Home project costs in Detroit, MI
Every project we cover, priced for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area is 100.3 against 100 for the US, which puts Detroit 75th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 98.8. BLS counts roughly 1,904,530 jobs here.
In Detroit, 33 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 4 below, and 1 is level with it. The biggest premiums are sprinkler system (+13%), French drain (+10%) and chain-link fence (+10%); the biggest discounts are kitchen backsplash (−6%), tile flooring (−4%) and laminate flooring (−2%). 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 (Detroit City Ap, 5 miles away) shows a January average low of 20°F, a July average high of 84°F and 30 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Detroit
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.25 | $27.61 | $30.04 | $22.66 | 1.22 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $25.05 | $31.64 | $38.49 | $29.12 | 1.09 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $26.36 | $32.76 | $38.85 | $28.78 | 1.14 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $29.42 | $41.53 | $47.91 | $30.67 | 1.35 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $24.35 | $29.96 | $34.19 | $27.41 | 1.09 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $28.96 | $39.42 | $45.36 | $30.38 | 1.30 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $20.51 | $22.98 | $30.71 | $26.77 | 0.86 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $23.60 | $30.48 | $37.97 | $26.65 | 1.14 |
Concrete & paving in Detroit
Across these 7 projects, Detroit averages +6% against national midpoints. Concrete driveway is highest at +9% and asphalt driveway lowest at +3%.
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Detroit | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +5% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Detroit | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $10,100 | +9% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Detroit | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,650 | +3% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Detroit | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
| Paver patio cost in Detroit | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +6% |
| Concrete patio cost in Detroit | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +6% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Detroit | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,450 | +6% |
Decks & outdoor in Detroit
Across these 2 projects, Detroit averages +5% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at +6% and wood deck lowest at +4%.
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Detroit | 300 sq ft | $7,850 – $15,800 | +4% |
| Composite deck cost in Detroit | 300 sq ft | $12,800 – $25,700 | +6% |
Building & additions in Detroit
The 2 jobs here average +7% versus the US in Detroit, from +6% (detached garage) to +9% (home addition).
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Detroit | 576 sq ft | $30,800 – $61,800 | +6% |
| Home addition cost in Detroit | 300 sq ft | $41,300 – $83,600 | +9% |
Doors & windows in Detroit
Across these 5 projects, Detroit averages +1% against national midpoints. Garage door is highest at +2% and window replacement lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Detroit | 1 door | $730 – $3,800 | +2% |
| Storm door cost in Detroit | 1 door | $360 – $970 | +2% |
| Front door cost in Detroit | 1 door | $520 – $2,500 | +1% |
| Window replacement cost in Detroit | 10 windows | $4,500 – $15,000 | level |
| Patio door cost in Detroit | 1 door | $610 – $6,100 | +2% |
Fencing in Detroit
Across these 4 projects, Detroit averages +6% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at +10% and vinyl fence lowest at +2%.
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Detroit | 150 linear ft | $3,250 – $8,000 | +5% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Detroit | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,400 | +2% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Detroit | 150 linear ft | $1,650 – $6,800 | +10% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Detroit | 150 linear ft | $4,000 – $11,900 | +5% |
Roofing & exterior in Detroit
Across these 5 projects, Detroit averages +6% against national midpoints. Roof replacement is highest at +9% and attic insulation lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Detroit | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,750 – $13,500 | +9% |
| Metal roof cost in Detroit | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,500 – $35,000 | +9% |
| Gutters cost in Detroit | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,450 | +7% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Detroit | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,950 – $26,800 | +6% |
| Attic insulation cost in Detroit | 1,000 sq ft | $990 – $3,950 | −1% |
Kitchen & bath in Detroit
The 5 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Detroit, from −6% (kitchen backsplash) to +6% (kitchen cabinets).
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Detroit | 25 linear ft | $4,400 – $15,000 | +6% |
| Shower pan cost in Detroit | 1 pan | $1,000 – $2,950 | +6% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Detroit | 120 sq ft | $18,800 – $32,000 | +2% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Detroit | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,600 | +6% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Detroit | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −6% |
Landscaping & drainage in Detroit
The 5 jobs here average +7% versus the US in Detroit, from +1% (sod installation) to +13% (sprinkler system).
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Detroit | 60 linear ft | $660 – $2,300 | +10% |
| Retaining wall cost in Detroit | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,450 – $13,900 | +4% |
| Sod installation cost in Detroit | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,350 | +1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Detroit | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,500 – $11,300 | +13% |
| Inground pool cost in Detroit | 450 sq ft | $39,000 – $122,000 | +8% |
Flooring & interior in Detroit
Across these 3 projects, Detroit averages −2% against national midpoints. Hardwood flooring is highest at +1% and tile flooring lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Detroit range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Detroit | 500 sq ft | $5,550 – $12,600 | +1% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Detroit | 500 sq ft | $1,950 – $6,850 | −2% |
| Tile flooring cost in Detroit | 200 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,650 | −4% |
Detroit against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Detroit prices +5% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, none price higher and 6 lower. Saginaw is the lowest at −3% (60 miles) and Flint the highest at +1% (35 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MIthis page | 100.3 | 98.8 | +5% | |
| Flint, MI | 35 miles | 93.0 | 93.7 | +1% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 45 miles | 100.9 | 93.7 | level |
| Saginaw, MI | 60 miles | 90.9 | 93.7 | −3% |
| Lansing, MI | 70 miles | 95.0 | 93.7 | level |
| Toledo, OH | 85 miles | 91.5 | 93.6 | −1% |
| Cleveland, OH | 115 miles | 93.9 | 93.6 | +1% |