Practical guide for homeowners and contractors planning a roof tear-off — bin sizing, shingle weight realities, loading tips, and what to expect on cost.
Shingle disposal is heavy work. One typical residential roof tear-off produces 2–4 tonnes of shingle waste — enough to push the price of bin rental up if you don't plan ahead. Here's a practical guide for homeowners and contractors planning a tear-off in Guelph and area: bin sizing, weight realities, loading tips, and what to expect on pickup.
More than people expect. A few quick reference numbers:
If you're tearing off a second layer (some older homes have two layers of shingles), double these numbers. Some Guelph century homes have three layers — call us first if you suspect this.
Two reasons:
Flat-rate pricing works well when waste density is normal. Shingle-heavy loads need their own line item — that's just physics.
A 10-yard bin ($460 + HST) + shingle disposal works. Tight but fits.
Go 15-yard ($500 + HST). Plenty of room for shingles + underlayment + flashing + nails. The standard residential tear-off bin.
15-yard with the understanding it'll be at weight capacity, or plan for a swap halfway through. We can swap a full bin for an empty one mid-project — call us to schedule.
Multiple bin sequence. Call us — we'll plan delivery + pickup timing around your crew's schedule. For long-running projects, we can keep one bin on-site and rotate.
Roofing crews already know this; homeowners often don't. The right loading method matters:
Don't pile shingles in one corner. The bin's hoist points are at the rear; concentrating weight there makes pickup hard. Spread loads across the full bin floor.
Loads must be level with the top of the bin walls — Ontario transport rule. Shingles piled in a heap will be refused at pickup until levelled. Plan a tarp over the load if you're worried about wind.
Nails are fine in the bin. Don't try to remove them — that's a waste of time and creates a separate disposal problem. They go to the same transfer station as the shingles.
Old roof decking, flashing, drip edge, ridge caps — all OK in the bin. Mention metal flashing volume when you book; large amounts of metal can sometimes go to a recycler instead.
Old felt paper or synthetic underlayment is fine. Goes with the shingles.
Wet shingles weigh significantly more than dry ones (asphalt absorbs water). On a 3-tonne load, rain can add 200–400 lbs of water weight, all of which gets billed at tonnage rates. If rain is in the forecast, tarp the bin overnight. A $10 hardware-store tarp pays for itself.
In Guelph, replacing existing shingles like-for-like generally doesn't require a permit. Going from asphalt to a different material (metal, tile) does. Check with the City of Guelph building department before you start: guelph.ca/building-services.
Some shingle manufacturers require proof of proper disposal for transferable warranties. Ask us at pickup — we can provide a tip-fee receipt from the transfer station if you need one for your records.
Most homeowners shouldn't DIY a roof. The disposal logistics — bin rental, hauling, knowing what's underneath — are straightforward. But the actual roofing work (correct underlayment, ice and water shield, proper ventilation, flashing details) is specialized. Mistakes leak.
If you're hiring a roofer, ask whether they handle bin coordination or expect you to. Many roofers have their own preferred bin company; some appreciate when the homeowner has it sorted. Either way, mention "shingle tear-off" when you book so we quote it correctly.
Yes. Roofers usually want bins on-site before crews arrive at 7 AM. If you book the day before, we deliver at 6:30–7 AM the next morning.
Same-day if you call by noon. Otherwise next morning. Plan tear-offs that need a swap for early in the week so the swap doesn't fall on a weekend.
Cedar shake — fine in the bin, lighter than asphalt. Slate — heavy, quoted separately like concrete. Metal — usually a recycler buys it for scrap value, but we can take it if needed.
Not standard, but ask when booking — we sometimes have spares. Otherwise hardware stores carry them cheaply.
Call 226.243.5199 with your roof size (in squares, or just give us house dimensions) and we'll quote the full all-in price including shingle disposal. Or book online and mention the project in the notes — we'll call back to scope the shingle quote.
Call us directly. We answer the phone, confirm the bin size on the spot, and deliver same-day if you call by noon.
Call 226.243.5199 Book Online
Guelph