How to price roofing jobs (repairs and replacements)
How roofers can price roofing jobs, from small repairs to re-roofs, covering access and scaffolding, materials, labour, waste and weather.
RoughFigure3 min read
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Knowing how to price roofing jobs properly protects your margin on every job. Roofing has more hidden costs than most trades: scaffolding, access, weather delays, and what you find once the old covering comes off. A consistent method makes quotes quicker and stops the surprises eating your profit.
This guide gives you a method, not market rates. Your prices depend on your costs, suppliers and area.
Split roofing work into types
Price different kinds of work differently:
- Small repairs: slipped or broken tiles, flashing, a bit of pointing. Usually priced with a minimum charge.
- Medium jobs: ridge re-bedding, valleys, chimney work, flat roof patches, gutters and fascias.
- Large jobs: re-roofs, new flat roofs, roofline replacement.
Small repairs depend mostly on time and access. Large jobs depend mostly on area, materials and scaffolding.
Step 1: access and scaffolding
Access is often the biggest variable. Decide how you’ll get up safely:
- ladders and roof ladders for small, low repairs;
- a tower or cherry picker for some jobs;
- full scaffolding for most larger work.
Get scaffolding prices from your supplier for each job, and include any permit or licence from the local authority if scaffolding goes on the pavement or road. Price it as a clear line so customers understand why it costs what it does.
Step 2: materials
Measure the roof area and list every material: tiles or slates, membranes, battens, lead, fixings, flat roofing systems, gutters, fascias. Add an allowance for waste and breakages, and price at today’s supplier costs plus a margin.
Step 3: labour
Estimate days for the team, including stripping, preparation, fitting, clearing up and inspection. Allow for roof pitch, height, complexity (valleys, dormers, chimneys) and working around conservatories or tight access.
Step 4: waste and skips
Stripping an old roof creates a lot of waste. Include skip hire, any permit for a skip on the road, and tip fees.
Step 5: overheads, profit and contingency
Add a share of your overheads (vans, insurance, tools, admin) and profit. For larger jobs, say how you’ll handle problems you can’t see yet, such as rotten timbers, with a price per item or a provisional sum. Our guide on how to price a job and free pricing calculator cover the basics.
Allow for weather
Roofing days get lost to rain and wind. Build realistic working days into your day rate, and tell customers in the quote that dates can move with the weather.
Give a range before you visit
Most homeowners have no idea whether a repair is $260 or $2,600. A ballpark range for common jobs brings in better enquiries and fewer wasted visits. Ask about roof type, the problem, height of the property and access, then show a range. An instant estimator for roofers does this on your website, with photos attached. See how to give a ballpark price.
Make the quote clear
List what’s included (scaffolding, materials, waste, guarantees) and what isn’t, with any tax clearly shown. Our guide on how to write a quote has a checklist.
Questions
Should roofers have a minimum charge?
Yes. Small repairs still involve travel, setup and working at height safely. See call-out charges and minimum charges.
Should I include scaffolding in my price?
Include it, but show it as a separate line. Customers can see why the price is what it is, and you can compare scaffolding quotes easily.
How do I price for problems I can’t see?
Explain them in the quote, with a price for each likely extra (such as per rotten rafter replaced) or a provisional sum agreed in advance.
