Quick Answer: Contractor costs in Denver run about 15% above the national average. Expect general contractors around $55-$170/hr or 12-23% of project and HVAC labor near $85-$170/hr.
Contractor Costs in Denver (2026 Local Rates)
Denver is a moderate-high market, so this guide applies a local multiplier of about 1.15x to national contractor benchmarks. Use it to sanity-check repair, remodel, and maintenance bids before you compare written proposals.
Smaller projects in Denver may also carry service-call minimums, permit fees, disposal charges, or after-hours premiums. Emergency electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work often lands above the ranges below.
Denver Contractor Rate Table
| Trade | Denver Rate | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | $55-$170/hr or 12-23% of project | $50-$150/hr or 10-20% of project |
| Electrician | $55-$115/hr | $50-$100/hr |
| Plumber | $50-$230/hr | $45-$200/hr |
| Roofer | $170-$400/square | $150-$350/square |
| HVAC | $85-$170/hr | $75-$150/hr |
| Painter (exterior, 1,500 sqft house) | $2,900-$5,750 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Landscaper | $55-$115/hr | $50-$100/hr |
| Drywall | $46-$69/sheet installed | $40-$60/sheet installed |
| Flooring install | $3.5-$14/sqft | $3-$12/sqft |
These are planning ranges, not fixed quotes. Material grade, permit scope, site access, and contractor backlog can move real bids above or below the table.
What Affects Contractor Prices in Denver?
Denver pricing usually runs above the national midpoint because wages are strong, demand is consistent, and many projects need crews who can handle both modern code requirements and older housing stock.
Roofing costs can spike after hail season, while HVAC and insulation work often reflect higher expectations around energy performance, comfort, and altitude-aware system sizing.
Weather windows matter too. Snow, freeze-thaw cycles, and mountain-adjacent logistics can compress exterior schedules and keep top crews booked solid during the best build months.
🔧 Free Tools for Denver Homeowners & Contractors
Use these free tools to compare proposals, plan budgets, and pressure-test labor assumptions before you hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a general contractor cost in Denver?
In Denver, general contractors typically charge $55-$170/hr or 12-23% of project, while electricians often run $55-$115/hr. Actual bids move higher when permits, occupied-home logistics, specialty materials, or emergency scheduling are involved.
How much do common home services cost in Denver?
In Denver, roofing and HVAC work usually prices higher when hail season, altitude-aware system sizing, and compressed weather windows. For planning purposes, electricians average $55-$115/hr, plumbers average $50-$230/hr, roofers average $170-$400/square, and exterior painting on a 1,500-square-foot house typically lands around $2,900-$5,750.
Are contractor costs higher in Denver than the national average?
Yes. Denver is a moderate-high market at roughly 1.1-1.2x national average, so most labor-heavy residential jobs price about 15% above the national average. Local permit workload, labor availability, and hail season, altitude-aware system sizing, and compressed weather windows are the biggest reasons bids differ from national benchmarks.