Basic
$24 – $82 each
One 8 in. hole augered with a power auger to about 3 ft, loose spoil left beside the hole
Photo: BarelyFitz · CC BY 2.0 · Source
How Much Does Dig Post Hole Cost in Des Moines, Iowa?
Machine or hand-dig one standard fence/deck post hole (approx. 8 in diameter, 3 ft deep), labor and equipment, per hole; setting the post and concrete extra.
Dig Post Hole in Des Moines, Iowa typically costs $29 to $96 each as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Dig Post Hole in Des Moines, Iowa
$29 – $96
eachPrices in Des Moines are 3.0% lower than the national average for dig post hole.
National average: $30 – $100 each
What you get at each price level
Standard
$29 – $96 each
8 in. hole augered to about 3 ft, sides cleaned, bottom tamped, spoil spread nearby
Premium
$36 – $120 each
8 in. hole augered to about 3 ft, rocks and roots cleared by hand, bottom flattened and tamped, spoil hauled away
Cost Breakdown in Des Moines
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $13 – $42 | each |
| Labor | labor | $10 – $35 | each |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $3.38 – $11 | each |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $2.26 – $7.52 | each |
Prices adjusted for Des Moines local market conditions.
Dig Post Hole photo examples
Hand earth auger standing in a lawn
Photo: Vermip · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
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Cost Factors in Des Moines, Iowa
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($14.00-$45.00 per unit)
- Labor ($10.00-$35.00 per unit)
- Supplies & Other ($3.60-$12.00 per unit)
- Equipment & Disposal ($2.40-$8.00 per unit)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs6.0% below avg
Labor costsAt national average
Labor costs in Des Moines run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- How much does it cost to dig a post hole? - Cat 6 Tools, Cat 6 Tools, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
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