Metal roof cost in Portland, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $9,800 – $31,500
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.80 – $15.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #131
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a metal roof in Portland, plan on $9,800 to $31,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $4.80 to $15.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% lower than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $24.61 an hour in the Portland area, 8% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Portland, ME, standard level
$16,300 to $25,000
About $8 to $12.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $11,500 |
| Labor | $10,000 | $13,100 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $16,300 | $25,000 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Portland, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $8,750 | $15,500 | 42% |
| Labor | $7,700 | $11,600 | $15,400 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 2% |
| Total | $9,800 | $20,600 | $31,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Portland number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: roofers at 70%, sheet metal workers at 20%, construction laborers at 10%. Weighted together, Portland wages are 0.96 times the national level. Labor makes up about 56% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Portland metro is 97.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $8,750, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.9) and land at $150 to $510.
Portland labor market for metal roof
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Portland is 0.96 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $24.61 an hour, which is 8% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.84 and $29.30 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 4.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $31.77 an hour, which is 7% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $28.98 and $35.09 an hour. BLS counts 540 of them working in the area, 18.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.31 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.50 and $27.46 an hour. About 1,470 work in the metro. That is 51.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.30 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,500. At the 25th percentile ($22.84) it shrinks by about $560. The total moves by 7.2% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 288,480 jobs in the Portland-South Portland area. That makes it the 89th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.19% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $22.84 | $24.61 | $29.30 | $26.65 | 0.92 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $28.98 | $31.77 | $35.09 | $29.71 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $21.50 | $23.31 | $27.46 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Portland: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Portland 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$9,800 to $18,500
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$16,300 to $25,000
Standing seam steel
Premium
$22,800 to $31,500
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,950 – $11,200 | $9,900 – $15,100 | $13,800 – $19,100 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $9,800 – $18,500 | $16,300 – $25,000 | $22,800 – $31,500 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $13,700 – $25,700 | $22,700 – $34,800 | $31,800 – $43,900 |
Why two Portland quotes can differ
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
Other metals
Tin runs $600-$1,800 per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed and aluminum $700-$1,700 per square (HomeGuide).
Panel type
Corrugated sheet metal is $5-$12 per sq ft installed; standing seam is $9-$16 (HomeGuide).
Climate in Portland: timing your metal roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Portland Intl Jetport (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Portland (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Portland gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 69 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, October and December (5.3 inches in October). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 5 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 16 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 35 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 55 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 32 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.5 | Cold |
Portland against nearby metros and the rest of Maine
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 2,000 sq ft of roof range from $20,600 to $29,600 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, MEthis page | $9,800 – $31,500 | $20,600 | |
| Manchester, NH85 miles | $10,300 – $32,500 | $21,400 | +4% |
| Boston, MA85 miles | $12,100 – $36,300 | $24,200 | +17% |
| Worcester, MA120 miles | $15,800 – $43,400 | $29,600 | +43% |
| Barnstable, MA135 miles | $12,600 – $37,000 | $24,800 | +20% |
| Providence, RI140 miles | $11,000 – $33,900 | $22,400 | +9% |
| Maine (statewide) | $9,550 – $31,000 | $20,300 | −2% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Portland comes in at #131 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $29,600; the cheapest is Lubbock, TX at $17,000 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Portland is 2% above the Maine figure.
Other Maine metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $9,250 – $30,400 | $19,800 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Portland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $11,300 – $35,400 | $23,300 | +13% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $9,150 – $30,000 | $19,600 | −5% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $10,900 – $33,100 | $22,000 | +7% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $11,000 – $34,000 | $22,500 | +9% |
Related projects, priced for Portland
Because every project leans on different trades, Portland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl siding runs +1% and roof replacement −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,800 – $11,900 | −5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | −1% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $980 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,500 – $25,500 | +1% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $16,300 to $25,000 for Portland, ME is attached.
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Metal roof in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Portland?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $9,800 to $31,500 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,300 to $25,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for metal roof in Portland?
About $4.80 to $15.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $150 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Portland or Manchester?
Manchester is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $21,400, which is 4% more than Portland ($20,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $11,600 out of $20,600. Materials are 42% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Portland?
$9,800 to $31,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $510 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Maine?
Portland is 2% above the Maine statewide estimate ($20,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $24.61 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.84 to $29.30.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Portland?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $9,800 to $18,500 and premium work $22,800 to $31,500. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+When is the best time to install a metal roof in Portland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. July and August are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Metal roof near Portland
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 Metal Roof Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus HomeGuide's $4-$8/sq ft labor range for metal roofs.