How to Create Accurate Roofing Quotes

An accurate quote wins jobs and protects margins. An inaccurate one costs you money—either through lost opportunities or jobs that don't pay. This guide shows you how to create quotes that are competitive, profitable, and professional.

Gathering Measurements

Every accurate quote starts with accurate measurements. Here's what you need and how to get it.

Essential Measurements

For any roofing quote, you'll need:

• Total roof area: The primary driver of material costs
• Ridge length: For ridge tiles/caps
• Hip length: For hip tiles/caps
• Valley length: For valley trays or tiles
• Eaves length: For fascia, soffit, and guttering
• Verge length: For verge trim or pointing

Accounting for Pitch

This is where many quotes go wrong. A roof's plan area (what you see from above) is not the same as its surface area (what you actually cover with tiles).

The pitch factor converts plan area to surface area:

Modern roofing apps like Roofering calculate this automatically, but if you're working from manual measurements, always apply the pitch factor before calculating materials.

Measurement Sources

Combine multiple measurement methods for accuracy:

• Remote assessment: Quick initial measurements for quoting
• Physical measurement: Verify before ordering materials
• Existing plans: Building plans can provide accurate dimensions
• Previous quotes: If the customer has old quotes, measurements may be included

Material Calculations

With accurate measurements, you can calculate material requirements.

Tiles and Slates

Coverage varies by product. Standard UK coverage rates:

• Concrete interlocking tiles: 10-12 tiles per m²
• Plain tiles: 60 tiles per m²
• Natural slate (500x250mm): 20 slates per m²
• Natural slate (600x300mm): 13-15 slates per m²
• Fibre cement slate: Similar to natural slate of same size

Always check manufacturer specifications for the exact product you're using, as coverage varies with gauge and lap.

Wastage Allowance

Never order exact quantities. Build in wastage for:

• Cuts: Every hip, valley, and verge requires cut tiles
• Breakages: Handling and fixing always breaks some tiles
• Colour matching: Different batches may vary slightly

Standard wastage allowances:

• Simple gable roof: 5%
• Hip roof: 10%
• Complex roof with multiple features: 12-15%
• Natural slate: Add extra 2-3% for sorting and grading

Underlay and Battens

For a full re-roof, calculate:

• Underlay: Roof area plus 10% for overlaps
• Battens: Roof area ÷ batten spacing (typically 100mm for plain tiles, variable for interlocking tiles)
• Nails: Allow 2kg per 10m² of roof area

Ancillary Materials

Don't forget the extras that add up:

• Ridge and hip tiles (measure linear metres)
• Valley trays or valley tiles
• Verge trim or mortar
• Lead flashing (chimneys, abutments, valleys)
• Ventilation tiles or ridge vents
• Dry fix systems (if applicable)
• Mortar or adhesive

Labour Estimation

Labour is often the biggest cost and the hardest to estimate accurately.

Productivity Rates

Typical UK labour productivity for experienced roofers:

• Strip and re-tile (interlocking): 15-25m² per man per day
• Strip and re-tile (plain tiles): 8-12m² per man per day
• Strip and re-slate: 8-15m² per man per day
• New flat roof (felt): 20-30m² per man per day
• New flat roof (single ply): 25-40m² per man per day

These rates assume straightforward access and normal working conditions. Adjust for:

Complexity Factors

• Steep pitch (>40°): Reduce productivity by 20-30%
• Dormers: Each dormer adds 0.5-1 day
• Skylights: Each skylight adds 2-4 hours
• Chimneys: Flashing work adds 0.5-1 day
• Poor access: Can reduce productivity by 10-20%
• Listed building: Heritage requirements slow everything down

Team Size

Consider optimal team sizes for different jobs:

• Small repair: 1 roofer
• Medium re-roof (up to 100m²): 2 roofers
• Large re-roof (100-200m²): 3 roofers
• Very large or commercial: Scale as needed

Larger teams don't always mean faster completion—there's a point of diminishing returns where people get in each other's way.

Pricing Strategies

Cost-Plus Pricing

The traditional approach: calculate your costs and add a markup.

1. Calculate material costs (including delivery)
2. Calculate labour costs (days × day rate)
3. Add equipment hire (scaffold, skip, etc.)
4. Add overhead allocation (van, insurance, office costs)
5. Apply markup (typically 15-25%)

This ensures profitability but may not be competitive on every job.

Market Rate Pricing

Research what competitors charge and price accordingly. Useful benchmarks for 2024:

• Tile re-roof: £80-120 per m²
• Slate re-roof: £120-180 per m² (natural slate)
• Flat roof (felt): £60-80 per m²
• Flat roof (single ply/EPDM): £80-120 per m²
• Ridge re-bed and point: £40-60 per linear metre
• Valley replacement: £300-500 per valley

Regional variation is significant—London rates can be 30-50% higher than northern England.

Value-Based Pricing

Consider what the job is worth to the customer, not just what it costs you. Emergency repairs, premium materials, or tight deadlines can command higher prices.

Presenting Your Quote

What to Include

A professional quote should contain:

• Your company details and credentials
• Customer name and property address
• Detailed scope of work
• Materials specified (manufacturer and product)
• Timeline for completion
• Total price (with VAT breakdown if applicable)
• Payment terms
• Validity period (typically 30 days)
• Guarantee/warranty terms

Itemised vs. Lump Sum

Both approaches have merits:

Itemised quotes show the customer exactly what they're paying for. This builds trust and makes it easier to adjust if scope changes. However, it also exposes your margins and invites line-by-line negotiation.

Lump sum quotes are simpler and focus on the outcome rather than the process. They give you more flexibility in how you deliver the work. However, some customers prefer detail and may view lump sums suspiciously.

Consider your customer when choosing—commercial clients often want detail, while homeowners may prefer simplicity.

Following Up

Don't just send the quote and wait. Follow up within 3-5 days to:

• Check they received it
• Answer any questions
• Address concerns
• Understand their timeline

A simple follow-up call can significantly improve conversion rates.

Common Mistakes

Underquoting

The most expensive mistake. Causes include:

• Ignoring pitch factor in area calculations
• Insufficient wastage allowance
• Underestimating complexity
• Forgetting scaffold or skip costs
• Not accounting for access difficulties
• Pricing too low to win work (race to the bottom)

Overquoting

Less costly but still problematic—you lose jobs to competitors. Causes include:

• Excessive contingency from past bad experiences
• Overestimating time requirements
• Not understanding true costs
• Poor measurement accuracy

Missing Scope

Every quote should clearly state what's included AND what's excluded. Common items to clarify:

• Scaffold hire (included or separate?)
• Skip hire and waste disposal
• Interior damage repair (if leak damage exists)
• Guttering and fascia work
• Lead work beyond standard flashings
• Structural repairs (timbers, decking)

Summary

Creating accurate roofing quotes is a skill that improves with practice. The key elements are:

1. Accurate measurements: Use technology to get good numbers quickly, verify before ordering
2. Thorough material calculations: Account for wastage and ancillaries
3. Realistic labour estimates: Factor in complexity and conditions
4. Smart pricing: Cover costs, make profit, stay competitive
5. Professional presentation: Clear scope, fair terms, proper follow-up

Master these elements, and you'll win more jobs at better margins—the foundation of a successful roofing business.