How to Estimate a Roofing Job

Measure, Material, Labor & Profit

This article walks contractors and DIYers through the full pro estimating workflow: measure the roof area (footprint × slope multiplier), pick the waste factor based on complexity, scope the bill of materials (shingles, ridge cap, starter, drip edge, flashing, underlayment, ice shield, nails), calculate crew hours (typical 2 sq/hour on a walkable roof), add dump fees and permit, then layer in overhead (10-20%) and profit (15-25%). Includes a downloadable estimate template.