Construction Costs in Suffolk, VA 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Suffolk. Labor input: $27.40/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 97.

$27.40

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

97

Material Cost Index

$295,000

Typical Home Value (est.)

96.8

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area, which includes Suffolk, 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 (0.91 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianVA medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$24.76$26.77$29.12-15%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$18.51$20.94$22.66-18%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$38.92$37.81$38.42+1%
Electricians (47-2111)$29.98$30.24$30.38-1%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$29.75$29.07$30.67-3%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$28.59$28.72$29.33-3%
Roofers (47-2181)$22.34$23.28$26.65-16%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$22.65$22.82$23.75-5%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$23.52$26.84$28.33-17%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$23.84$24.49$27.41-13%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$24.22$26.29$29.87-19%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$21.76$23.50$26.77-19%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)$23.33$24.25$27.15-14%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$21.03$21.54$23.62-11%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$30.48$25.10$29.71+3%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 47260 (Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC). "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.

Suffolk Overview

Population

94,324

Climate Zone

Mixed-Humid / Mixed-Dry (Zone 4)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$62,000

Suffolk Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$20,370
Labor$14,033
Permits (4%)$1,376

Estimated Total Cost

$35,779

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Suffolk

Materials

$20,370

57% of total

Labor

$14,033

39% of total

Permits

$1,376

~$1,456 modeled allowance

5% Below National Average

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

View Virginia Statewide Costs

Compare Suffolk costs with the Virginia state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Suffolk vs National Average

Project TypeSuffolk EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$47,365$35,000+35%
Bathroom Remodel$18,623$18,000+3%
Roof Replacement$14,744$15,000-2%
Whole House Paint$4,436$3,800+17%
Flooring Install$5,904$7,000-16%
Deck Build$9,840$12,000-18%

Material Prices in Suffolk

Concrete

$148 /cubic yard

$12 above the estimated Virginia average of $136/yd³

Lumber

$4.94 /board foot

$0.39 below the estimated Virginia average of $5.33/BF

Popular Projects in Suffolk

🍳

#1 Kitchen Remodel

Common project type to budget for in Suffolk

🚿

#2 Bathroom Renovation

Common project type to budget for in Suffolk

🪟

#3 Window Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Suffolk

Construction Cost Overview for Suffolk, VA

Construction and renovation costs in Suffolk, VA are modeled here with a cost of living index of 96.8 and a material cost index of 97 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $27.40 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro) and a typical home value estimate of $295,000, homeowners in Suffolk should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Suffolk sits in IECC Climate Zone 4 (Mixed-Humid / Mixed-Dry), 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 $62,000 in Suffolk means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $47,365 represents approximately 76% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $1,456 for Suffolk; 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 Virginia

Alexandria, VA

BLS wage: $30.73/hr • Material Index: 116 • Kitchen: $50,406

Chesapeake, VA

BLS wage: $27.40/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,388

Hampton, VA

BLS wage: $27.40/hr • Material Index: 114 • Kitchen: $49,515

Lynchburg, VA

BLS wage: $24.37/hr • Material Index: 95 • Kitchen: $39,844

Newport News, VA

BLS wage: $27.40/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,906

Norfolk, VA

BLS wage: $27.40/hr • Material Index: 102 • Kitchen: $43,243

Richmond, VA

BLS wage: $27.39/hr • Material Index: 106 • Kitchen: $45,472

Roanoke, VA

BLS wage: $24.34/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $45,976

Virginia Beach, VA

BLS wage: $27.40/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $45,903

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Suffolk construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Suffolk. 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (0.91) 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 Suffolk building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Suffolk; 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 Suffolk, 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 Suffolk, VA?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Suffolk, VA at approximately $47,365. Budget renovations start around $33,156, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $71,048 or more. The labor input is $27.40/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Suffolk?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro is $27.40 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 9% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $29.98/hr; Plumbers: $29.75/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 Suffolk?
Most significant renovations in Suffolk, VA require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $1,456; 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 Suffolk's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Suffolk a cost of living index of 96.8 (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 Suffolk is 97, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Suffolk?
HammerIO highlights Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Renovation, Window Replacement as common projects to budget for in Suffolk, VA; 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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