How to Quote for Roofing Work in the USA: Rates, Measurements and Profit
Roofing quotes in the USA are built per square (100 SF of roof area), not per hour. Here is the exact quoting process used by professional US roofing contractors.
Step 1: Measure the Roof
Ground measurement method: Measure the footprint of the structure from the ground. Multiply by a slope factor:
| Pitch | Slope factor |
|---|---|
| 4:12 | 1.054 |
| 6:12 | 1.118 |
| 8:12 | 1.202 |
| 12:12 | 1.414 |
Add 10% for hip roofs, subtract for any flat sections measured separately.
Satellite measurement tools: EagleView and Hover provide accurate roof measurements from aerial imagery at $15-$35/report – highly recommended for complex roofs and insurance claims.
Step 2: Build Your Price
| Component | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Materials (shingles, underlayment, fasteners) | Squares × material cost/square |
| Material markup | 15-20% |
| Labor | Squares × labor rate/square |
| Tear-off (if re-roof) | Squares × tear-off rate ($50-$100/square) |
| Flashing, ridge cap, drip edge | Fixed cost |
| Dump fees | Estimated by debris volume |
| Overhead | 10-15% |
| Profit | 10-20% |
Step 3: Present Professionally
Your quote should specify:
– Material manufacturer and product line (not just “architectural shingles”)
– Color selection
– Warranty offered (manufacturer + workmanship)
– Tear-off included? Decking replacement not included unless visible damage?
– Timeline
– Payment terms
FAQs
Should I charge a fee for a roofing estimate?
Most residential roofers offer free estimates. For complex commercial bids requiring significant time and aerial measurement reports, charging a $50-$100 estimate fee (credited back if awarded) is increasingly accepted.
How do I price a roof when I don’t know the decking condition?
Include in your quote: “Decking replacement not included. Any damaged decking discovered during tear-off will be quoted separately before replacement, at $XX per sheet.” This protects you from absorbing decking replacement costs on older roofs.
CoreQuote is a quoting and invoicing app for US tradespeople. Download free on Android — get CoreQuote free.
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