When it comes to home remodeling, costs don’t just depend on your project specs — where you’re located makes a huge difference. In 2025, some states consistently show higher average renovation expenses due to factors like labor rates, permit fees, material transportation, and local demand.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 states with the highest remodeling costs in 2025, and what drives their premium pricing.
Why Some States Are More Expensive for Remodeling
Before the list, it’s helpful to understand what pushes up costs:
- High labor rates & skilled trades scarcity
- Strict building codes & regulation costs
- Expensive permits, inspections & local fees
- Transport & supply chain premiums in remote or mountainous areas
- High property values incentivizing premium finishes
Top 10 Most Expensive States for Remodeling (2025)
Here are ten states where remodeling tends to cost more than the national average:
| Rank | State | Key Cost Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | Full-home remodel averages over $258,000 in certain studies |
| 2 | California | High labor, expensive permits, premium materials, coastal transport |
| 3 | Massachusetts | Strict codes, high labor, wealthy urban markets |
| 4 | Utah | Rapid growth, competing demand, building boom costs |
| 5 | Colorado | Mountain terrain adds costs; many luxury/ high-end projects |
| 6 | Wyoming | Identified as one of the top states in average renovation cost rankings |
| 7 | Washington | High cost of living, regulatory burden, coastal transport costs |
| 8 | Maryland | Close to DC/urban premium markets |
| 9 | Virginia | Strong urban-suburban demand pushing up renovation pricing |
| 10 | Massachusetts / North Dakota (tie) | In some data, North Dakota surfaces as high due to remote logistics |
Note: Rankings vary across sources. Use this as a reference framework and validate with local/regional data.
Deep Dive: State Highlights & Cost Factors
Connecticut
Top of many lists for full-home remodel costs; high property values, strict local standards, and coastal premiums all play major roles.
California
Labor rates are steep. Permits, seismic codes, and shipping materials to remote or coastal zones inflate costs.
Massachusetts
Close to major cities (Boston), so you get urban pricing even in suburbs. Strict historical, fire, and structural codes.
Utah & Colorado
Mountainous terrain, remote areas, and tourism-driven luxury projects raise baseline costs.
Wyoming
Surprisingly high in recent studies, possibly due to remote logistics and smaller project scale inefficiencies.
Washington
Western Washington has high land, permitting, and labor costs — especially near Seattle.
Maryland & Virginia
Proximity to Washington DC influences labor and permit rates. High demand in suburban and exurban areas drives up renovation prices.
North Dakota
Less intuitive, but some data shows higher costs per project in sparsely populated states, likely due to transport and scarcity premiums.
Estimation Tips for High-Cost States
- Get local bids — always benchmark against multiple contractors in your county.
- Factor in regulation & permits — in states like California or Massachusetts, these often add 5–12% extra.
- Adjust materials for location — e.g. rust-resistant coatings in coastal states, snow load materials in mountain states.
- Use contingency — 10–20% buffer is safer in high-variance states.
- Check for seasonal cost swings — remote states may face higher summer or winter premiums.
Sample Figure: Relative Cost Index
Here’s a simplified way to represent how much more expensive these states are vs. a baseline:
| State | Relative Cost Index* |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | 1.60 |
| California | 1.45 |
| Massachusetts | 1.35 |
| Utah | 1.30 |
| Colorado | 1.25 |
| Wyoming | 1.20 |
| Washington | 1.18 |
| Maryland | 1.15 |
| Virginia | 1.12 |
| North Dakota | 1.10 |
* Based on median national remodel baseline; individual project numbers will differ.
How to Use This in Your Estimating Practice
- Start with a national baseline and then apply state multipliers to adjust for location.
- Validate with local supplier and labor quotes — always override generic data with fresh local info.
- Flag states with unusually high buffer zones — give clients premium warnings in those markets.
- Track your own projects — over time, you’ll refine your multipliers and buffer percentages for each state you work in.