Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Total tear-off + disposal cost
$3,108
Tear-off labor
$2,860
Disposal / dumpster cost
$248
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter roof area (sq ft).
- 2Enter existing shingle layers.
- 3Enter tear-off labor rate ($/square).
- 4Enter landfill disposal rate ($/ton).
- 5Read your total tear-off + disposal cost on the right — it updates as you type.
- 6Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
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.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Roof area: 2200 sq ft
- Existing shingle layers: 1 layer
- Tear-off labor rate: 130 $/square
- Landfill disposal rate: 75 $/ton
Results
- Total tear-off + disposal cost: $3,108
- Tear-off labor: $2,860
- Disposal / dumpster cost: $248
What each field means
Inputs
- Roof area (sq ft)
- The roof area used in the calculation, measured in sq ft. Starts at 2200 sq ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 200–15000 sq ft.
- Existing shingle layers
- Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: 1 layer, 2 layers — +30% labor, 3 layers — +55% labor.
- Tear-off labor rate ($/square)
- The tear-off labor rate used in the calculation, measured in $/square. Starts at 130 $/square so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 60–300 $/square.
- Landfill disposal rate ($/ton)
- The landfill disposal rate used in the calculation, measured in $/ton. Starts at 75 $/ton so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 30–150 $/ton.
Results
- Total tear-off + disposal cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Tear-off labor
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Disposal / dumpster cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Can a new roof just be installed over the old one?
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.
Why does disposal cost vary so much by location?
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.
How much does each extra layer of shingles add to tear-off cost?
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.
Does tear-off cost include repairing damaged roof decking?
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.
Accuracy and 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.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Roof Tear-Off & Disposal Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/roof-tear-off-disposal-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/roof-tear-off-disposal-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Roof Tear-Off & Disposal Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Roof Tear-Off & Disposal Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/roof-tear-off-disposal-cost) (2026).