Bathroom remodel cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,650 – $23,100
- Per sq ft
- $99.50 – $497
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #122
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the Des Moines area: $4,650 to $23,100 for 45 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$10,200 to $17,600
About $219 to $378 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $5,650 | $9,800 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $10,200 | $17,600 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 41% |
| Labor | $2,600 | $7,750 | $12,900 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $460 | $730 | 3% |
| Total | $4,650 | $13,900 | $23,100 | 100% |
Why Des Moines prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, who do 25% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $36.08 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Des Moines is 1.04 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 56% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Des Moines is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,700 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.7: $180 to $730.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Des Moines. The wage table below marks each row.
Who does the work: Des Moines trade wages
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 Des Moines the blend is 1.04.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $36.08 an hour, 18% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.70 and $45.12 an hour. About 2,150 work in the metro. That is 53.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Des Moines metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $26.13 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $34.11 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.50 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.03 and $35.68 an hour. About 1,810 work in the metro. That is 44.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.21 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.53 and $38.67 an hour. BLS counts 2,870 of them working in the area, 71.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.88 an hour, which is 16% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $21.93 and $29.79 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 2.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.60 an hour, 16% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.91 and $30.95 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 15.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $550 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $450. That is a swing of roughly 3.2% to 3.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Des Moines-West Des Moines has 404,130 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 64th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $28.70 | $36.08 | $45.12 | $30.67 | 1.18 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $23.11 | $26.13 | $34.11 | $26.77 | 0.98 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.53 | $30.21 | $38.67 | $30.38 | 0.99 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.93 | $23.88 | $29.79 | $28.33 | 0.84 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $21.91 | $27.60 | $30.95 | $23.75 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Des Moines bid
Contractor fee
A general contractor charges $50-$150 an hour or 10-20% of the project cost.
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Des Moines: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Des Moines. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$4,650 to $12,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,200 to $17,600
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$15,700 to $23,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,150 – $5,550 | $4,700 – $8,100 | $7,250 – $10,700 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,150 – $10,700 | $9,100 – $15,700 | $14,000 – $20,600 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,150 – $15,900 | $13,500 – $23,200 | $20,800 – $30,600 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,100 – $26,300 | $22,200 – $38,300 | $34,300 – $50,400 |
How Des Moines compares
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Des Moines is the priciest of the group. Iowa City is the cheapest at $13,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −4% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −6% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | −1% |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | −3% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | −5% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −4% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Des Moines ranks #122 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Des Moines is 4% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −6% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | −5% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Des Moines against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $5,050 – $25,100 | $15,100 | +9% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −10% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | −4% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −9% |
Planning more than one job in Des Moines?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Des Moines wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+1%) and kitchen remodel lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $980 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,600 – $30,000 | −5% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,800 | −2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −4% |
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 $10,200 to $17,600 for Des Moines, IA is attached.
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The report lays out the bathroom remodel numbers for Des Moines, IA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Bathroom remodel in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Des Moines?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,650 to $23,100 in the Des Moines area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,200 to $17,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Des Moines?
About $99.50 to $497 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $730 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $13,300, which is 4% less than Des Moines ($13,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $7,750 out of $13,900. Materials are 41% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Des Moines?
$6,150 to $30,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Des Moines?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $730 for fees in the Des Moines area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines is 4% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($13,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Des Moines?
The BLS median is $36.08 an hour in the Des Moines area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.70 to $45.12.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Des Moines?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,650 to $12,000 and premium work $15,700 to $23,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Des Moines
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 Bathroom Remodel 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
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.