The short version
A roofing estimate is usually written before anyone has seen what is under the old covering, so it has to be honest about what is firm and what is not. A good roofing estimate separates the lines you are sure of from the ones that depend on what you find, and gives the client a range.
Open the cost estimator for roofersRoofing estimate lines and allowances
The estimate below is for a repair to one damaged section of roof, where the full extent of the damage is not known until the area is opened. Each line is either firm or an allowance with a range of quantities. The rates are examples from the starter lines in the cost estimator, not market prices, so replace them with your own.
| Line item | Unit | Qty or range | Example rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof inspection and report | job | 1 | $120.00 | Firm |
| Flashing and sealing repair | job | 1 | $260.00 | Firm |
| Tile or shingle replacementAllowance: damaged units found once the area is opened. | job | 1 to 3 | $480.00 | Allowance |
| Disposal and dumpster feeAllowance: a dumpster only if the removal is larger than a truck load. | job | 0 to 1 | $500.00 | Allowance |
| Scaffolding rentalAllowance: scaffolding only if ladders cannot reach the work safely. | job | 0 to 1 | $350.00 | Allowance |
Worked estimate range
Adding the firm lines to the allowances at their smallest and largest quantities gives a low end and a high end. The tax rate is an example only, so use your own and your local treatment.
| Estimate range | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|
| Firm lines | $380.00 | $380.00 |
| Allowances (minimum and maximum quantities) | $480.00 | $2,290.00 |
| Subtotal | $860.00 | $2,670.00 |
| Sales tax at an example rate of 8% | $68.80 | $213.60 |
| Estimated total | $928.80 | $2,883.60 |
This is not a fixed price. It is a range the client can plan around until the unknowns are resolved.
Assumptions behind a roofing estimate
- Area and covering. The range assumes one slope and a like-for-like covering. A different product, or a second slope, is a new estimate.
- Decking. Decking is assumed sound. Rotted sheets found later are billed at a unit rate, not folded into the first figure.
- Access. The range assumes ladder access. Scaffolding is an allowance, not a firm line.
What can change the price
Write these on the estimate so a revised figure is never a surprise:
- More damaged units than the allowance covers.
- Flashing found failed at a wall or chimney.
- Weather that leaves part of the roof open for an extra day.
When to send a quote instead
A roofer usually gives an estimate for a first conversation or an insurance discussion, and a quote once the roof has been measured and the covering chosen. Once the scope is fixed, move to the roofing quote template, which adds a fixed scope, exclusions, a payment schedule and a place to sign.
Start your roofing estimate
Pick the trade, set the quantities and ranges for your own job, and download it. Nothing needs an account.
Open the cost estimator for roofersRelated pages
Last reviewed by InvoiceTools, Houston, Texas, on 11 October 2026.