A roofing estimate is one of the most crucial steps in planning and executing your next roofing project.
A well-crafted roofing estimate template allows you to more accurately cost out the project, which will help determine whether or not your clients have the financial capacity to pay for it.
If you are a roofing contractor needing guidance on writing an accurate and detailed roofing estimate, this post is for you.
Here is everything you need to know about roofing estimates and how to write one effectively.
A roofing estimate, or a roofing quote, is a written summation of the scope of the roofing project and its corresponding costs.
It includes the specific description of the work and the materials, labor, and other logistical and administrative costs needed to complete the job. It is prepared and provided by the roofing contractor.
A roofing estimate template will make it easier to calculate the roofing project’s overall costs accurately.
At the minimum, here is the specific information you should include to ensure you’ve got everything covered:
In addition to the details provided above, make sure to attach the following on the roofing estimate template, as clients may also want to check and verify them:
Now that you know what should be included in a roofing estimate template, your next concern is how to calculate the roofing costs accurately.
But before diving into the details of how you can do this, let us first take a closer look at the four major factors that may affect the overall cost of the roofing project.
Commonly, the roof size is calculated based on the expressed in square feet or squares.
For more precise measurements, make sure to include the following in your computation:
Each roofing material may cost differently. Premium roofing materials may cost significantly higher than others.
The brand can also make a difference: high-end brands may cost you more than generic brands.
Keep in mind that the type of roof and its shape can significantly impact the overall cost of the roofing project.
Each roof type has a different pitch and steepness.
You have to factor this into the computation as this affects the number of roofing materials you need.
The complexity of the roof also significantly impacts the time needed to complete the project.
The steeper your roof is, the more difficult it is to finish. And the taller it is, the longer time it will require to complete.
This is because roofing contractors will have to take more precautions and work slowly and carefully for safety reasons.
Now that we have that sorted, let’s go to the most critical part: how to measure the roof, calculate the shingles needed, and determine the roof pitch. To accurately do so, do the following:
So in the example, that would total 37.2 squares (30 squares x 1.24).
Keep in mind that three shingle bundles usually cover a square.
But check with each brand, as other manufacturers may have different product sizing and packaging.
Round that up to 38 squares to account for the waste.
This is to make sure you have an extra square as a backup.
You can even add more squares to be sure.
Ideally, you should account for around 10 to 15 percent of the shingles as waste.
In addition, do not forget to include the following costs in your calculation, as they may also add up to the overall costs.
Did you know minor estimate errors can cost a business over $260k per rep per year?!
And reps lose $29k or more in commissions by bidding improperly.
But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
We’ve come up with an estimating formula to help you avoid those costly mistakes.
And as a bonus, we’ll even give you an example of an incorrect estimate, so you know what to look out for.
Writing a roofing estimate can be pretty challenging.
You will encounter different types of clients with varying expectations and needs.
While others will be more specific about the details, others will focus more on the results.
You need to balance all of these needs and expectations if you want to be able to write a successful bid or quotation.
In writing a formal roofing estimate or quotation, always keep in mind the following:
In addition, keep in mind that clients will most likely get quotations from others as well.
So make sure that yours will stand out by adding some other relevant information, including the following:
The last thing you need is to decide on the form you’ll use for the roofing estimate.
Some companies may have their own customized roofing estimate template, and you can do the same.
Just make sure that all the details needed are included and covered.
Still need some guidance on creating your own template?
Use the following editable roofing estimate templates available online:
Keep in mind that writing an accurate estimate helps everyone understand what needs to be done and how much time it will take.
Ensure all details listed above are available and can be found on the template you will use.
Business 411 can help you customize your own editable roofing estimate templates.
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2 Responses
do you have a list of Roofing Estimate ITEMS and suggested pricing for roofing contractors?
Hi Brant! Thanks for commenting. Our team will reach out to help you.