Running a profitable roofing business comes down to a lot of factors, but getting your pricing right has gotta be one of the biggest.
Price too low and you eat into your profits. Price too high and you scare off homeowners.
Vibes-based pricing never works. The ONLY way to do it is to price jobs accurately and fairly while still protecting your margins.
So, here’s your simple guide on how to bid roofing jobs so you stay competitive and profitable. We’ll cover everything from measurements to markups, plus some overlooked tips that many roofers (especially those new to running a business) don’t consider. Read on.
1) Know the scope of the job
This may seem really obvious, but when you’re in the thick of busy season, it can be pretty tempting to make assumptions about the size of a job.
After all, you’ve got a long to-do list, and chances are pretty good you’ll nail it, right?
No! Don’t take the gamble. Before you price any roofing job, take time to understand what you’re dealing with. Otherwise, you’ll underbid and kill your profits.
- Talk with the homeowner first. Do they just need a few shingles replaced, or is this a full tear-off and install?
- Check out the property. Look at gutters, vents, skylights, the works.
- Take notes (or ask AI to do it for you). Document everything so it doesn’t get forgotten later.
Depending on your workflow, either visit the home to see the roof for yourself, or get on a video call with them. You’d be surprised what you can learn, even if the homeowner knows nothing about roofs, just from them waving their camera around the property for you.
Ask questions, give clear direction, and set expectations early.
2) Measure the roof
Measurements are the backbone of every bid.
- The old way: climb the ladder, tape measure in hand, sketching and taking notes as you go. It works, it might be in your comfort zone, but it’s slow.
- The new way: use Roofr’s roof measurement reports. Get accurate dimensions from satellite and drone imagery, within a few hours, without leaving your desk.
For complicated roofs with a lot of steep slopes, dormers, and valleys, using a roof report is genuinely (maybe even literally!) a lifesaver. No time wasted, no risk of falls.
In 2025, there’s no reason not to use measurement reports at least part of the time, if not for every job. Embrace it to lower your costs and improve your bidding process.
3) Figure out material costs
Once you’ve got dimensions, translate those into material costs. Don’t just rely on ballpark estimates! Plug everything into your CRM or a template you know you can rely on.
- Check your distributor’s current pricing. Costs change aaaaaaall the time.
- Consider waste factor. Most roofs need 10% to 15% extra material, or even more for really complex jobs.
- Budget in accessories, including underlayment, nails, flashing, and vents.
- And don’t forget disposal fees: dumpsters and haul-off costs can add up.
Roofr makes this really painless by pulling costs from your measurement report and catalog. You can even create and place material orders right from your proposals.
4) Calculate the labor costs
Next, figure out how many hours the job will take, then multiply by your crew’s hourly rate.
This is another reason step 1 is so important: if you don’t account for scope, your crew could lose hours or days finishing up a complicated hip roof that you’d assumed would be simple.
Don’t forget to include workers’ comp, payroll taxes, and overtime if the job will stretch long days. Account for weather delays too, if it’s storm season or there’s a chance weather will screw up your scheduling.
Tip: Track your crew’s average time per job type. It’ll help you quote future jobs more accurately! And as a bonus, you might discover each crew’s strengths and weaknesses, so you can start assigning them to the job types they’re best at.
5) Add in overhead
It’s super easy to forget or undervalue this step, especially when you’re first starting out. The cost of staying in business means building these costs into each job:
- Office rent and utilities
- Fuel and vehicle maintenance
- Insurance
- Licensing fees
- Marketing costs
- Software and tech tools
These are real costs that too many roofers forget to add into bids. Build a percentage into every bid, so you’re not bleeding money without realizing it.
6) Set your markup
Markup is where the profit happens, baby! So be thoughtful here, but not shy.
- Research what local competitors are charging.
- Set a markup that makes sense for your business.
- Be objective: is your service budget, middle, or premium compared to others?
- If your markup is high, make sure you exceed customer expectations.
- Be careful with discounts: a bid that’s TOO low can look suspicious.
Be sure to use a consistent markup formula. Roofr lets you drop in markups automatically when you build estimates, saving you the math every time.
7) Submit your bid
Remember, a roofing bid isn’t just a number. It’s a sales tool, so it should be presented as part of a beautiful single package that appeals to the customer.
Give customers a professional proposal that includes everything here:
- Clear outline of job scope
- “Good, better, best” options
- Itemized, line-by-line pricing
- Real photos or example roofs
- Warranty information
- Testimonials and reviews (AKA why should they trust you?)
- Your logo, branding, and contact info
- Terms and conditions
- Expiration date and deposit details
When you send homeowners the proposal, be ready to walk through it with them. If you can, explain the pricing over the phone, or even send over a short video explaining it.
The clearer and more professional your bid, the more homeowners will trust you. Even if your price isn’t the lowest.
Roofr makes bidding easy
If you’re ready to price a roofing job faster and with more confidence, Roofr has you covered:
- Affordable measurement reports delivered as fast as 2 hours
- Customizable proposal templates you can send in minutes
- Built-in Instant Estimator tool to help homeowners self-qualify
➡️ Stop stressing about how to quote a roofing job right. Register with Roofr and start winning more bids today.
The first report’s free! What’ve you got to lose?