Home project costs in Boulder, CO
Every project we cover, priced for the Boulder metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Boulder area is 105.2 against 100 for the US, which puts Boulder 29th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 96.1. BLS counts roughly 192,390 jobs here.
In Boulder, 12 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 22 below, and 4 are level with it. The biggest premiums are sod installation (+7%), French drain (+4%) and gravel driveway (+3%); the biggest discounts are laminate flooring (−9%), hardwood flooring (−5%) and gutters (−3%). 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 (Boulder, 2 miles away) shows a January average low of 22°F, a July average high of 88°F and 21 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through September; for exterior installation, every month is workable.
What local trades earn in Boulder
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $19.64 | $23.07 | $28.23 | $22.66 | 1.02 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.92 | $28.73 | $35.50 | $29.12 | 0.99 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $29.51 | $34.16 | $38.37 | $28.78 | 1.19 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $28.30 | $31.20 | $38.49 | $30.67 | 1.02 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $23.59 | $29.00 | $32.25 | $27.41 | 1.06 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $24.37 | $30.83 | $37.48 | $30.38 | 1.01 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $23.08 | $26.99 | $29.26 | $26.65 | 1.01 |
Concrete & paving in Boulder
Across these 7 projects, Boulder averages +2% against national midpoints. Gravel driveway is highest at +3% and concrete slab lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Boulder | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | level |
| Concrete driveway cost in Boulder | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,450 | +2% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Boulder | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,600 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Boulder | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,500 | +3% |
| Paver patio cost in Boulder | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Concrete patio cost in Boulder | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +2% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Boulder | 400 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | +1% |
Decks & outdoor in Boulder
Across these 2 projects, Boulder averages −2% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at −2% and wood deck lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Boulder | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Composite deck cost in Boulder | 300 sq ft | $11,800 – $23,700 | −2% |
Building & additions in Boulder
The 2 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Boulder, from −1% (detached garage) to −1% (home addition).
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Boulder | 576 sq ft | $28,500 – $57,200 | −1% |
| Home addition cost in Boulder | 300 sq ft | $37,800 – $76,600 | −1% |
Doors & windows in Boulder
Across these 5 projects, Boulder averages −1% against national midpoints. Patio door is highest at level and front door lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Boulder | 1 door | $690 – $3,650 | −2% |
| Storm door cost in Boulder | 1 door | $350 – $930 | −2% |
| Front door cost in Boulder | 1 door | $500 – $2,450 | −3% |
| Window replacement cost in Boulder | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,800 | −1% |
| Patio door cost in Boulder | 1 door | $590 – $6,000 | level |
Fencing in Boulder
Across these 4 projects, Boulder averages −2% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at −1% and aluminum fence lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Boulder | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,500 | −2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Boulder | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $8,900 | −3% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Boulder | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,100 | −1% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Boulder | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
Roofing & exterior in Boulder
Across these 5 projects, Boulder averages −2% against national midpoints. Roof replacement is highest at level and gutters lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Boulder | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,100 – $12,400 | level |
| Metal roof cost in Boulder | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,000 – $31,700 | −2% |
| Gutters cost in Boulder | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −3% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Boulder | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,200 – $24,500 | −3% |
| Attic insulation cost in Boulder | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,950 | −1% |
Kitchen & bath in Boulder
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Boulder, from −3% (kitchen remodel) to +1% (shower pan).
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Boulder | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $13,800 | −1% |
| Shower pan cost in Boulder | 1 pan | $950 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Boulder | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,700 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Boulder | 45 sq ft | $4,700 – $23,200 | level |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Boulder | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | −1% |
Landscaping & drainage in Boulder
The 5 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Boulder, from +1% (sprinkler system) to +7% (sod installation).
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Boulder | 60 linear ft | $620 – $2,200 | +4% |
| Retaining wall cost in Boulder | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,250 – $13,500 | +1% |
| Sod installation cost in Boulder | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +7% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Boulder | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,050 – $10,100 | +1% |
| Inground pool cost in Boulder | 450 sq ft | $36,800 – $115,000 | +2% |
Flooring & interior in Boulder
Across these 3 projects, Boulder averages −5% against national midpoints. Tile flooring is highest at −1% and laminate flooring lowest at −9%.
| Project | Size | Boulder range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Boulder | 500 sq ft | $5,200 – $11,900 | −5% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Boulder | 500 sq ft | $1,800 – $6,400 | −9% |
| Tile flooring cost in Boulder | 200 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,800 | −1% |
Boulder against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Boulder prices −1% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 1 prices higher and 5 lower. Cheyenne is the lowest at −4% (90 miles) and Denver the highest at +3% (55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, COthis page | 105.2 | 96.1 | −1% | |
| Fort Collins, CO | 40 miles | 101.1 | 96.1 | −2% |
| Denver, CO | 55 miles | 105.8 | 101.0 | +3% |
| Greeley, CO | 60 miles | 100.2 | 96.1 | −3% |
| Cheyenne, WY | 90 miles | 96.5 | 95.4 | −4% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 95 miles | 100.7 | 96.1 | −3% |
| Pueblo, CO | 140 miles | 91.8 | 96.1 | −4% |