Roof replacement cost in Bismarck, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $5,700 – $11,800
- Per sq ft of roof
- $2.80 – $5.65
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #140
- 1 = most expensive
A new roof in Bismarck, ND usually costs $5,700 to $11,800 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $2.80 to $5.65 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $570 less. Roofers earn a median of $24.20 an hour in the Bismarck area, 9% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Bismarck, ND, standard level
$7,550 to $9,950
About $3.65 to $4.80 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $4,800 | $5,800 |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $350 |
| Total | $7,550 | $9,950 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Bismarck, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,150 | $4,800 | 36% |
| Labor | $4,100 | $5,300 | $6,500 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $270 | $460 | 3% |
| Total | $5,700 | $8,750 | $11,800 | 100% |
Where the Bismarck price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Bismarck wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bismarck is at 95.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,300 nationally becomes $3,150 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.0: $90 to $460.
Related projects, priced for Bismarck
Jobs that often go together with roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bismarck wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−2%) and metal roof lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,650 – $31,000 | −5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,050 – $24,200 | −4% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $960 – $3,850 | −4% |
What local crews earn in Bismarck
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Bismarck the blend is 0.93.
Roofers (47-2181), 85% of the weighting: a median of $24.20 an hour, 9% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.37 and $33.96 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 7.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 15%) the local median is $23.93 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $29.41 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 87.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,750 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $150. That is a swing of roughly 1.7% to 20.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bismarck has 71,270 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 258th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $23.37 | $24.20 | $33.96 | $26.65 | 0.91 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $21.87 | $23.93 | $29.41 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Bismarck: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bismarck. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to very large (3,600 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$5,700 to $8,150
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$7,550 to $9,950
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$9,350 to $11,800
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,450 – $4,950 | $4,600 – $6,100 | $5,750 – $7,250 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $5,700 – $8,150 | $7,550 – $9,950 | $9,350 – $11,800 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $7,950 – $11,300 | $10,500 – $13,800 | $12,900 – $16,300 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $10,200 – $14,400 | $13,400 – $17,600 | $16,600 – $20,800 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Bismarck bid
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.
Permit
Roof replacement permits run $100-$500 depending on the location.
Bismarck weather and the roof replacement calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Bismarck (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Bismarck are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Bismarck gets about 19 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 1.3 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 21 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 | 2 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 7 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 19 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 30 | 1.3 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 42 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 56 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 46 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 57 | 33 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 41 | 19 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 8 | 0.6 | Cold |
Bismarck against nearby metros and the rest of North Dakota
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Bismarck. Rapid City is the lowest at about $8,300 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 210 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, NDthis page | $5,700 – $11,800 | $8,750 | |
| Fargo, ND190 miles | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,700 | +11% |
| Rapid City, SD210 miles | $5,400 – $11,200 | $8,300 | −5% |
| Sioux Falls, SD305 miles | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,550 | −2% |
| St. Cloud, MN325 miles | $7,750 – $15,000 | $11,400 | +30% |
| Sioux City, IA380 miles | $5,450 – $11,300 | $8,350 | −4% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | +9% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bismarck ranks #140 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bismarck is 8% below the North Dakota figure.
Elsewhere in North Dakota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,700 | +11% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bismarck against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +17% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $6,400 – $13,000 | $9,650 | +11% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +15% |
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $6,650 – $13,200 | $9,900 | +14% |
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Roof replacement in Bismarck: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Bismarck?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $5,700 to $11,800 in the Bismarck area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,550 to $9,950. 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 Bismarck?
About $2.80 to $5.65 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $90 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Bismarck or Fargo?
Fargo is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $9,700, which is 11% more than Bismarck ($8,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bismarck?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $5,300 out of $8,750. Materials are 36% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Bismarck?
$7,950 to $16,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Bismarck?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $460 for fees in the Bismarck area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bismarck expensive for roof compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Bismarck is 8% below the North Dakota statewide estimate ($9,550 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Bismarck?
The BLS median is $24.20 an hour in the Bismarck area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.37 to $33.96.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Bismarck?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $5,700 to $8,150 and premium work $9,350 to $11,800. 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 Bismarck?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and October 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 Bismarck
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.