Kitchen remodel cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,600 – $30,000
- Per sq ft
- $143 – $239
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #152
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Des Moines area: $17,600 to $30,000 for 120 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 5% lower than 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 120 sq ft in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$21,400 to $26,300
About $172 to $210 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $5,600 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,400 | $26,300 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 75% |
| Labor | $3,800 | $5,100 | $6,350 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $920 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $17,600 | $23,800 | $30,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Des Moines number
Labor is 21% of the midpoint bill here, against 20% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), electricians (15%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (15%), tile and stone setters (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (5%). 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 1.02.
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 $19,000 nationally becomes $17,800 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.7: $460 to $1,400.
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 Des Moines. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Des Moines
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 small kitchen (100 sq ft) to large kitchen (300 sq ft).
Basic
$17,600 to $22,600
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,400 to $26,300
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,100 to $30,000
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,800 – $19,000 | $17,900 – $22,100 | $21,100 – $25,200 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,600 – $22,600 | $21,400 – $26,300 | $25,100 – $30,000 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,100 – $37,100 | $35,100 – $43,100 | $41,100 – $49,100 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,400 – $55,200 | $52,300 – $64,100 | $61,200 – $73,000 |
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 1.02.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% 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 15%) 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.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% 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 10% 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.
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), 5% 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 (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $480 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $420. That is a swing of roughly 1.8% to 2.0% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.53 | $30.21 | $38.67 | $30.38 | 0.99 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $28.70 | $36.08 | $45.12 | $30.67 | 1.18 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.11 | $26.13 | $34.11 | $26.77 | 0.98 | state |
| 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) | 5% | $21.91 | $27.60 | $30.95 | $23.75 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Des Moines
Structure
Moving or removing walls can need a structural engineer at $1,900-$3,700+.
Permit
Kitchen remodel permits are $500-$1,500 and are usually based on project value.
Scope
A full kitchen update is $15,000-$50,000, a large remodel $50,000-$70,000+, and a partial refresh $60-$150 per square foot (HomeGuide).
How Des Moines compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Des Moines. Iowa City is the lowest at about $23,100 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 110 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Des Moines ranks #152 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 | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +1% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −3% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −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 | $18,600 – $31,800 | $25,200 | +6% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,500 | −1% |
Planning more than one job in Des Moines?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen 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 backsplash lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,800 | −2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,650 – $23,100 | −1% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $37,300 – $75,400 | −2% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $980 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −4% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Kitchen remodel in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Des Moines?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,600 to $30,000 in the Des Moines area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,400 to $26,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Des Moines?
About $143 to $239 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,400, which is 2% less than Des Moines ($23,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,100 out of $23,800. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Des Moines?
$29,100 to $49,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen 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 $460 to $1,400 for fees in the Des Moines area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines is 2% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($23,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Des Moines?
The BLS median is $29.50 an hour in the Des Moines area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.03 to $35.68.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Des Moines?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,600 to $22,600 and premium work $25,100 to $30,000. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen 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 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.