Construction Costs in Grand Forks, ND 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Grand Forks. Labor input: $29.32/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 89.

$29.32

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

89

Material Cost Index

$239,539

Typical Home Value (est.)

95

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Grand Forks, ND-MN metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Grand Forks, ND-MN metropolitan area, which includes Grand Forks, 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 medianND medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$27.62$27.83$29.12-5%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$23.59$23.59$22.66+4%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$36.74$39.12$38.42-4%
Electricians (47-2111)$33.51$31.59$30.38+10%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$30.26$30.56$30.67-1%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$36.28$35.81$29.33+24%
Roofers (47-2181)$24.40$28.72$26.65-8%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$24.29$26.38$23.75+2%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)n/a$21.69$28.33-23%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$25.07$27.74$27.41-9%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)n/a$38.43$29.87+29%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$20.49$26.77-23%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$23.10$27.15-15%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$22.33$23.62-5%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$29.55$31.34$29.71-1%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 24220 (Grand Forks, ND-MN). "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.

Grand Forks Overview

Population

56,588

Climate Zone

Cold (Zone 6)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$60,701

Grand Forks Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$18,690
Labor$15,016
Permits (4%)$1,348

Estimated Total Cost

$35,054

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Grand Forks

Materials

$18,690

53% of total

Labor

$15,016

43% of total

Permits

$1,348

~$877 modeled allowance

7% Below National Average

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

View North Dakota Statewide Costs

Compare Grand Forks costs with the North Dakota state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Grand Forks vs National Average

Project TypeGrand Forks EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$37,066$35,000+6%
Bathroom Remodel$16,000$18,000-11%
Roof Replacement$13,000$15,000-13%
Whole House Paint$3,300$3,800-13%
Flooring Install$6,000$7,000-14%
Deck Build$10,500$12,000-12%

Material Prices in Grand Forks

Concrete

$125 /cubic yard

At the estimated North Dakota average of $125/yd³

Lumber

$5.29 /board foot

$0.39 above the estimated North Dakota average of $4.90/BF

Popular Projects in Grand Forks

🪵

#1 Deck Build

Common project type to budget for in Grand Forks

🪟

#2 Window Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Grand Forks

🚗

#3 Garage Build

Common project type to budget for in Grand Forks

Construction Cost Overview for Grand Forks, ND

Construction and renovation costs in Grand Forks, ND are modeled here with a cost of living index of 95 and a material cost index of 89 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $29.32 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Grand Forks, ND-MN metro) and a typical home value estimate of $239,539, homeowners in Grand Forks should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Grand Forks 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 $60,701 in Grand Forks means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $37,066 represents approximately 61% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $877 for Grand Forks; 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 North Dakota

Bismarck, ND

BLS wage: $29.00/hr • Material Index: 96 • Kitchen: $40,751

Fargo, ND

BLS wage: $29.87/hr • Material Index: 97 • Kitchen: $41,350

Minot, ND

BLS wage: $30.58/hr • Material Index: 92 • Kitchen: $38,545

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Grand Forks construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Grand Forks. 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 Grand Forks, ND-MN 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 Grand Forks building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Grand Forks; 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 Grand Forks, 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 Grand Forks, ND?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Grand Forks, ND at approximately $37,066. Budget renovations start around $25,946, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $55,599 or more. The labor input is $29.32/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Grand Forks?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro is $29.32 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 2% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $33.51/hr; Plumbers: $30.26/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 Grand Forks?
Most significant renovations in Grand Forks, ND require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $877; 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 Grand Forks's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Grand Forks a cost of living index of 95 (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 Grand Forks is 89, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Grand Forks?
HammerIO highlights Deck Build, Window Replacement, Garage Build as common projects to budget for in Grand Forks, ND; 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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