How to Quote a Roofing Job: Step-by-Step Pricing Guide for UK Roofers

Quoting for roofing work is one of the trickiest pricing exercises in the trades. Unlike interior work where you can see exactly what you are dealing with, roofing involves variables that are difficult to assess from ground level — hidden rot, damaged battens, inadequate ventilation, or failing flashings that only become apparent once the tiles are off. Get your quote wrong and you either lose money or lose the customer.

This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process of quoting a roofing job, from the initial survey through to presenting a professional proposal that wins work. Whether you are quoting for a complete re-roof, a repair, or a flat roof replacement, the fundamentals are the same.

Step 1: Conduct a Thorough Roof Survey

Never quote a roofing job from the ground. You need to get up there — or at the very least, use a drone or binoculars to inspect the roof surface in detail. A proper survey should assess the following.

Roof Area and Pitch

Measure the roof footprint and calculate the actual roof area using the pitch factor. For a standard 35-degree pitch, multiply the footprint area by 1.22. For a 45-degree pitch, multiply by 1.41. Do not guess — inaccurate measurements lead to inaccurate material quantities, which lead to either wasted materials or costly return trips to the supplier. Our material cost estimator can help you calculate quantities once you have your measurements.

Existing Condition

Assess the condition of the existing tiles, felt, battens, fascias, soffits, guttering, and any lead work or flashings. Note everything that needs replacing. If you suspect the battens or felt are in poor condition but cannot confirm without stripping tiles, include a contingency clause in your quote.

Access and Scaffolding

Assess the access requirements. Can a scaffold be erected easily, or are there conservatories, extensions, or neighbouring properties that complicate access? If there is a public footpath below, you may need a pavement licence from the council. Get a scaffolding quote before you price the job.

Ventilation and Insulation

Check the roof ventilation and loft insulation. Current building regulations require specific levels of roof ventilation, and if the existing roof does not meet these standards, you will need to bring it up to code as part of a re-roof. This adds cost that you need to account for in your quote.

Step 2: Calculate Your Material Costs

Once you have your survey data, you can calculate your material requirements. For a standard pitched roof re-tile, your material list will typically include:

Tiles or slates. Calculate the coverage rate for your chosen tile (typically 9 to 12 tiles per square metre for standard concrete interlocking tiles, or 60 per square metre for plain tiles). Add 10% for waste, cuts, and breakages. Concrete interlocking tiles cost roughly 0.60 to 1.20 each; clay tiles 1.50 to 3.00 each; natural slate 2.50 to 6.00 each depending on the source.

Underlay. Breathable roofing membrane has largely replaced traditional bituminous felt. Budget approximately 1.00 to 1.50 per square metre for a quality breathable membrane.

Battens. 25mm x 50mm treated softwood battens at standard gauge (based on tile specification). Budget approximately 1.50 to 2.50 per square metre of roof area.

Fixings. Tile clips or nails, batten nails, and any mechanical fixings required by BS 5534. Budget approximately 0.50 to 1.00 per square metre.

Ridges, hips, and valleys. Dry ridge systems cost between 15 and 25 per linear metre. Valley troughs cost approximately 10 to 15 per linear metre. Lead flashings cost approximately 25 to 40 per linear metre depending on the width of lead required.

Ancillaries. Tile vents, eaves ventilation trays, fascia and soffit boards if being replaced, guttering if being replaced. Price each individually.

Always get current prices from your supplier before quoting. Material prices in roofing can fluctuate significantly, and quoting based on old prices is a common and expensive mistake.

Step 3: Calculate Your Labour Costs

Labour pricing for roofing depends on the size of your team, your day rate, and the complexity of the job. Here are typical labour timeframes for common roofing jobs with a team of 2 to 3 roofers.

Full re-tile (3-bed semi, approx 65m2): 3 to 5 days
Full re-tile (4-bed detached, approx 100m2): 5 to 8 days
Flat roof replacement (single garage, approx 15m2): 1 to 2 days
Flat roof replacement (rear extension, approx 25m2): 2 to 3 days
Roof repair (replacing 20 to 50 tiles): Half day to 1 day
Lead valley replacement: 1 to 2 days
Ridge line replacement (dry ridge system): 1 day

Your day rate for a roofing team should cover the wages of all team members, your profit margin, tool wear, vehicle costs, and overheads. If you are not sure what to charge, our day rate calculator can help you work out a figure based on your actual costs.

Step 4: Account for Additional Costs

Roofing jobs have several additional costs that are easy to overlook when quoting.

Scaffolding

This is usually the single biggest additional cost. A standard scaffold for a 3-bed semi typically costs 600 to 1,200 pounds for a 2 to 3 week hire period. For larger or more complex properties, scaffolding can cost 2,000 pounds or more. Always get a firm scaffolding quote and include it as a separate line item.

Skip Hire

Old tiles and roofing materials are heavy. A standard 8-yard skip costs 250 to 400 pounds depending on your area. For a full re-roof on a larger property, you may need two skips.

Waste Disposal

If you are not using a skip, factor in the cost of bagged waste disposal and tip runs. Old roof tiles and debris add up quickly.

Building Control

A complete re-roof typically requires Building Control notification. If you are a member of a competent person scheme (such as the NFRC Competent Roofer scheme), you can self-certify. Otherwise, the customer will need to arrange a Building Control inspection, which costs approximately 200 to 400 pounds. Clarify who is responsible for this in your quote.

Contingency

This is critical for roofing work. You will often discover problems that were not visible during the survey — rotten rafters, damaged wall plates, defective flashings, or inadequate ventilation. Include a contingency clause in your quote that addresses this. Something like: "If additional work is discovered once the existing roof covering is removed (such as replacement of damaged battens, rafters, or timbers), this will be priced separately and agreed with you before proceeding."

Step 5: Build Your Quote Document

Now you have all your numbers, it is time to put them into a professional quote. Here is what the structure should look like.

Your business details — trading name, address, phone, email, and any relevant accreditations (NFRC, TrustMark, Competent Roofer)

Customer details — name, property address

Quote reference and date — unique reference number, issue date, validity period (typically 30 days)

Scope of work — detailed description of what is included and what is excluded. For roofing, this is particularly important because the customer needs to understand exactly what they are getting

Itemised pricing — materials (broken down by category), scaffolding, skip hire, labour, and the total. Show VAT separately if applicable. Use our profit margin calculator to verify each line item delivers a healthy margin

Timeline — estimated start date, duration on site, and any weather contingency

Payment terms — deposit amount, stage payments if applicable, and final balance terms

Terms and conditions — warranty period, insurance details, contingency clause, cancellation policy

Guarantee information — specify your workmanship guarantee period (typically 10 to 20 years for a full re-roof) and any manufacturer guarantees on materials

Present this as a branded PDF — not a text message, not a WhatsApp photo of a handwritten note. Professional presentation makes a measurable difference to your conversion rate. See our guide on why professional proposals win more work for the evidence behind this.

Step 6: Present and Follow Up

Send your quote within 24 to 48 hours of the survey. Roofing work is often urgent (leaks, storm damage) and customers are comparing multiple quotes simultaneously. The faster you respond, the better your chances.

When you send the quote, include a brief covering message explaining the key points — the total price, the proposed start date, and how long the work will take. Do not just attach a PDF with no context.

If you have not heard back within 5 days, follow up with a brief phone call or text. Many customers are simply comparing options and a gentle nudge can be the difference between winning and losing the job. Our guide on how to follow up on a quote covers the best approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a new roof cost per square metre in the UK?

In 2026, a complete new roof in the UK typically costs between 55 and 95 pounds per square metre for concrete or clay tiles, including felt, battens, and labour. Natural slate is more expensive at 80 to 140 pounds per square metre. These prices vary by region, roof complexity, and access requirements. A standard 3-bed semi with approximately 60 to 70 square metres of roof area would typically cost between 4,500 and 7,500 pounds for a full re-tile.

How do I calculate the area of a roof for quoting?

Measure the footprint of the building (length x width) and then multiply by the pitch factor. For a standard 35-degree pitch, the factor is approximately 1.22. So a building with a 10m x 5m footprint would have a roof area of roughly 10 x 5 x 1.22 = 61 square metres. For hipped roofs, the calculation is slightly different. Always add 10% for waste, cuts, and overlaps.

Should I include scaffolding in a roofing quote?

Yes, always include scaffolding costs in your roofing quote. Scaffolding is typically the single biggest additional cost on a roofing job and customers need to know the full price upfront. Most roofers sub-contract scaffolding to a specialist scaffolding company. Get a firm scaffolding quote before you price the job, and include it as a separate line item so the customer can see what they are paying for.

How long does it take to re-roof a house?

A standard 3-bed semi-detached house can typically be stripped and re-tiled in 3 to 5 days with a team of 2 to 3 roofers, assuming good weather. Larger properties, complex roof shapes, or natural slate installations will take longer. Always build in at least one contingency day for weather delays when quoting, and be honest with the customer about the weather dependency.