Home addition cost in Burlington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $33,000 – $67,000
- Per sq ft
- $108 – $217
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #241
- 1 = most expensive
A home addition in Burlington, NC usually costs $33,000 to $67,000 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $108 to $217 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $7,500 less. Carpenters earn a median of $23.69 an hour in the Burlington area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Burlington, NC, standard level
$43,200 to $56,800
About $141 to $184 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,100 | $19,700 |
| Labor | $27,200 | $35,600 |
| Permits and fees | $890 | $1,450 |
| Total | $43,200 | $56,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Burlington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,600 | $17,400 | $23,200 | 35% |
| Labor | $20,900 | $31,400 | $41,900 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $470 | $1,150 | $1,850 | 2% |
| Total | $33,000 | $50,000 | $67,000 | 100% |
Where the Burlington price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 50%, cement masons and concrete finishers at 10%, electricians at 10%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, roofers at 10%. Weighted together, Burlington wages are 0.82 times the national level. Labor makes up about 63% of the midpoint estimate (67% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Burlington is at 96.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $18,000 nationally becomes $17,400 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 93.2: $470 to $1,850.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Burlington. The wage table below marks each row.
What nearby projects cost in Burlington
Jobs that often go together with home addition are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Burlington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−6%) and bathroom remodel lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,300 – $29,500 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,200 – $20,700 | −11% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,100 – $52,300 | −10% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,550 – $11,500 | −8% |
Burlington weather and the home addition calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Burlington Alamance Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Burlington are February through June and August through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 78 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Burlington gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and September (4.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, February and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 48 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 33 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 57 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 65 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 62 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 38 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
What local crews earn in Burlington
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Burlington the blend is 0.82.
Carpenters (47-2031), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.69 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.18 and $27.09 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 14.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.75 an hour, 21% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $23.07 an hour. About 110 work in the metro. That is 16.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.71 an hour, which is 19% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.82 and $28.86 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 33.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.35 an hour, 11% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.15 and $30.76 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 38.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $21.67 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.43 and $24.29 an hour.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $23.56 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.61 and $27.18 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,650. That is a swing of roughly 3.3% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Burlington has 67,830 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 266th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $21.18 | $23.69 | $27.09 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $18.45 | $21.75 | $23.07 | $27.41 | 0.79 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.82 | $24.71 | $28.86 | $30.38 | 0.81 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.15 | $27.35 | $30.76 | $30.67 | 0.89 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.43 | $21.67 | $24.29 | $28.33 | 0.76 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $21.61 | $23.56 | $27.18 | $26.65 | 0.88 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
Home addition: what moves the price in Burlington
Permits
Construction permits run $500-$2,000, or $5-$21 per $1,000 of project cost (HomeGuide).
Foundation
A foundation, framing, roofing and matching exterior finishes all have to be built before the interior work starts.
Type of addition
A new room is $125-$250 per sq ft; a bump-out $85-$200; an attic conversion $50-$150; a garage conversion $50-$200 (HomeGuide).
Is Burlington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Raleigh is the priciest of the group at $51,400. Fayetteville is the cheapest at $48,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NCthis page | $33,000 – $67,000 | $50,000 | |
| Durham, NC15 miles | $33,900 – $68,800 | $51,400 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC20 miles | $33,700 – $68,400 | $51,100 | +2% |
| Winston, NC55 miles | $33,000 – $66,900 | $49,900 | level |
| Raleigh, NC55 miles | $33,900 – $68,900 | $51,400 | +3% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $32,200 – $65,300 | $48,700 | −2% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $33,300 – $67,500 | $50,400 | +1% |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | +15% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Burlington ranks #241 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Burlington is 1% below the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $33,900 – $68,800 | $51,300 | +3% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $33,900 – $68,900 | $51,400 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $33,700 – $68,400 | $51,100 | +2% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $33,900 – $68,800 | $51,400 | +3% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $33,000 – $66,900 | $49,900 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $33,900 – $68,800 | $51,400 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Burlington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $34,700 – $70,400 | $52,600 | +5% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $34,000 – $68,900 | $51,500 | +3% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $36,600 – $74,100 | $55,300 | +11% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $34,400 – $69,600 | $52,000 | +4% |
Burlington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Burlington. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from bump-out (100 sq ft) to large suite (600 sq ft).
Basic
$33,000 to $46,600
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$43,200 to $56,800
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$53,400 to $67,000
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $11,300 – $16,200 | $15,000 – $19,900 | $18,700 – $23,600 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $43,900 – $61,800 | $57,300 – $75,200 | $70,700 – $88,600 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $65,600 – $92,100 | $85,500 – $112,000 | $105,500 – $132,000 |
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Home addition in Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Burlington?
For 300 sq ft, expect $33,000 to $67,000 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $43,200 to $56,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Burlington?
About $108 to $217 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $470 to $1,850 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Burlington or Durham?
Durham is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $51,400, which is 3% more than Burlington ($50,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $31,400 out of $50,000. Materials are 35% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Burlington?
$43,900 to $88,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Burlington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $470 to $1,850 for fees in the Burlington area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for home addition compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Burlington is 1% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($50,400 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Burlington?
The BLS median is $23.69 an hour in the Burlington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.18 to $27.09.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Burlington?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $33,000 to $46,600 and premium work $53,400 to $67,000. Basic means: bump-out or simple room without plumbing. Premium means: large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation.
+When is the best time to build a home addition in Burlington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and August through December. February and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Home addition near Burlington
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Home Addition Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 32% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Structural' category split (56% labor, 32% materials, 11% permits and design). It is a category average rather than an addition-specific figure.