Concrete patio cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,200 – $4,000
- Per sq ft
- $3.90 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #136
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete patio in Des Moines, IA usually costs $1,200 to $4,000 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $3.90 to $12 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$2,050 to $3,150
About $6.35 to $9.65 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,100 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,800 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $2,050 | $3,150 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $980 | $1,250 | 38% |
| Labor | $470 | $1,400 | $2,350 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $370 | 8% |
| Total | $1,200 | $2,600 | $4,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Des Moines number
Labor is 54% of the midpoint bill here, against 51% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), carpenters (10%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Des Moines the blended ratio comes out at 1.05.
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 $1,050 nationally becomes $980 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.7: $45 to $370.
How Des Moines compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Waterloo is the priciest of the group at $2,650. Omaha is the cheapest at $2,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $1,200 – $4,000 | $2,600 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −2% |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $1,150 – $3,750 | $2,450 | −6% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −2% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Des Moines ranks #136 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Des Moines is 2% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +2% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −1% |
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 | $1,300 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +7% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −8% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −7% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $1,200 – $3,750 | $2,450 | −5% |
Des Moines weather and the concrete patio calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Des Moines Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Des Moines are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Des Moines gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 22 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 | 31 | 14 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Des Moines?
Jobs that often go together with concrete patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Des Moines wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+5%) and wood deck lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,100 | −2% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,900 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,750 | +5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,450 | level |
What local crews earn in Des Moines
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 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 1.05.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $28.70 an hour, 5% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.89 and $33.56 an hour. About 530 work in the metro. That is 13.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.03 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $28.91 an hour. BLS counts 3,510 of them working in the area, 86.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% 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.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.10 an hour, 5% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $37.62 an hour. About 1,260 work in the metro. That is 31.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $120. That is a swing of roughly 4.5% to 4.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $23.89 | $28.70 | $33.56 | $27.41 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.67 | $24.03 | $28.91 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $28.03 | $30.10 | $37.62 | $28.78 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
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 10x10 (100 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$1,200 to $2,350
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,050 to $3,150
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,900 to $4,000
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $440 – $890 | $780 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,550 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $800 – $1,550 | $1,350 – $2,100 | $1,950 – $2,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,600 – $3,050 | $2,700 – $4,100 | $3,750 – $5,200 |
Extras that change the Des Moines total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.99 for Des Moines, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.05) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add an acid or water-based stain | $890 – $3,000 |
Why two Des Moines quotes can differ
Permit
Permits run $50-$400 where required. Many cities don't require one for a small at-grade patio.
Finish
Plain concrete is $4-$12 per sq ft and a broom finish $6-$13; designs with several colors and decorative finishes run up to about $28 (HomeGuide).
Site prep
Excavation, forms and a gravel base are the unglamorous part of the bill and vary most with soil and slope.
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 $2,050 to $3,150 for Des Moines, IA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the concrete patio 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.
Concrete patio in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Des Moines?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,200 to $4,000 in the Des Moines area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,050 to $3,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Des Moines?
About $3.90 to $12 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $370 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,650, which is 2% more than Des Moines ($2,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $1,400 out of $2,600. Materials are 38% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Des Moines?
$800 to $2,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Des Moines?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $370 for fees in the Des Moines area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines is 2% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($2,550 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Des Moines?
The BLS median is $28.70 an hour in the Des Moines area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.89 to $33.56.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Des Moines?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,200 to $2,350 and premium work $2,900 to $4,000. Basic means: plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard. Premium means: exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete patio in Des Moines?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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.
+What does "add an acid or water-based stain" add in Des Moines?
$890 to $3,000 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio 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 Concrete Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost? (2026) (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 = SimplyWise's sample 200 sq ft broom-finish patio line ($500-$900 in materials) divided by 200 sq ft.