Cost of Raising Roof on a Cape Cod House [2025 Data]

Single or Double Dormer

One major factor affecting the cost of raising a roof on a Cape Cod house is whether you choose to add a single dormer, which creates full-height ceilings on one half of the second story, or a double dormer, which will make the entire second story full height. Adding a single dormer costs an average of around $40,000 while adding a double dormer costs around $60,000.

General Contractor Costs

Hiring a general contractor costs an average of 10% to 20% of the total project cost. The general contractor will oversee the construction, coordinate all of the pros necessary to complete the project, and ensure everything is built to code and according to the project plans. 

Roofer Costs

Once the framing is built and the structure of the roof is raised, you’ll need to bring in a roofer to install the new roof. Hiring a roofer costs $45 to $250 per hour on top of material costs. Roofer costs may depend on the time of year, the type of roof, and whether you’re fully replacing your roof or just having the new section built. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

• Architect: Architect services cost an average of $125–250 an hour.

• Electrician: Hiring an electrician to rewire the dormered area costs $50–$100 an hour, on average.

• Structural engineer: A structural engineer charges about $75 and $250 an hour.

• Window installer: Window installers cost an average of $35–$100 an hour.

• Siding installer: Labor costs for installing new siding average between $40 and $75 an hour.

Additional Cost Factors

Because raising a roof is a complex construction project, there are a variety of factors that affect the total cost. We’ll explore some additional costs to keep in mind as you’re budgeting for your project. 

Permits

Raising the roof in your Cape Cod home means altering the structural components, which will always require building permits. You can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on your location and how your municipality charges for building permits—either as a flat rate or a percentage of the total renovation cost.

Framing

Framing is a big part of a Cape Cod dormer. Your contractor will likely build rafters rather than bring in premade roof trusses, which is more common in new construction. Building rafters will likely cost between $4,000 and $8,000, making up a significant portion of your total costs.

New Roof

A new roof over your Cape Cod dormer will cost between $3,000 and $6,000 for a single dormer and up to $12,000 for a double dormer. That includes standard asphalt shingles, but your prices can vary if you choose a different roofing material. You can use the table below to estimate your roof cost based on the roofing material you want.

Windows

Installing new windows costs an average of $850 each, or anywhere from $300 to $1,000 each for the types of windows popular in the second story of a Cape Cod home.

Most Cape Cod houses without raised roofs already have doghouse dormers with windows on the second floor. In some cases, your contractor might be able to salvage and reuse the windows in the new full dormer wall, saving you money. Ask your professional if this is possible or if they recommend upgrading the windows to something more energy-efficient.

Siding

The exterior walls that your contractors build that extend upward from your lower roof will need finishing on the exterior, so you’ll have to pay for siding and trim. The average cost for siding materials and installation labor is around $7 per square foot, but your total will depend on the type of siding you choose.

You can use the table below to get an idea of what you’ll pay for new siding based on the material.

Chimney Alteration

Chimneys present a unique challenge when raising a roof. Since Cape Cod homes often have one or two chimneys protruding up through the middle of the roof, you’ll likely pay more than you would for a different type of home.

When dormering a Cape Cod house, you can expect additional costs of between $500 and $6,000 per chimney. This includes altering the chimney to extend above the new roof or relocating it entirely.

Relocation

Raising the ceiling requires a partial teardown and rebuilding of your house. With a major renovation project like this, you will most likely need to move out during part or all of the project's duration.

When totaling the cost of raising the roof of your Cape Cod house, factor in the cost of living in a short-term rental or extended-stay hotel for two to three months, or until the project is complete. Talk to your contractor for an accurate timeline for your specific project. You could pay anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 or more for accommodations, depending on the location, type of accommodations, and more.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Raise the Roof on a Cape Cod House

Raising a roof on a Cape Cod house is an extremely involved and labor-intensive project that requires help from multiple professionals. This isn’t a job suitable for DIYers to tackle, even if they have extensive experience. The dormer will require altering the structural components of your home, which is dangerous to do yourself and also illegal in most municipalities.

While the cost to raise a roof on a Cape Cod house through professionals is expensive, averaging around $60,000, it’s always worth it to have the job done correctly and legally. Call in local roofing repair companies, general contractors, electricians, structural engineers, and more for the best results.

If you have experience as a DIYer, you can tackle some of the work yourself to save money. Consider interior finishes, like hanging drywall, spackling, painting, installing flooring, connecting light fixtures, hanging interior doors, and putting up trim.

Raising a Roof vs. Replacement

When the old roof on your Cape Cod home needs replacement, it’s the perfect time to consider raising the roof rather than just replacing the existing roof. While there’s a significant cost difference between the two projects, raising the roof at the same time as replacing the existing roofing will save you from having to replace the whole thing later.

The cost to replace a roof averages between $5,800 and $13,000, but raising the roof can cost four or five times that amount or more. If you’re considering taking the plunge to give your home a full second story, it can be more cost effective to do it when your roof needs to be replaced anyway. 

Ways to Save Money Raising the Roof on a Cape Cod House

Raising a roof on a Cape Cod home is an expensive endeavor—costs can quickly add up with extra features that you might want to include for long-term value. Thankfully, you can save money on your Cape Cod dormer costs in various ways:

• Opt for a half dormer. When you’re expanding the second floor of your Cape Cod, you can choose to dormer just the front, just the back, or both. Doing both will open up your second floor much more, but it costs an average of $20,000 more than a half dormer.

• Reuse existing windows. If possible, have your contractor reuse the windows you have in your doghouse dormers rather than buying new ones. This is only a good idea if you know they’re relatively new and energy-efficient.

• Choose affordable roofing and siding materials. Roofing materials can vary wildly in price, from around $2 per square foot for asphalt to $30 or more for copper. The same is true for siding, with vinyl averaging around $8 per square foot and stone costing as much as $30 per square foot. If possible, choose more affordable materials to save on exterior finishing costs.

• DIY what you can. Raising or installing a roof isn’t a good DIY project and should always involve help from professionals, but you can tackle other portions of the work to save on labor costs. If you’re comfortable, you can consider things like hanging drywall, painting, laying down flooring, installing insulation, and more.

• Consider cost-effective housing. Relocation during your construction project can cost thousands if you stay in a short-term rental or extended-stay hotel. If possible, consider staying with family or friends to save on temporary housing costs.

Does Raising the Roof on a Cape Cod House Increase Home Value?

Raising the roof on your Cape Cod home can provide a significant return on your investment—an average of 50% to 55% of the project cost. When it comes time to sell your home, a raised roof that creates a full second floor instead of the half story traditionally found in Cape Cod homes can make your home more appealing to buyers and allow you to raise your asking price. If the work has been done recently, you’ll also have the selling advantage of a new roof, which is an expense most buyers don’t want to be saddled with. 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.