Wood deck cost in Dover, DE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,000 – $14,100
- Per sq ft
- $23 – $46.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #172
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Dover, plan on $7,000 to $14,100 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $23 to $46.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $25.07 an hour in the Dover area, 14% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Dover, DE, standard level
$9,150 to $12,000
About $30 to $39.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,250 | $6,900 |
| Labor | $3,800 | $4,950 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $9,150 | $12,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Dover, DE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $6,050 | $8,100 | 58% |
| Labor | $2,900 | $4,350 | $5,850 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $7,000 | $10,500 | $14,100 | 100% |
Where the Dover price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Dover wages are 0.88 times the national level. Labor makes up about 41% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dover metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,050, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.5) and land at $50 to $150.
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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$7,000 to $9,850
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,150 to $12,000
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,200 to $14,100
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,850 – $4,000 | $3,700 – $4,850 | $4,550 – $5,700 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,400 – $4,750 | $4,400 – $5,800 | $5,450 – $6,850 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,450 – $10,500 | $9,750 – $12,700 | $12,000 – $15,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,350 – $13,100 | $12,100 – $15,900 | $15,000 – $18,700 |
How Dover compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Dover. Lancaster comes closest at about $11,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | |
| Vineland, NJ25 miles | $8,200 – $16,400 | $12,300 | +17% |
| Atlantic City, NJ45 miles | $7,650 – $15,400 | $11,500 | +9% |
| Philadelphia, PA55 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +8% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $7,700 – $15,500 | $11,600 | +10% |
| Lancaster, PA75 miles | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | +5% |
| Delaware (statewide) | $7,300 – $14,700 | $11,000 | +4% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +8% |
Across 300 US metros, Dover comes in at #172 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Dover is 4% 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 | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | +3% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −2% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | +6% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −2% |
Dover labor market for wood deck
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 0.88 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $25.07 an hour, which is 14% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.87 and $32.20 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 39.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% 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 carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($32.20 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $970. At the 25th percentile ($22.87) it shrinks by about $300. The total moves by 9.2% or 2.8%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.87 | $25.07 | $32.20 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.50 | $22.02 | $24.63 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Dover
Because every project leans on different trades, Dover's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −2% and composite deck −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,000 – $22,100 | −8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,950 – $5,350 | −2% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $27,300 – $54,800 | −6% |
Climate in Dover: timing your wood deck 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 |
Why two Dover quotes can differ
Replacement versus new
Deck replacement costs $30-$55 per sq ft because of demolition and haul-away.
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Add-ons priced for Dover
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Dover by the average of the local wage index (0.88) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.92. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,300 – $2,400 |
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 $9,150 to $12,000 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.
Wood deck in Dover: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Dover?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,000 to $14,100 in the Dover area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,150 to $12,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Dover?
About $23 to $46.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Dover or Vineland?
Vineland is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $12,300, which is 17% more than Dover ($10,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dover?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $4,350 out of $10,500. Materials are 58% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Dover?
$7,450 to $15,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Dover?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Dover area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dover expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Delaware?
Dover is 4% below the Delaware statewide estimate ($11,000 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Dover?
The BLS median is $25.07 an hour in the Dover area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.87 to $32.20.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Dover?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,000 to $9,850 and premium work $11,200 to $14,100. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+When is the best time to build a wood deck 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.
+What does "add stairs" add in Dover?
$1,300 to $2,400, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck 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 It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking 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