How to Write Roofing Contracts

What is a roofing contract?

A roofing contract is a legal document that describes the working relationship between a roofing contractor and their client. This contract outlines what work will be done, when, and how much it will cost.

Every roofing job should be accompanied by a written contract to protect both parties, and the contract must be signed before the project begins. This ensures the roofer completes the work and the client provides timely payment.

READ MORE: How to bid a roofing job: your step-by-step guide

Why you need a roofing contract

Whether you’re providing new roof installation, roof inspection, or roof replacement services, you need a residential or commercial roofing contract to protect your client and your business.

These are just a few ways that contracts help your roofing company:

• You can present yourself as a professional roofing contractor and stand out from the competition
• They act as a single source of truth in case of any disagreements with your customers
• Your customers must agree to the contract terms before you can begin a project
• The project scope is clearly laid out so the customer understands what they’re getting
• Contracts define the project budget and when the roofing work will be completed, keeping costs and timelines under control
• The contract describes how to manage any project changes or scope increases, including any price increases that might result
• You’re legally protected in case the customer doesn’t pay their roofing invoice
• Contracts reduce your liability by defining your responsibilities as a contractor
• They solidify pricing and scope for your customers, making it easier for them to agree to the sale

Types of roofing contracts

You can use roofing contracts for all types of roofing services, from one-off projects to repeat work. They’re also useful for different stages of a project.

You might use one of these commercial or residential roofing contract examples while you’re on the job:

• Service contract: A roofing service contract defines all the details of a roofing project, from the budget and scope to the timeline and payment terms. This contract can be sent after the estimate is approved—again, before the work begins.
• Warranty: Roofing warranties cover your workmanship and the roofing material you use in case there are any issues with the roof after installation or repairs. A warranty helps the customer rest easy and inspires confidence in your work.
• Subcontractor agreements: If you sub out roofing work to other contractors, you’ll need a contract to protect both your business and the subcontractor. This contract defines your working relationship so both companies are clear on the scope of work, compensation, and other expectations.

What should a roofing contract include?

To ensure your business is properly protected, a standard roofing contract should include:

• Your roofing company name, address, and contact details, as well as your roofing license number, if required
• The customer’s name, address, and contact information (and the address of the building where you’re working, if that’s different from the customer’s address)
• A scope of work outlining what services are being provided
• Inspection details about the roof and its materials (e.g., flat roof, asphalt shingle roof)
• What materials you’ll be using in the project, including types, colors, and brand names
• A project timeline with project stages, milestones, and specific delivery dates, allowing for potential delays due to weather
• Payment terms and conditions, including when and how the customer should deliver your deposit and final balance, as well as any penalties for late payments
• How you’ll handle any change orders or scope increases, including approvals
• Your roofing business insurance coverage and workers’ compensation insurance details, as well as any insurance the customer is required to have
• Permitting requirements, including who must apply for and hold each permit
• Allowed use of utilities like power, water, and bathroom facilities
• Any long-term maintenance requirements, including frequency and necessary tasks
• Your process for dispute resolution in case of any problems or disagreements with the customer during the project
• The terms of contract termination, including the required notice period and any associated fees or withheld deposit

Most importantly, the contract needs space for both you and your customer to sign and note the signing date. The contract is not legally enforceable until both parties have signed it.

How to write a roofing contract

Ready to write your contract agreement for roofing? You’ll want to follow these steps to ensure you have a solid legal document for all of your roofing projects:

• Find an online template to use as a starting point.
• Customize the template to match your branding and include all the necessary information about your business, customer, and scope of work.
• Have a friend, family member, or colleague read the contract to be sure it makes sense.
• Have a lawyer review the document and look for unclear language, loopholes, or other issues that might make the contract hard to enforce. They should also ensure your contract meets any requirements in your area.

The best free roofing contract templates

We’ve compiled a list of free templates you can use to create your own roof contract. That said, we recommend talking to a lawyer before you start using any roofing contract template.

• Eform offers a free roofing contract agreement template that you can use for any type of roofing project. Just fill out a series of questions, and Eform will generate a document that includes a wide range of terms and conditions.
• Jotform is commonly used for creating beautiful forms and surveys, but they also offer a roofing contractor contract template that you can fill out and send to the customer.
• PandaDoc is a popular contract tool for many roofing contractors. Once you’ve created a free account, you can set up the contract and allow customers to sign a digital version.
• Signaturely offers a roofing contract sample template that you can download and edit as needed before sending the contract to customers. Signaturely also offers online contract signing with a free trial.
• TemplateLab has a number of sample roofing contract template options that you can download as a Word or Google Doc. Customize sections as needed and add in your company branding to finish off the contract before giving it to the customer.

No matter which template you choose, make sure it’s right for your needs and always check with your legal counsel before using it.

Tips for creating a roofing agreement

Follow these tips to create roofing contracts that are clear and legally enforceable:

• Design a cover with your business name and logo, and use your business fonts and colors so the contract matches your branding.
• Include relevant titles and subtitles in the document to break up long chunks of text.
• Use clear language throughout the contract so the customer understands what they’re signing.
• Be specific about your scope of work and describe what is and isn’t included. That way, the client knows what to expect, and you know what you’re getting paid for.
• Ensure your contracts are easy to sign. Print contracts are harder to manage, so provide digital options that can be delivered by text message or email.
• Use roofing contracts for every job, no matter how big or small, and keep records of all contracts for at least seven years. With a roofing CRM like Jobber, you can store a copy of your contract right in your client’s file.
• Improve your contract template over time as you learn from each job. There’s always something new you can add to better protect your business and customers.