Home project costs in Madison, WI
Every project we cover, priced for the Madison metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Madison area is 97.3 against 100 for the US, which puts Madison 113th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 93.8. BLS counts roughly 408,070 jobs here.
In Madison, 29 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 8 below, and 1 is level with it. The biggest premiums are French drain (+17%), asphalt driveway (+16%) and inground pool (+13%); the biggest discounts are laminate flooring (−6%), hardwood flooring (−4%) and front door (−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 (Madison Dane Rgnl Ap, 6 miles away) shows a January average low of 12°F, a July average high of 82°F and 37 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 Madison
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $25.71 | $30.52 | $39.68 | $29.12 | 1.05 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $31.65 | $39.93 | $47.46 | $28.78 | 1.39 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $29.54 | $40.94 | $51.62 | $30.67 | 1.33 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $29.38 | $31.69 | $38.76 | $27.41 | 1.16 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $27.92 | $37.71 | $48.32 | $30.38 | 1.24 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $28.31 | $31.22 | $37.00 | $26.77 | 1.17 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $23.70 | $29.24 | $33.39 | $26.65 | 1.10 |
Concrete & paving in Madison
Across these 7 projects, Madison averages +10% against national midpoints. Asphalt driveway is highest at +16% and concrete slab lowest at +4%.
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Madison | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Madison | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $10,300 | +11% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Madison | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,700 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Madison | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,400 | +12% |
| Paver patio cost in Madison | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Concrete patio cost in Madison | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +7% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Madison | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | +6% |
Decks & outdoor in Madison
Across these 2 projects, Madison averages +1% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at +2% and wood deck lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Madison | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
| Composite deck cost in Madison | 300 sq ft | $12,300 – $24,700 | +2% |
Building & additions in Madison
The 2 jobs here average +4% versus the US in Madison, from +3% (detached garage) to +6% (home addition).
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Madison | 576 sq ft | $29,800 – $59,800 | +3% |
| Home addition cost in Madison | 300 sq ft | $40,200 – $81,300 | +6% |
Doors & windows in Madison
Across these 5 projects, Madison averages +1% against national midpoints. Patio door is highest at +5% and front door lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Madison | 1 door | $710 – $3,650 | −1% |
| Storm door cost in Madison | 1 door | $350 – $940 | −1% |
| Front door cost in Madison | 1 door | $510 – $2,400 | −3% |
| Window replacement cost in Madison | 10 windows | $4,750 – $15,300 | +3% |
| Patio door cost in Madison | 1 door | $610 – $6,350 | +5% |
Fencing in Madison
Across these 4 projects, Madison averages +2% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at +6% and vinyl fence lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Madison | 150 linear ft | $3,100 – $7,700 | +1% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Madison | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $9,000 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Madison | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,600 | +6% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Madison | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
Roofing & exterior in Madison
Across these 5 projects, Madison averages +2% against national midpoints. Roof replacement is highest at +5% and attic insulation lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Madison | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,500 – $13,000 | +5% |
| Metal roof cost in Madison | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,100 – $33,600 | +5% |
| Gutters cost in Madison | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +3% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Madison | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,600 – $25,800 | +2% |
| Attic insulation cost in Madison | 1,000 sq ft | $990 – $3,900 | −2% |
Kitchen & bath in Madison
The 5 jobs here average +4% versus the US in Madison, from −2% (kitchen remodel) to +12% (shower pan).
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Madison | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $14,400 | +2% |
| Shower pan cost in Madison | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,050 | +12% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Madison | 120 sq ft | $18,100 – $30,900 | −2% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Madison | 45 sq ft | $5,000 – $24,900 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Madison | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +3% |
Landscaping & drainage in Madison
The 5 jobs here average +11% versus the US in Madison, from +4% (sod installation) to +17% (French drain).
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Madison | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Retaining wall cost in Madison | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,150 – $14,500 | +11% |
| Sod installation cost in Madison | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +4% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Madison | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,500 – $11,200 | +12% |
| Inground pool cost in Madison | 450 sq ft | $40,700 – $127,000 | +13% |
Flooring & interior in Madison
Across these 3 projects, Madison averages −2% against national midpoints. Tile flooring is highest at +3% and laminate flooring lowest at −6%.
| Project | Size | Madison range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Madison | 500 sq ft | $5,300 – $12,000 | −4% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Madison | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,600 | −6% |
| Tile flooring cost in Madison | 200 sq ft | $2,700 – $10,100 | +3% |
Madison against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Madison prices +5% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 4 price higher and 2 lower. Dubuque is the lowest at −3% (80 miles) and Rockford the highest at +8% (60 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | 97.3 | 93.8 | +5% | |
| Janesville, WI | 40 miles | 93.7 | 93.8 | +6% |
| Rockford, IL | 60 miles | 92.2 | 93.6 | +8% |
| Dubuque, IA | 80 miles | 87.3 | 93.7 | −3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 85 miles | 92.9 | 93.8 | +7% |
| La Crosse, WI | 85 miles | 91.8 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 90 miles | 96.9 | 93.8 | +5% |