Patio door cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1 door)
- $580 – $5,850
- Per door
- $576 – $5,830
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $3,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #129
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a patio door in the Dubuque area: $580 to $5,850 for 1 door. 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 1 door in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$2,150 to $4,250
About $2,152 to $4,254 per door before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $2,100 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $2,150 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $2,150 | $4,250 |
Cost breakdown for 1 door in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $370 | $1,600 | $2,800 | 50% |
| Labor | $200 | $1,600 | $3,000 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $580 | $3,200 | $5,850 | 100% |
Where the Dubuque price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Dubuque is 1.01 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
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 $1,700 nationally becomes $1,600 here (midpoint, 1 door). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.3: $0 to $0.
Data note: 30% 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.
How Dubuque compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Dubuque. Iowa City is the lowest at about $3,000 (midpoint, 1 door), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $580 – $5,850 | $3,200 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $570 – $5,800 | $3,200 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $550 – $5,500 | $3,000 | −6% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $580 – $5,850 | $3,200 | level |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $610 – $6,350 | $3,500 | +9% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $570 – $5,700 | $3,150 | −2% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $570 – $5,750 | $3,150 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $6,000 | $3,300 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dubuque ranks #129 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dubuque is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $580 – $5,950 | $3,250 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $580 – $5,850 | $3,200 | level |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $570 – $5,800 | $3,200 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $550 – $5,500 | $3,000 | −6% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $570 – $5,700 | $3,150 | −2% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $560 – $5,600 | $3,100 | −4% |
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 | $600 – $5,950 | $3,250 | +2% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $520 – $5,000 | $2,750 | −14% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $610 – $6,100 | $3,350 | +4% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $560 – $5,450 | $3,000 | −6% |
The best months for patio door in Dubuque
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 |
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 one sliding door to two doors.
Basic
$580 to $2,700
Standard vinyl slider, same opening
Standard
$2,150 to $4,250
Wider slider or French door with better glass
Premium
$3,750 to $5,850
Multi-panel or custom door, new opening
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one sliding door | $580 – $2,700 | $2,150 – $4,250 | $3,750 – $5,850 |
| two doors | $1,150 – $5,350 | $4,300 – $8,500 | $7,450 – $11,700 |
Who does the work: Dubuque trade wages
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 1.01.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $28.89 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 44.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Glaziers (47-2121) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $27.56 an hour against $27.44 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.13 and $30.17 an hour.
For general maintenance and repair workers (49-9071, weighted 10%) the local median is $26.13 an hour, which is 10% above the national $23.84. The middle half of them earn between $21.58 and $29.88 an hour. BLS counts 570 of them working in the area, 97.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 98.4), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $50 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 5.6% to 1.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Glaziers (47-2121) | 30% | $23.13 | $27.56 | $30.17 | $27.44 | 1.00 | state |
| General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) | 10% | $21.58 | $26.13 | $29.88 | $23.84 | 1.10 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Why two Dubuque quotes can differ
New opening versus replacement
Cutting a new opening in a wall adds framing, header and finish work compared with a like-for-like swap.
Old door removal
Removing and disposing of the old door is $100-$500 extra.
Glass
Low-E, tempered and hurricane-rated glass cost more than basic single-pane glass.
What nearby projects cost in Dubuque
Jobs that often go together with patio door are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dubuque wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, storm door comes out highest (−3%) and front door lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,300 | −4% |
| Front door | 1 door | $490 – $2,400 | −4% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $340 – $920 | −3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,300 – $14,600 | −4% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $680 – $3,550 | −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 $2,150 to $4,250 for Dubuque, IA is attached.
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Patio door in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a patio door in Dubuque?
For 1 door, expect $580 to $5,850 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,150 to $4,250. Small jobs usually cost more per door and large ones less.
+What is the price per door for patio door in Dubuque?
About $576 to $5,830 per door for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $600 to $6,000.
+Is patio door cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 1 door there is $3,200, which is 1% less than Dubuque ($3,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $1,600 out of $3,200. Materials are 50% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would two doors cost in Dubuque?
$1,150 to $11,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does patio door 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 $0 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for patio door compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 1% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($3,150 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Dubuque?
The BLS median is $28.89 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.41 to $30.47.
+What do basic and premium patio door work cost in Dubuque?
For 1 door, basic work runs $580 to $2,700 and premium work $3,750 to $5,850. Basic means: standard vinyl slider, same opening. Premium means: multi-panel or custom door, new opening.
+When is the best time to install a patio door 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.
Patio door 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 It Cost to Install or Replace Patio Doors? (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 = HomeGuide's $400-$3,000 for the sliding door itself, matched to the lower part of the $600-$6,000 installed range; labor is the remainder and sits above HomeGuide's $200-$1,000 labor-only figure because the installed range also covers trim, flashing and haul-away.