How to write a winning roofer estimate to a customer

This is a Sponsored Post from D’Angelo & Sons Roofing & Exteriors

Roofing estimates are a very important part of a project. They help customers understand what to expect from your services and how to budget for the roofing project. To make sure you communicate properly to the customer, there are so many things you will need to include. As a roofing contractor, you need to make sure your estimate covers every aspect of the project from the materials used to the time spent on the job and so on. Here is what you should include in your quote.

What is a roofing estimate?

An estimate is what enables a customer to understand the scope of the project, budget, and anything that makes you stand out as a contractor. A good estimate will explain the project in full to ensure there are no surprises during and after the work is done. A good estimate is one of the things that compels customers to choose you over other contractors. It offers you the chance to make your business stand out.

An important point to remember is that providing a good estimate to customers is not a favor to them. An estimate is what helps clarify communication with a customer and it has to be provided. With that out of the way, how do you write a great roofing estimate?

Understand the project

The first step in writing an estimate is to understand the job that is to be done. You need to meet with the customer and see the job. Information you get over the phone will not be sufficient. The scope of the project will change significantly once you visit the site. As an expert, you will be able to see things that the customer did not see. Make sure you ask questions to clarify the work that needs to be done.

Setting time to meet up with the client to observe the project is very important. This is also a good time to take your own measurements and get the specifications that are needed. Collecting this information is the key to providing an accurate estimate that doesn’t hurt your bottom-line.

What you need to include

After visiting the job site, you can go ahead and start writing the estimate. It is always good to use a template so that you can plug the information easily where it is needed. Here are the main things you have to include in an estimate:

• Contact information: You should include your contact information to make it easy for a customer to contact you if they have any questions.
• Summary of the project: This gives you and the customer a clear understanding of the work that will be done. You can also include start and completion dates.
• Costs: You need to line item all the estimated charges for the roofing project.
• Payment schedule: Let the customer know how you would like payments to be made and when funds will be due.
• Guarantees of work: Outline what your policy is if there is a problem with the project once it is complete.
• License, insurance, and other information: If your business has a license, list that in the estimate. You also need to let the customer know if you are part of a trade organization. Doing so helps build trust.

Calculate Costs

The most important part of an estimate is to share an approximate cost of the roofing project. There are so many things you will need to account for when presenting an accurate estimate. Here are the main items you need to include:

• Demolition

According to your evaluation, will the customer’s roof need to be replaced? If you will have to replace items, you need to include the cost of removing the old roofing. Include the labor cost and the cost of disposing the materials properly.

• Materials needed

The costs of materials make up the biggest part of a roofing estimate. Be as accurate as possible to avoid pushing a client away and hurting your business. Even if the homeowner provides the measurements to you, you need to get your own measurements before giving an estimate. Accurate measurements are crucial in calculating an accurate estimate for the materials that will be needed.

• Labor

Your estimate should include the work that you and your employees will be doing. You need to include the hourly rates as well as the duration it will take to complete the project.

• Permit Costs

Roofing projects require that you get a local permit. While some homeowners will be aware of this, you need to be an expert in this area. Due diligence is needed to know how much the applicable permits in the local area will cost. The cost of the permits must then be included in the total cost.

Work Guarantee

Including the guarantee of the work in the estimate is very beneficial. With a good guarantee, you will be able to put your customer at ease. Make it clear that you will take care of any problems with the project if issues are discovered after the job is done.

Make yourself stand out

One thing you need to remember when submitting an estimate is that a customer has requested several other estimates from your competitors. The focus should, therefore, be making your business to stand out. Ensure that your estimate makes your business stand out from the rest.

One of the ways you can make yourself more attractive as a roofing contractor is to include information about your insurance and details on being part of a trade organization. You can also include additional details on how you have gone above and beyond to satisfy the needs of your customers. If you have completed any certifications you need to include them. Don’t forget to include more details on how this differentiates you from other roofing companies.

Conclusion

A detailed estimate is an important part to help win the roofing job. A well-written estimate will benefit your business and make it easy for you to communicate clearly with the customer. Using these tips will help create a better estimate for your customers.