What To Include In Your Roofing Estimate

What To Include In Your Roofing Estimate

Estimates are an important part of the job. They help the customer better understand what they should expect from your services and how to best budget for their project. Of course, there’s a lot to be included to ensure you’re communicating properly.

From materials needed to time spent on the job, roofers have plenty to include when it comes to preparing a proper estimate. Here’s why you need and what to include in your roofing estimate.

Are you looking for more roofing leads in your area? Give us a call at 866-456-6977 to start providing more estimates in your area.

What Is An Estimate?

If you’re a roofing contractor, you’re likely familiar with estimates. They help a customer better understand the scope of the project, budget and anything that makes your business stand out. A well-written estimate can help to better explain the project in full to the customer and avoid any surprises, making them more likely to hire you.

It’s important to note that providing an estimate is not a favor to the customer. An estimate will help to clarify communication with the customer and should always be provided.

What Is An Estimate

Understand The Job

One of the first things you should do, before even putting pen to paper and preparing the estimate, is see the job and meet the customer. While you could certainly receive some information over the phone, it’s likely things may change once you see the scope of the project. After all, being the expert, you may see some things that the customer had overlooked when it comes to their roofing project. Ask the customer questions to clarify the work they want done and about any details that may be involved.

Set up a time with the customer to come out and observe the roofing project. It’s a good time to take measurements for yourself and get the specs you’ll need to create the most accurate estimate for the work. Once you’ve met with the customer, you can begin preparing your written estimate.

What To Include In Your Roofing Estimate

Now that you’ve seen the job, you can begin to write your estimate. It’s a good idea to work with a template to easily plug information in where you need it. Here are a few items you’ll want to include in your roofing estimate:

  • Your Contact Information: An easy way for the customer to contact you if they have questions.
  • Summary of the Project: This helps to give both you and the customer a clear understanding of what the roofing job will look like. You may also want to include any relevant dates here.
  • Costs: Be sure to line item the estimated charges for the project.
  • Payment Schedule: Outline the way you’d like to be paid and when the funds are due.
  • Guarantee of Work: If there is an issue with the project once the job is complete, outline your company policy on how things might be fixed.
  • License, Insurance & Other Information: If you’re a part of any trade organizations or want to outline what license your roofing business has, be sure to list it in your estimate.
Understand The Job

Calculate Costs

As noted above, you will need to share the approximate costs for the project. This is one of the most important parts of the estimate. However, there’s a lot to account for to ensure you’re presenting the most accurate estimate. Here are a few items you’ll want to include:

Demolition

Is the roof damaged or will items need replacing? Demolition of these items will cost you and your employees money to complete the work as well as properly dispose of it. Be sure to include this in the total costs.

Materials Needed

The roofing materials may be the largest cost for the homeowner, so it’s important to get this as accurate as possible. Sometimes, the homeowner may provide the measurements for you, but you may also have to measure the roof yourself. This information is important to properly calculate the roof size to get the most accurate estimate for materials needed.

Labor

Don’t forget to account for the work you and your employees are doing on the home. Include hourly rates and how long the project will take. If you’re bidding out parts of the roofing job, be sure to factor in these costs as well.

Permit Costs

Often, roofing projects will require local permits. While the homeowner may be aware of these, you should be the expert in your area. Research and know what permits are applicable. Include any costs for those permits in the estimate.

Guarantee Of Work

If you haven’t put a guarantee of work in your estimate, you may find it a helpful benefit to add. This helps put customer fears to rest by ensuring you’ll take care of any issues with the work if problems are discovered once the job is completed.

Calculate Costs

Make Your Business Stand Out

Estimates can help make your business stand out. While including information about your insurance is helpful, you may also want to include any additional ways you’ve gone above and beyond for your customers. Have you completed any certifications? Are you apart of any roofing trade organizations? At the end of your estimate, including some additional info like this will help differentiate your roofing business from the rest.

Conclusion

An estimate is a crucial part to help you win the job. Providing a well-written estimate will benefit your business and potential customers. Use these tips to help prefect your future estimates.

If you’ve been eager to write more estimates, we can help. Call us at 866-456-6977 to get more roofing referrals near you.