common project type to budget for in Fort Collins

📐

#3 Room Addition

Common project type to budget for in Fort Collins

Construction Cost Overview for Fort Collins, CO

Construction and renovation costs in Fort Collins, CO are modeled here with a cost of living index of 111 and a material cost index of 101 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $29.57 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro) and a typical home value estimate of $498,357, homeowners in Fort Collins should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Fort Collins 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 $88,521 in Fort Collins means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $42,818 represents approximately 48% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $1,411 for Fort Collins; 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

Denver, CO

BLS wage: $31.58/hr • Material Index: 117 • Kitchen: $51,038

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 Fort Collins construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Fort Collins. 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 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (0.98) 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 Fort Collins building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Fort Collins; 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 Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins, CO?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Fort Collins, CO at approximately $42,818. Budget renovations start around $29,973, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $64,227 or more. The labor input is $29.57/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Fort Collins?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro is $29.57 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 2% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $29.52/hr; Plumbers: $29.14/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 Fort Collins?
Most significant renovations in Fort Collins, CO require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $1,411; 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 Fort Collins's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Fort Collins a cost of living index of 111 (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 Fort Collins is 101, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Fort Collins?
HammerIO highlights Roof Replacement, Interior Painting, Room Addition as common projects to budget for in Fort Collins, 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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