Home project costs in Waterloo, IA
Every project we cover, priced for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area is 87.1 against 100 for the US, which puts Waterloo 283rd among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 93.7. BLS counts roughly 84,260 jobs here.
In Waterloo, 10 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 26 below, and 2 are level with it. The biggest premiums are gravel driveway (+14%), French drain (+9%) and inground pool (+9%); the biggest discounts are roof replacement (−8%), kitchen cabinets (−7%) and metal roof (−7%). 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 (Waterloo Muni Ap, 5 miles away) shows a January average low of 11°F, a July average high of 85°F and 36 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through September; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Waterloo
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $21.83 | $24.01 | $28.75 | $22.66 | 1.06 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.07 | $26.85 | $29.81 | $29.12 | 0.92 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $29.68 | $47.01 | $47.01 | $28.78 | 1.63 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $23.45 | $29.91 | $36.96 | $30.67 | 0.98 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $27.03 | $28.30 | $32.15 | $27.41 | 1.03 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $23.10 | $30.49 | $38.89 | $30.38 | 1.00 |
| 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 Waterloo
Across these 7 projects, Waterloo averages +4% against national midpoints. Gravel driveway is highest at +14% and concrete slab lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Waterloo | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,150 | level |
| Concrete driveway cost in Waterloo | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,600 | +4% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Waterloo | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $8,000 | +7% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Waterloo | 1,000 sq ft | $2,900 – $11,600 | +14% |
| Paver patio cost in Waterloo | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Concrete patio cost in Waterloo | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +1% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Waterloo | 400 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,100 | +1% |
Decks & outdoor in Waterloo
Across these 2 projects, Waterloo averages −6% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at −6% and wood deck lowest at −6%.
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Waterloo | 300 sq ft | $7,100 – $14,300 | −6% |
| Composite deck cost in Waterloo | 300 sq ft | $11,400 – $22,800 | −6% |
Building & additions in Waterloo
The 2 jobs here average −6% versus the US in Waterloo, from −6% (home addition) to −5% (detached garage).
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Waterloo | 576 sq ft | $27,600 – $55,400 | −5% |
| Home addition cost in Waterloo | 300 sq ft | $35,600 – $72,000 | −6% |
Doors & windows in Waterloo
Across these 5 projects, Waterloo averages −6% against national midpoints. Window replacement is highest at −5% and front door lowest at −6%.
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Waterloo | 1 door | $660 – $3,500 | −6% |
| Storm door cost in Waterloo | 1 door | $330 – $890 | −6% |
| Front door cost in Waterloo | 1 door | $470 – $2,350 | −6% |
| Window replacement cost in Waterloo | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,200 | −5% |
| Patio door cost in Waterloo | 1 door | $570 – $5,700 | −5% |
Fencing in Waterloo
Across these 4 projects, Waterloo averages −4% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at −2% and vinyl fence lowest at −5%.
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Waterloo | 150 linear ft | $2,900 – $7,300 | −5% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Waterloo | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,700 | −5% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Waterloo | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,050 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Waterloo | 150 linear ft | $3,650 – $10,900 | −4% |
Roofing & exterior in Waterloo
Across these 5 projects, Waterloo averages −5% against national midpoints. Attic insulation is highest at level and roof replacement lowest at −8%.
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Waterloo | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,550 – $11,500 | −8% |
| Metal roof cost in Waterloo | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,400 – $30,200 | −7% |
| Gutters cost in Waterloo | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | −4% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Waterloo | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,050 – $24,100 | −4% |
| Attic insulation cost in Waterloo | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,000 | level |
Kitchen & bath in Waterloo
The 5 jobs here average −6% versus the US in Waterloo, from −7% (kitchen cabinets) to −5% (bathroom remodel).
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Waterloo | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $13,000 | −7% |
| Shower pan cost in Waterloo | 1 pan | $900 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Waterloo | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,500 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Waterloo | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,200 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Waterloo | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Landscaping & drainage in Waterloo
The 5 jobs here average +5% versus the US in Waterloo, from −4% (sod installation) to +9% (French drain).
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Waterloo | 60 linear ft | $660 – $2,300 | +9% |
| Retaining wall cost in Waterloo | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,700 – $14,000 | +6% |
| Sod installation cost in Waterloo | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Waterloo | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,150 – $10,400 | +4% |
| Inground pool cost in Waterloo | 450 sq ft | $39,500 – $123,000 | +9% |
Flooring & interior in Waterloo
Across these 3 projects, Waterloo averages −5% against national midpoints. Tile flooring is highest at −4% and hardwood flooring lowest at −6%.
| Project | Size | Waterloo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Waterloo | 500 sq ft | $5,150 – $11,700 | −6% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Waterloo | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,600 | −5% |
| Tile flooring cost in Waterloo | 200 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,550 | −4% |
Waterloo against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Waterloo prices −2% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 3 price higher and 3 lower. Iowa City is the lowest at −6% (80 miles) and Rochester the highest at +6% (100 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, IAthis page | 87.1 | 93.7 | −2% | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 55 miles | 89.0 | 93.7 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA | 80 miles | 87.3 | 93.7 | −3% |
| Iowa City, IA | 80 miles | 91.5 | 93.7 | −6% |
| Des Moines, IA | 95 miles | 91.7 | 93.7 | −1% |
| Rochester, MN | 100 miles | 90.8 | 95.4 | +6% |
| La Crosse, WI | 105 miles | 91.8 | 93.8 | +2% |