Roof tear-off / 30 squares
3,000 sq ft of roof · 90 bundles
Dumpster size for a 30 square roof
Stripping one layer of architectural shingles from a 30-square roof (3,000 sq ft) produces about 6,300 lb (3.2 tons) of shingles taking up 8.6 loose cubic yards. That needs a 20-yard dumpster: the debris fills 43% of the box, and weight is what sets the size.
- 1Roof 30 squares · 3,000 sq ft
- 2Bundles 90 (1 layer)
- 3Tear-off weight 6,300 lb
- 4Dumpster 20-yard
How the 30-square figure is worked out
A square is 100 sq ft of roof. GAF's Timberline HDZ architectural shingle is sold at 70 lb a bundle and 3 bundles a square, so 210 lb a square; GAF's Royal Sovereign 3-tab is 62 lb a bundle, 186 lb a square. Multiplying by 30 gives 6,300 lb and 5,580 lb. Loose shingles take space at EPA's figure of 731 lb per cubic yard for composition roofing, so the architectural tear-off fills 8.6 cubic yards. Nails, underlayment and flashing add a little to both numbers.
The size comes from Republic Services' published weight capacities. By volume alone the shingles would fit a smaller box, but 3.2 tons is more than the 2-ton low end of the 10- and 15-yard capacities, so the 20-yard (4–5 tons) is the first that carries it. That is the same size as for a 25-square roof.
Two layers, 3-tab and heavy shingles
| Shingle | 1 layer | Size | 2 layers | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural (laminated) shingles (210 lb/sq) | 6,300 lb | 20 yd | 12,600 lb | 40 yd |
| 3-tab shingles (186 lb/sq) | 5,580 lb | 20 yd | 11,160 lb | 30 yd |
| Heavyweight designer shingles (360 lb/sq) | 10,800 lb | 30 yd | 21,600 lb | 2 × 30 yd |
A second layer doubles the weight to 12,600 lb, which moves the job up to a 40-yard. Heavyweight designer shingles such as Owens Corning's Berkshire (360 lb a square nominal) weigh 10,800 lb for one layer. If you do not know how many layers are on the roof, check at a gable edge or a vent before ordering.
What the published rental prices include
Bin There Dump That (New Hampshire franchise) lists a 20-yard in New Hampshire at $750 with 2 tons included, 1.2 tons short of this tear-off; Bin There Dump That (Central Massachusetts franchise) lists a 20-yard in Central Massachusetts at $700 with 3 tons included, 0.1 tons short of this tear-off; Bin There Dump That (Northeast Massachusetts franchise) lists a 20-yard in Northeast Massachusetts at $760 with 2 tons included, 1.2 tons short of this tear-off. Its 10-yard listings say they take roof shingles "up to 100 bundles or 33sq", which covers 30 squares by volume. Weight over the included tons is billed as an overage; none of these pages prints the rate. See published rental prices.
Hauling it yourself: town transfer-station fees
30 squares of shingles is about 4 loads of an 8-ft pickup bed (2.5 cubic yards each). Where a town publishes a shingle rate, the same tear-off would cost:
- Bismarck, ND at $50 per ton ($6 minimum): $158. The schedule does not say who may use the station. Construction debris goes to the inert-waste site at a lower rate than mixed loads ($67 a ton).
- Greenville County, SC at $15 per cubic yard: $129. The schedule does not say who may use the station. Dense debris such as shingles and sheetrock costs three times the general C&D rate per cubic yard.
- Lexington County, SC at $35 per ton: $110. The schedule does not say who may use the station. The schedule prints no minimum charge.
- Fairfax County, VA at $109 per ton ($49–$109 minimum): $343. Who may use it: Residents may be asked for proof of residency (a utility bill or driver's license); resident C&D drop-off is limited to 2 cubic yards per household per day. The minimum depends on the load size the scale attendant assigns; this page shows the range from the small to the large C&D minimum.
Most stations take residents only, and several refuse contractor loads, so check the town page before you plan trips.
Other roof sizes
25 squares · 35 squares · all roof sizes · asphalt shingle weight per yard · guide: roofing dumpster size by squares.
Sources: GAF Timberline HDZ listing; GAF Royal Sovereign listing; Owens Corning product guide; EPA volume-to-weight factors; Republic Services size pages. Read 2026-10-20. Methodology.