Construction Costs in Winston-Salem, NC 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Winston-Salem. Labor input: $26.68/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 88.

$26.68

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

88

Material Cost Index

$238,751

Typical Home Value (est.)

93

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Winston-Salem, NC metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan area, which includes Winston-Salem, 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)$24.01$23.61$29.12-18%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$20.29$21.50$22.66-10%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$35.75$36.19$38.42-7%
Electricians (47-2111)$26.97$27.31$30.38-11%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$23.67$27.44$30.67-23%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$26.61$27.53$29.33-9%
Roofers (47-2181)$23.69$23.56$26.65-11%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$18.24$21.21$23.75-23%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$21.41$21.67$28.33-24%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$21.48$22.49$27.41-22%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)$23.03$24.01$29.87-23%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)$22.00$21.47$26.77-18%
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)$18.00$20.67$23.62-24%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$22.64$24.39$29.71-24%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 49180 (Winston-Salem, 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.

Winston-Salem Overview

Population

249,545

Climate Zone

Mixed-Humid / Mixed-Dry (Zone 4)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$55,150

Winston-Salem Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$18,480
Labor$13,664
Permits (4%)$1,286

Estimated Total Cost

$33,430

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Winston-Salem

Materials

$18,480

55% of total

Labor

$13,664

41% of total

Permits

$1,286

~$693 modeled allowance

11% Below National Average

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

View North Carolina Statewide Costs

Compare Winston-Salem costs with the North Carolina state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Winston-Salem vs National Average

Project TypeWinston-Salem EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$36,327$35,000+4%
Bathroom Remodel$15,500$18,000-14%
Roof Replacement$13,000$15,000-13%
Whole House Paint$3,300$3,800-13%
Flooring Install$6,000$7,000-14%
Deck Build$10,500$12,000-12%

Material Prices in Winston-Salem

Concrete

$125 /cubic yard

$2 above the estimated North Carolina average of $123/yd³

Lumber

$4.92 /board foot

$0.08 above the estimated North Carolina average of $4.84/BF

Popular Projects in Winston-Salem

🪟

#1 Window Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Winston-Salem

📐

#2 Room Addition

Common project type to budget for in Winston-Salem

🌳

#3 Landscaping

Common project type to budget for in Winston-Salem

Construction Cost Overview for Winston-Salem, NC

Construction and renovation costs in Winston-Salem, NC are modeled here with a cost of living index of 93 and a material cost index of 88 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $26.68 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Winston-Salem, NC metro) and a typical home value estimate of $238,751, homeowners in Winston-Salem should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Winston-Salem 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 $55,150 in Winston-Salem means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $36,327 represents approximately 66% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $693 for Winston-Salem; 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

Wilmington, NC

BLS wage: $26.88/hr • Material Index: 91 • Kitchen: $37,800

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Winston-Salem construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Winston-Salem; 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Winston-Salem, NC at approximately $36,327. Budget renovations start around $25,429, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $54,491 or more. The labor input is $26.68/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Winston-Salem?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Winston-Salem, NC metro is $26.68 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 11% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $26.97/hr; Plumbers: $23.67/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 Winston-Salem?
Most significant renovations in Winston-Salem, NC require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $693; 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 Winston-Salem's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Winston-Salem a cost of living index of 93 (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 Winston-Salem is 88, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Winston-Salem?
HammerIO highlights Window Replacement, Room Addition, Landscaping as common projects to budget for in Winston-Salem, 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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