01
How much roof area, at what pitch, and how it breaks into planes and squares.
Estimating Buddies provides roofing estimating services covering shingle, metal, tile, slate and low-slope systems - from roof area and pitch measurement through material, labor and equipment pricing, delivered as a bid-ready roofing cost estimate your team can submit with confidence.
Roof Plan
Sample layout · figures populated per project
Scope
Roofing quantity takeoff
Roof area
- sf
System
Shingle / metal / TPO
Slope
Per plans
Turnaround
24–48h
24–48 hrs
Turnaround
USA & Canada
Coverage
Excel, PDF & plans
Format
Steep & low-slope
Roof types
Roofing Service Overview
A roof isn't priced as one number - it's a stack of systems that each carry their own cost per square: decking, underlayment, insulation, the roof covering itself, flashing at every edge and penetration, and the drainage that keeps water off the building. Our roofing estimating services break the roof into that stack, so a roofing cost estimate reflects what's actually going up, not a rough price per square foot.
Whether you're replacing a single-family shingle roof, bidding a TPO re-roof on a distribution center, or pricing a standing-seam metal roof for a school addition, we work from your roof plans, details and specifications to produce a roofing takeoff and cost estimate your team can hand straight to procurement or attach to a bid form. Measured roof quantities can also move into quantity takeoff services.
01
How much roof area, at what pitch, and how it breaks into planes and squares.
02
What roofing system covers it - shingle, tile, metal, TPO, PVC or EPDM.
03
What's underneath - decking, underlayment, insulation and vapor barriers.
04
What finishes the edges - flashing, coping, drains and penetrations.
05
What it takes to build it - tear-off, labor hours, equipment and waste factor.
Scope Coverage
Every roofing quantity takeoff we produce is organized the way a roofing crew builds the roof, from tear-off to final flashing.
Roof area, pitch and roofing squares calculated by plane, accounting for hips, valleys, dormers and overhangs.
Asphalt and architectural shingle, clay and concrete tile, slate and wood shake quantities for steep-slope systems.
Standing seam and corrugated metal panel quantities, including trim, clips, fasteners and panel seams.
Built-up, modified bitumen, TPO, PVC and EPDM membrane systems measured by field, flashing and seam area.
Rigid insulation, tapered systems for drainage, cover boards and vapor barriers quantified by R-value and layer.
Plywood, OSB and metal deck quantities, including replacement allowances for deteriorated substrate.
Wall flashing, valley flashing, coping, drip edge and edge metal quantified by linear footage and profile.
Gutters, downspouts, scuppers, roof drains, curbs, hatches, skylights and penetration counts.
Sealants, adhesives, fasteners and waterproofing membrane quantities for penetrations and transitions.
Existing roof removal, disposal and haul-off quantities for repair, restoration and replacement projects.
Crew sizing, install labor hours, equipment such as cranes or lifts, and waste factors by material type.
Sheet metal, insulation and specialty subcontractor scope, plus overhead and markup line items.
Who We Serve
Our roofing estimator supports every role involved in getting a roofing project priced, bid and built.
Project Types
From single-family shingle replacements to TPO re-roofs on distribution centers, the takeoff is organized around the roofing system actually shown on your drawings.
Single-family homes, townhomes and multifamily buildings, from full replacement to targeted repair.
Retail centers, offices, hotels and restaurants where low-slope membrane systems dominate the scope.
Warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing plants with large-format membrane or metal roofing.
Schools, healthcare facilities and government buildings with phased work and strict access requirements.
Apartment communities and condominium complexes with multiple buildings and staged replacement schedules.
Storm, hail and wind damage assessments and repair scopes, including insurance-related roofing estimates.
Estimate Inclusions
Every roofing cost estimating engagement is scoped to your project, but a typical estimate covers the following.
Roof area, pitch and squares takeoff by plane
Material quantities for the full roofing system stack
Waste allowance calculated by material type and roof complexity
Labor hours and crew sizing for install and tear-off
Equipment costs for cranes, lifts, hoists and dumpsters
Local material and labor pricing where available
Flashing, drainage and accessory line items
Subcontractor scope packages for specialty trades
Marked-up roof plans showing takeoff areas
Bid summary organized by CSI Division 07 or your format
Documented assumptions, exclusions and clarification notes
Revision support for addenda and plan changes
Deliverables
Every roofing estimating engagement ends with a documented package, not just a total.
Layer-by-layer roofing quantity takeoff with units, formulas and reference sheet numbers.
Editable Excel workbook with material, labor, equipment and subcontractor line items.
Color-coded PDF takeoff sheets showing exactly where each quantity was measured.
A one-page rollup by Division 07 scope ready to attach to your proposal or bid form.
Material waste percentages applied by product type, shown separately from base quantities.
Written notes covering what's included, what's excluded and any clarifications needed.
Trade-split quantity packages formatted for sheet metal and insulation sub-bids.
A tracked record of changes across addenda so nothing gets double-counted or missed.
Sample Roofing Estimate
A simplified excerpt from a commercial TPO re-roof estimate, shown for illustration. Actual quantities, units and pricing vary by project - figures below are placeholders, not a quote.
Sample Project - 28,000 SF Commercial Re-Roof (TPO)
Illustrative only
Scope Item
Quantity
Unit
Notes
Tear-off existing membrane
28,000
SF
Single layer, disposal included
Tapered insulation system
28,000
SF
Avg. R-20, sloped to drains
Cover board
28,000
SF
1/4" high-density, mechanically fastened
TPO membrane (60 mil)
29,400
SF
Includes 5% waste factor
Wall & curb flashing
640
LF
Per detail, mechanically fastened
Roof drains & sumps
6
EA
Existing locations, new strainers
Roof curbs (HVAC units)
4
EA
Flashed and sealed per detail
Coping & edge metal
380
LF
Custom-formed, per profile
This excerpt represents one section of a full roofing estimate. A complete deliverable also includes labor hours, equipment allowances, waste percentages, subcontractor pricing and a written assumptions log.
Our Process
The same six-step process behind every roofing cost estimate we deliver, from drawing intake through a bid-ready package.
01
Upload roof plans, details, specifications and any existing-condition photos or reports through our secure intake, along with your bid date and turnaround needs.
02
Our team reviews the drawing set and roofing system requirements, notes any missing details, and confirms the scope of the estimate with you before takeoff begins.
03
Roof area, pitch and every material layer are measured directly from digital plans using on-screen takeoff software, plane by plane.
04
Material, labor and equipment costs are applied using current local pricing, published cost data and, where provided, your own historical unit costs.
05
A second estimator cross-checks quantities against the plans, verifies formulas and confirms waste factors before the estimate is finalized.
06
You receive the estimate, marked-up plans and bid summary, plus a call or written walkthrough of assumptions, exclusions and anything that needs your input.
Software & Pricing Sources
We measure quantities digitally and apply pricing from a mix of published data and current market sources so figures reflect real conditions, not generic per-square averages.
PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu and On-Screen Takeoff for digital roof measurement
AutoCAD and Revit files for roof plan and detail cross-referencing
Xactimate-compatible scope formatting for insurance-related roofing estimates
RSMeans cost data as a pricing reference, adjusted for local conditions
Local supplier and manufacturer quotations for shingles, membrane, metal and insulation
Excel-based cost breakdowns that stay fully editable after delivery
Cross-referencing roof plans, sections, details and written specifications
PDF, DWG and IFC drawing formats accepted for takeoff
Accuracy & Quality Assurance
Every roofing estimate is reviewed against the plans, specifications and waste factors before it leaves our desk.
01
Every estimate is checked by a second estimator before delivery to catch missed scope, formula errors or misread plans.
02
Quantities are verified against both the roof plans and written specifications so scope isn't taken from one source alone.
03
Anywhere a plan is unclear or a condition is unknown, we log the assumption in writing rather than guessing silently.
04
When plans are revised, we track what changed and update only the affected quantities to avoid double-counting.
05
Material and labor rates are checked against current regional data rather than reused from older estimates.
06
If a question comes up while you're finalizing your bid, you can reach the estimator who built the takeoff directly.
Why Estimating Buddies
Roofing estimating is a specialized scope. These are the reasons contractors hand that number to a roofing-focused team instead of folding it into a general takeoff.
We estimate roofing exclusively across steep-slope and low-slope systems - not as a single line item inside a general building estimate.
Standard and expedited turnaround options so a tight bid schedule doesn't force you to skip a proper takeoff.
Every quantity traces back to a marked-up plan and a documented assumption, so you can answer questions at the bid table.
Deliverables arrive in editable formats that plug into your existing bid forms, spreadsheets and subcontractor workflows.
Familiarity with regional pricing variation and common roofing specification formats used across both countries.
Questions go to the person who built the estimate, not a general support queue.
Pricing Factors
Roofing costs vary widely by project, and no two roofs price out the same way. These are the factors that most often shift a roofing cost estimate.
Factor
Why it matters
Roof Size
Larger roofs generally lower the per-square cost of mobilization but increase total material and labor volume.
Pitch & Slope
Steeper roofs slow installation, require additional fall protection and can increase labor hours per square.
Roof Height & Accessibility
Taller buildings and limited access often require cranes, hoists or extended staging that add equipment cost.
Roofing System
Shingle, tile, metal and membrane systems each carry different material and labor cost structures.
Material Selection
Grade, brand and profile of shingles, membrane or metal panels significantly affect per-square material cost.
Insulation Requirements
Required R-values and tapered insulation for drainage add material thickness and installation complexity.
Detailing Complexity
Hips, valleys, dormers, curbs and penetrations increase flashing footage and labor time relative to a simple roof plane.
Demolition Scope
Single versus multiple tear-off layers and deck condition affect disposal volume and repair allowances.
Local Labor Rates
Prevailing wage requirements and regional labor markets vary significantly by state, province and project type.
Supplier Pricing
Material costs fluctuate with manufacturer pricing, regional availability and current market conditions.
Drawing Completeness
Incomplete or preliminary roof plans require more assumptions, which widens the estimate's margin for change.
Turnaround Required
Expedited timelines may limit the depth of quantity verification possible before your bid deadline.
Ready to Bid?
Upload your roofing plans and get a bid-ready roofing cost estimate - roof area, pitch, material, labor and equipment, checked before it reaches your bid.
Roofing estimating services, answered directly
Roofing estimating services measure and price the roofing work required for a project - from roof area and pitch through material, labor, and equipment - so contractors can submit a bid-ready roofing cost estimate covering shingle, metal, tile, slate, and low-slope systems. You can start from the home page to see the complete estimating lineup.
A typical roofing estimate includes roof area, pitch and squares takeoff by plane, material quantities for the full roofing system stack, waste allowance, labor hours, equipment, flashing and drainage line items, marked-up roof plans, a bid summary, and documented assumptions and exclusions. When that trade is on the plans, our piping estimating services can price it with the same set.