Construction Costs in Joliet, IL 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Joliet. Labor input: $40.48/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 106.

$40.48

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

106

Material Cost Index

$188,998

Typical Home Value (est.)

99

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, which includes Joliet, 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 (1.35 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianIL medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$38.68$37.98$29.12+33%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$29.27$29.18$22.66+29%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$53.49$50.84$38.42+39%
Electricians (47-2111)$49.21$47.87$30.38+62%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$49.70$48.05$30.67+62%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$37.48$37.21$29.33+28%
Roofers (47-2181)$39.47$37.45$26.65+48%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$29.68$29.45$23.75+25%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$33.23$30.38$28.33+17%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$38.95$37.58$27.41+42%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$43.26$43.26$29.87+45%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$35.90$32.29$26.77+34%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)$33.83$33.60$27.15+25%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$28.29$25.48$23.62+20%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$45.82$41.65$29.71+54%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 16980 (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN). "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.

Joliet Overview

Population

150,362

Climate Zone

Cool-Humid (Zone 5)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$49,613

Joliet Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$22,260
Labor$20,731
Permits (4%)$1,720

Estimated Total Cost

$44,711

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Joliet

Materials

$22,260

50% of total

Labor

$20,731

46% of total

Permits

$1,720

~$1,030 modeled allowance

19% Above National Average

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

View Illinois Statewide Costs

Compare Joliet costs with the Illinois state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Joliet vs National Average

Project TypeJoliet EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$45,354$35,000+30%
Bathroom Remodel$19,500$18,000+8%
Roof Replacement$16,500$15,000+10%
Whole House Paint$4,100$3,800+8%
Flooring Install$7,500$7,000+7%
Deck Build$13,000$12,000+8%

Material Prices in Joliet

Concrete

$150 /cubic yard

$2 above the estimated Illinois average of $148/yd³

Lumber

$5.94 /board foot

$0.11 above the estimated Illinois average of $5.83/BF

Popular Projects in Joliet

🏚️

#1 Basement Finishing

Common project type to budget for in Joliet

🏡

#2 Fence Installation

Common project type to budget for in Joliet

🍳

#3 Kitchen Remodel

Common project type to budget for in Joliet

Construction Cost Overview for Joliet, IL

Construction and renovation costs in Joliet, IL are modeled here with a cost of living index of 99 and a material cost index of 106 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $40.48 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro) and a typical home value estimate of $188,998, homeowners in Joliet should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Joliet 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 $49,613 in Joliet means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $45,354 represents approximately 91% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $1,030 for Joliet; 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 Illinois

Bloomington, IL

BLS wage: $36.89/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $46,010

Champaign, IL

BLS wage: $35.80/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $46,004

Chicago, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 129 • Kitchen: $57,344

Cicero, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $45,774

Decatur, IL

BLS wage: $35.88/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,287

Elgin, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 116 • Kitchen: $50,730

Evanston, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 117 • Kitchen: $51,061

Naperville, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 118 • Kitchen: $51,559

Peoria, IL

BLS wage: $37.97/hr • Material Index: 113 • Kitchen: $49,146

Rockford, IL

BLS wage: $37.39/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,974

Springfield, IL

BLS wage: $37.74/hr • Material Index: 117 • Kitchen: $51,122

Waukegan, IL

BLS wage: $40.48/hr • Material Index: 104 • Kitchen: $44,324

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Joliet construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Joliet. 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.35) 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 Joliet building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Joliet; 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 Joliet, 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 Joliet, IL?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Joliet, IL at approximately $45,354. Budget renovations start around $31,748, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $68,031 or more. The labor input is $40.48/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Joliet?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro is $40.48 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 35% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $49.21/hr; Plumbers: $49.70/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 Joliet?
Most significant renovations in Joliet, IL require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $1,030; 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 Joliet's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Joliet a cost of living index of 99 (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 Joliet is 106, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Joliet?
HammerIO highlights Basement Finishing, Fence Installation, Kitchen Remodel as common projects to budget for in Joliet, IL; 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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