Tile flooring cost in Dover, DE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft)
- $2,400 – $9,750
- Per sq ft
- $12 – $48.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $6,200
- Rank of 300 metros
- #121
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a tile floor in Dover, plan on $2,400 to $9,750 for 200 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $12 to $48.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.4).
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft in Dover, DE, standard level
$4,600 to $7,550
About $23 to $37.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,300 | $4,850 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $2,700 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $4,600 | $7,550 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft in Dover, DE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $390 | $3,550 | $6,750 | 59% |
| Labor | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $2,400 | $6,050 | $9,750 | 100% |
What is behind the Dover number
Labor is 41% of the midpoint bill here, against 40% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is tile and stone setters (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 1.00. BLS does not publish this trade for the area, so we used the national median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dover metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft comes to $3,550, compared with $3,700 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.5) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 85% of the labor weighting for this project uses a national median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dover. The wage table below marks each row.
Dover labor market for tile floor
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 1.00 times the national level.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 85% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dover metro, so we used the national median: $26.77 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $33.76 an hour.
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 tile and stone setters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($33.76 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $550. At the 25th percentile ($21.73) it shrinks by about $400. The total moves by 9.2% or 6.6%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 85% | $21.73 | $26.77 | $33.76 | $26.77 | 1.00 | US |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $18.50 | $22.02 | $24.63 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$2,400 to $5,300
Basic ceramic or vinyl tile, simple square layout
Standard
$4,600 to $7,550
Porcelain tile, standard layout
Premium
$6,800 to $9,750
Large-format, natural stone or patterned layouts
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bathroom (50 sq ft) | $590 – $1,350 | $1,150 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $2,450 |
| kitchen (150 sq ft) | $1,800 – $4,000 | $3,450 – $5,650 | $5,100 – $7,300 |
| main floor (400 sq ft) | $4,750 – $10,600 | $9,150 – $15,100 | $13,600 – $19,500 |
Is Dover cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Dover. Baltimore is the lowest at about $5,900 (midpoint, 200 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | |
| Vineland, NJ25 miles | $2,850 – $10,600 | $6,750 | +11% |
| Atlantic City, NJ45 miles | $2,650 – $10,400 | $6,500 | +8% |
| Philadelphia, PA55 miles | $2,900 – $10,500 | $6,700 | +11% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $2,100 – $9,700 | $5,900 | −3% |
| Lancaster, PA75 miles | $2,750 – $10,500 | $6,650 | +10% |
| Delaware (statewide) | $2,350 – $9,700 | $6,050 | level |
| United States | $2,400 – $10,000 | $6,200 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Dover comes in at #121 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $8,050; the cheapest is Little Rock, AR at $5,150 (midpoints, 200 sq ft). Statewide, Dover is 0% above 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 | $2,150 – $9,200 | $5,700 | −6% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $2,000 – $9,200 | $5,600 | −7% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $2,900 – $10,800 | $6,850 | +13% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $2,150 – $9,400 | $5,800 | −5% |
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, shower pan runs −4% and hardwood flooring −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | 500 sq ft | $5,150 – $11,700 | −6% |
| Laminate flooring | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,650 | −5% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,000 | −6% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,700 | −4% |
Tile flooring: what moves the price in Dover
Subfloor
Uneven or damaged subfloors need prep work before the tile goes down.
Tile type
Porcelain runs $15-$50 per sq ft installed. Luxury vinyl tile is $4-$16 (HomeGuide).
Labor
Labor starts around $5 per sq ft for the simplest jobs and tops $20 for patterns or premium tile.
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 $4,600 to $7,550 for Dover, DE is attached.
Detailed tile flooring report for Dover, DE, $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.
Tile flooring in Dover: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a tile floor in Dover?
For 200 sq ft, expect $2,400 to $9,750 in the Dover area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,600 to $7,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for tile floor in Dover?
About $12 to $48.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $12 to $50.
+Is tile floor cheaper in Dover or Vineland?
Vineland is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft there is $6,750, which is 11% more than Dover ($6,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dover?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $6,050. Materials are 59% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 40%.
+What would kitchen (150 sq ft) cost in Dover?
$1,800 to $7,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does tile floor need a permit in Dover?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Dover area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dover expensive for tile floor compared with the rest of Delaware?
Dover is 0% above the Delaware statewide estimate ($6,050 at the midpoint).
+What do tile and stone setters earn in Dover?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the national median of $26.77 an hour, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.73 to $33.76.
+What do basic and premium tile floor work cost in Dover?
For 200 sq ft, basic work runs $2,400 to $5,300 and premium work $6,800 to $9,750. Basic means: basic ceramic or vinyl tile, simple square layout. Premium means: large-format, natural stone or patterned layouts.
Tile flooring 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.