Removing a cedar shake roof typically costs $1.50-$4.50 per square foot of roof area, or about $3,000-$9,000 for a 2,000-square-foot roof. Price depends on roof pitch, number of shingle layers, access, labor rates, and disposal fees; replacing the roof is a separate expense.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Removal per roof sq ft | $1.50 | $2.75 | $4.50 | Includes tear-off and ordinary cleanup |
| 2,000-sq-ft roof removal | $3,000 | $5,500 | $9,000 | Roof area, not home floor area |
| Extra layer removal | $0.50 | $1.00 | $2.00 | Per sq ft for each added layer |
| Disposal | $300 | $700 | $1,500 | Varies with volume and local fees |
What Cedar Shake Roof Removal Usually Costs
For a straightforward tear-off of one cedar layer, a contractor may charge $1.50-$3.50 per square foot. Difficult access, steep slopes, multiple layers, or extensive hand work can raise the rate to $3-$4.50 per square foot. A 1,500-square-foot roof may run $2,250-$6,750; a 3,000-square-foot roof may cost $4,500-$13,500.
Use the measured roof surface rather than the home’s footprint when checking an estimate. A 2,000-square-foot house can have substantially more roof area because of its pitch, dormers, and overhangs. Assumptions: one layer of shakes, normal access, basic cleanup, and no deck repairs.
How Tear-Off Labor and Disposal Appear on Quotes
Removal bids usually combine labor, debris handling, and disposal, but asking for itemized charges helps reveal what is included. A dumpster, protective tarps, and cleanup may be bundled or billed separately. The ranges below are typical planning figures, not fixed national rates.
| Quote component | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tear-off labor | $1.00-$2.75 | Per roof sq ft | Pitch, layers, crew access |
| Dumpster and hauling | $300-$1,200 | Per project | Load size and haul distance |
| Shake disposal | $200-$1,000 | Per project | Local landfill rates and volume |
| Site protection and cleanup | $150-$600 | Per project | Landscaping and property layout |
| Deck inspection or minor prep | $100-$500 | Per project | Scope and contractor pricing |
Roof removal labor commonly represents the largest share of the bill. A crew of three or four may spend 8-16 hours on a typical 2,000-square-foot roof, with longer schedules for steep or layered roofs.
Why Pitch, Roof Size, and Shake Layers Change the Bid
Roofers often use a steeper rate for slopes above 6:12, where additional fall protection and slower movement are needed. Roofs above 8:12 may require specialized access and can fall near the top of the price range. Valleys, dormers, skylights, and tight staging areas also add labor.
Each additional layer can add roughly $0.50-$2 per square foot, depending on how the materials are fastened and whether the underlying roof must be protected. A 2,000-square-foot roof with two layers could therefore add $1,000-$4,000 over a single-layer tear-off. Confirm how many layers the estimate includes and whether hidden layers are billed as a change order.
How Cedar Roof Removal Rates Vary Across the U.S.
Contractor labor and disposal prices vary by location. In lower-cost rural markets, a basic removal may be 10%-20% below the national planning range, while major metro areas and high-cost coastal markets can run 15%-35% higher. Local landfill restrictions, travel distance, and contractor availability can matter as much as the regional labor market.
These percentages are broad budgeting adjustments, not a substitute for local bids. In areas where cedar shakes require special handling or landfill sorting, disposal may be higher even when labor is moderate. Compare quotes from roofers working in the same local market and using the same roof-area measurement.
What Steep Roofs and Tight Access Add to Labor Time
A simple, accessible roof may be stripped in one workday, while a large or steep roof can take two days or more. Labor rates commonly fall around $50-$100 per worker-hour when priced separately, though many contractors quote a flat per-square-foot charge. A longer carry from roof edge to dumpster or limited driveway access can slow the crew.
Ask whether the quoted crew will remove shakes by hand, how many workers are included, and whether weather delays affect the schedule or price. Labor charges should identify the tear-off scope, cleanup, and any extra rate for steep-slope work.
Dumpster Fees and Hidden Layers That Raise the Total
Cedar shakes create bulky debris, and disposal costs can rise if the load exceeds a dumpster allowance or requires extra hauling. A standard debris allowance may be included, while an additional haul can add about $300-$800. Some estimates also exclude removal of old underlayment, nails, or damaged flashing.
Before signing, check whether the price covers tarps, magnetic nail cleanup, gutter protection, and disposal receipts if required. If a second layer is discovered, the written agreement should state the added per-square-foot charge. Clarifying disposal limits in advance helps prevent a low initial quote from growing after tear-off begins.
Three Roof Sizes Show How Removal Quotes Add Up
For comparison, these examples assume one layer, ordinary access, and no deck replacement. Actual roof area and local disposal rules can change the total.
| Roof scenario | Area and conditions | Approximate total | Implied rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small ranch | 1,200 sq ft, low pitch, 8 labor hours | $1,800-$3,600 | $1.50-$3.00 per sq ft |
| Average home | 2,000 sq ft, moderate pitch, 12 labor hours | $3,000-$7,000 | $1.50-$3.50 per sq ft |
| Large steep roof | 3,000 sq ft, steep pitch, 20 labor hours | $7,500-$13,500 | $2.50-$4.50 per sq ft |
Use these totals to screen estimates, then compare the written scope line by line. A quote that includes a dumpster, cleanup, and one extra layer will not match a basic single-layer tear-off rate.
Where Homeowners Can Trim a Cedar Shake Tear-Off Bill
Request at least three itemized estimates based on the same roof measurements and removal scope. Confirm whether each includes one or multiple layers, hauling, disposal, cleanup, and protection of landscaping. If a replacement is planned, scheduling removal and installation with one contractor may reduce repeated setup or hauling charges, although the combined bid should still show both scopes separately.
Clear access to the driveway and move vehicles or outdoor items before the crew arrives. Avoid paying for deck replacement before the shakes are removed and the wood is inspected; necessary repairs are easier to price once damage is visible. Do not cut fall protection, cleanup, or proper disposal to save money on a roof tear-off.
A repair may cost less than full removal when damage is limited to a small area, but widespread splitting, leaks, or failing underlayment can make patching short-lived. Ask a roofer to separate the cost of localized shake replacement from full tear-off so the price comparison includes the expected scope, not just the lowest immediate bill.