Free roofing estimate template

What goes in a roofing estimate?

Size in squares, and the pitch

Give the size in squares and note the pitch and number of stories. Steep and tall roofs take more time and safety gear, and the client should see why the price is what it is.

Layers coming off

Say how many layers you're pricing to tear off, and what an extra layer costs if you find one.

Decking, priced per sheet

Nobody knows the decking's condition until the shingles are off. A price per sheet on the estimate means the extra is agreed before you're on the roof, and only the count is left for the invoice.

Materials by name

Shingle make, line and color, the underlayment, and ice barrier where code or the climate calls for it. Naming them is how a client compares your price with the next one.

Flashing and vents

Say whether flashing, pipe boots and vents are new or reused. It's work the client can't see from the ground, so the estimate is where they learn it's being done.

Warranty

The shingle maker's warranty and your workmanship warranty are separate. Say what each covers and for how long.

Writing a roofing estimate that gets approved

• Measure from the roof or from an aerial report, then add a waste allowance. Hips, valleys and dormers waste more material than a plain gable.
• Photograph every slope, the flashing and any soft spots before you quote. The photos back up your estimate if the client gets a second quote.
• Say what you'll protect: landscaping, the AC unit, windows, and the driveway under the dumpster.
• Say how long the job takes and what happens if rain comes mid-job, so the client isn't watching the forecast for you.

Questions

What is a roofing square?

A roofing square is 100 square feet of roof surface. A roof of 2,400 square feet is 24 squares, and shingles, underlayment and labor are usually priced per square.

Should a roofing estimate include decking replacement?

A roofing estimate should include a price per sheet for decking replacement, with the number of sheets left open until the tear-off. The client agrees to the rate up front, and the count goes on the invoice. In the template above, that line starts at a quantity of 0.

Do you need a permit to replace a roof?

Many cities and counties require a permit for a roof replacement, and some require an inspection. Check with the local building department and put the permit on the estimate as its own line.

When the job's done

Walk the finished work with a printable punch list before the invoice goes out.

• Roofing punch list