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This article breaks down a $12,000 asphalt shingle re-roof into every line item so you can see exactly where the money goes: shingles ($3,500), underlayment and ice shield ($600), ridge cap and starter strip ($400), drip edge and flashing ($300), nails and incidentals ($150), dump fee ($400), permit ($250), and labor ($6,400). Use this breakdown to vet contractor estimates and spot inflated line items. Pair with our Replacement Cost Guide.
On a typical asphalt reroof, the shingles themselves are well under half the cost. Knowing where the rest goes is what lets you read a quote properly and spot the one that has left something out.
| Line | Roughly what it covers |
|---|---|
| Labour | Usually the largest single line — install plus tear-off |
| Shingles | Three bundles per square plus waste |
| Tear-off and disposal | Per layer; a second layer roughly doubles it |
| Underlayment and ice barrier | Whole-roof coverage plus eaves and valleys |
| Flashing | Step, counter, apron, kickout, pipe boots — all new |
| Drip edge, starter, ridge cap | Priced by the linear foot, not the square |
| Ventilation | Ridge vent, and opening up soffit intake if it is blocked |
| Nails and fasteners | Small in cost, large in consequence |
| Permit | Varies by jurisdiction; ask whether it is included |
| Decking replacement | A contingency at a per-sheet rate, not a line item |
Flashing, underlayment and ventilation. All three are small fractions of the total and all three are what decides whether the roof lasts its rated life. A quote that saves money by reusing flashing is deferring a leak, not avoiding a cost.
Usually the largest single line on an asphalt reroof — larger than the shingles themselves. That is why regional labour rates move a quote more than the choice of shingle brand does.
The permit and replacement decking most often. Decking cannot be quoted in advance because nobody can see it until the shingles are off, so it should appear as a per-sheet contingency rate.
Flashing, underlayment and ventilation. All three are small fractions of the total and all three decide whether the roof reaches its rated life.
Line by line against the same scope: is all the flashing new, is drip edge included on eaves and rakes, is starter a real product, what ventilation is included, what is the decking rate, is the permit in the price, and what are both warranties.