Home project costs in Des Moines, IA
Every project we cover, priced for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
Des Moines sits 217th of 300 metros on BEA's regional price index, at 91.7 where the US is 100. Goods, the index that drives materials, is 93.7 (261st). The metro has about 404,130 jobs in BLS's May 2025 survey.
Not every job moves the same way here: 9 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 26 below, and 3 are level with it. Attic insulation (+9%), paver patio (+5%) and sod installation (+3%) sit highest, and roof replacement (−8%), metal roof (−6%) and kitchen remodel (−5%) sit lowest. Labor-heavy work tracks local wages; materials-heavy work tracks the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Des Moines Intl Ap, 3 miles away) shows a January average low of 14°F, a July average high of 86°F and 37 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are April through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Des Moines
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.67 | $24.03 | $28.91 | $22.66 | 1.06 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $28.03 | $30.10 | $37.62 | $28.78 | 1.05 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $28.70 | $36.08 | $45.12 | $30.67 | 1.18 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $23.89 | $28.70 | $33.56 | $27.41 | 1.05 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $22.53 | $30.21 | $38.67 | $30.38 | 0.99 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.88 | $23.80 | $30.62 | $26.65 | 0.89 |
Concrete & paving in Des Moines
Across these 7 projects, Des Moines averages level against national midpoints. Paver patio is highest at +5% and concrete slab lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Des Moines | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,100 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Des Moines | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Des Moines | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,450 | level |
| Gravel driveway cost in Des Moines | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio cost in Des Moines | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,750 | +5% |
| Concrete patio cost in Des Moines | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −1% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Des Moines | 400 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,900 | −1% |
Decks & outdoor in Des Moines
Across these 2 projects, Des Moines averages −2% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at −1% and wood deck lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Des Moines | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −3% |
| Composite deck cost in Des Moines | 300 sq ft | $11,900 – $23,900 | −1% |
Building & additions in Des Moines
The 2 jobs here average −2% versus the US in Des Moines, from −2% (detached garage) to −2% (home addition).
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Des Moines | 576 sq ft | $28,200 – $56,600 | −2% |
| Home addition cost in Des Moines | 300 sq ft | $37,300 – $75,400 | −2% |
Doors & windows in Des Moines
Across these 5 projects, Des Moines averages −3% against national midpoints. Patio door is highest at −1% and front door lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Des Moines | 1 door | $680 – $3,550 | −4% |
| Storm door cost in Des Moines | 1 door | $340 – $920 | −3% |
| Front door cost in Des Moines | 1 door | $490 – $2,400 | −4% |
| Window replacement cost in Des Moines | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Patio door cost in Des Moines | 1 door | $580 – $5,950 | −1% |
Fencing in Des Moines
Across these 4 projects, Des Moines averages −2% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at level and vinyl fence lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Des Moines | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,450 | −2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Des Moines | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,800 | −4% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Des Moines | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,200 | level |
| Aluminum fence cost in Des Moines | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,100 | −3% |
Roofing & exterior in Des Moines
Across these 5 projects, Des Moines averages −2% against national midpoints. Attic insulation is highest at +9% and roof replacement lowest at −8%.
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Des Moines | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,650 – $11,600 | −8% |
| Metal roof cost in Des Moines | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,550 – $30,600 | −6% |
| Gutters cost in Des Moines | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −3% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Des Moines | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,250 – $24,800 | −1% |
| Attic insulation cost in Des Moines | 1,000 sq ft | $1,150 – $4,300 | +9% |
Kitchen & bath in Des Moines
The 5 jobs here average −2% versus the US in Des Moines, from −5% (kitchen remodel) to +1% (shower pan).
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Des Moines | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,800 | −2% |
| Shower pan cost in Des Moines | 1 pan | $980 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Des Moines | 120 sq ft | $17,600 – $30,000 | −5% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Des Moines | 45 sq ft | $4,650 – $23,100 | −1% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Des Moines | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −4% |
Landscaping & drainage in Des Moines
The 5 jobs here average +2% versus the US in Des Moines, from level (French drain) to +3% (sod installation).
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Des Moines | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Retaining wall cost in Des Moines | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,450 – $13,600 | +3% |
| Sod installation cost in Des Moines | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +3% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Des Moines | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,100 – $10,200 | +2% |
| Inground pool cost in Des Moines | 450 sq ft | $36,900 – $115,000 | +2% |
Flooring & interior in Des Moines
Across these 3 projects, Des Moines averages −1% against national midpoints. Laminate flooring is highest at +2% and tile flooring lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Des Moines range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Des Moines | 500 sq ft | $5,400 – $12,300 | −2% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Des Moines | 500 sq ft | $2,100 – $7,100 | +2% |
| Tile flooring cost in Des Moines | 200 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,550 | −4% |
Des Moines against its nearest metros
Taking every project together, Des Moines comes out −1% versus the national midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, none price higher and 6 lower. Iowa City is the lowest at −6% (110 miles) and Waterloo the highest at −2% (95 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | 91.7 | 93.7 | −1% | |
| Waterloo, IA | 95 miles | 87.1 | 93.7 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 110 miles | 91.5 | 93.7 | −6% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 115 miles | 89.0 | 93.7 | −2% |
| Omaha, NE | 120 miles | 91.9 | 94.1 | −4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 145 miles | 86.5 | 94.0 | −5% |
| Dubuque, IA | 160 miles | 87.3 | 93.7 | −3% |