Home project costs in Dubuque, IA
Every project we cover, priced for the Dubuque metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Dubuque area is 87.3 against 100 for the US, which puts Dubuque 280th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 93.7. BLS counts roughly 58,470 jobs here.
In Dubuque, 1 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 33 below, and 4 are level with it. The highest against the national midpoint are paver patio (+1%), attic insulation (level) and retaining wall (level); the biggest discounts are roof replacement (−9%), metal roof (−7%) and kitchen remodel (−6%). 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 (Dubuque Rgnl Ap, 7 miles away) shows a January average low of 11°F, a July average high of 82°F and 38 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through September; for exterior installation, they are April through November.
What local trades earn in Dubuque
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $26.92 | $29.93 | $35.52 | $28.78 | 1.04 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $23.70 | $29.51 | $39.45 | $30.67 | 0.96 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $25.83 | $28.08 | $29.82 | $27.41 | 1.02 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $22.96 | $29.86 | $38.68 | $30.38 | 0.98 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.65 | n/a |
Concrete & paving in Dubuque
Across these 7 projects, Dubuque averages −1% against national midpoints. Paver patio is highest at +1% and concrete slab lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Dubuque | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Dubuque | 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Dubuque | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,400 | −1% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Dubuque | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,000 | −1% |
| Paver patio cost in Dubuque | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Concrete patio cost in Dubuque | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Dubuque | 400 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | −2% |
Decks & outdoor in Dubuque
Across these 2 projects, Dubuque averages −3% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at −3% and wood deck lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Dubuque | 300 sq ft | $7,300 – $14,600 | −4% |
| Composite deck cost in Dubuque | 300 sq ft | $11,700 – $23,500 | −3% |
Building & additions in Dubuque
The 2 jobs here average −4% versus the US in Dubuque, from −4% (home addition) to −4% (detached garage).
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Dubuque | 576 sq ft | $27,900 – $56,000 | −4% |
| Home addition cost in Dubuque | 300 sq ft | $36,400 – $73,600 | −4% |
Doors & windows in Dubuque
Across these 5 projects, Dubuque averages −4% against national midpoints. Patio door is highest at −3% and front door lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Dubuque | 1 door | $680 – $3,550 | −4% |
| Storm door cost in Dubuque | 1 door | $340 – $920 | −3% |
| Front door cost in Dubuque | 1 door | $490 – $2,400 | −4% |
| Window replacement cost in Dubuque | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,300 | −4% |
| Patio door cost in Dubuque | 1 door | $580 – $5,850 | −3% |
Fencing in Dubuque
Across these 4 projects, Dubuque averages −3% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at −2% and vinyl fence lowest at −5%.
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Dubuque | 150 linear ft | $2,950 – $7,400 | −3% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Dubuque | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,750 | −5% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Dubuque | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,100 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Dubuque | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
Roofing & exterior in Dubuque
Across these 5 projects, Dubuque averages −4% against national midpoints. Attic insulation is highest at level and roof replacement lowest at −9%.
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Dubuque | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,550 – $11,400 | −9% |
| Metal roof cost in Dubuque | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,450 – $30,400 | −7% |
| Gutters cost in Dubuque | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | −4% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Dubuque | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,200 – $24,600 | −2% |
| Attic insulation cost in Dubuque | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,000 | level |
Kitchen & bath in Dubuque
The 5 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Dubuque, from −6% (kitchen remodel) to −5% (kitchen cabinets).
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Dubuque | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $13,400 | −5% |
| Shower pan cost in Dubuque | 1 pan | $890 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Dubuque | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Dubuque | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,100 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Dubuque | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Landscaping & drainage in Dubuque
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Dubuque, from −3% (sprinkler system) to level (retaining wall).
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Dubuque | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Retaining wall cost in Dubuque | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,200 – $13,300 | level |
| Sod installation cost in Dubuque | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Dubuque | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,750 | −3% |
| Inground pool cost in Dubuque | 450 sq ft | $35,900 – $112,000 | −1% |
Flooring & interior in Dubuque
Across these 3 projects, Dubuque averages −4% against national midpoints. Laminate flooring is highest at −4% and tile flooring lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Dubuque range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Dubuque | 500 sq ft | $5,300 – $12,000 | −4% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Dubuque | 500 sq ft | $1,950 – $6,750 | −4% |
| Tile flooring cost in Dubuque | 200 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,500 | −4% |
Dubuque against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Dubuque prices −3% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 5 price higher and 1 lower. Iowa City is the lowest at −6% (75 miles) and Madison the highest at +5% (80 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | 87.3 | 93.7 | −3% | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 45 miles | 89.0 | 93.7 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 75 miles | 91.5 | 93.7 | −6% |
| Davenport, IA | 75 miles | 89.1 | 94.2 | −1% |
| Madison, WI | 80 miles | 97.3 | 93.8 | +5% |
| Waterloo, IA | 80 miles | 87.1 | 93.7 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 85 miles | 91.8 | 93.8 | +2% |