How to use this roofing estimate generator
Start from the three example lines and make them yours: pick the roofing material and set your installed price per square, enter the number of squares, then add tear-off, any decking replacement, underlayment, flashing, a dumpster, and the permit. Change a quantity or price and the running total on the right updates instantly. Add a global markup, your sales-tax rate, and a deposit, then export a PDF to send. Nothing is uploaded — the draft saves in your browser so it is still here when you come back.
What to include in a roofing estimate
A quote that wins work — and survives what you find after tear-off — spells out the roof and the prep instead of one number. Include:
- The roof by the square, with the material and installed price per square named (3-tab, architectural, metal, tile, flat).
- Tear-off per square, and the number of existing layers you are removing.
- Decking allowance — a per-sq-ft rate for replacing rotted plywood found after tear-off, so hidden damage is not a fight.
- Underlayment, flashing, drip edge, and ridge vent — the details that make the roof last.
- Dumpster and permit as their own lines.
- Terms — deposit to schedule, how added decking is billed, square count confirmed on measurement, and your workmanship warranty.
Typical 2026 roofing price ranges (edit to your market)
The tool seeds these as editable hints — they are current starting points, not gospel. Your real material and labor costs beat any table:
| Line | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt — installed | per square | $300–$500 |
| Architectural shingle — installed | per square | $400–$600 |
| Metal — installed | per square | $500–$1,600 |
| Tile — installed | per square | $700–$2,500 |
| Tear-off & removal | per square | $100–$500 |
| Decking replacement | sq ft | $2–$5 |
A worked example
Say a job is a 25-square architectural shingle roof installed at $450/square ($11,250), tear-off of the old roof at $150/square ($3,750), and a $450 dumpster. With a 10% markup and 7% sales tax on the taxable dumpster, the tool lands on a $17,029.65 total — and with a 30% deposit, $5,108.90 to schedule and $11,920.75 due on completion. Change any input and the receipt on the right re-totals in integer-precise cents, so your numbers always add up.
Mistakes to avoid
- No decking allowance. You cannot see rot until the old roof is off — put a per-sq-ft decking rate in the estimate so replacement is priced, not argued.
- Forgetting tear-off and disposal. Removal and the dumpster are real cost; never fold them silently into the per-square price.
- Skipping the accessories. Underlayment, flashing, and ridge vent are what make the roof last and the warranty hold — line them so the customer sees the value.
- Guessing the square count. Measure the roof, state that the count is confirmed on measurement, and price steep or multi-story access separately.