Home project costs in Dover, DE
Every project we cover, priced for the Dover metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Dover area is 97.5 against 100 for the US, which puts Dover 109th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 96.4. BLS counts roughly 68,080 jobs here.
In Dover, 1 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 35 below, and 2 are level with it. The highest against the national midpoint are roof replacement (+1%), metal roof (level) and attic insulation (level); the biggest discounts are home addition (−9%), composite deck (−8%) and kitchen cabinets (−8%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Dover, 1 miles away) shows a January average low of 28°F, a July average high of 87°F and 48 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are April through October; for exterior installation, they are February through December.
What local trades earn in Dover
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $18.50 | $22.02 | $24.63 | $22.66 | 0.97 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $22.87 | $25.07 | $32.20 | $29.12 | 0.86 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $21.38 | $23.49 | $28.71 | $28.78 | 0.82 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $24.22 | $28.08 | $36.70 | $30.67 | 0.92 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $22.09 | $25.27 | $30.38 | $27.41 | 0.92 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $22.51 | $29.21 | $36.72 | $30.38 | 0.96 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $24.27 | $28.04 | $28.37 | $26.65 | 1.05 |
Concrete & paving in Dover
The 7 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Dover, from −7% (gravel driveway) to −2% (paver patio).
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Dover | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,950 | −5% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Dover | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,600 | −7% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Dover | 600 sq ft | $2,900 – $7,050 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Dover | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,500 | −7% |
| Paver patio cost in Dover | 300 sq ft | $2,950 – $5,350 | −2% |
| Concrete patio cost in Dover | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −6% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Dover | 400 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,500 | −5% |
Decks & outdoor in Dover
The 2 jobs here average −8% versus the US in Dover, from −8% (composite deck) to −7% (wood deck).
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Dover | 300 sq ft | $7,000 – $14,100 | −7% |
| Composite deck cost in Dover | 300 sq ft | $11,000 – $22,100 | −8% |
Building & additions in Dover
Across these 2 projects, Dover averages −7% against national midpoints. Detached garage is highest at −6% and home addition lowest at −9%.
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Dover | 576 sq ft | $27,300 – $54,800 | −6% |
| Home addition cost in Dover | 300 sq ft | $34,700 – $70,400 | −9% |
Doors & windows in Dover
The 5 jobs here average −6% versus the US in Dover, from −7% (storm door) to −4% (window replacement).
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Dover | 1 door | $650 – $3,500 | −6% |
| Storm door cost in Dover | 1 door | $320 – $880 | −7% |
| Front door cost in Dover | 1 door | $450 – $2,350 | −6% |
| Window replacement cost in Dover | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,400 | −4% |
| Patio door cost in Dover | 1 door | $570 – $5,600 | −6% |
Fencing in Dover
The 4 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Dover, from −6% (wood fence) to −5% (vinyl fence).
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Dover | 150 linear ft | $2,850 – $7,200 | −6% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Dover | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,700 | −5% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Dover | 150 linear ft | $1,450 – $5,800 | −6% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Dover | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,900 | −5% |
Roofing & exterior in Dover
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Dover, from −6% (vinyl siding) to +1% (roof replacement).
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Dover | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,200 – $12,600 | +1% |
| Metal roof cost in Dover | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,300 – $32,400 | level |
| Gutters cost in Dover | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Dover | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,850 – $23,600 | −6% |
| Attic insulation cost in Dover | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 | level |
Kitchen & bath in Dover
Across these 5 projects, Dover averages −5% against national midpoints. Kitchen backsplash is highest at −3% and kitchen cabinets lowest at −8%.
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Dover | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $12,900 | −8% |
| Shower pan cost in Dover | 1 pan | $890 – $2,700 | −4% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Dover | 120 sq ft | $17,600 – $29,900 | −5% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Dover | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,000 | −6% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Dover | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −3% |
Landscaping & drainage in Dover
Across these 5 projects, Dover averages −4% against national midpoints. Retaining wall is highest at −2% and sprinkler system lowest at −6%.
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Dover | 60 linear ft | $580 – $2,050 | −3% |
| Retaining wall cost in Dover | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,900 – $13,100 | −2% |
| Sod installation cost in Dover | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Dover | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,750 – $9,400 | −6% |
| Inground pool cost in Dover | 450 sq ft | $34,300 – $107,500 | −5% |
Flooring & interior in Dover
The 3 jobs here average −4% versus the US in Dover, from −6% (hardwood flooring) to −2% (tile flooring).
| Project | Size | Dover range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Dover | 500 sq ft | $5,150 – $11,700 | −6% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Dover | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,650 | −5% |
| Tile flooring cost in Dover | 200 sq ft | $2,400 – $9,750 | −2% |
Dover against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Dover prices −5% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 6 price higher and none lower. Lexington Park is the lowest at −1% (75 miles) and Vineland the highest at +13% (25 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DEthis page | 97.5 | 96.4 | −5% | |
| Vineland, NJ | 25 miles | 96.0 | 99.8 | +13% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 45 miles | 98.9 | 99.8 | +6% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 55 miles | 102.6 | 96.8 | +4% |
| Baltimore, MD | 60 miles | 104.5 | 102.4 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 75 miles | 98.3 | 100.7 | level |
| Lexington Park, MD | 75 miles | 100.8 | 99.7 | −1% |