Roofing Estimate Template for Tear-Offs and Replacements

A roofing estimate is a written, priced proposal for roof work that hasn't been done yet: a reroof, a tear-off and replacement, or a repair. It tells the client how much roof you're pricing, what comes off, what goes on, what it will cost and what's left out, so they can decide before anyone climbs a ladder with materials.

An estimate isn't a bill. Nothing is owed on it, and on its own it isn't a signed contract either. If the client accepts, you agree the final terms with them. When the work is done, you send an invoice for it, such as the roofing invoice template. In Billed's estimating software you can convert an approved estimate into an invoice instead of retyping it.

Roofing is priced by the square. One square is 100 square feet of roof surface. Measure the area of each roof plane, add them up and divide by 100. The sample roof is 2,400 sq ft of roof surface, which is 24 squares.

Measure the roof surface, not the house's footprint: a sloped roof has more surface than the floor area under it, and the steeper the pitch, the bigger the difference. Write the number of squares and the pitch on the estimate so the client can see what the price is based on.

Material is ordered with an allowance for cutting and waste at hips, valleys, rakes and edges. The sample adds 10%, so its "Roof area" reads "24 squares (2,400 sq ft); 26.4 squares of material with 10% waste", and its first scope note says the same. The tear-off and installation labor lines use the 24 squares of roof; the underlayment and shingle lines use the 26.4 squares of material. The 10% is the sample's allowance, not a standard: set yours for the roof in front of you.

Name the products and where they go, so the client can compare estimates line by line.

• Underlayment. The layer under the shingles. The sample has synthetic underlayment over the whole roof (26.4 squares) and "Ice and water shield at eaves and valleys" (6 rolls), in the "Underlayment and roofing materials" section with the shingles and the starter strip and ridge cap.
• Flashing. Flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights and edges. The sample prices "Step and counter flashing at the chimney" as a lot, drip edge by the linear foot and three pipe boots. Say whether you're replacing flashing or reusing what's there.
• Ventilation. The sample adds a 42 lin ft ridge vent. If the shingle manufacturer's installation instructions or your local code call for ventilation work, it belongs on the estimate.

Installation labor is a separate section: the sample prices "Install underlayment, shingles, flashing and vents" at 24 squares × 120.00.

Whether a reroof needs a permit and inspection depends on the work and where it is. Check what your jurisdiction requires before you price the job, for example with the local building department. Then put the answer on the estimate. The "Permit fee" line sits below the subtotal, so the client can see it isn't part of your labor. The sample's 150.00 is a placeholder, and the last scope note says so; use the amount your local permit office charges, or 0.00 if no permit is needed. Add a note saying who applies for the permit and whether inspections are included.

Licensing depends on where you work too. In California, for example, the Contractors State License Board has a C-39 Roofing Contractor classification for contractors who install products and repair surfaces that seal, waterproof and weatherproof structures, including shingles, roof tile, slate, metal roofing systems and membranes. Elsewhere, check the licensing rules where you work. The template's "License no." line says "if required where you work"; fill it in if you hold one.

Say what isn't in the price. The sample's exclusions are:

• "Gutters and downspouts"
• "Skylight replacement"
• "Chimney masonry repair"
• "Interior repairs from past leaks"

Add anything else the client might assume is included, such as fascia or soffit repair, or work on a detached garage.

1. Add your business details and license number, the estimate number, the date and the "Valid until" date.
2. Enter the client, the property address and a short description of the home and roof.
3. Fill in the roof details: roof area in squares (and the material quantity with your waste allowance), pitch, the existing roof and the new roof.
4. Price tear-off and decking, underlayment and roofing materials, flashing and ventilation, and installation labor, with quantity, unit and unit price on each line.
5. Enter the dumpster and disposal fee and the permit fee, or 0.00 for either. In the Excel file, each line amount, the four section subtotals, the subtotal, the tax and the estimated total are calculated by formulas. The tax rate starts at 0% and is applied to the subtotal; the file leaves the disposal and permit fees out of that base. That's how the template is set up, not a statement about what is taxable. Whether sales tax applies to roofing work, materials or both depends on where you work, so check the rules there, for example with your state or local tax agency, and change the rate, or the formula, to match. To leave out tax, set its rate to 0%; to leave out either fee, set it to 0.00. Don't delete those rows, because the totals refer to them. Each section has one blank row; if you need more lines, insert rows inside the section and copy the amount formula down. In Word or on the PDF, work out the amounts yourself.
6. Edit the scope notes and exclusions for this job, add your warranty terms, then send the estimate to the client and keep a copy.

The PDF is a blank form for printing and filling in by hand on the roof inspection. The Word and Excel files have the same layout with the sample roof filled in, so you can overwrite them and save a copy for each job.