Roof replacement cost in Dover, DE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,200 – $12,600
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.05 – $6.05
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #109
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace a roof in Dover, plan on $6,200 to $12,600 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $3.05 to $6.05 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Roofers earn a median of $28.04 an hour in the Dover area, 5% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Dover, DE, standard level
$8,150 to $10,700
About $3.95 to $5.15 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,850 |
| Labor | $5,400 | $6,450 |
| Permits and fees | $210 | $370 |
| Total | $8,150 | $10,700 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Dover, DE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,200 | $4,800 | 34% |
| Labor | $4,600 | $5,950 | $7,300 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $290 | $490 | 3% |
| Total | $6,200 | $9,400 | $12,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Dover number
Labor is 63% of the midpoint bill here, against 61% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is roofers (85%), construction laborers (15%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Dover the blended ratio comes out at 1.04.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dover metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,200, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.5) and land at $100 to $490.
Climate in Dover: timing your roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dover (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through December is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Dover (11 of 12 months). January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January 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.
Dover gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 13 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.9 inches in August). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 25 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 29 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 35 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 45 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 69 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 50 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 39 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 32 | 4.0 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Dover
Because every project leans on different trades, Dover's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, metal roof runs level and vinyl siding −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,300 – $32,400 | level |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,850 – $23,600 | −6% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 | level |
Dover against nearby metros and the rest of Delaware
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Dover. Lancaster is the lowest at about $9,100 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | $6,200 – $12,600 | $9,400 | |
| Vineland, NJ25 miles | $8,050 – $15,600 | $11,800 | +25% |
| Atlantic City, NJ45 miles | $7,750 – $15,100 | $11,400 | +21% |
| Philadelphia, PA55 miles | $6,450 – $13,000 | $9,700 | +3% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $6,200 – $12,700 | $9,450 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA75 miles | $5,950 – $12,300 | $9,100 | −3% |
| Delaware (statewide) | $6,300 – $12,700 | $9,500 | +1% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Dover comes in at #109 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $13,800; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $7,200 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Dover is 1% 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 | $5,700 – $11,700 | $8,700 | −8% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,500 | −9% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $6,200 – $12,700 | $9,450 | +1% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $5,300 – $11,200 | $8,250 | −12% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement 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
$6,200 to $8,750
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$8,150 to $10,700
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$10,000 to $12,600
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,750 – $5,350 | $4,950 – $6,550 | $6,150 – $7,750 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,200 – $8,750 | $8,150 – $10,700 | $10,000 – $12,600 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $8,650 – $12,200 | $11,300 – $14,800 | $13,900 – $17,400 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $11,100 – $15,600 | $14,500 – $18,900 | $17,800 – $22,300 |
Dover labor market for roof
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Dover is 1.04 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $28.04 an hour, which is 5% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $24.27 and $28.37 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 4.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $22.02 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.50 and $24.63 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 58.8 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 ($28.37 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $60. At the 25th percentile ($24.27) it shrinks by about $690. The total moves by 0.6% or 7.3%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $24.27 | $28.04 | $28.37 | $26.65 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $18.50 | $22.02 | $24.63 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Dover bid
Roof area, not floor area
Pitch and complexity mean roof surface is larger than the house's footprint. A 1,500 sq ft ranch can have 1,800-2,200 sq ft of roof.
Tear-off and layers
Removing a second layer or rotted decking adds cost, and the contractor can only see decking damage after tear-off.
Tear-off
Removing the old roof is $1-$5 per sq ft depending on the material and number of layers (HomeGuide). Check that your quote includes it.
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 $8,150 to $10,700 for Dover, DE is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
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.
Roof replacement in Dover: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Dover?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,200 to $12,600 in the Dover area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,150 to $10,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Dover?
About $3.05 to $6.05 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $100 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Dover or Vineland?
Vineland is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $11,800, which is 25% more than Dover ($9,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dover?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $5,950 out of $9,400. Materials are 34% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Dover?
$8,650 to $17,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Dover?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $490 for fees in the Dover area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dover expensive for roof compared with the rest of Delaware?
Dover is 1% below the Delaware statewide estimate ($9,500 at the midpoint).
+What do roofers earn in Dover?
The BLS median is $28.04 an hour in the Dover area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.27 to $28.37.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Dover?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,200 to $8,750 and premium work $10,000 to $12,600. Basic means: 3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof. Premium means: heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs.
+When is the best time to replace a roof in Dover?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Roof replacement 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 Roof Replacement Cost? (2026) (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 = HomeGuide's asphalt shingle price of $80-$250 per roofing square (100 sq ft), i.e. $0.80-$2.50 per sq ft. The rest of the installed price covers roofer labor ($1.50-$3.00/sq ft), tear-off, disposal, underlayment and contractor overhead.