A roofing estimate should make the roof scope easy to understand before anyone signs. The customer needs to know what area is included, what materials will be used, what happens to old roofing, and what is not covered by the price.
Use this template as a practical outline for roof replacement, partial replacement, leak repair, flashing work, and storm-damage scopes. Adjust it for your licensing rules, insurance requirements, manufacturer specifications, and local code.
Estimate header
Start with the details that identify the job and the version of the estimate.
Roofing company:
License number:
Phone:
Email:
Customer name:
Project address:
Estimate number:
Estimate date:
Valid until:
Prepared by:
If the estimate is based on an insurance scope, inspection report, drone measurements, or a site visit, note that source near the top.
Roof scope summary
Write a short summary before the line items. The summary should explain the job in plain language.
This estimate covers [roof replacement/roof repair/flashing repair] at [property address]. Work includes [tear-off or repair area], [material system], [accessory items], cleanup, and disposal as described below.
Be clear about whether the estimate covers the whole roof, one slope, one building section, a detached garage, or a specific leak area.
Measurements and roof areas
Roof estimates should show how the measured area was determined. Depending on your process, include squares, linear feet, pitch assumptions, number of layers, and roof sections.
Useful measurement fields include:
- Total roof squares.
- Pitch or pitch range.
- Number of existing layers.
- Ridge length.
- Hip length.
- Valley length.
- Rake and eave length.
- Penetrations, vents, skylights, or chimneys.
- Steep or high-access areas.
If measurements are preliminary, label them that way. A final measurement after tear-off may change the scope if hidden decking damage appears.
Materials
List the material system clearly. Roofing customers often compare estimates by shingle line or product type, so vague wording can create confusion.
Materials included:
- Shingles or roof covering: [product/type/color]
- Underlayment: [type]
- Ice and water protection: [locations]
- Drip edge: [included/not included]
- Starter strip and ridge cap: [included/not included]
- Flashing: [pipe boots, step flashing, counter flashing, chimney flashing]
- Ventilation: [ridge vent, box vents, intake vents]
If color selection is pending, say so. If the estimate assumes standard colors or excludes specialty colors, state that before ordering.
Labor and installation
The labor section should describe the work process, not just “install roof.”
Common labor items include:
- Protect landscaping and work areas as practical.
- Remove existing roofing down to decking.
- Inspect visible decking.
- Install underlayment and required waterproofing.
- Install shingles or selected roof material.
- Replace or install flashing and vents included in scope.
- Clean gutters and work area of job-related debris.
- Use magnetic cleanup for loose nails where practical.
Avoid promising perfection in cleanup. Roofing work creates nails and debris, so phrase cleanup realistically.
Decking and hidden damage
Decking repairs are one of the most common roofing estimate issues. If you cannot see the decking until tear-off, make the allowance or unit price clear.
Decking replacement:
- Included allowance: ___ sheets or ___ square feet
- Additional decking: $___ per sheet or $___ per square foot
If no decking is included, say that. Hidden rot, damaged fascia, framing issues, mold, and code-required corrections should be handled by written change order.
Line item pricing
A roofing estimate can be grouped like this:
Item | Description | Qty | Unit | Total
Tear-off and disposal | Remove existing roofing | ___ | squares | $___
Shingle system | Furnish and install selected roof system | ___ | squares | $___
Flashing | Pipe boots, vents, and included flashing | ___ | lot | $___
Decking allowance | Included repair allowance | ___ | sheets | $___
Permit | Roofing permit if required | 1 | each | $___
Cleanup | Job-related cleanup and haul-off | 1 | lot | $___
You can combine items for a simpler customer view, but the estimate should still be clear enough to explain what drives the price.
Exclusions
Exclusions prevent misunderstandings. Common roofing exclusions include:
- Hidden decking or framing repairs beyond the stated allowance.
- Fascia, soffit, gutter, or siding work unless listed.
- Masonry chimney repairs.
- Solar panel removal or reinstallation.
- Interior drywall, paint, or ceiling repairs.
- Mold remediation.
- Insurance deductible handling.
- Code upgrades not visible during estimating.
If an item is outside your trade or requires another contractor, say so.
Schedule, warranty, and payment terms
Add an expected start window, estimated duration, and weather assumptions. Roofing schedules depend heavily on weather, material availability, permits, and crew access.
Include payment terms such as deposit, progress payment, and final payment on completion. If you offer workmanship warranty coverage, describe the term and what it covers. Manufacturer warranties should be identified separately from your labor warranty.
Roofing estimate checklist
Before sending, confirm the estimate answers these questions:
- Which roof areas are included?
- What measurements or assumptions were used?
- Which material system is included?
- What flashing, ventilation, and accessory items are included?
- How is decking damage handled?
- What is excluded?
- What is the payment schedule?
- How long is the estimate valid?
A good roofing estimate gives the customer confidence and gives your crew a clear scope to build from.
For trade-specific workflow ideas beyond the estimate itself, see best software for HVAC contractors as a comparison point for job scheduling, invoicing, and field operations.