Roof replacement cost in Fargo, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,450 – $12,900
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.20 – $6.25
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #81
- 1 = most expensive
Fargo homeowners pay roughly $6,450 to $12,900 to replace a roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $3.20 to $6.25 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Fargo is 4% higher. Roofers earn a median of $29.62 an hour in the Fargo area, 11% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Fargo, ND, standard level
$8,400 to $11,000
About $4.10 to $5.35 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $5,700 | $6,850 |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $350 |
| Total | $8,400 | $11,000 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Fargo, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,150 | $4,800 | 33% |
| Labor | $4,850 | $6,300 | $7,700 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $270 | $450 | 3% |
| Total | $6,450 | $9,700 | $12,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Fargo number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Fargo wages are 1.10 times the national level. Labor makes up about 65% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fargo metro is 95.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,150, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.9) and land at $90 to $450.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Fargo is 1.10 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $29.62 an hour, which is 11% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.08 and $34.68 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 8.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $23.72 an hour, 5% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.29 and $29.85 an hour. About 1,760 work in the metro. That is 118.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($34.68 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $920. At the 25th percentile ($23.08) it shrinks by about $1,200. The total moves by 9.5% or 12.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 148,660 jobs in the Fargo area. That makes it the 156th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $23.08 | $29.62 | $34.68 | $26.65 | 1.11 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $22.29 | $23.72 | $29.85 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Fargo?
Because every project leans on different trades, Fargo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, metal roof runs +6% and attic insulation −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,200 – $34,000 | +6% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +3% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,350 – $25,000 | −1% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $960 – $3,850 | −4% |
When to schedule roof in Fargo
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fargo Hector Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Fargo (7 of 12 months). 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.
Fargo gets about 24 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 1.5 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 18 | 0 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 23 | 4 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 1.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 44 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 56 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 59 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 48 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 35 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 38 | 21 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 24 | 8 | 0.9 | Cold |
How Fargo compares
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 $8,550 to $11,400 across Fargo and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, NDthis page | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,700 | |
| St. Cloud, MN150 miles | $7,750 – $15,000 | $11,400 | +17% |
| Bismarck, ND190 miles | $5,700 – $11,800 | $8,750 | −10% |
| Minneapolis, MN215 miles | $7,700 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +18% |
| Duluth, MN215 miles | $7,400 – $14,400 | $10,900 | +12% |
| Sioux Falls, SD235 miles | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,550 | −12% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | −2% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Fargo comes in at #81 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, Fargo is 2% above the North Dakota figure.
Other North Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $5,700 – $11,800 | $8,750 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Fargo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fargo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $5,200 – $10,900 | $8,050 | −17% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $5,300 – $11,100 | $8,250 | −15% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $5,350 – $11,200 | $8,300 | −15% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $6,850 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +7% |
Fargo: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fargo 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
$6,450 to $9,050
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$8,400 to $11,000
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$10,400 to $12,900
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 – $6,750 | $6,350 – $7,950 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,450 – $9,050 | $8,400 – $11,000 | $10,400 – $12,900 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $9,000 – $12,600 | $11,700 – $15,300 | $14,400 – $17,900 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $11,600 – $16,100 | $15,000 – $19,500 | $18,400 – $22,900 |
Roof replacement: what moves the price in Fargo
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
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Multi-page report for Fargo, ND: 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 Fargo: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Fargo?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,450 to $12,900 in the Fargo area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,400 to $11,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Fargo?
About $3.20 to $6.25 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $90 to $450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Fargo or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $11,400, which is 17% more than Fargo ($9,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fargo?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $6,300 out of $9,700. Materials are 33% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Fargo?
$9,000 to $17,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Fargo?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $450 for fees in the Fargo area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fargo expensive for roof compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Fargo is 2% above 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 Fargo?
The BLS median is $29.62 an hour in the Fargo area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.08 to $34.68.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Fargo?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,450 to $9,050 and premium work $10,400 to $12,900. 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 Fargo?
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 Fargo
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.