Quote templates for roofers
Professional quotes for re-roofs, storm repairs, and waterproofing, priced in rand.
What to include in a roofing quote
Roofing jobs are among the most dispute-prone if the quote isn't detailed enough. The work is often urgent, storm damage, and involves height and access costs customers don't anticipate, so clear itemisation matters more than in most other trades.
Start by naming the roof type: concrete or clay tile, IBR sheeting, or a flat roof needing waterproofing. Each has very different costs and installation methods, so specify the material explicitly.
Itemise: removal of the existing roof covering (per m² or by load), material supply (per m²), installation labour (per m²), timber batten or truss work if needed, ridge and hip tiles or flashing (per linear metre), gutters and downpipes if applicable, and waterproofing where relevant.
Always state the workmanship guarantee you offer. A roof backed by a clear guarantee justifies a higher price and is a strong selling point. Include a line for scaffold hire if required, customers rarely anticipate this cost and it can double the bill on a small repair.
Example quote for a full re-roof
Typical job: full re-roof on a detached house, 120 m² of pitched area, concrete interlocking tiles.
- Remove and dispose of old tiles, 120 m² at R30/m²
- Replace deteriorated battens (38x38, estimated 30%), 36 m² at R85/m²
- New roofing felt (underlay), 120 m² at R45/m²
- Concrete interlocking tiles, supply and fix, 120 m² at R320/m²
- Ridge and hip tiles, 18 lm at R220/lm
- Gutters (aluminium), 22 lm at R280/lm
- PVC downpipes, 3 runs x 6 m at R180/m
- Scaffold hire, 2 weeks at R2,400/week
Materials and access subtotal: R47,720 | Labour (included in per-m² rates above where noted, plus finishing) at R9,600 | Total excl. VAT: R57,320
On jobs of this size, request a deposit via PayShap to order materials and book scaffolding, then the balance once the job is signed off.
Spot repairs vs full re-roof
Most roofing enquiries aren't full re-roofs, they're spot repairs: broken tiles after a hailstorm, loose flashing, blocked gutters. These jobs carry a fixed cost for access and callout that can outweigh the actual repair.
Be upfront with the customer about this. A roof with 10 broken tiles might cost R1,500 to R2,500 not because of the repair itself but because of the ladder access or scaffold needed to reach it safely. If the customer is surprised by the price, they'll feel misled.
For spot repairs, add a visible "access and callout" line at a fixed price. This way the customer sees the access cost separately from the tile repair cost, and the total feels justified rather than inflated.
If you spot damp or waterproofing failure while you're up there, quote it as a separate line. It may become an immediate second job or a future one, either way you've positioned yourself as the roofer who caught it early.
Tips for winning more roofing jobs
Photos are your best sales tool, especially after storm damage. Photograph the broken tiles, the cracked flashing, the water stains inside. Send them alongside the WhatsApp quote link. Customers trust a quote more when they can see exactly what you found.
On jobs above R30,000, a deposit on acceptance is standard practice. State it explicitly: "deposit on acceptance to order materials and book scaffolding, balance on completion." With Prummo, request the deposit via PayShap the moment the customer accepts.
Build templates for your most common job types: tile repairs after hail, gutter replacement, flashing repair. When the next storm hits and the calls come in, adapt the template in two minutes instead of starting from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I quote when I don't know the state of the battens until the roof is opened?
Include an estimate for batten and structural replacement with a clear note: "Replacement of deteriorated timber is estimated at RX. The final amount will be adjusted after inspection once the roof is opened. Any additional work will be communicated before proceeding." This transparency protects both sides.
What guarantee should I offer on a roofing job?
A reasonable minimum is 1 to 2 years on workmanship. For waterproofing specifically, 5 to 10 years is the industry norm depending on the product used. State it explicitly on the quote, it's a sales argument and a commitment both.
Do I need approval to replace a roof like-for-like?
For a like-for-like tile or sheeting replacement without changing the roof's shape or appearance, council approval generally isn't required. For structural changes or a different roof type, plans may need to go through the local municipality. Tell the customer it's their responsibility to confirm local requirements before work starts.
How do my customers pay once they accept the quote?
Send a PayShap request straight to their banking app, or they can pay by EFT with proof of payment attached to the job. Cash still works for smaller repairs. There's no card checkout for South Africa, but PayShap is usually confirmed within minutes.
Should I quote gutters separately from the re-roof?
Yes, as their own line item. Gutters and downpipes are often replaced alongside a re-roof but aren't always needed, keeping them separate lets the customer decide whether to include them without renegotiating the whole quote.
How do I price scaffold hire into the quote?
Quote it as its own line at the real weekly hire cost if you're subcontracting it, or a fair setup and dismantling fee if you own it. Never bury it inside the per-m² tile rate, customers need to see it as a distinct access cost.