Window replacement cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (10 windows)
- $4,400 – $14,500
- Per window
- $441 – $1,450
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $9,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #116
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for replacement windows in the Des Moines area: $4,400 to $14,500 for 10 windows. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 3% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
Estimate your window replacement cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 10 windows in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$7,450 to $11,500
About $743 to $1,147 per window before permits. Labor is about 30% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $8,200 |
| Labor | $2,350 | $3,250 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $7,450 | $11,500 |
Cost breakdown for 10 windows in Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,750 | $6,650 | $10,500 | 70% |
| Labor | $1,650 | $2,800 | $3,950 | 30% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $4,400 | $9,450 | $14,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Des Moines number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: glaziers at 50%, carpenters at 40%, general maintenance and repair workers at 10%. Weighted together, Des Moines wages are 1.06 times the national level. Labor makes up about 30% of the midpoint estimate (27% at national prices).
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 $7,100 nationally becomes $6,650 here (midpoint, 10 windows). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.7: $0 to $0.
Cost by quality level and size 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 a few windows (5 windows) to whole house (25 windows).
Basic
$4,400 to $8,450
Standard vinyl single-hung, same openings
Standard
$7,450 to $11,500
Mid-grade vinyl or composite, a few larger units
Premium
$10,500 to $14,500
Fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| a few windows (5 windows) | $2,200 – $4,200 | $3,700 – $5,750 | $5,250 – $7,250 |
| small house (10 windows) | $4,400 – $8,450 | $7,450 – $11,500 | $10,500 – $14,500 |
| average house (15 windows) | $6,600 – $12,700 | $11,200 – $17,200 | $15,700 – $21,800 |
| whole house (25 windows) | $11,000 – $21,100 | $18,600 – $28,700 | $26,200 – $36,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Des Moines bid
Window type
Single-hung and picture windows are cheapest; bay and bow windows can reach $3,000-$8,000+.
Count
Replacing 10 to 15 windows runs $4,500-$22,500; at 25 windows it is $11,250-$37,500.
Permit
Window permits are $50-$200 each, or $400-$600 total for a multi-window job, and are often only needed when you change the opening (HomeGuide). No permit fee is included here because many cities do not ask for one on same-size replacements.
Related projects, priced for Des Moines
Jobs that often go together with windows are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Des Moines wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, patio door comes out highest (−1%) and front door lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio door | 1 door | $580 – $5,950 | −1% |
| Front door | 1 door | $490 – $2,400 | −4% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $340 – $920 | −3% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,250 – $24,800 | −1% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $680 – $3,550 | −4% |
The best months for windows in Des Moines
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 exterior installation, the comfortable months in Des Moines are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
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, March and November are the driest, at 2.2 and 1.9 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 | Workable |
| 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 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | Cold |
Is Des Moines cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (10 windows), priced for the nearest metros. Des Moines is the priciest of the group. Omaha is the cheapest at $9,050.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $4,400 – $14,500 | $9,450 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $4,300 – $14,200 | $9,250 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $4,200 – $14,000 | $9,100 | −4% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $4,300 – $14,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $4,150 – $13,900 | $9,050 | −4% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $4,250 – $14,200 | $9,200 | −3% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $4,300 – $14,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| United States | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,750 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Des Moines ranks #116 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 | $4,350 – $14,400 | $9,350 | −1% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $4,300 – $14,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $4,200 – $14,000 | $9,100 | −4% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $4,300 – $14,200 | $9,250 | −2% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $4,250 – $14,200 | $9,200 | −3% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $4,350 – $14,300 | $9,350 | −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 | $4,550 – $15,100 | $9,800 | +4% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $4,150 – $14,100 | $9,100 | −4% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $4,250 – $14,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $4,200 – $14,100 | $9,150 | −3% |
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 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 Des Moines the blend is 1.06.
Glaziers (47-2121), 50% of the weighting: a median of $30.09 an hour, 10% above the US median of $27.44. The middle half of them earn between $24.76 and $34.51 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 4.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.8 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% 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 general maintenance and repair workers (49-9071, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.41 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.84. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $30.29 an hour. BLS counts 3,780 of them working in the area, 93.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 98.4), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (glaziers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $210 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $260. That is a swing of roughly 2.7% to 2.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaziers (47-2121) | 50% | $24.76 | $30.09 | $34.51 | $27.44 | 1.10 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) | 10% | $21.54 | $24.41 | $30.29 | $23.84 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
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 $7,450 to $11,500 for Des Moines, IA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the window replacement 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.
Window replacement in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace windows in Des Moines?
For 10 windows, expect $4,400 to $14,500 in the Des Moines area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,450 to $11,500. Small jobs usually cost more per window and large ones less.
+What is the price per window for windows in Des Moines?
About $441 to $1,450 per window for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $450 to $1,500.
+Is windows cheaper in Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 10 windows there is $9,250, which is 2% less than Des Moines ($9,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
About 30% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $9,450. Materials are 70% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 27%.
+What would average house (15 windows) cost in Des Moines?
$6,600 to $21,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does windows need a permit in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for windows compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines is 2% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($9,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do glaziers earn in Des Moines?
The BLS median is $30.09 an hour in the Des Moines area, compared with $27.44 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.76 to $34.51.
+What do basic and premium windows work cost in Des Moines?
For 10 windows, basic work runs $4,400 to $8,450 and premium work $10,500 to $14,500. Basic means: standard vinyl single-hung, same openings. Premium means: fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes.
+When is the best time to replace windows in Des Moines?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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.
Window replacement 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 Window Replacement Cost? (2026) (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
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 65% of the low installed price and 75% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that the window unit is 65-75% of replacement cost.