Kitchen remodel cost in Burlington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,300 – $29,500
- Per sq ft
- $140 – $234
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #231
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Burlington, plan on $17,300 to $29,500 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $140 to $234 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. 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 120 sq ft in Burlington, NC, standard level
$21,000 to $25,800
About $168 to $206 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 17% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,500 |
| Permits and fees | $750 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,000 | $25,800 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Burlington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,400 | $23,000 | 79% |
| Labor | $3,050 | $4,050 | $5,100 | 17% |
| Permits and fees | $470 | $930 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $17,300 | $23,400 | $29,500 | 100% |
Where the Burlington price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 45%, electricians at 15%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 15%, tile and stone setters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 5%. Weighted together, Burlington wages are 0.82 times the national level. Labor makes up about 17% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Burlington metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,400, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.2) and land at $470 to $1,400.
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.
Why two Burlington quotes can differ
Scope
A full kitchen update is $15,000-$50,000, a large remodel $50,000-$70,000+, and a partial refresh $60-$150 per square foot (HomeGuide).
Cabinets
In a 10x10 kitchen, cabinets alone are $3,000-$11,000 for stock or semi-custom and up to $26,500 for fully custom.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
How Burlington compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 120 sq ft range from $23,300 to $23,700 across Burlington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NCthis page | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | |
| Durham, NC15 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC20 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Winston, NC55 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | level |
| Raleigh, NC55 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Burlington comes in at #231 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Burlington is 0% below the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Burlington's
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 | $17,600 – $29,900 | $23,800 | +2% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $17,500 – $29,900 | $23,700 | +1% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
Burlington labor market for kitchen remodel
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Burlington is 0.82 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $23.69 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.18 and $27.09 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 14.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $24.71 an hour, 19% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.82 and $28.86 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 33.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $27.35 an hour, which is 11% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.15 and $30.76 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 38.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $21.47 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.02 and $24.36 an hour.
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.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $18.77 an hour, which is 21% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $13.98 and $23.11 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 7.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.09 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($21.18) it shrinks by about $190. The total moves by 1.1% or 0.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 67,830 jobs in the Burlington area. That makes it the 266th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.18 | $23.69 | $27.09 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $21.82 | $24.71 | $28.86 | $30.38 | 0.81 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.15 | $27.35 | $30.76 | $30.67 | 0.89 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $19.02 | $21.47 | $24.36 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.43 | $21.67 | $24.29 | $28.33 | 0.76 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $13.98 | $18.77 | $23.11 | $23.75 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Burlington
Because every project leans on different trades, Burlington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −7% and home addition −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,400 | −11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,200 – $20,700 | −11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,000 – $67,000 | −13% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −11% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Cost by quality level and size in Burlington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Burlington wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$17,300 to $22,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,000 to $25,800
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,600 to $29,500
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,500 – $18,600 | $17,600 – $21,700 | $20,700 – $24,800 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,300 – $22,200 | $21,000 – $25,800 | $24,600 – $29,500 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,500 – $36,400 | $34,400 – $42,300 | $40,300 – $48,200 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,600 – $54,200 | $51,300 – $62,900 | $60,000 – $71,600 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $21,000 to $25,800 for Burlington, NC is attached.
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Multi-page report for Burlington, NC: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen remodel in Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Burlington?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,300 to $29,500 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,000 to $25,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Burlington?
About $140 to $234 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $470 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Burlington or Durham?
Durham is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,700, which is 1% more than Burlington ($23,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 17% at the midpoint, or $4,050 out of $23,400. Materials are 79% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Burlington?
$28,500 to $48,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel 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 $1,400 for fees in the Burlington area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Burlington is 0% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($23,500 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 kitchen remodel work cost in Burlington?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,300 to $22,200 and premium work $24,600 to $29,500. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel 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 Kitchen Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 70% of the low installed price and 85% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that professional labor is 15-30% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Cost to Renovate's mid-range kitchen split (45% labor, 50% materials) sits inside that band.