Two halves of a roofing estimate
People searching for a roofing estimate template usually mean one of two things: the form a homeowner fills in to ask for a quote, or the written estimate a contractor sends back. You need both, and the first decides how good the second can be. A request that captures the address, roof type, the problem, timing and a few photos lets you rough out a number before anyone climbs a ladder. A vague 'call me for a quote' message means a site visit just to learn the basics. This template covers the request side. The sections below also explain what your written estimate should list, so the details you collect here carry straight into the quote you send.
What the request form has to ask
Keep the required fields to what you cannot quote without. Name, phone and email let you reply the way the homeowner prefers. The full property address lets you look at aerial imagery, take rough measurements and confirm the job is inside your service area. Roof type matters because asphalt shingle, metal, tile and flat roofs use different materials, crews and pricing. 'What's the issue?' separates a small leak repair from a full replacement, and urgency tells you who to call first. Photos and the free-text box for roof age, number of stories, access problems and any insurance claim are optional, but that is where the useful detail usually shows up, so keep them on the form.
Wording homeowners understand
Most homeowners do not know roofing terms, so write options in the words they would use. Keep 'Not sure' on roof type rather than forcing a guess. Describe problems by what people see: 'water stain on a ceiling', 'shingles in the yard after a storm', 'roof is old and I want it replaced'. For the photo field, a hint like 'One photo from the street showing the whole roof, plus close-ups of any damage. Please don't climb onto the roof.' gets better pictures and keeps people safe. If you do a lot of storm work, add a simple question such as 'Are you filing an insurance claim? Yes / No / Not sure yet', because it changes the paperwork you will need.
Putting the form online, step by step
Start from this template in OneSol, or describe the form to the AI, for example 'a roofing quote request for a contractor that asks for roof type, damage photos and insurance status'. Edit the labels and options to match the work you actually do, and delete what you don't offer, such as wood shake or new construction. Check the photo upload is switched on; each file can be up to 5 MB. Write a short confirmation message that says when you will be in touch. Publish, then put the link where homeowners already find you: your website's contact page, your Google Business Profile, a QR code on yard signs and door hangers, and your email signature. Homeowners fill it in without creating an account. Building and publishing it is free to start.
Handling requests when they arrive
Each request lands in your OneSol dashboard and inbox, so check it at fixed times every day rather than whenever you remember. Sort by urgency first and call active leaks the same day. Then look at the photos and the address together: some jobs can get a ballpark price from the desk, while others clearly need an inspection before you commit to a number. Reply to every request, even the ones outside your area, so nobody is left waiting. Export the responses as a CSV each week and add a column for the outcome, such as quoted, won or lost, so you can see which sources bring real jobs. If you charge for inspections or take deposits, you can collect payment with the form by connecting your own Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay or Square account on Pro.
What your written roofing estimate should list
The estimate you send back should leave little to argue about later. List your business name, contact details and any license number, the customer's name and property address, the date, and how long the price is valid. Describe the scope: tear-off or overlay, how many layers are removed, the roof size in squares (one square is 100 square feet), shingle or panel brand, line and color, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and cleanup and disposal. Break the price into line items, and price likely unknowns such as rotten decking per sheet, since that is often only found after tear-off. Finish with the payment schedule, the warranty terms, an expected start window and how weather delays are handled. Contract and licensing rules for roofers vary by state and country, so check with your local licensing authority; this guide is not legal advice.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is making too many fields required. A homeowner with water coming through the ceiling will not answer twelve questions, so keep the essentials required and leave the rest optional. Asking for a budget as a required field puts people off before you have shown them any value; ask about it on the call instead. Dropping the 'Not sure' options leads to wrong answers that you then quote from. Hiding the photo field at the bottom, or not explaining why photos help, means fewer pictures. Forgetting to say when you will respond leaves people booking the next roofer they find. And letting requests sit unread for days undoes the point of collecting them online in the first place.