Basic
$1.63 – $3.27 per sq ft
Blue-gray slate chips about 3/4-1-1/2 in. spread 2 in. deep over woven landscape fabric pinned with staples
How Much Does Slate Chips Cost in Des Moines, Iowa?
Loose slate landscape chips spread over prepared ground with weed-barrier fabric (~2 in. depth), material and labor per sq ft of coverage.
Slate Chips in Des Moines, Iowa typically costs $1.92 to $3.84 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Slate Chips in Des Moines, Iowa
$1.92 – $3.84
per sq ftPrices in Des Moines are 3.0% lower than the national average for slate chips.
National average: $2 – $4 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$1.92 – $3.84 per sq ft
Graded blue-gray slate chips 2 in. deep over heavier nonwoven fabric, staples at closer spacing, raked even
Premium
$2.40 – $4.81 per sq ft
Larger flat slate chips in blended plum and green tones, 2 in. deep over heavy-duty fabric, hand-raked even edges
Cost Breakdown in Des Moines
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $0.85 – $1.69 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $0.70 – $1.40 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.23 – $0.45 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.15 – $0.30 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Des Moines local market conditions.
Cost Factors in Des Moines, Iowa
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($0.90-$1.80 per square foot)
- Labor ($0.70-$1.40 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($0.24-$0.48 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($0.16-$0.32 per square foot)
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
- Majestic Material - Decorative Rock Cost Guide (2026), majesticmaterial.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Landscaping BCS - Slate Chips Landscaping Guide 2026, landscapingbcs.com, 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
Get Free Estimates in Des Moines
Connect with local slate chips contractors in Des Moines for personalized quotes based on your specific project.