Gutters cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,250 – $4,000
- Per linear ft
- $7.75 – $24
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #154
- 1 = most expensive
New gutters in Dubuque, IA usually costs $1,250 to $4,000 for 160 linear ft. That works out to about $7.75 to $24 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $110 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$2,100 to $3,200
About $12.50 to $19 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,850 |
| Labor | $880 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $2,100 | $3,200 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $600 | $1,500 | $2,400 | 57% |
| Labor | $640 | $1,050 | $1,450 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 3% |
| Total | $1,250 | $2,650 | $4,000 | 100% |
Where the Dubuque price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on sheet metal workers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $31.95 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Dubuque is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 40% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dubuque is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,600 nationally becomes $1,500 here (midpoint, 160 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.3: $0 to $170.
Data note: 70% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dubuque. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Dubuque
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dubuque. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small house (120 linear ft) to large house (240 linear ft).
Basic
$1,250 to $2,350
Vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story
Standard
$2,100 to $3,200
Seamless aluminum K-style, standard downspouts
Premium
$2,900 to $4,000
Steel or copper, two stories, custom length
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small house (120 linear ft) | $930 – $1,800 | $1,550 – $2,400 | $2,200 – $3,050 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,350 | $2,100 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,000 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $1,850 – $3,500 | $3,100 – $4,700 | $4,300 – $5,950 |
Dubuque weather and the gutters calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dubuque Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Dubuque are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Dubuque gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 27 | 11 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 28 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Dubuque
Jobs that often go together with gutters are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dubuque wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (level) and roof replacement lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,550 – $11,400 | −9% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,450 – $30,400 | −7% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,200 – $24,600 | −2% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,000 | level |
How Dubuque 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 160 linear ft range from $2,600 to $2,800 across Dubuque and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,750 | +4% |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | level |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,700 | +3% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +7% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −1% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | level |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dubuque ranks #154 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,700 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,750 | +4% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | level |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +1% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $1,100 – $3,700 | $2,400 | −9% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +8% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +5% |
Gutters: what moves the price in Dubuque
Permit
Local building codes may add $50-$200, though most cities don't require one.
Material
Vinyl is $8-$12 per linear foot installed and aluminum $10-$20. Steel and copper run higher (HomeGuide).
Seamless
Seamless costs $3-$5+ more per linear foot than sectional, but has fewer places to leak.
What local crews earn in Dubuque
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 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 Dubuque the blend is 1.00.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $31.95 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.78 and $36.58 an hour.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $23.39 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.31 and $29.50 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.46 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $28.85 an hour. BLS counts 500 of them working in the area, 85.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (sheet metal workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $65 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 4.3% to 2.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dubuque has 58,470 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 292nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $23.78 | $31.95 | $36.58 | $29.71 | 1.08 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $22.31 | $23.39 | $29.50 | $26.65 | 0.88 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
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Gutters in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in Dubuque?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,250 to $4,000 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,100 to $3,200. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for gutters in Dubuque?
About $7.75 to $24 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $25.
+Is gutters cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,750, which is 4% more than Dubuque ($2,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $1,050 out of $2,650. Materials are 57% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in Dubuque?
$1,250 to $4,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in Dubuque?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $170 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($2,650 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in Dubuque?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $31.95 an hour, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.78 to $36.58.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in Dubuque?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,250 to $2,350 and premium work $2,900 to $4,000. Basic means: vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story. Premium means: steel or copper, two stories, custom length.
+When is the best time to install gutters in Dubuque?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Gutters near Dubuque
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 Gutter Installation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Home Genius Exteriors: How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? (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 = installed range minus the $4-$9 per linear foot labor figure from Home Genius Exteriors.