Three-tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable and widely used roofing material in America. They provide reliable weather protection and come in a range of colors, though they have a shorter lifespan than architectural shingles.
Unit Price
$100.00
per square (100 sq ft)
Labor Cost
$75.00
per square (100 sq ft)
Durability
25
years lifespan
Sustainability
2/5
Below Average
Category: Roofing
Range: $70.00 – $150.00/square (100 sq ft)
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $9,500
Quick answer: Asphalt Shingles cost in 2026
Asphalt Shingles costs about $100.00 per square (100 sq ft) (typical range $70.00–$150.00) plus roughly $75.00 per square (100 sq ft) for installation labor, or about $175.00 per square (100 sq ft) installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 square (100 sq ft)s becomes 550 square (100 sq ft)s, about $55,000 in material and $92,500 installed. HammerIO planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages.
Labor is priced by roofers: the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage is $26.65/hr nationally, $36.73 in New York and $22.59 in Dallas. Last reviewed .
Estimate Asphalt Shingles Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Asphalt Shingles by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in square (100 sq ft)s, then compare the current unit range of $70.00 to $150.00 per square (100 sq ft).
Step 2
Add waste, labor, and install accessories
Apply the default 10% waste factor, then include labor, fasteners, trim, adhesives, delivery, rental tools, and other project-specific accessories.
Step 3
Use the result to check written bids
Compare the calculator result against supplier units and contractor line items, then verify code, permit, and site-condition assumptions before ordering.
Contractor Takeoff Notes
How to Budget Asphalt Shingles Without Missing Hidden Costs
Three-tab asphalt shingles are the budget roofing baseline. They rank for price-sensitive searches, so the page needs to answer not only material price but also when a buyer should upgrade to architectural shingles.
$19,425
sample total for 111 square (100 sq ft)s
Price drivers
+Basic three-tab shingles are cheaper per square but usually have lower wind ratings and shorter service life.
+Tear-off layers, rotten deck boards, flashing work, and roof access can exceed the material savings.
+Starter strip, ridge cap, ice barrier, synthetic felt, and disposal are separate line items in most bids.
Ordering checks
+Use the roof measurement plus 10% waste for simple gables and more for cut-up roofs.
+Check whether the manufacturer allows 3-tab shingles as ridge cap or requires a separate cap product.
+Compare cost per expected year of service against architectural shingles before picking the lowest material price.
Quote risks
!Three-tab reroofs can underperform in high-wind areas where architectural shingles are now the practical standard.
!If the deck is uneven, a cheap three-tab roof can telegraph defects more visibly than dimensional shingles.
Cost/Year = unit price divided by expected lifespan. Lower cost/year indicates better long-term value. Note: units may differ between materials.
Best Uses
Residential roofing
Budget-friendly roofs
Steep-slope roofs
Reroofing over existing
Material Details
Average Project Cost
$9,500
Typical project using this material
Sustainability Rating
Below Average, consider greener alternatives
Waste Factor
10%
Order 10% extra to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting
Asphalt Shingles: Complete Buying Guide 2026
Three-tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable and widely used roofing material in America. They provide reliable weather protection and come in a range of colors, though they have a shorter lifespan than architectural shingles. In 2026, asphalt shingles prices average $100.00 per square (100 sq ft), with a typical range of $70.00 to $150.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using asphalt shingles, factor in approximately 10% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $75.00 per square (100 sq ft) for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $9,500 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 25 years, asphalt shingles represents a cost of approximately $4.00 per square (100 sq ft) per year of service life. This solid lifespan provides good value for most residential and commercial applications.
For searchers comparing bids, the key number is not only the shelf price. The installed cost for asphalt shingles depends on accessory materials, waste, job access, minimum order size, delivery, regional labor rates, and whether the project needs permit or code-driven upgrades. Ranges combine national material averages, roofing accessory assumptions, and 2026 residential labor benchmarks.
Computed from this page's planning figures: material = quantity × (1 + 10% waste) × unit price; labor = quantity × $75.00 per square (100 sq ft). Delivery, fasteners, adhesives, rental tools and permits are extra.
Quantity needed
Order (+10% waste)
Material (low – typical – high)
Labor allowance
Installed (typical)
100 square (100 sq ft)s
111 square (100 sq ft)s
$7,770 – $11,100 – $16,650
$7,500
$18,600
500 square (100 sq ft)s
550 square (100 sq ft)s
$38,500 – $55,000 – $82,500
$37,500
$92,500
1,000 square (100 sq ft)s
1,100 square (100 sq ft)s
$77,000 – $110,000 – $165,000
$75,000
$185,000
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Asphalt Shingles: Roofers Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $75.00 per square (100 sq ft) labor allowance is a national figure. To localize it, compare your metro's median wage for roofers with the U.S. median below and scale the allowance by the same ratio.
Roofers: median hourly wage, 10 largest U.S. metros vs. national (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Metro area
Median wage
vs. U.S. median
United States
$26.65/hr
baseline
New York, NY-NJ
$36.73/hr
+38%
Los Angeles, CA
$30.56/hr
+15%
Chicago, IL-IN
$39.47/hr
+48%
Dallas, TX
$22.59/hr
-15%
Houston, TX
$21.87/hr
-18%
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
$28.05/hr
+5%
Miami, FL
$23.09/hr
-13%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
$28.72/hr
+8%
Atlanta, GA
$23.61/hr
-11%
Phoenix, AZ
$22.96/hr
-14%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), median hourly wages. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, a contractor's quoted hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit on top of the wage. “, ” means BLS did not publish a metro estimate for that occupation. Occupation: Roofers (SOC 47-2181).
Chicago, IL-IN roofers earn a median $39.47/hr (+48% vs. the $26.65 U.S. median) while Houston, TX is $21.87/hr (-18%). For a 500-square (100 sq ft) job that moves the $37,500 national labor allowance to roughly $30,774 in Houston, TX and $55,539 in Chicago, IL-IN, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Asphalt Shingles Cost Data
How we calculate Asphalt Shingles costs: Our pricing model combines the HammerIO material database (planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025 trade wages for the labor allowance, EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing guidance for sustainability ratings, DOE Building Technologies Office benchmarks for energy-related materials, and contractor takeoff assumptions. Unit prices are reviewed quarterly and cross-checked against common supplier ranges where available.
Unit price ($100.00/square (100 sq ft)): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($9,500): Derived from material quantity, labor allowance, waste, and typical residential/light commercial installation assumptions.
Waste factor (10%): Per NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) construction waste estimation guidelines, accounting for cuts, breakage, and field adjustments.
Durability (25 years): HammerIO planning estimate based on typical manufacturer warranty periods and expected service life for the material class under normal residential use.
Sustainability rating (2/5): Composite score from EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing criteria, including embodied carbon, recyclability, and VOC emissions per LEED v4.1 thresholds.
Disclaimer: Construction material prices vary significantly by region, supplier, project volume, and market conditions. The figures shown represent national averages and should be used for budgeting and comparison purposes only. Always obtain local contractor quotes before committing to a project budget.
Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Pricing sourced from the HammerIO 2026 material database (planning estimates), BLS OEWS May 2025 trade wages, public agency guidance, and contractor takeoff assumptions
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Asphalt Shingles costs an average of $100.00 per square (100 sq ft) in 2026. Prices range from $70.00 to $150.00 per square (100 sq ft) depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using asphalt shingles costs approximately $9,500.
How long does asphalt shingles last?
Asphalt Shingles has an expected lifespan of approximately 25 years when properly installed and maintained. Actual durability depends on climate exposure, installation quality, and maintenance practices. This provides good long-term value for most residential applications.
What is asphalt shingles used for?
Asphalt Shingles is commonly used for Residential roofing, Budget-friendly roofs, Steep-slope roofs, Reroofing over existing. It falls in the Roofing category of construction materials. Three-tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable and widely used roofing material in America. They provide reliable weather protection and come in a range of colors, though they have a shorter lifespan than architectural shingles.
How much waste should I plan for with asphalt shingles?
Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering asphalt shingles. For a project requiring 100 square (100 sq ft)s of material, you should order 111 square (100 sq ft)s to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting. Waste factors vary by project complexity and installer experience.
What are alternatives to asphalt shingles?
Common alternatives to Asphalt Shingles include Architectural Shingles, Metal Roofing Panels, Standing Seam Metal Roof. Each alternative offers different trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance. Architectural Shingles costs $140.00 per square (100 sq ft) and lasts approximately 35 years.
Is asphalt shingles sustainable?
Asphalt Shingles has a sustainability rating of 2 out of 5 (Below Average). This material has a higher environmental impact. Consider eco-friendly alternatives if sustainability is a priority for your project.
How much does 500 square (100 sq ft)s of asphalt shingles cost installed?
Ordering 500 square (100 sq ft)s with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 square (100 sq ft)s: about $55,000 in material at the $100.00 planning price (range $38,500–$82,500), plus roughly $37,500 in installation labor at the $75.00 per square (100 sq ft) allowance, about $92,500 total before delivery, fasteners, adhesives and permits. These are HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline); regional factors and supplier quotes move the final number.
Who installs asphalt shingles and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Asphalt Shingles is typically installed by roofers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025) reports a national median wage of $26.65 per hour for Roofers, ranging from $21.87 in Houston, TX to $39.47 in Chicago, IL-IN among the ten largest metros. Contractor billing rates run higher than the wage because they include overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so use the metro-to-national ratio, not the wage itself, to adjust the labor allowance on this page.