Construction Costs in Toms River, NJ 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Toms River. Labor input: $38.39/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 118.

$38.39

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

118

Material Cost Index

$497,000

Typical Home Value (est.)

117.7

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, which includes Toms River, 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 (1.28 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianNJ medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$35.72$30.77$29.12+23%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$29.46$30.80$22.66+30%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$50.00$50.73$38.42+30%
Electricians (47-2111)$37.99$37.14$30.38+25%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$37.79$37.61$30.67+23%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$37.50$35.79$29.33+28%
Roofers (47-2181)$36.73$36.83$26.65+38%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$29.53$28.49$23.75+24%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$34.29$36.09$28.33+21%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$31.57$29.52$27.41+15%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$44.37$37.03$29.87+49%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$29.52$29.99$26.77+10%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)$29.50$28.77$27.15+9%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$29.68$25.36$23.62+26%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$36.89$44.64$29.71+24%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 35620 (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ). "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.

Toms River Overview

Population

95,438

Climate Zone

Mixed-Humid / Mixed-Dry (Zone 4)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$81,300

Toms River Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$24,780
Labor$19,661
Permits (4%)$1,778

Estimated Total Cost

$46,219

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Toms River

Materials

$24,780

54% of total

Labor

$19,661

43% of total

Permits

$1,778

~$1,566 modeled allowance

23% Above National Average

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

View New Jersey Statewide Costs

Compare Toms River costs with the New Jersey state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Toms River vs National Average

Project TypeToms River EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$54,426$35,000+56%
Bathroom Remodel$20,724$18,000+15%
Roof Replacement$16,416$15,000+9%
Whole House Paint$4,854$3,800+28%
Flooring Install$6,531$7,000-7%
Deck Build$10,885$12,000-9%

Material Prices in Toms River

Concrete

$159 /cubic yard

$6 below the estimated New Jersey average of $165/yd³

Lumber

$5.35 /board foot

$1.14 below the estimated New Jersey average of $6.49/BF

Popular Projects in Toms River

🍳

#1 Kitchen Remodel

Common project type to budget for in Toms River

🚿

#2 Bathroom Renovation

Common project type to budget for in Toms River

🧱

#3 Siding Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Toms River

Construction Cost Overview for Toms River, NJ

Construction and renovation costs in Toms River, NJ are modeled here with a cost of living index of 117.7 and a material cost index of 118 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $38.39 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro) and a typical home value estimate of $497,000, homeowners in Toms River should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Toms River 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 $81,300 in Toms River means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $54,426 represents approximately 67% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $1,566 for Toms River; 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 New Jersey

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Toms River construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Toms River. 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.28) 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 Toms River building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Toms River; 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 Toms River, 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 Toms River, NJ?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Toms River, NJ at approximately $54,426. Budget renovations start around $38,098, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $81,639 or more. The labor input is $38.39/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Toms River?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro is $38.39 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 28% above the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $37.99/hr; Plumbers: $37.79/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 Toms River?
Most significant renovations in Toms River, NJ require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $1,566; 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 Toms River's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Toms River a cost of living index of 117.7 (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 Toms River is 118, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Toms River?
HammerIO highlights Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Renovation, Siding Replacement as common projects to budget for in Toms River, NJ; 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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