How to Write a Roofing Bid That Wins the Job [Free Template + Examples]

Writing a roofing bid shouldn't take longer than the actual site inspection. But for most roofers, it does. You spend 20 minutes on the roof measuring and assessing, then 45 minutes at your kitchen table trying to make a Word document look professional.

Here's a better way to think about it: a roofing bid is a sales tool, not a homework assignment. Its job is to clearly communicate what you'll do, what it costs, and why the homeowner should pick you. That's it.

What Every Roofing Bid Needs

1. Company Information

Start with your company name, logo, license number, and contact information. This seems basic, but a surprising number of roofing bids come through as text messages with just a dollar amount. Putting your company front and center immediately separates you from the competition.

Include your insurance information (or at least mention that you're fully insured). Homeowners worry about liability. Addressing it upfront removes a barrier.

2. Client and Property Details

Include the client's name, property address, and the date. This personalizes the bid and creates a clear record of what was quoted for which property. If the homeowner is getting multiple bids, yours needs to be easy to identify and reference.

3. Scope of Work

This is where most roofing bids fail. "Replace roof — $9,500" tells the client nothing. A detailed scope of work builds confidence and justifies your price.

Break it down into specific tasks:

Each line item tells the homeowner "I know what I'm doing, and I'm not cutting corners." A competitor who just writes "replace roof" looks amateur by comparison.

4. Material Specifications

Specify exactly what you're installing. Don't just say "shingles" — say "GAF Timberline HDZ Architectural Shingles" or "CertainTeed Landmark Pro." Include the color if it's been selected.

Why this matters: homeowners research products. When they see a specific brand and product line in your bid, they can look up reviews, warranty information, and specs. This builds trust and shows you're not using bargain-bin materials.

5. Pricing Breakdown

Itemize your pricing. At minimum, break it into:

A lump sum price invites price shopping. An itemized breakdown shows the homeowner where their money goes and makes it harder to compare you apples-to-oranges with a cheaper bid that might be cutting corners.

6. Timeline

Give a realistic timeline. Include:

Don't overpromise on timeline. If you say "1 day" and it rains, you've already set the wrong expectation.

7. Warranty Information

Include both:

Explain what each warranty covers. Manufacturer warranties typically cover defects; labor warranties cover installation issues. This is a major selling point — some contractors offer no labor warranty at all.

8. Terms and Conditions

Cover the basics:

These protect both you and the client. They also make your bid look like a professional contract, not a napkin quote.

Sample Roofing Bid Breakdown

Here's what a real roofing bid looks like for a 25-square residential roof replacement with architectural shingles. This gives you a template you can adjust for your market.

Project: Complete tear-off and replacement, single-story ranch, 25 squares, 6/12 pitch

Materials:

Materials Subtotal: $5,800

Labor:

Labor Subtotal: $5,800

Other Costs:

Other Subtotal: $900

Total: $12,500

This is a mid-market price. Your numbers will vary based on your location, material choices, and labor costs. The point isn't the specific numbers — it's the format. An itemized bid like this answers every question before the homeowner asks it.

How to Price a Roofing Job

Pricing a roof comes down to four factors:

Roof size: Measured in "squares" (1 square = 100 sq ft). A typical residential roof is 20-35 squares.

Material cost: Architectural shingles run $90-$150 per square for materials. Premium products like designer shingles or metal roofing cost significantly more.

Labor complexity: Steep pitch (8/12 or higher), multiple stories, limited access, dormers, valleys, and skylights all increase labor costs. A simple ranch-style roof is faster than a complex colonial.

Tear-off: Single layer tear-off is straightforward. Multiple layers add labor and disposal costs. Expect $1-$2 per square foot for tear-off.

A general formula:

Materials (30-40% of total) + Labor (35-45%) + Tear-off/disposal (10-15%) + Overhead/profit (10-20%) = Total price

For a 25-square residential roof with single-layer tear-off and architectural shingles, most markets see total prices between $8,000 and $15,000.

5 Mistakes That Lose Roofing Jobs

1. Being slow. The first roofer to send a professional bid wins the job more often than not. If you wait 3 days after the inspection, you've probably already lost.

2. Sending a text message quote. "$9,500 for new roof" doesn't inspire confidence. A detailed proposal does.

3. Forgetting the warranty. Homeowners making a $10,000+ decision want to know they're protected. Always include warranty details.

4. Lump sum pricing. "Replace roof — $9,500" invites the question "why so much?" Itemized pricing answers it before they ask.

5. No follow-up. Send the bid, then follow up in 24-48 hours. Ask if they have questions. Many jobs are won on the follow-up, not the initial bid.

Create Your Roofing Bid in 60 Seconds

BidSnap's free roofing proposal generator turns your job description into a professional, detailed bid with itemized pricing, scope of work, timeline, and terms. Just describe the job in plain English and download your proposal as a PDF.

Try it free — no signup required for your first proposal.