Free Resource
Roofing Estimate Templates
Roofing estimates need to be specific — clients compare multiple bids, and vague line items lose to detailed ones. An itemized roofing estimate that specifies shingle brand, SEER rating, warranty passthrough, tear-off cost, decking allowance, and disposal fee gives the client everything they need to compare apples to apples — and positions you as the most thorough contractor in the stack.
How to structure a roofing estimate
Price roofing by the square (100 sq ft). Your estimate should break out: tear-off and disposal (separate line item — don't bundle it); decking replacement rate (per sheet or per square, marked as an allowance); underlayment type and coverage; shingles (brand, style, color, warranty); starter and ridge cap; flashing (drip edge, step, counter, chimney); ice and water shield; labor (by square); and permits and inspections. Each line item is also a talking point when a client asks why your bid is higher than the one from the guy down the street.
Roofing estimate best practices
- Specify shingle brand, series, and warranty length — clients comparison-shop
- Itemize tear-off and disposal as separate lines, not buried in labor
- List decking replacement as an allowance with a per-sheet rate
- Call out ice and water shield requirements — some clients don't know it's code
- Include your manufacturer warranty passthrough terms as a selling point
Typical projects
- Shingle replacement
- Metal roofing installation
- Flat roof repairs
- Storm damage restoration
- Skylight & flashing work
Pricing context
Shingle replacement runs $350–$700/square; metal roofing $700–$1,400/square. Always separate labor, materials, tear-off, and disposal — bundling these makes your estimate look expensive next to an itemized competitor who breaks them out.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I include a decking allowance in every estimate?
- Yes — and specify the per-sheet rate. When damaged decking is found during tear-off, you need a pre-agreed rate to bill at. If you don't have it in the estimate, the client will dispute it as unexpected.
- How do I estimate for insurance claim work?
- Match your scope line-for-line to the adjuster's Xactimate estimate. List any items the adjuster missed as supplements, with quantities and unit costs. A professional estimate that mirrors the Xactimate format gets approved faster.
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