What should a roofing quote include?
Most disputes on roofing jobs are not about workmanship. They are about scope that was never written down. A clear quote is the cheapest protection either side can have.
A proper quote states the measured scope, the exact materials, the access arrangement, waste removal, the timber allowance, duration, guarantee terms, payment stages and what is specifically excluded. If any of those are missing, the number is not comparable with anyone else's.
Scope, in measurable terms
Which elevations, which slopes, measured area, and what is being stripped versus retained. Vague wording like renew roof as discussed is what turns into an argument in week two.
Materials by name
Tile or slate manufacturer and model, batten grade and size, underlay type, ridge system, and lead code for the flashings. Named products let you check them and let us stand behind them.
Access arrangement
Scaffold or tower, who supplies it, how long it is planned to be up, and who pays for any licence. This should be its own line, not folded invisibly into a total.
Waste removal
Old tiles are heavy and disposal is a real cost. The quote should say whether a skip or grab is included and where it will stand.
Timber and hidden work allowance
A stated rate per rafter end or per metre of batten, applied only to what is actually found and replaced. This is the single most useful line for avoiding surprise costs.
Building regulations items
Insulation upgrade and ventilation provision where a full re roof triggers them, stated as included or excluded rather than left unsaid.
Programme and duration
Expected start window and working days on site, plus what happens if the weather stops play. A roof left open overnight should have a stated temporary weathering plan.
Guarantee and insurance
How long the workmanship guarantee runs, what it covers, and confirmation of public liability cover. Ask for it in writing rather than taking a badge on a van at face value.
Payment terms
Staged payments against progress are normal. Large deposits up front are not. Never pay in full before the work is complete and you have seen it.
Exclusions
A short, honest exclusions list is a good sign, not a bad one. It means someone has thought about the edges of the job rather than leaving them ambiguous.
What to do with three quotes
Put them side by side against this list. Where one is much cheaper, find the missing line before you assume you have found a bargain.
FAQs
A reasonable materials deposit on a large job is normal. Anything approaching half the value up front, or a demand for cash, is a warning sign.
No. A quote is a fixed price for a defined scope. An estimate is an opinion of likely cost. We give fixed quotes and state clearly what would count as a variation.
Ours are held for a stated period on the document. Material prices move, so an open ended quote from anyone is not really a commitment.
Yes, on request, along with our workmanship guarantee terms before you commit to anything.
Related reading
More on costs & budgeting and the jobs that usually come with it.
- Scaffolding: when it is needed and what it addsCosts & budgeting
- Dormer roofs: repair, re-cover and what it costsCosts & budgeting
- Roof repair cost by job: tiles, flashing, chimney, valley, ridge and feltCosts & budgeting
- Loft insulation and your roof: getting both rightMaterials & systems
Looking for something specific? See our roofing services, cost guides, common roof problems or the areas we cover.
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