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TradeFlare BlogHow to Write a Roofing Estimate Homeowners Can Say Yes To
A roofing estimate is often the biggest home-repair number a homeowner sees all year. If it's clear and complete, it wins against cheaper bids that leave things out. Here is how to structure a roofing estimate so the homeowner understands it and you're protected when the old roof comes off.
Measure carefully and show it
List the total roof area in squares, the pitch of each section, and the number of layers to tear off. Note valleys, hips, ridges, penetrations (vents, pipes, chimneys, skylights) and any low-slope sections. Include photos of damage. The homeowner can't see the roof, so your photos and measurements are the proof.
Break the job into clear parts
- Tear-off and disposal, including the dumpster.
- Underlayment and ice and water protection where needed.
- Shingles or other roofing material, with brand, line and color.
- Flashing, drip edge, vents and ridge cap.
- Labor and cleanup, including nail sweeps.
- Permit and inspection fees.
Handle decking honestly
You can't know the condition of the decking until the old roof is off. Include an allowance or a per-sheet price for replacing damaged decking, and explain it in plain words. It's the most common surprise in roofing, and putting it in writing up front avoids a fight later.
Offer good, better and best
Many homeowners want options: a standard shingle, an upgraded line with a longer warranty, and a premium package with upgraded underlayment and ventilation. Options let them choose based on budget and how long they plan to stay.
Explain warranties
List the manufacturer's material warranty and your workmanship warranty separately, with their lengths. Many homeowners don't know they're different.
Insurance jobs
If the job is an insurance claim, keep your estimate itemized so it can be compared with the adjuster's scope. Never promise to cover a deductible; rules on that vary by state, and in many places it's not allowed.
Payment terms
State the deposit, when materials are ordered, and when the balance is due. Many roofers collect the balance on completion after the final walkaround. Say which payment methods you take.
Send it quickly, follow up once or twice
Homeowners often collect several bids. Send yours within a day while the inspection is fresh, then follow up by text a few days later.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving decking out of the estimate entirely.
- Listing "shingles" without brand, line or color.
- Promising a start date before materials are confirmed.
- Forgetting permits and disposal costs.
Your next step this week
Take your last roofing estimate and check it against this list. If decking, permits or disposal are missing, add them to your template now. Then write one short paragraph that explains decking allowances in plain words, and paste it into every estimate you send this season so every homeowner gets the same clear explanation.
How TradeFlare helps
Price book and quotes. Save your services and prices once, even by voice, and reuse them on every quote. Send the quote from your phone, watch it go Draft > Sent > Viewed > Accepted, and turn it into a job with Make it a job. Unanswered quotes get an automatic follow-up.
Card payments on the invoice. Tap Collect payment and text a secure Stripe pay link or show a QR code; the customer pays by card or bank transfer on their own phone and the invoice flips to Paid. Payments run on your own Stripe account. TradeFlare adds no fee of its own (Stripe's standard fees apply). There's no card reader or Tap to Pay yet.
Hear TradeFlare's own AI front desk any time at (855) 651-5075.
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Frequently asked questions
What should a roofing estimate include?
Measurements, tear-off, underlayment, materials with brand and color, flashing and vents, labor, cleanup, permits, a decking allowance, warranties and payment terms.
Why do roofing estimates include a decking allowance?
Damaged decking can't be seen until the old roof is removed, so a per-sheet price or allowance sets expectations in advance.
Can homeowners sign a roofing estimate digitally?
In TradeFlare you send the quote from your phone, the customer signs on the quote, and you can add change orders if the job changes once the roof is open.