Roofing cost guide
Roof Tear-Off Cost in 2026: Stripping & Disposal Pricing
Roof tear-off typically costs $1.00 to $2.00 per sq ft ($1,200–$3,200 for a typical home). Compare dumpster fees, second-layer surcharges, and labor.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Cost Snapshot
$1,200 – $3,200 per roof (~2,000 sq ft)
Tearing off and disposing of an existing asphalt shingle roof on a typical 2,000 sq ft home costs between $1,200 and $3,200 ($1.00 to $2.00 per square foot, or $100 to $200 per roofing square). Removing a second preexisting layer adds $35 to $60 per square due to doubled weight and tipping fees.
Typical planning range based on the published references reviewed for this guide. Use it to prepare questions and compare written, itemized contractor proposals. Actual costs vary with project scope, materials, access, permits, and local conditions.
Parts vs. Labor Breakdown
| Component | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Materials / equipment | $100 – $250 | Demolition shovels, roofing rippers, heavy-duty poly tarps to protect siding and landscaping, and wheeled rolling magnetic nail sweepers. |
| Labor | $750 – $1,950 | Roofing crew demolition labor: systematically stripping shingles with tear-off pitchforks, removing nails, pulling deteriorated underlayment, and sweeping deck clean. Benchmark: BLS reports a May 2025 national median wage of $26.65 per hour for roofers (10th to 90th percentile: $18.01 to $39.29). That is what an employee earns; the hourly rate used here is what a contractor bills, which also covers insurance, equipment, overhead, and margin. |
| Permits | $0 – $150 | Demolition permits are usually bundled into the overarching re-roofing permit, though some urban jurisdictions assess a separate construction waste management fee. |
| Disposal | $350 – $850 | 20-yard roll-off container delivery, 3 to 5 tons of asphalt shingle disposal tonnage fees at local municipal landfills, and haul charges. |
| supplies additional | $0 – $0 | Standard disposal supplies included in general contractor equipment line item. |
Cost by Roof Size & Scope
| Size / scope | Typical coverage | Estimated installed cost | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft roof (12 squares) | Small Ranch / Cottage | $900 – $2,100 | $1,350 |
| 1,800 sq ft roof (18 squares) | 3-Bedroom Single Story | $1,350 – $2,850 | $1,950 |
| 2,200 sq ft roof (22 squares) | Standard 4-Bedroom Home | $1,650 – $3,450 | $2,350 |
| 2,800 sq ft roof (28 squares) | Large Two-Story Home | $2,100 – $4,400 | $3,000 |
| 3,500 sq ft roof (35 squares) | Executive Estate | $2,600 – $5,500 | $3,800 |
Cost by Material & Method
| Type | Spec | Typical cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Layer Asphalt Shingle Tear-Off | Standard Base Scope | $1.00 – $1.60 / sq ft ($100–$160/sq) | Standard stripping of 1 existing layer of 3-tab or architectural shingles down to structural deck. |
| Double-Layer (Two Shingle Layers) Tear-Off | Heavy Debris Scope | $1.50 – $2.30 / sq ft ($150–$230/sq) | Stripping two preexisting shingle layers, doubling weight and landfill tipping charges. |
| Wood Shake / Cedar Shingle Tear-Off | High Volume Debris | $1.75 – $2.75 / sq ft ($175–$275/sq) | Labor-intensive cedar shake stripping including pulling individual furring skip-sheathing lath boards. |
| Heavy Clay or Concrete Tile Removal | Extreme Weight (800+ lbs/sq) | $2.50 – $4.50 / sq ft ($250–$450/sq) | Removing heavy barrel or flat masonry tile; requires specialized chute conveyors and crane staging. |
Additional Line Items Often Needed
| Item | Typical cost | Necessity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steep Pitch Surcharge (8:12 to 12:12) | $20 – $50 per square | As Needed | Required for roofs requiring continuous safety harness rigging and roof jacks. |
| Second-Layer Shingle Removal | $35 – $60 per square | As Needed | Adds labor hours and extra dumpster tonnage. |
| Landscape Tarping & Flowerbed Plywood Protection | $150 – $350 | Recommended | Protects ornamental shrubbery, AC units, and windows from falling debris. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to tear off a roof per square foot?
Tearing off an existing asphalt shingle roof costs between $1.00 and $2.00 per square foot ($100 to $200 per 100-sq-ft square) for a single layer, including dumpster disposal fees. A second layer increases costs to $1.50 to $2.30 per square foot.
Can you put new shingles over old shingles to save tear-off costs?
While international residential codes permit up to two layers of asphalt shingles, most reputable contractors recommend a complete tear-off. Stripping old shingles allows roofers to inspect wood decking for rot, guarantees ice and water shield adhesion, and prevents excessive structural weight.
How many tons of shingles come off a 2,000 sq ft roof?
A standard single layer of architectural shingles on a 2,000 sq ft roof weighs between 2.5 and 4.0 tons. Two layers can exceed 6 to 8 tons, necessitating a heavy-duty 20 or 30-yard dumpster.
Related Roofing cost guides
- Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement Cost in 2026
- Metal Roof Cost in 2026: Material & Installation Pricing
- Roof Decking Replacement Cost in 2026: Sheathing Price Guide
How we estimate these planning ranges and the sources we review.