Kitchen remodel cost in Wilmington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,500 – $29,800
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $236
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #176
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Wilmington, plan on $17,500 to $29,800 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $142 to $236 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $24.44 an hour in the Wilmington area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Wilmington, NC, standard level
$21,200 to $26,100
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 18% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $4,700 |
| Permits and fees | $770 | $1,150 |
| Total | $21,200 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Wilmington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,400 | $23,000 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,200 | $4,300 | $5,350 | 18% |
| Permits and fees | $480 | $960 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,800 | 100% |
Why Wilmington prices look the way they do
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, Wilmington wages are 0.86 times the national level. Labor makes up about 18% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Wilmington 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 (96.4) and land at $480 to $1,450.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Wilmington. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in Wilmington?
Because every project leans on different trades, Wilmington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −7% and home addition −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,300 – $21,200 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,900 – $68,800 | −11% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Wilmington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Wilmington 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
$17,500 to $22,400
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,200 to $26,100
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,900 to $29,800
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,800 | $17,800 – $21,900 | $20,900 – $25,000 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,500 – $22,400 | $21,200 – $26,100 | $24,900 – $29,800 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,800 – $36,700 | $34,800 – $42,700 | $40,700 – $48,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,000 – $54,700 | $51,800 – $63,500 | $60,500 – $72,300 |
Wilmington 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 Wilmington is 0.86 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.44 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.06 and $28.70 an hour. BLS counts 640 of them working in the area, 33.5 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 $26.00 an hour, 14% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $28.87 an hour. About 910 work in the metro. That is 47.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $27.11 an hour, which is 12% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.29 and $30.10 an hour. BLS counts 690 of them working in the area, 36.1 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 Wilmington 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), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.66 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $20.82 and $27.66 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 5.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $20.60 an hour, which is 13% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $16.77 and $22.98 an hour. BLS counts 220 of them working in the area, 11.5 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 ($28.70 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $330. At the 25th percentile ($22.06) it shrinks by about $180. The total moves by 1.4% or 0.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 191,280 jobs in the Wilmington area. That makes it the 120th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.06 | $24.44 | $28.70 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.07 | $26.00 | $28.87 | $30.38 | 0.86 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.29 | $27.11 | $30.10 | $30.67 | 0.88 | 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% | $20.82 | $27.66 | $27.66 | $28.33 | 0.98 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $16.77 | $20.60 | $22.98 | $23.75 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Is Wilmington cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $23,200 to $23,600 across Wilmington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NCthis page | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | |
| Myrtle Beach, SC60 miles | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Greenville, NC100 miles | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Florence, SC100 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Raleigh, NC105 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Wilmington comes in at #176 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Wilmington is 1% above 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 | level |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | level |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Wilmington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wilmington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $18,000 – $30,700 | $24,400 | +3% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −2% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $17,000 – $28,900 | $23,000 | −3% |
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | +13% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Wilmington bid
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.
Structure
Moving or removing walls can need a structural engineer at $1,900-$3,700+.
Get 3 local quotes
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Kitchen remodel in Wilmington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Wilmington?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,800 in the Wilmington area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,200 to $26,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Wilmington?
About $142 to $236 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $480 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Wilmington or Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,200, which is 2% less than Wilmington ($23,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wilmington?
About 18% at the midpoint, or $4,300 out of $23,600. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Wilmington?
$28,800 to $48,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Wilmington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $480 to $1,450 for fees in the Wilmington area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wilmington expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Wilmington is 1% above 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 Wilmington?
The BLS median is $24.44 an hour in the Wilmington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.06 to $28.70.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Wilmington?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,500 to $22,400 and premium work $24,900 to $29,800. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Wilmington
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.