Home project costs in Modesto, CA
Every project we cover, priced for the Modesto metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Modesto area is 104.1 against 100 for the US, which puts Modesto 34th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 105.2. BLS counts roughly 195,230 jobs here.
In Modesto, 37 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 1 below. The biggest premiums are concrete driveway (+24%), French drain (+24%) and gravel driveway (+22%); the lowest are shower pan (−1%), kitchen backsplash (+1%) and laminate flooring (+1%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Modesto City Co Ap, 3 miles away) shows a January average low of 39°F, a July average high of 95°F and 12 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are February through May and September through November; for exterior installation, they are September through May.
What local trades earn in Modesto
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $32.57 | $43.54 | $62.15 | $28.78 | 1.51 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $26.76 | $30.42 | $38.00 | $30.67 | 0.99 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $28.19 | $36.78 | $48.46 | $27.41 | 1.34 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $28.42 | $36.88 | $48.36 | $30.38 | 1.21 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $21.71 | $24.50 | $33.09 | $26.77 | 0.92 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $28.54 | $30.26 | $35.26 | $26.65 | 1.14 |
Concrete & paving in Modesto
Across these 7 projects, Modesto averages +20% against national midpoints. Concrete driveway is highest at +24% and paver patio lowest at +15%.
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Modesto | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $6,000 | +17% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Modesto | 600 sq ft | $4,450 – $11,500 | +24% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Modesto | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,100 | +22% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Modesto | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,500 | +22% |
| Paver patio cost in Modesto | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
| Concrete patio cost in Modesto | 300 sq ft | $1,450 – $4,850 | +19% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Modesto | 400 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,500 | +19% |
Decks & outdoor in Modesto
Across these 2 projects, Modesto averages +14% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at +16% and wood deck lowest at +13%.
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Modesto | 300 sq ft | $8,550 – $17,100 | +13% |
| Composite deck cost in Modesto | 300 sq ft | $14,000 – $28,000 | +16% |
Building & additions in Modesto
The 2 jobs here average +14% versus the US in Modesto, from +14% (home addition) to +15% (detached garage).
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Modesto | 576 sq ft | $33,200 – $66,600 | +15% |
| Home addition cost in Modesto | 300 sq ft | $43,500 – $87,900 | +14% |
Doors & windows in Modesto
Across these 5 projects, Modesto averages +10% against national midpoints. Storm door is highest at +12% and window replacement lowest at +7%.
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Modesto | 1 door | $780 – $4,050 | +10% |
| Storm door cost in Modesto | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +12% |
| Front door cost in Modesto | 1 door | $570 – $2,700 | +10% |
| Window replacement cost in Modesto | 10 windows | $4,850 – $16,100 | +7% |
| Patio door cost in Modesto | 1 door | $650 – $6,650 | +11% |
Fencing in Modesto
Across these 4 projects, Modesto averages +13% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at +18% and vinyl fence lowest at +10%.
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Modesto | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +13% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Modesto | 150 linear ft | $4,900 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Modesto | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,300 | +18% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Modesto | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $12,700 | +11% |
Roofing & exterior in Modesto
Across these 5 projects, Modesto averages +10% against national midpoints. Vinyl siding is highest at +14% and attic insulation lowest at +5%.
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Modesto | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,900 – $13,900 | +12% |
| Metal roof cost in Modesto | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,500 – $35,800 | +11% |
| Gutters cost in Modesto | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,600 | +10% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Modesto | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,600 – $28,800 | +14% |
| Attic insulation cost in Modesto | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,200 | +5% |
Kitchen & bath in Modesto
The 5 jobs here average +5% versus the US in Modesto, from −1% (shower pan) to +12% (kitchen cabinets).
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Modesto | 25 linear ft | $4,650 – $15,800 | +12% |
| Shower pan cost in Modesto | 1 pan | $900 – $2,800 | −1% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Modesto | 120 sq ft | $19,700 – $33,600 | +7% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Modesto | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,500 | +5% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Modesto | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | +1% |
Landscaping & drainage in Modesto
The 5 jobs here average +16% versus the US in Modesto, from +12% (sod installation) to +24% (French drain).
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Modesto | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Retaining wall cost in Modesto | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,200 – $15,100 | +14% |
| Sod installation cost in Modesto | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Modesto | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,550 – $11,400 | +14% |
| Inground pool cost in Modesto | 450 sq ft | $42,500 – $132,500 | +18% |
Flooring & interior in Modesto
Across these 3 projects, Modesto averages +3% against national midpoints. Hardwood flooring is highest at +7% and laminate flooring lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | Modesto range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Modesto | 500 sq ft | $5,900 – $13,400 | +7% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Modesto | 500 sq ft | $2,000 – $7,100 | +1% |
| Tile flooring cost in Modesto | 200 sq ft | $2,350 – $10,300 | +2% |
Modesto against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Modesto prices +12% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 3 price higher and 2 lower. Merced is the lowest at +9% (30 miles) and San Francisco the highest at +26% (70 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | 104.1 | 105.2 | +12% | |
| Stockton, CA | 30 miles | 105.1 | 105.2 | +10% |
| Merced, CA | 30 miles | 98.3 | 105.2 | +9% |
| San Jose, CA | 50 miles | 110.4 | 105.2 | +23% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 65 miles | 109.9 | 105.2 | +12% |
| Vallejo, CA | 70 miles | 108.5 | 105.2 | +14% |
| San Francisco, CA | 70 miles | 115.6 | 108.5 | +26% |