Construction Costs in Virginia Beach, VA 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Virginia Beach. 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 107.

$27.40

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

107

Material Cost Index

$289,769

Typical Home Value (est.)

111

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 Virginia Beach, 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.

Virginia Beach Overview

Population

459,470

Climate Zone

Mixed-Humid / Mixed-Dry (Zone 4)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$56,270

Virginia Beach Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$22,470
Labor$14,033
Permits (4%)$1,460

Estimated Total Cost

$37,963

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Virginia Beach

Materials

$22,470

59% of total

Labor

$14,033

37% of total

Permits

$1,460

~$840 modeled allowance

1% Above National Average

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

View Virginia Statewide Costs

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

Project Cost Comparison: Virginia Beach vs National Average

Project TypeVirginia Beach EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$45,903$35,000+31%
Bathroom Remodel$20,000$18,000+11%
Roof Replacement$16,500$15,000+10%
Whole House Paint$4,200$3,800+11%
Flooring Install$7,500$7,000+7%
Deck Build$13,000$12,000+8%

Material Prices in Virginia Beach

Concrete

$150 /cubic yard

At the estimated Virginia average of $150/yd³

Lumber

$5.46 /board foot

$0.43 below the estimated Virginia average of $5.89/BF

Popular Projects in Virginia Beach

🍳

#1 Kitchen Remodel

Common project type to budget for in Virginia Beach

🪵

#2 Deck Build

Common project type to budget for in Virginia Beach

🧱

#3 Siding Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Virginia Beach

Construction Cost Overview for Virginia Beach, VA

Construction and renovation costs in Virginia Beach, VA are modeled here with a cost of living index of 111 and a material cost index of 107 (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 $289,769, homeowners in Virginia Beach should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Virginia Beach 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 $56,270 in Virginia Beach means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $45,903 represents approximately 82% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $840 for Virginia Beach; 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

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Virginia Beach construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Virginia Beach; 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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Virginia Beach, VA at approximately $45,903. Budget renovations start around $32,132, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $68,855 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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
Most significant renovations in Virginia Beach, VA require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $840; 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 Virginia Beach's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is 107, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Virginia Beach?
HammerIO highlights Kitchen Remodel, Deck Build, Siding Replacement as common projects to budget for in Virginia Beach, 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.

Related Calculators

Concrete Calculator

Calculate cubic yards and bags of concrete for your Virginia Beach project.

Roofing Calculator

Estimate roofing materials and costs by roof pitch and area.

Paint Calculator

Calculate gallons of paint needed for your interior or exterior project.