Roof replacement cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,400 – $13,100
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.15 – $6.30
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #76
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace a roof in Washington, plan on $6,400 to $13,100 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $3.15 to $6.30 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% higher than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $28.05 an hour in the Washington area, 5% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Washington, DC, standard level
$8,400 to $11,100
About $4.10 to $5.35 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,750 | $4,150 |
| Labor | $5,400 | $6,500 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $410 |
| Total | $8,400 | $11,100 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $3,450 | $5,250 | 35% |
| Labor | $4,600 | $5,950 | $7,300 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $330 | $540 | 3% |
| Total | $6,400 | $9,750 | $13,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Washington number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Washington wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Washington metro is 104.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,450, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.9) and land at $110 to $540.
Washington 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 Washington is 1.05 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $28.05 an hour, which is 5% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.82 and $35.51 an hour. BLS counts 1,940 of them working in the area, 6.2 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 $22.80 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.07 and $27.05 an hour. About 17,710 work in the metro. That is 56.5 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 ($35.51 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,350. At the 25th percentile ($23.82) it shrinks by about $770. The total moves by 13.9% or 7.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,136,190 jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. That makes it the 6th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.02% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $23.82 | $28.05 | $35.51 | $26.65 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $20.07 | $22.80 | $27.05 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Washington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Washington 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
$6,400 to $9,050
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$8,400 to $11,100
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$10,400 to $13,100
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,900 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,800 | $6,400 – $8,100 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,400 – $9,050 | $8,400 – $11,100 | $10,400 – $13,100 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $8,900 – $12,600 | $11,700 – $15,400 | $14,400 – $18,100 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $11,400 – $16,100 | $14,900 – $19,600 | $18,500 – $23,200 |
What nearby projects cost in Washington
Because every project leans on different trades, Washington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, metal roof runs +4% and attic insulation +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,500 – $33,900 | +4% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,350 | +4% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,600 – $25,900 | +3% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,050 | +1% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Washington bid
Permit
Roof replacement permits run $100-$500 depending on the location.
Shingle type
3-tab asphalt is $3-$5 per sq ft installed; architectural is $4-$6 (HomeGuide). Metal, tile and slate are separate projects with much higher ranges.
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.
Climate in Washington: timing your roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Washington Reagan Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Washington (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Washington gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 14 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.6 inches. The station averages about 40 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 | 45 | 30 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 48 | 32 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 58 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 52 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 42 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 35 | 3.4 | Workable |
Is Washington cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $8,250 to $10,100 across Washington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $6,400 – $13,100 | $9,750 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $6,300 – $12,700 | $9,500 | −3% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $6,200 – $12,700 | $9,450 | −3% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $5,300 – $11,200 | $8,250 | −15% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $6,400 – $13,000 | $9,650 | −1% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $6,700 – $13,500 | $10,100 | +4% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,600 | $10,100 | +4% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −5% |
Across 300 US metros, Washington comes in at #76 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, Washington is 4% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia 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 Washington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $5,350 – $11,300 | $8,350 | −14% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $6,450 – $13,000 | $9,700 | level |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $5,550 – $11,700 | $8,600 | −12% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $5,600 – $11,700 | $8,650 | −11% |
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Roof replacement in Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Washington?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,400 to $13,100 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,400 to $11,100. 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 Washington?
About $3.15 to $6.30 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $110 to $540 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $9,500, which is 3% less than Washington ($9,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $5,950 out of $9,750. Materials are 35% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Washington?
$8,900 to $18,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Washington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $110 to $540 for fees in the Washington area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for roof compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 4% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($10,100 at the midpoint).
+What do roofers earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $28.05 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.82 to $35.51.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Washington?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,400 to $9,050 and premium work $10,400 to $13,100. 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 Washington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. January and February 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 Washington
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.