Bid Sharp logo Bid Sharp

Roofing Estimating and Takeoff Services for Roofing Contractors

Roof area, slope, material and flashing takeoffs for low-slope and steep-slope roofing systems.

Get a Free Quote
Roofing Estimating

Roofing Estimating Services is measuring roof area, slope and details and pricing the roofing system, insulation, flashing and accessories from the plans or aerial measurements.

We measure roof planes with slope factors, count penetrations and drains, and price membranes, shingles or metal panels, insulation, edge metal, flashing and labor by system.

What we measure and price

ItemUnitNotes
Roof area with slope factorSQ / SFBy plane and pitch
Roofing membrane or shinglesSQSystem per specification
Insulation and cover boardSF / BFThickness and layers
Flashing, edge metal and copingsLFPerimeters, walls, curbs
Penetrations, drains and curbsEAPipes, vents, units, scuppers
Tear-off and disposalSQExisting roofing, if any

Specifications and CSI MasterFormat references

Roofing is covered in Division 07, including 07 21 00 Thermal Insulation, 07 52 00 Modified Bituminous Membrane Roofing, 07 54 00 Thermoplastic Membrane Roofing, 07 31 00 Shingles and 07 62 00 Sheet Metal Flashing and Trim. We read the specification section alongside the drawings so that products, performance requirements, testing, warranties and allowances are priced the way the solicitation intends — not just what appears on the plan sheets.

Pre-bid review: what we check before pricing

  • Scope definition: what is in your trade and what belongs to others, with inclusions and exclusions written down.
  • Addenda and bulletins: every addendum is logged and its effect on quantities, alternates and unit prices is carried into the estimate.
  • Requests for information (RFIs): conflicts between drawings and specifications are listed so they can be submitted before the question deadline.
  • Alternates, allowances and unit prices: priced separately and tied to the bid form so the proposal is complete and responsive.
  • Bid form and qualifications: required line items, bond and insurance requirements, prevailing-wage or Davis-Bacon language and any bid-day instructions are flagged.

Pricing considerations that move the number

  • Roof pitch and access affect labor and safety costs.
  • Warranty requirements change system and installation details.
  • Existing conditions and tear-off layers.
  • Weather window and phasing.

Submittals and shop drawings for this scope

Roofing submittals focus on the assembly, warranty and flashing details.

  • Roof assembly product data and manufacturer warranty
  • Insulation layout and tapered-insulation (slope) drawings
  • Flashing, edge-metal and penetration details
  • Wind-uplift and fire-rating test data

We prepare shop drawings and submittal packages for many of these scopes, and we can resubmit after architect or engineer comments.

Common estimating mistakes we help you avoid

  • Measuring plan area without the slope factor
  • Omitting tapered insulation, crickets and cover board
  • Missing tear-off layers, disposal and drain/penetration flashing
  • Ignoring warranty-driven installation requirements

What you get

  • Marked-up plans showing every count and measurement
  • Quantity takeoff organized by roof area and system type
  • Material, labor, equipment and subcontract pricing (or takeoff only)
  • Clear assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, alternates and unit prices
  • Excel and PDF files ready to drop into your bid or post-bid scope sheets
  • Support on addenda, clarifications and bid leveling after delivery

Who this is for

Roofing contractors, general contractors and building owners.

How it works

  1. Upload your plans, specifications and addenda, or paste a plan-room link, with your bid due date.
  2. We confirm scope, price and turnaround before any work starts.
  3. Our estimators complete the takeoff and pricing and a second estimator reviews it.
  4. You receive the files and we stay available for addenda, RFIs and post-bid clarifications.

Software and standards

We take off in digital takeoff tools such as PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu, price with RSMeans-style cost data and your own unit prices where you provide them, schedule in Oracle Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project when needed, and organize quantities by CSI MasterFormat (Division 07). Estimating is done remotely from your drawings, so we support public and private projects in every state.

Why contractors outsource roofing estimating

Bid season compresses the time estimators have for each solicitation. Outsourcing the roofing takeoff and pricing lets your team cover more bids, respond to addenda quickly and keep an independent check on subcontractor and supplier numbers. You keep control of the bid: you review the quantities, adjust unit costs and decide the final price.

Public, private and prevailing-wage projects

We price this scope on public solicitations (IFB, ITB and RFP responses) and private open-shop projects alike. When the solicitation includes a prevailing-wage or Davis-Bacon wage determination, we apply the stated rates and fringe benefits to the labor in each line item and allow for certified payroll administration. See public bid estimating and our prevailing wage guide.

Related services and pages

Combine this scope with quantity takeoff, bid leveling and proposal support, pre-bid and post-bid support, shop drawings and CPM scheduling. Browse every CSI division page, read the CSI MasterFormat guide or check the bidding glossary.

Frequently asked questions

Can you measure from aerial imagery?

+

Where plans are not available we can work from aerial or satellite measurements and state the assumptions.

Bid Sharp at a glance: 3 steps, 50 states

Bid Sharp prepares construction estimates, takeoffs, shop drawings, structural and permit drawings and schedules for contractors and homeowners in all 50 states, on public and private projects. Typical turnaround is about 48 hours; the turnaround and a firm price are confirmed before any work starts.

  1. 1. Upload plans. Send PDF, DWG or a plan-room link with your bid due date.
  2. 2. Get a firm quote. Scope, price and turnaround in writing, with no obligation.
  3. 3. Receive deliverables. Excel and PDF files, plus DWG for drawings, checked by 2 team members.

Quick answers

How do I get a quote?

Upload your plans on the contact page; we reply with scope, price and turnaround before work begins.

Which states and trades do you cover?

All 50 states and CSI Divisions 01–33, plus solar. See services and locations.

Do you submit bids for contractors?

No. We prepare the takeoff, pricing and documents; the contractor reviews, signs and submits the bid. Read the FAQ.

Standards and official sources

Rules, wage rates, codes and procurement procedures change and differ by agency. Confirm the requirements that apply to your project with these primary sources and with the solicitation itself.

Keep exploring

Last updated by the Bid Sharp estimating team.

Call Upload Plans