ToolbeltDocsHow to use this estimate template
- Enter your business details, the homeowner and the property address, then fill in the roof area in squares, pitch, layers to remove and the new material.
- Add line items for tear-off, underlayment, roofing, flashing, ventilation and disposal, or pick them from the roofing item list.
- Add a per-sheet price for decking replacement so the homeowner knows the cost before tear-off.
- Add tax and your deposit, and write the brand, color and warranty in the fields provided.
- Check the preview and download the roofing estimate as a PDF, Word or Excel file.
What should a roofing estimate include?
A roofing estimate should state the roof size in squares, the pitch, what is being torn off and what is going on, and price every component of the new roof separately — underlayment, flashing, drip edge and ventilation — along with decking repairs, disposal and the warranty. Itemizing lets the homeowner compare bids line by line instead of just the bottom number.
- Roof size and pitch
- Total squares (1 square = 100 sq ft of roof surface) and the pitch, such as 6/12, which affects labor and safety equipment.
- Tear-off
- How many existing layers are removed, priced per square.
- Decking repairs
- A per-sheet price for replacing rotten or damaged deck boards found after tear-off.
- Underlayment
- Synthetic underlayment over the deck and ice and water barrier at eaves, valleys and penetrations where used.
- Roofing material
- Material type, manufacturer, product line and color.
- Flashing and edges
- Drip edge, step flashing, chimney and valley flashing, and pipe boots.
- Ventilation
- Ridge vents, box vents or soffit vents being added or replaced.
- Disposal and cleanup
- Dumpster, haul-away and a nail sweep of the yard and driveway.
- Warranty and permits
- Your workmanship warranty, the manufacturer's warranty, and who pulls the permit.
Roofing estimate example
Example only Here is a filled-in example for re-roofing a 24-square, 6/12-pitch two-story house with one existing layer of shingles, replaced with architectural shingles. The prices are made up for illustration only — your material, labor and disposal costs will differ.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tear off one layer of asphalt shingles | 24 square | $85.00 | $2,040.00 |
| Dumpster and disposal | 2 load | $450.00 | $900.00 |
| Replace damaged decking (allowance of 4 sheets) | 4 sheet | $85.00 | $340.00 |
| Synthetic underlayment | 24 square | $35.00 | $840.00 |
| Ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys | 6 square | $95.00 | $570.00 |
| Architectural shingles, installed | 24 square | $310.00 | $7,440.00 |
| Drip edge | 210 lin ft | $3.25 | $682.50 |
| Ridge vent | 40 lin ft | $9.50 | $380.00 |
| Pipe boot replacement | 3 ea | $65.00 | $195.00 |
| Second-story charge | 24 square | $15.00 | $360.00 |
| Subtotal | $13,747.50 | ||
| Sales tax (0%) | $0.00 | ||
| Total | $13,747.50 | ||
| Deposit (10%) | $1,374.75 | ||
| Balance due on completion | $12,372.75 | ||
Sales tax is left at 0% in this example because whether roofing labor and materials is taxable depends on your state. Check with your state's department of revenue before adding tax.
Tips for a better roofing estimate
- Price decking per sheet up frontNobody can see the deck until the old roof is off. A per-sheet price with a small allowance avoids an awkward conversation mid-job.
- State the number of layersTwo layers take longer and fill more dumpsters than one. Writing the count down explains the tear-off price.
- Name the exact shingleManufacturer, product line and color protect you from "that's not what I expected" and make the warranty clear.
- Show pitch and height charges separatelySteep-slope and second-story charges as their own lines show why one roof costs more than a neighbor's of the same size.
- Separate the two warrantiesYour workmanship warranty and the manufacturer's material warranty are different promises. List both, with their lengths.
How we built and tested this
This roofing estimate template was written from scratch for its job and is checked by automated tests every time the site changes. Here is what it is based on and how the math is tested.
- Written for this template. The 7 extra fields, the 5 starter lines and the 27-item list of common items were written for this roofing estimate template, not copied from another website.
- Exact math, tested automatically. All money is calculated in whole cents, so there are no rounding errors, in a fixed order: subtotal, discount, tax on the discounted amount, total, deposit, then balance due. The site has 72 automated tests, 33 of them for the calculation engine, and they run on every change.
- Honest examples. The example above uses made-up prices, labelled as an example, and its totals are calculated by the same code as the tool.
- No legal or tax rules stated as fact. Where rules depend on your state or country, the page says so and points to the official body to check.
Built and tested by Muhammad Zaid · Last updated
Frequently asked questions
Is this roofing estimate template free?
Yes. The roofing estimate generator is free with no sign-up or watermark, and you can download PDF, Word and Excel versions. Your information stays in your browser.
How do you measure a roof in squares?
A roofing square is 100 square feet of roof surface. Measure the length and width of each roof plane, multiply, add the planes together and divide by 100. Add a waste allowance for cuts at hips, valleys and edges when you order material.
Why does roof pitch change the price of a roofing estimate?
Steeper roofs are slower and more dangerous to work on, need extra safety equipment and staging, and have more surface area for the same footprint. That's why many estimates add a steep-slope charge per square above a set pitch.
Should a roofing estimate include decking replacement?
Yes. Include a per-sheet price for replacing damaged decking, and say how many sheets (if any) are already included. The homeowner then knows the cost of surprises before the old roof comes off.
What warranty information should go on a roofing estimate?
List your own workmanship warranty and its length, and name the manufacturer's material warranty for the product you are installing. Check the manufacturer's current warranty documents for the exact terms before you quote them.
Can I use this template for metal or flat roofs?
Yes. Choose the roofing material in the dropdown and replace the shingle lines with metal panels, membrane or other items from the roofing list.
How many bundles of shingles are in a square?
Many common asphalt shingles come three bundles to a square (100 square feet), but some heavier or specialty shingles take four or more. Check the coverage printed on the bundle wrapper or the manufacturer's product sheet before you order.
Why add a waste factor to a roofing estimate?
Shingles are cut at hips, valleys and rakes and around vents and chimneys, so you need more material than the roof's measured area. Add waste as a percentage on top of the measured squares; a cut-up roof with many valleys and hips needs more than a simple gable roof.
How do I send the estimate to my customer?
Download the PDF and attach it to an email or a text message. On phones that support it, the "Share PDF" button that appears after the download sends the file straight to Messages, WhatsApp or email. Either way the file goes from your device to the app you choose, not through our servers.
Is my information safe? Is anything uploaded?
Nothing you type is uploaded. Your estimate is filled in and turned into a PDF, Word or Excel file in your browser, on your own device, so your customer details, prices and logo never reach our servers or anyone else. Your draft, the documents in "My documents" and, if you tick "Remember my business details", your business details are saved only in this browser, and clearing your browser data removes them. The site's analytics and ads count visits and downloads but never include what you type. On a shared computer, delete your documents from "My documents" when you are done. The privacy policy has the details.
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