How to Quote Roofing Jobs in the UK (2026)
“Is it just me or does anyone else struggle to get quotes out quickly for the smaller jobs? I end up just texting the customer a rough number and hoping for the best. Are we losing jobs because we’re slow at the admin?”
That post from a roofer in a UK trades group got 30 comments. Nearly all of them agreed. Slow quoting is one of the biggest reasons roofing businesses lose work, not on price, but on response time.
This guide covers how to quote roofing jobs in the UK in 2026: what to include, how to price accurately, and how to get quotes out fast enough to win the work before a competitor does.
Why Your Quoting Process Is Losing You Jobs
Homeowners searching for a roofer typically contact two or three tradespeople at once. The first one to send a professional, clear quote has a significant advantage. If your process involves going home, opening a laptop, building a quote in Word, emailing it three days later, you are competing against someone who sent a polished quote from their phone while still in the customer’s driveway.
Speed matters. Professionalism matters. A quote that arrives late, looks rough, or does not clearly explain what is included gives the customer a reason to go with someone else.
What to Include in a Roofing Quote
Your business details
Business name, contact details, and if you are VAT registered, your VAT number. This looks professional and protects you legally if there is a dispute later.
Scope of work
Be specific about what you are doing and, just as importantly, what you are not doing. “Replace all damaged tiles on rear elevation” is clear. “General roof repair” is not. Vague scopes lead to disputes.
Materials
List the materials you are using and the quantities where relevant. Customers appreciate knowing what they are paying for. It also protects you if material costs rise between quote and job.
Labour costs
Some roofers quote a single total price, others break out labour and materials separately. Both approaches work, but breaking it out can help justify the overall price to a customer questioning the number.
Total price (inc. VAT if applicable)
Make the total clear. If you are VAT registered, show the VAT separately and then the total including VAT. No one likes a surprise on the final invoice.
Payment terms
State your deposit requirement, when the balance is due, and how you accept payment. This should be on every quote without exception. It sets the expectation before the job starts.
Quote validity
Material prices change. Labour costs change. Include a validity period on your quotes, typically 30 days, so you are not held to a price you quoted six months ago.
Terms and conditions
A brief set of T&Cs covering what happens if the job scope changes, what your liability covers, and your dispute process protects you if things go wrong. Even a short paragraph is better than nothing.
How to Price Roofing Jobs Accurately
Know your day rate
Work out what you need to earn per day to cover your costs, pay yourself, and make the business viable. Most experienced UK roofers charge between £200 and £350 per day per person depending on location and the type of work.
Price materials with margin
Always add a margin to materials. You are sourcing, collecting, transporting and managing materials. That has a cost. A 15 to 20 per cent markup on materials is standard practice.
Factor in access and risk
Scaffold hire, equipment costs, height risk, working in adverse weather. These add real cost to roofing jobs that a customer comparing you to a cheaper quote may not appreciate. Itemise them on your quote so the comparison is fair.
Do not compete purely on price
The cheapest roofer is not always the one who wins. Homeowners who have had a bad experience will pay more for someone who communicates well, sends a professional quote and shows up when they say they will. Price for the quality you deliver.
How to Send Quotes Faster
The biggest improvement most roofers can make to their quoting process is simply getting quotes out faster. The tool that makes the biggest difference here is quoting software built for tradespeople.
Use Jobber
Jobber’s quoting feature lets you attach photos from the site visit directly to the quote. For roofing work where showing the customer exactly what needs doing helps justify the price, this is a strong advantage. Customers can approve quotes through the client portal, which creates a clear record of acceptance.
Use Tradify
Tradify lets you build and send a professional quote from your phone while still at the customer’s property. You add your line items, labour and materials, attach any site photos, and fire it off by email before you are back in the van. The customer receives a branded, professional PDF they can view and accept online.
No going home to the laptop. No forgetting to send it. No texting a rough number and hoping for the best. Tradify currently offer 50% off for your first 3 months with code PARTNER.
Tradify vs Jobber: Quoting for Roofers
| Feature | Tradify | Jobber |
|---|---|---|
| Quote from phone on site | ✓ | ✓ |
| Photo attachments on quote | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client online approval | ✗ | ✓ |
| Convert quote to invoice | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quote templates | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built for UK trades | ✓ | ✗ |
| Starting price | From £29/mo | From £29/mo |
| Best for | Speed and simplicity | Client experience |
Following Up on Quotes
Most roofers send a quote and wait. If they do not hear back, they assume the customer went elsewhere. Often, the customer is still deciding and a simple follow-up message would have won the job.
Follow up every quote within three to five days if you have not heard back. A short message asking if they have any questions about the quote is not pushy. It shows you are interested in the work and gives the customer a prompt to reply.
Tradify and Jobber both allow you to track which quotes are outstanding, making it easy to see which ones need a follow-up.
Related Guides for Roofers
- Best Apps for Roofers UK
- Best Job Management Software for Roofers UK
- Best Invoicing Software for Roofers UK
- Tradify Review for Roofers
- How to Quote Building Jobs in the UK
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