Kitchen remodel cost in Dover, DE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,600 – $29,900
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #162
- 1 = most expensive
Dover homeowners pay roughly $17,600 to $29,900 to remodel a kitchen at 120 sq ft, or $142 to $237 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Dover is 5% lower. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.4).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Dover, DE, standard level
$21,300 to $26,200
About $171 to $209 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $4,000 | $4,900 |
| Permits and fees | $780 | $1,150 |
| Total | $21,300 | $26,200 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Dover, DE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,700 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $4,450 | $5,550 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $980 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $17,600 | $23,800 | $29,900 | 100% |
Why Dover prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 45%, electricians at 15%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 15%, tile and stone setters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 5%. Weighted together, Dover wages are 0.89 times the national level. Labor makes up about 19% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dover metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,300, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.5) and land at $490 to $1,450.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a national median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dover. The wage table below marks each row.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Dover is 0.89 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $25.07 an hour, which is 14% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.87 and $32.20 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 39.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.21 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.51 and $36.72 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 49.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.08 an hour, which is 8% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.22 and $36.70 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 13.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dover metro, so we used the national median: $26.77 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $33.76 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $20.93 an hour, 26% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $16.32 and $29.13 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 8.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $24.27 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $25.90 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 4.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($32.20 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $550. At the 25th percentile ($22.87) it shrinks by about $170. The total moves by 2.3% or 0.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 68,080 jobs in the Dover area. That makes it the 265th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.87 | $25.07 | $32.20 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.51 | $29.21 | $36.72 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $24.22 | $28.08 | $36.70 | $30.67 | 0.92 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $21.73 | $26.77 | $33.76 | $26.77 | 1.00 | US |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $16.32 | $20.93 | $29.13 | $28.33 | 0.74 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $21.54 | $24.27 | $25.90 | $23.75 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Dover
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dover wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$17,600 to $22,500
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,300 to $26,200
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,000 to $29,900
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,700 – $18,900 | $17,900 – $22,100 | $21,000 – $25,200 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,600 – $22,500 | $21,300 – $26,200 | $25,000 – $29,900 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,000 – $36,900 | $35,000 – $42,900 | $40,900 – $48,900 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,200 – $55,000 | $52,000 – $63,800 | $60,900 – $72,700 |
Dover against nearby metros and the rest of Delaware
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Vineland is the priciest of the group at $25,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | $17,600 – $29,900 | $23,800 | |
| Vineland, NJ25 miles | $18,900 – $32,200 | $25,500 | +7% |
| Atlantic City, NJ45 miles | $18,700 – $31,800 | $25,200 | +6% |
| Philadelphia, PA55 miles | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | +5% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +7% |
| Lancaster, PA75 miles | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +5% |
| Delaware (statewide) | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +2% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Dover comes in at #162 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Dover is 2% below the Delaware figure.
Dover is the only Delaware metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Dover's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dover against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −2% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | +5% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $17,500 – $29,900 | $23,700 | level |
What nearby projects cost in Dover
Because every project leans on different trades, Dover's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen backsplash runs −3% and home addition −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $12,900 | −8% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,000 | −6% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,400 | −4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,700 – $70,400 | −9% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,700 | −4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −3% |
Why two Dover quotes can differ
Scope
A full kitchen update is $15,000-$50,000, a large remodel $50,000-$70,000+, and a partial refresh $60-$150 per square foot (HomeGuide).
Cabinets
In a 10x10 kitchen, cabinets alone are $3,000-$11,000 for stock or semi-custom and up to $26,500 for fully custom.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Dover, DE: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen remodel in Dover: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Dover?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,600 to $29,900 in the Dover area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,300 to $26,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Dover?
About $142 to $237 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $490 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Dover or Vineland?
Vineland is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $25,500, which is 7% more than Dover ($23,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dover?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,450 out of $23,800. Materials are 77% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Dover?
$29,000 to $48,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Dover?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $490 to $1,450 for fees in the Dover area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dover expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Delaware?
Dover is 2% below the Delaware statewide estimate ($24,200 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Dover?
The BLS median is $25.07 an hour in the Dover area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.87 to $32.20.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Dover?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,600 to $22,500 and premium work $25,000 to $29,900. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Dover
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 70% of the low installed price and 85% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that professional labor is 15-30% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Cost to Renovate's mid-range kitchen split (45% labor, 50% materials) sits inside that band.