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Roof Tear-Off Cost Calculator

Estimate Canadian 2026 cost to tear off an existing roof prior to re-roofing — by area (sqft), material (asphalt, metal, tile, slate, mod-bit, BUR, single-ply), layers, deck condition, storey, access, and disposal distance. Sized to NBC 2020 and CRCA detailing.

Roof Tear-Off Cost Calculator

Estimate Canadian 2026 cost to tear off an existing roof prior to re-roofing — by area (sqft), material being removed (asphalt shingles, metal, tile, slate, wood shake, mod-bit, BUR, single-ply), number of layers, deck condition, storey, access, and disposal distance. Sized to NBC 2020 and CRCA detailing.

Estimated tear-off cost
$4,308
Range: $3,662 – $5,170 · $2 per sqft installed
1 bins needed · 5200 lb estimated debris weight
labour + disposal + deck + permit + underlay + flashing
Tear-off labour
$2,100
Disposal bin
$640
Deck repair line
$815
Permit fee
$145
Underlayment removal
$440
Flashing removal
$168

What this calculator estimates

This calculator quotes the labour and disposal cost to strip an existing roof down to the bare deck in preparation for a new roof installation in 2026 Canadian dollars. It separates the tear-off scope from the new-system installation, which is what every legitimate CRCA-member quote should do. Use this number as the tear-off line you expect to see on a contractor estimate.

The bill is split into the line items real Canadian re-roof contractors invoice:

  • Tear-off labour — pry-bar and shovel removal, magnetic-roller pass for stray nails, load-out to the kerb bin. Priced per square foot at the production rate, scaled by material weight and layer count.
  • Disposal and bin — typically one 20-yard or 30-yard roll-off, sized to total debris weight (area × layers × material weight). Includes transfer-station tip fees and roll-off delivery.
  • Deck repair line — visual inspection plus a percentage-of-area allowance for replacing rotted sheathing once the deck is exposed.
  • Permit fee — municipal re-roof permit, required in most Canadian incorporated areas.
  • Underlayment removal — stripping old 15 lb or 30 lb felt and ice-and-water shield before installing new (ice-and-water is mandatory at eaves under NBC 9.26.5 in cold zones).
  • Flashing removal — pulling old step flashing, valley flashing, and counter-flashing for replacement.

A minimum service-call floor of C$720 applies on most Canadian tear-off jobs. Small jobs under 350 sqft hit the floor because mobilising a bin, crew, magnetic sweeper, and tarps is the dominant cost on tiny scopes.

How to use it

  1. Roof area (sqft) — measure the projected roof area on plan, not the surface area. For complex roofs, sum each plane.
  2. Existing roof material — drives both labour rate and disposal weight. Asphalt is the fastest and lightest; tile and slate take 2x to 3x the labour.
  3. Number of existing layers — single-layer is the baseline; 2-layer roughly doubles labour and disposal; 3-layer is NBC non-compliant.
  4. Sheathing condition — good (visual only), fair (~10 percent replacement, typical for a 15- to 20-year-old roof), poor (~25 percent replacement, typical for a roof with documented ice-dam or leak history).
  5. Building height — single-storey is the baseline. Two-storey adds 10 percent. Three-storey or higher adds 25 percent.
  6. Site access — easy (clear driveway, bin fits), moderate (some shrubs, narrow drive), difficult (tight lot, hoist required).
  7. Distance to transfer station — near (under 20 minutes), standard (20 to 60 minutes), far (over 60 minutes / rural rate).
  8. Re-roof permit required — toggle ON for most Canadian incorporated areas.
  9. Remove old felt / ice-and-water shield — toggle ON for most jobs.
  10. Remove old step and valley flashing — toggle ON for most jobs.

Typical 2026 Canadian roof tear-off cost ranges

Scope (single-storey, easy access, fair deck)2026 tear-off price
1,500 sqft, 1 layer asphalt shinglesC$2,600 – C$4,000
2,000 sqft, 1 layer architectural asphaltC$3,400 – C$5,200
2,000 sqft, 2 layer asphaltC$5,400 – C$8,200
2,500 sqft, 1 layer metal panelC$4,800 – C$7,400
2,000 sqft, concrete tileC$7,800 – C$11,500
2,000 sqft, slateC$9,800 – C$15,500
2,500 sqft, cedar shakeC$6,200 – C$9,500
3,000 sqft commercial mod-bitC$8,200 – C$12,500
Two-storey adder+10%
Three-storey or higher adder+25%
Difficult access (lift) adder+30%
Far disposal (rural Alberta / Sask) adder+30% on disposal line

Add 10 to 18 percent in cold-climate zones (Yukon, Nunavut, northern Ontario and Quebec) where seasonal weather windows and travel logistics increase the cost.

Cost drivers

Material weight. Tear-off labour and bin cost scale almost linearly with material weight. Asphalt shingle is around 260 lb per square; architectural laminate is 350 lb; concrete tile is 950 lb; slate is 800 lb; metal panel is 140 lb. Heavier materials need more crew time per square foot and more bin capacity.

Layers. Every additional layer roughly doubles strip-and-disposal cost. The NBC permits a maximum of two layers in most provinces; many municipalities (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal) have local bylaws that prohibit overlay entirely. If you find three layers during the strip, the deck inspection becomes critical.

Deck condition. Hidden rot is the largest single cost surprise on a Canadian re-roof. Ice-damming is the dominant cause: water backs up under shingles, soaks the deck at the eaves, and rots a 600 mm strip along the bottom of each slope. On a 15- to 25-year-old asphalt roof, plan for 5 to 15 percent deck replacement once stripped; on a slate or shake roof, plan for 10 to 25 percent.

Disposal cost. A 20-yard bin averages C$580 to C$720 in most Canadian metros in 2026, including delivery, pickup, and tip fee on 4-ton load. Tonnage overage runs C$95 to C$180 per ton. Rural Alberta and Saskatchewan add 25 to 40 percent for tip distance. Quebec construction-debris recycling rules add C$45 to C$85 per ton for mandatory diversion.

Permit fee. Municipal re-roof permits run C$120 to C$380 in 2026. Heritage districts may require exterior-appearance review (variable; C$80 to C$320). High-wind coastal BC requires uplift inspections. Always pull the permit.

Building height and access. Single-storey is the baseline. Two-storey adds 10 percent. Three-storey or higher adds 25 to 35 percent for fall-protection rental and lift mobilisation under provincial OHS regulations (Ontario Reg. 213/91, BC OHSR Part 11, Quebec Code de sécurité pour les travaux de construction).

When tear-off is required versus when overlay is allowed

Tear-off required when:

  • Existing roof has 2 or more layers (NBC limit).
  • Visible deck sag, soft spots, or daylight from below.
  • Ice-dam history with documented eave leaks.
  • Active leaks at 2 or more locations.
  • Insurance claim for hail, wind, or ice damage (carriers require deck inspection).
  • Heavy material being replaced with lighter (or vice versa).
  • Local bylaw prohibits overlay (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary).

Overlay allowed only when:

  • Existing roof is a single layer of asphalt shingles with no curl, no cupping, no granule loss.
  • Deck is documented sound.
  • New material is asphalt over asphalt (no other combinations).
  • Local code permits it.
  • Manufacturer’s warranty allows overlay.

In practice, tear-off is the correct call on more than 90 percent of Canadian re-roof jobs in 2026, and the percentage is higher in ice-damming-prone climates.

What to look for in a Canadian contractor

A competent tear-off contractor will:

  1. Walk the roof and probe seams, valleys, and flashings before quoting.
  2. Be a CRCA member or provincial roofing association member (OIRCA in Ontario, ARSA in Atlantic, RCABC in BC).
  3. Line-item tear-off, disposal, deck repair allowance, and permit on the quote.
  4. Provide a deck-repair allowance (sheets at a unit price) rather than a flat-fee number.
  5. Carry C$5 million liability and current WSIB / WCB coverage.
  6. Magnetic-sweep the driveway and lawn after every workday.
  7. Tarp all landscaping under the eaves before stripping starts.
  8. Provide before/after photos of the deck and any rotten sheathing.

Red flags: cash-only quotes, no WSIB or WCB clearance, no CRCA or provincial association membership, vague tear-off pricing folded into the new-roof price, sub-C$0.85/sqft tear-off pricing, no deck-repair allowance line.

Code references and standards (Canada)

  • NBC 2020 — Section 9.26 — Roofing (covers tear-off, deck assessment, underlayment, ice-and-water shield).
  • NBC 2020 — 9.26.5 — Mandatory ice-and-water shield from eave to 600 mm inside warm wall line.
  • CRCA Roofing Specifications Manual (2025) — Industry quality requirements for tear-off and reroof.
  • CSA A123.5 — Asphalt shingles made from glass felt and surfaced with mineral granules.
  • CSA A123.1 — Asphalt for use in construction of built-up roof coverings and waterproofing systems.
  • Provincial OHS Regulations — Fall protection above 3 m (Ontario Reg. 213/91, BC OHSR Part 11, Alberta OHS Code Part 9).
  • CRA Income Tax Folio S3-F4-C1 — Capital cost allowance for buildings (re-roof tax treatment).

Diagnostic checklist before tear-off

Before signing the contract, walk the roof with the contractor and confirm:

  • Layer count (count at the eave drip-edge and at vent boots).
  • Visible deck sag from below (attic inspection with flashlight).
  • Ice-dam stain pattern at eaves (interior ceiling water marks).
  • Active leak history.
  • Asbestos test on pre-1980 commercial built-up roofs (mandatory in Ontario and Quebec).
  • Solar panels (must be removed and reinstalled — C$1,800 to C$3,800 separate line).
  • Skylights (replace at the same time as the roof — C$600 to C$1,800 each).
  • Gutter condition (replace at re-roof if 10+ years old — C$8 to C$18 per linear foot installed).

Sources: 2026 CRCA Roofing Specifications Manual; NBC 2020 Section 9.26; CSA A123.5 and A123.1; provincial OHS regulations (Ontario, BC, Quebec, Alberta); HomeStars and Renomii 2026 installed-quote medians (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa); CRA capital cost allowance guidance.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to tear off a roof in 2026 Canada?
Most Canadian re-roof projects bill the tear-off line between C$1.20 and C$2.80 per square foot in 2026, including labour, a 20-yard disposal bin, deck inspection, and load-out. A typical 2,000-sqft single-storey asphalt-shingle tear-off with one layer runs C$3,400 to C$5,200. Two layers roughly doubles labour and bin weight. Heavy materials — concrete tile, slate, BUR — run 1.8x to 2.3x the asphalt rate. Source: 2026 CRCA (Canadian Roofing Contractors Association) cost guides, HomeStars and Renomii installed-quote medians from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and Ottawa.
Is tear-off included in a Canadian re-roof quote?
It should be, but always confirm. CRCA-member contractors line-item tear-off separately so you can see what you are paying for stripping versus the new system. Overlay quotes (new shingles installed over existing) priced 25 to 35 percent below tear-off are still legal in some Canadian municipalities up to a second layer — but they hide deck rot, double ice-dam risk, and void most IKO and BP shingle warranties past one layer. For ice-damming-prone climates (Ontario, Quebec, Maritime provinces, BC interior), tear-off is the only sensible choice.
How many disposal bins do I need for a roof tear-off in Canada?
A single layer of asphalt shingles weighs roughly 260 lb per square (100 sqft). A 20-yard disposal bin holds approximately 6,000 lb of shingle debris. A 2,000-sqft single-layer tear-off generates ~5,200 lb of debris and fits one 20-yard bin. A 2-layer tear-off needs two bins or one 30-yard. Concrete tile triples the weight per square — a 2,000-sqft tile tear-off needs two to three 20-yard bins. Tonnage overage runs C$95 to C$180 per ton over the cap. Bin rental in 2026 averages C$580 to C$720 in major Canadian metros (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal).
Do I need a permit to tear off a roof in Canada?
Yes, in most Canadian municipalities. The re-roof permit covers both tear-off and replacement and runs C$120 to C$380 for a typical residential job. Ontario, Quebec, and BC require permits in all incorporated areas; Alberta and Saskatchewan are more permissive. Permit fees are higher in heritage districts (where exterior-appearance review is required) and in coastal high-wind zones (where uplift inspections are required under NBC 2020 Part 9). Skipping the permit is a common reason re-roof claims under home insurance are denied — always pull the permit.
What is the difference between tear-off and overlay re-roofing in Canada?
Tear-off strips the existing roof down to the deck, inspects the sheathing, replaces underlayment and ice-and-water shield, and installs a new system. Overlay installs a new layer of shingles on top of the existing one. The NBC permits maximum two layers in most provinces. Overlay is cheaper (saves the tear-off cost) but: (1) hides deck rot and active leaks, (2) doubles the load on trusses (problematic in heavy-snow zones), (3) compounds ice-dam risk by trapping heat under the second layer, (4) voids most manufacturer warranties past one layer. A proper tear-off is the only way to get a 30-year shingle warranty and verify deck integrity in Canadian climates.
How long does a roof tear-off take in Canada?
A 2-person crew typically strips and loads 1,200 to 1,800 sqft of asphalt shingles per day in summer conditions. A 2,000-sqft single-layer asphalt tear-off completes in one day; a 2-layer strip takes two days; a 3,000-sqft tile or slate tear-off takes three to five days. Schedule the bin for the morning of tear-off and the new-roof installation for the same afternoon — never leave a deck exposed overnight without full ice-and-water shield dry-in. Most Canadian carriers require dry-in within 24 hours of strip; winter strips (Oct–Apr) are not recommended above 50° latitude.
What happens if there is rotten decking under the old roof?
Plan for it — Canadian roofs see more deck rot than US roofs because of ice-damming. On the typical 15- to 25-year-old asphalt roof, expect 5 to 15 percent of the deck to need replacement once stripped, more if there has been a known ice-dam leak. Most CRCA-member contractors quote a base deck-repair allowance (typically C$95 to C$140 per 4x8 sheet of OSB or plywood) that kicks in only if rot is found. Common rot zones: valleys, eaves under ice dams, around skylights and bath vents, and the north slope of any pitched roof. Budget C$500 to C$1,500 for a typical 2,000-sqft asphalt roof; budget C$2,000 to C$4,500 for an older slate or shake roof.
Can I tear off my own roof to save money in Canada?
Yes, but the savings are usually modest after bin, permit, ice-and-water shield, and disposal fees. A DIY tear-off on a 2,000-sqft single-layer asphalt roof typically saves C$900 to C$1,800 versus the contractor labour line — but you take on three serious risks: (1) fall hazard (WSIB and provincial WCB rules require fall protection above 3 metres), (2) homeowner-insurance exclusion (most Canadian policies exclude self-performed roof work from defect claims), (3) tight weather window — once the roof is stripped, you must dry-in the same day with ice-and-water shield. A safer middle path: pay the contractor to tear off and install, but negotiate a discount for handling your own bin rental and permit pull.

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