What an asphalt shingle roof costs
In 2026, a full asphalt shingle replacement runs $4.50 to $8.00 per square foot installed across most of the U.S. — about $450 to $800 per roofing square (a square is 100 sq ft of roof surface). For a typical 1,600 sq ft single-story ranch, that lands most projects between $9,000 and $16,000 including tear-off and disposal. Architectural (dimensional) shingles dominate the market and sit in the middle of that range; bargain 3-tab shingles trim 10–15% off the price, while designer or impact-rated shingles add 20–40%.
The five factors that move the number
1. Roof area, not house area. Your roof is bigger than your footprint. A moderate 6/12 pitch adds about 10% of surface area over the footprint; a steep 12/12 pitch adds over 40%. Two-story homes don't have more roof than a same-footprint ranch — but they cost more in labor because everything moves up a ladder.
2. Pitch. Steep roofs (8/12 and up) require harnesses, roof jacks, and slower work. Expect a 25–35% labor premium over a walkable roof.
3. Tear-off. Removing one layer of old shingles adds roughly $1.00–$1.50 per sq ft for labor plus a dumpster ($400–$600). Codes in most states allow a second layer over the first, but overlays shorten shingle life, void some warranties, and cost more to remove later — most contractors recommend tearing off.
4. Region. Labor rates swing the total more than material does. The same roof that costs $11,000 in Mississippi can run $15,000+ in coastal California or metro New York. Our calculator applies a state-level cost index to account for this.
5. Details and penetrations. Skylights, chimneys, dead valleys, and multiple dormers each add flashing labor — typically $300–$500 per feature done right.
Where asphalt wins (and where it doesn't)
Asphalt is the lowest upfront cost per year of service if you plan to stay 10–20 years. It installs in one to two days, every roofer knows it, and repairs are cheap. The trade-off is lifespan: 15–30 years depending on climate, versus 40+ for metal. In hail-prone states, ask about Class 4 impact-rated shingles — many insurers discount premiums 5–25% for them, which can pay back the upgrade.
How to read your estimate
The calculator itemizes materials (with a 10% waste allowance for ridge caps, starters, and cut-offs), labor adjusted for pitch and stories, and tear-off/disposal. Treat the range as a sanity check for contractor bids: quotes far below it usually mean corners (no permits, no drip edge, no underlayment upgrade), and quotes far above it deserve a written explanation.