Calculating Final Roof Takeoff Costs

Accurate Roof Takeoffs – Step 6: Calculating Final Roof Takeoff Costs

Replacing a residential roof requires careful planning and calculation of materials, costs, and labor requirements. The process of estimating materials and dimensions for a roof replacement is called a roof takeoff. A precise takeoff helps ensure that a contractor orders the correct amount and lengths of metal panel, trim, and accessories to manage project costs effectively.

In the previous articles in this series, we walked through all the important steps to consider in creating an accurate and clear metal roof takeoff and quote. Today, we will pull it all together and summarize the costs and other considerations.

Calculate the Final Cost Estimate

These considerations are important for your business and for your customers. Ensuring you properly quote your projects will mean profitability for your business and confidence from your customers who will in turn refer you to others.

  • Material Costs: Calculate the total cost for all metal panels, trim, underlayment, flashing, screws, and additional components and accessories.
  • Labor Costs: Based on the estimated hours and labor rate.
  • Delivery Costs: To account for your costs to order product outside of your region or to cover your own employees costs for getting the materials.
  • Other products, rental items, tools, and other considerations.
  • Contingency Budget: Add a contingency budget, usually around 5-10%, to account for unexpected costs or adjustments required on-site.

Double-Check Your Takeoff

An accurate takeoff requires attention to detail. Double-check each step to ensure that no measurements, materials, or cost considerations were missed. Reviewing your takeoff will help prevent errors that could lead to shortages, delays, or unnecessary expenses during the project.

Here’s all the steps, summarized, for your quick reference:

Step 1: Gather Your Information

  • Customer decision of roofing material, style and colors
  • Budget and financing available
  • Desired warranty, quality, etc.
  • Building or buildings desired in the quote
  • Roof complexity, architectural features, and obstructions
  • Pitch and slope

Step 2 (Option 1): Measure the Roof – Manual Methods

  • Draw It Out
  • Measure Every Roof Section
  • Calculate Roof Pitch
  • Calculate Total Area / Square Footage

Step 2 (Option 2): Measure the Roof – Digital Methods

  • Register for digital tool, like Roofing Passport
  • Request digital measurements, from EagleView, Hover, etc.
  • Edit panel selection, colors, trim, and other variables
  • Download the outputs and present the job to the customer
  • Secure the quote, order your material, install, and collect your payments

Step 3: Calculate Roofing Material Needed

  • For manual measurements, you will need to calculate all materials needed. In digital tools, like Roofing Passport, the calculations are done for you.
  • Based on panel selected, calculate quantities of panels and lengths.
  • Ensure you have included overhang where needed.
  • Calculate a little extra material to account for errors in cutting or measurements
  • Ensure you calculate and order underlayment / ice shield

Step 4: Calculate Accessories & Trim Needed

  • Ensure you’ve covered all the necessary portions of trim and accessories per installation guides
  • Trim items like ridge cap, valley, upper and lower gambrels, rake, high side, eave, endwall, sidewall, gutters, and fascia.
  • Types of accessories include fasteners, rivets, ventilation, closures, butyl tape, sealant, and pipe flashing.

Step 5: Calculate Labor & Other Costs

  • Labor rates can vary, based on things like roof accessibility, complexity, labor experience, and team size / productivity.
  • Other costs could include delivery of materials to the jobsite, new tools, additional equipment or rentals needed, and other products like skylights, cupolas and other add-ons.

Step 6: Calculating Final Roof Takeoff Costs

  • All Material Costs
  • All Labor Costs
  • All Additional Items
  • Any Contingency Budget

Final Thoughts

Producing an accurate roof takeoff is both an art and a science. The process requires precise measurements, careful calculation, and a clear understanding of roofing materials and methods. Investing the time in a detailed takeoff pays off in cost savings, efficient material use, and smoother project execution. With the right tools, techniques, and attention to detail, you can create a reliable and accurate roof takeoff that will set your roofing projects up for success.

Central States is here to help. We partner with Sherwin Williams to provide Roofing Passport – a digital estimation tool for metal roofing, that produces a takeoff and material list with just a street address or drawing of a home. Customers can learn more about this easy-to-use program and sign-up, today, here. We provide training and support to assist you as you run your takeoff through Roofing Passport. For more information, you can also speak directly to your Central States Salesperson.

Back to Blog
Scroll to Top