{
  "slug": "roof-tear-off-disposal-cost",
  "title": "Roof Tear-Off & Disposal Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Roof Tear-Off & Disposal Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/roof-tear-off-disposal-cost",
  "summary": "Old shingle removal labor, dumpster/haul-away, and layer surcharges by roof square.",
  "description": "Before new shingles go on, the old roof usually has to come off, and that tear-off and disposal step is priced separately from the reroofing labor itself — it scales with roof area (measured in 'squares', where 1 square = 100 sq ft) and the number of existing shingle layers, since removing two or three layers takes meaningfully longer than one. This calculator prices tear-off labor per square, adds a multiplier for extra layers, and adds a disposal or dumpster cost sized to the estimated weight of debris (roughly 250-450 lbs per square depending on shingle type). 2026 US national averages run about $100-$200 per square for single-layer tear-off labor, with each additional layer adding roughly 25-40% more labor time, and disposal/dumpster costs typically running $400-$800 for a standard 20-30 square residential roof depending on local landfill tipping fees.",
  "formula": "Squares = Roof Area / 100. Tear-Off Labor = Squares × Rate × Layer Multiplier. Disposal = Squares × Weight per Square × Disposal Rate per Ton.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=roof-tear-off-disposal-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "roofSqft",
      "label": "Roof area",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 2200,
      "unit": "sq ft",
      "min": 200,
      "max": 15000
    },
    {
      "id": "layers",
      "label": "Existing shingle layers",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "1",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "1",
          "label": "1 layer"
        },
        {
          "value": "2",
          "label": "2 layers — +30% labor"
        },
        {
          "value": "3",
          "label": "3 layers — +55% labor"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "tearOffRate",
      "label": "Tear-off labor rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 130,
      "unit": "$/square",
      "min": 60,
      "max": 300
    },
    {
      "id": "disposalRatePerTon",
      "label": "Landfill disposal rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 75,
      "unit": "$/ton",
      "min": 30,
      "max": 150
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "totalCost",
      "label": "Total tear-off + disposal cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "laborCost",
      "label": "Tear-off labor",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "disposalCost",
      "label": "Disposal / dumpster cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Roof area: 2200 sq ft",
      "Existing shingle layers: 1 layer",
      "Tear-off labor rate: 130 $/square",
      "Landfill disposal rate: 75 $/ton"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Total tear-off + disposal cost: $3,108",
      "Tear-off labor: $2,860",
      "Disposal / dumpster cost: $248"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter roof area (sq ft).",
      "Enter existing shingle layers.",
      "Enter tear-off labor rate ($/square).",
      "Enter landfill disposal rate ($/ton).",
      "Read your total tear-off + disposal cost on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "roofSqft": 1300,
        "layers": "1",
        "tearOffRate": 80,
        "disposalRatePerTon": 45
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "roofSqft": 2200,
        "layers": "1",
        "tearOffRate": 130,
        "disposalRatePerTon": 75
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "roofSqft": 3500,
        "layers": "1",
        "tearOffRate": 210,
        "disposalRatePerTon": 120
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Can a new roof just be installed over the old one?",
      "a": "Building codes in most jurisdictions allow up to two layers of asphalt shingles, so a re-roof over one existing layer is sometimes allowed to skip tear-off cost — but most roofers recommend against it since it hides deck damage, adds weight, and shortens the new roof's lifespan."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why does disposal cost vary so much by location?",
      "a": "Landfill tipping fees for construction debris vary widely by region — dense urban areas and states with limited landfill capacity often charge $80-$150 per ton, while rural areas with more disposal capacity can be under $50 per ton, directly affecting your tear-off quote."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much does each extra layer of shingles add to tear-off cost?",
      "a": "Each additional layer adds roughly 25-40% more labor time and disposal weight, since crews have to strip and haul away significantly more material — a 3-layer tear-off can take nearly twice as long as a clean single-layer job."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does tear-off cost include repairing damaged roof decking?",
      "a": "No — tear-off and disposal pricing covers removing the old shingles and underlayment down to the deck. Any rotted or damaged plywood sheathing found underneath is typically billed separately, often per sheet replaced, once the crew can see the deck condition."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gutter-guard-installation-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/ridge-vent-installation-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/dumpster-rental-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Roof Tear-Off & Disposal Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/roof-tear-off-disposal-cost)"
}