Removal Costs of Three-Tab Composite Shingle Roofing

Cost Factors

• The cost of removing shingles is influenced by two factors. A roof can have one layer of shingles or multiple layers. The more layers of shingles, the more it will cost to remove them. The pitch of the roof, or its angle, is the other determining factor. A high pitched roof will cost more than a low pitch roof. Roofers sometimes put an even higher add-on cost for a pitched roof, such as a steeple.

Multiple Layers

• Roofers quote their work in squares or measurements of 100 square feet. A typical roof can have between 15 and 30 squares, depending upon the type of house. An approximate cost for removing a square on a low pitched roof with one layer is $90. If there are multiple layers, these can add $20 to $30 per square. These prices include the cost of cleanup, hauling the material away and putting tarps around any shrubs or other objects that may be harmed.

Pitch

• As the pitch increases, the cost per square goes up. A high pitched roof may add as much as $20 extra per square onto the normal costs. If the roof is steep enough that the roofers have to use rigging to stay upright, the cost can rise significantly. Roof removal can account for about 20 to 30 percent of the total roof replacement and is rarely broken out as a separate expense by the roofer.

Do It Yourself

• Homeowners can ask the roofing contractor about saving money by doing the roof tear off themselves. Some contractors are willing to give a discount for this while others are not. The job is dangerous in many ways. Falls are common for those who do not know how to walk a roof; and during the summer, rooftop temperatures can easily exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The homeowner still has to get rid of the torn-off material, and this can cost almost $1,000 alone for the container rental, the haul away and the fees for disposal.