Roof tear-off cost is driven by the number of existing layers, roof pitch, building height, the material being removed, disposal and dump fees, access, and how much decking turns out to need replacement. Price it per square from the measured roof area, add layer and steep/high adjustments, and include a per-sheet decking allowance so hidden damage doesn't come out of your margin.
- →Price per square off the measured area, not a guess
- →Each extra layer adds labor and disposal weight
- →Steep pitch and second-story roofs cost more to strip
- →Set a per-sheet decking price in the contract up front
The cost drivers
| Driver | Why it matters | How to account for it |
|---|---|---|
| Layers | More weight and labor per square | Per-square add for each extra layer |
| Pitch | Slower, needs safety setup | Steep charge by facet pitch |
| Height | Harder material handling | High-roof charge per story |
| Material | Tile, slate, and wood shakes take longer than asphalt | Material-specific removal rate |
| Disposal | Dumpster and landfill fees vary locally | Line item by tonnage or load |
| Decking | Unknown until stripped | Per-sheet price in the contract |
| Access | Landscaping, tight lots, long carry | Site-specific add |
Pricing it on an insurance job
Carrier estimates usually price removal per square, but they may miss additional layers or steep and high charges. Photograph the layer count at the eave, and compare removal squares against the measured roof. See steep and high roof charges.
Explaining it to the homeowner
- Show the measured roof area and pitch
- Explain extra layers with a photo
- Put the per-sheet decking price in writing before work starts
- Show disposal as its own line
RoofGenius builds retail Good/Better/Best proposals from the measured roof, with tear-off and disposal as their own lines. See the AI Estimator.