Renovation Costs by City
Real renovation costs in major US and Canadian cities. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, additions — calibrated to local contractor pricing for 2026.
New York, NY
New York City has the highest construction labor rates in the US. Expect 25–40% premiums vs. national averages due to union labor, permit complexity, and building access constraints.
Los Angeles, CA
LA's IRC 2024-based code, ADU incentives, and seismic requirements create strong demand for licensed B and C-class contractors. ADU projects represent 35% of residential permits.
Houston, TX
Houston's growth and lack of state income tax keep contractor demand high. Hurricane resilience and foundation work are major specialties.
Chicago, IL
Chicago's older housing stock drives strong demand for basement finishing, masonry repair, and HVAC upgrades. Union labor influences pricing on commercial work.
Miami, FL
Hurricane resilience and luxury condo retrofits drive Miami's market. Impact windows, pool builds, and roof replacements dominate residential permits.
Dallas, TX
DFW is the fastest-growing US metro for residential construction. Hail damage drives heavy roofing demand. Custom home builds dominate suburbs like Frisco and Prosper.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's hilly terrain makes finished basements common. Population growth and strong job market sustain steady residential renovation demand.
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix's extreme heat drives heavy HVAC, pool, and shade structure demand. Population growth keeps custom home builders and remodelers busy year-round.
Toronto, ON
Toronto's housing crunch makes basement apartments, laneway suites, and garden suites high-demand. Permit timelines run 6–14 weeks for major renovations.
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver's high land cost makes laneway homes and basement suites popular. Seismic retrofitting is a growing specialty for older homes.
Calgary, AB
Calgary's bungalows and walk-out lots make basement development a top renovation. Detached garages are also a strong specialty.
Montreal, QC
Montreal's plex (duplex/triplex) housing stock drives unique conversion and brick masonry demand. RBQ licensing is mandatory.