Free AI-generated roofing proposal template — shingle specs, decking, flashing, warranty, and cleanup. Customize in 2 min, send as PDF or link.
A roofing proposal is one of the largest purchases most homeowners make. They're comparing 3-5 bids, often with no way to evaluate quality differences — so they default to price. A detailed proposal that specifies materials by brand, separates the shingle warranty from your labor warranty, and shows what happens if the decking is rotten gives homeowners something real to compare. It closes jobs on value rather than bottom-dollar bidding.
Proposal from
SkyShield Roofing
Prepared for
Robert & Linda Kasper
Full Roof Replacement
Full tear-off of existing 2-layer asphalt shingle roof (approx. 28 squares). Replace with GAF Timberline HDZ architectural shingles. Install new drip edge, valley flashing, and pipe boot flashings.
GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles (Charcoal) — 30-year limited warranty GAF WeatherWatch Ice & Water Shield (all eaves, 36" up) GAF FeltBuster synthetic underlayment New aluminum drip edge Pipe boot flashings
Labor & materials: $14,200 Conditional decking (if needed): $85/sheet Debris removal & haul-away: included Total (before any decking): $14,200
GAF Timberline HDZ: 30-year limited manufacturer warranty SkyShield workmanship: 5-year warranty on all labor Flashing work: 3-year warranty
Send proposals like this in minutes with BidMaker.
Create Your Free AccountSpecify the shingle warranty separately from the workmanship warranty. A 30-year shingle warranty is from the manufacturer; your labor warranty is yours. Clients conflate these constantly.
List all decking work as a conditional line item. You can't quote decking replacement until the old roof is off. Showing the per-sheet rate upfront sets expectations.
Include debris removal and haul-away. Clients assume it's included. If it is, say so. If there's a dump fee, line-item it so nothing looks padded at invoice time.
Photo-document flashings and penetrations before tearoff. Ice dams and failed caulking that predate your work need to be documented before someone blames you.
State the nail pattern. 4 nails per shingle vs. 6 nails is a real code difference in high-wind zones. Showing this signals quality.
Check gutter condition and note it in the proposal. A new roof installed over failing gutters means callbacks. If gutters aren't in your scope, document their current condition in writing so there's no dispute about water damage later.
Take a roof deck photo before and after. Ground-level or drone photos taken during your inspection show the client what you found, build trust, and document pre-existing damage before you touch a single shingle.
Verify attic ventilation before finalizing the quote. Insufficient ventilation voids most shingle manufacturer warranties. Catching this upfront — and noting it in the proposal — is a real differentiator. Most competitors skip this step entirely.
Every strong roofing proposal covers these elements. Skip one and you'll likely answer for it later.
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See typical roofing rates, common service prices, and what moves the number up or down.
Roofing pricing guide →Most residential replacements (20-35 squares) take 1-2 days for the installation itself. But plan on a 2-4 week window from contract signing to final inspection, which includes permit processing time. Weather delays are the main variable — late fall and winter can push this window to 6+ weeks in northern climates.
The shingle warranty (30-year, 50-year, or lifetime) comes from the manufacturer and covers defective materials. The workmanship warranty comes from your contractor and covers installation failures — leaks from improper flashing, nail blow-through, underlayment errors. They're separate documents from separate parties. Homeowners who don't know this call their contractor when they should call the manufacturer, and vice versa.
Two minimum, ideally three. Be skeptical of any bid more than 15-20% below the others — materials cost roughly the same for all contractors, so large price gaps usually mean something is being cut. Compare line by line: shingle brand, ice/water shield coverage, decking rate, permit handling, and both warranty terms.
An estimate is ballpark pricing before a full site inspection. A proposal is a fixed-price commitment based on actual measurements, a materials spec list, and a roof inspection. Never pay a deposit based on an estimate. Get a signed proposal with full materials specs before you hand over any money.
Yes. An unpermitted roof replacement can complicate your home sale — some lenders won't close on a home with unpermitted work. The permit also requires an independent inspection, which protects you if the contractor later argues the installation met code.
Spring and early fall, when demand is lower and the weather is more predictable. Summer backlogs in many markets run 3-6 weeks. If you have an active leak, don't wait — get a tarp or emergency repair now. Water damage compounds fast and the repair cost grows with every rain.
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