Construction Costs in Wilmington, NC 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Wilmington. Labor input: $26.88/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Wilmington, NC metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 91.

$26.88

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

91

Material Cost Index

$251,621

Typical Home Value (est.)

96

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Wilmington, NC metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Wilmington, NC metropolitan area, which includes Wilmington, 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 (0.89 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianNC medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$24.44$23.61$29.12-16%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$22.16$21.50$22.66-2%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$34.05$36.19$38.42-11%
Electricians (47-2111)$26.00$27.31$30.38-14%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$27.11$27.44$30.67-12%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$23.97$27.53$29.33-18%
Roofers (47-2181)$23.43$23.56$26.65-12%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$20.60$21.21$23.75-13%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$27.66$21.67$28.33-2%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$21.17$22.49$27.41-23%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$23.17$24.01$29.87-22%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$21.47$26.77-20%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$24.86$27.15-8%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)$18.13$20.67$23.62-23%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$22.78$24.39$29.71-23%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 48900 (Wilmington, 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.

Wilmington Overview

Population

122,162

Climate Zone

Mixed-Humid / Mixed-Dry (Zone 4)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$44,868

Wilmington Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$19,110
Labor$13,766
Permits (4%)$1,315

Estimated Total Cost

$34,191

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Wilmington

Materials

$19,110

56% of total

Labor

$13,766

40% of total

Permits

$1,315

~$828 modeled allowance

9% Below National Average

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

View North Carolina Statewide Costs

Compare Wilmington costs with the North Carolina state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Wilmington vs National Average

Project TypeWilmington EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$37,800$35,000+8%
Bathroom Remodel$16,000$18,000-11%
Roof Replacement$13,500$15,000-10%
Whole House Paint$3,400$3,800-11%
Flooring Install$6,500$7,000-7%
Deck Build$11,000$12,000-8%

Material Prices in Wilmington

Concrete

$125 /cubic yard

$2 below the estimated North Carolina average of $127/yd³

Lumber

$4.81 /board foot

$0.19 below the estimated North Carolina average of $5.00/BF

Popular Projects in Wilmington

🪵

#1 Deck Build

Common project type to budget for in Wilmington

🪟

#2 Window Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Wilmington

🚗

#3 Garage Build

Common project type to budget for in Wilmington

Construction Cost Overview for Wilmington, NC

Construction and renovation costs in Wilmington, NC are modeled here with a cost of living index of 96 and a material cost index of 91 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $26.88 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Wilmington, NC metro) and a typical home value estimate of $251,621, homeowners in Wilmington should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Wilmington 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 $44,868 in Wilmington means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $37,800 represents approximately 84% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $828 for Wilmington; 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 Carolina

Cary, NC

BLS wage: $27.91/hr • Material Index: 88 • Kitchen: $36,210

Charlotte, NC

BLS wage: $27.90/hr • Material Index: 97 • Kitchen: $41,154

Durham, NC

BLS wage: $27.81/hr • Material Index: 90 • Kitchen: $37,318

Fayetteville, NC

BLS wage: $25.76/hr • Material Index: 96 • Kitchen: $40,527

Greensboro, NC

BLS wage: $26.15/hr • Material Index: 95 • Kitchen: $40,163

Lexington, NC

BLS wage: $26.68/hr • Material Index: 89 • Kitchen: $36,803

Raleigh, NC

BLS wage: $27.91/hr • Material Index: 96 • Kitchen: $40,667

Winston-Salem, NC

BLS wage: $26.68/hr • Material Index: 88 • Kitchen: $36,327

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Wilmington construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Wilmington. 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 Wilmington, NC metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (0.89) 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 Wilmington building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Wilmington; 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Wilmington, NC at approximately $37,800. Budget renovations start around $26,460, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $56,700 or more. The labor input is $26.88/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Wilmington, NC metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Wilmington?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Wilmington, NC metro is $26.88 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 11% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $26.00/hr; Plumbers: $27.11/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 Wilmington?
Most significant renovations in Wilmington, NC require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $828; 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 Wilmington's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Wilmington a cost of living index of 96 (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 Wilmington is 91, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Wilmington?
HammerIO highlights Deck Build, Window Replacement, Garage Build as common projects to budget for in Wilmington, NC; 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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