Quoting software for roofers

TradeKwote helps UK roofers turn notes from a roof survey into a clear, professional quote in about 60 seconds, from a few slipped tiles to a full re-roof. You set the prices; TradeKwote writes it up so the customer understands the job.

Last updated · by John Parlanti, founder of TradeKwote

Customers can't see their own roof, and many have heard stories about roofers. A quote that explains what you found, what you'll do and what the guarantee covers builds trust before you've set foot on a ladder.

What should a roofing quote include?

  • What you found, in plain English, for example "several cracked tiles above the rear bedroom and perished mortar on the ridge".
  • The work: strip, re-felt or membrane, battens, tiles or slates, ridge, valleys, flashings, fascias and guttering.
  • Scaffolding or access equipment, usually as its own line, as it's often a large part of the cost.
  • Materials, including the type of tile, slate or flat-roof system, such as EPDM, GRP or felt.
  • Waste removal and skip.
  • Any guarantee, what it covers and for how long, and what happens if bad weather delays the work.

How do roofers price work?

Small repairs are often a fixed price including access. Larger jobs are priced from the roof area, the materials and the labour days, plus scaffolding. Because hidden problems such as rotten timbers only appear once the roof is stripped, many roofers include a rate for extra timber work so there are no surprises.

Which regulations should a roofing quote mention?

  • Re-covering a large part of a roof can need Building Regulations approval, including meeting insulation standards. Competent person schemes such as CompetentRoofer let members self-certify.
  • Some roof changes, such as dormers or rooflights on the front of a house, may need planning permission.
  • Work at height must be planned safely, and the HSE publishes guidance for roofing work.
  • If you're a member of a trade body such as the NFRC, put it on the quote.

How does TradeKwote help roofers?

  • Dictate what you see from the ladder or scaffold, and TradeKwote turns it into a clear scope of work.
  • Add up to 5 photos of the damage so the scope is specific. Photos stay private.
  • You enter each line, such as scaffolding, materials and labour, with your price. The AI never adds items or changes prices.
  • Add a note to the customer covering weather delays and the guarantee.
  • Ask for a deposit to cover materials, and choose payment terms.
  • Customers can accept online on every plan with no account needed. On Pro, unanswered quotes are chased automatically, which helps in busy seasons.

How can roofers win more roofing work?

  • Send the quote the same day. Customers with a leak want it sorted, and the first clear quote often wins.
  • Explain the cause as well as the fix, so the customer understands why a patch repair won't last if the felt has gone.
  • Be clear about what's a repair and what's a replacement, so the customer can compare your quote with others fairly.
  • Say what happens if you find rotten timbers once the roof is stripped, and how you'll price it.

Example

Job note: Rear roof, concrete tiles, felt perished, 6 tiles slipped. Strip and re-roof rear slope, breathable membrane, new battens, reuse sound tiles. Your lines: scaffold £650, materials £900, labour £1,400, skip £280.

A quote that explains the problem and the fix, with scaffolding, materials, labour and skip set out, plus VAT and your guarantee note.

Frequently asked questions

Can I show scaffolding as a separate cost?
Yes. Add it as its own line item with your price.
Can I add photos of the damage?
You can add up to 5 photos to help TradeKwote describe the job accurately. They're kept private and not shown to the customer, so send your own photos separately if you want the customer to see them.
Can I explain weather delays on the quote?
Yes. Add a note to the customer and it appears on the quote.
Does TradeKwote set my prices?
No. You set every price. TradeKwote only writes and tidies the wording.

Sources