Roofing jobs live and die on quantities and disposal. The profit method is the same as any job — full cost, overhead, then a target margin — but the cost lines that get missed on a roof are specific to tear-off, waste, and access.
What drives cost on a roof
- Material waste: shingles, starter, ridge, and underlayment are ordered with a waste allowance; complex roofs waste more.
- Tear-off and disposal: removing old layers plus dumpster and tipping fees, which scale with the number of layers.
- Underlayment, flashing, drip edge, and ventilation: small line items that add up across a full roof.
- Steepness and access: steep or multi-story roofs slow production and can require extra safety and staging.
- Burdened labor: roofing labor at a burdened, productivity-adjusted rate, not the wage.
Worked example
Materials $4,200, disposal and dump $600, labor 60 hours at a $42 burdened rate ($2,520), and $300 of other cost give a direct cost of $7,620. A 12% overhead allocation adds $914.40 for a total cost of $8,534.40. Priced for a 25% margin, the roof quotes at $11,379.20, an estimated profit of $2,844.80.
Pre-quote checklist
- Measured squares with a waste allowance for the roof shape.
- Number of existing layers and confirmed disposal cost.
- Flashing, valleys, penetrations, and ventilation counted.
- Steep or access charges where they apply.
- Permit and inspection requirements confirmed locally.
Frequently asked questions
How do I price a roofing job?
Total materials, tear-off and disposal, flashing and ventilation, and burdened labor, add overhead, then price for a target margin.
Why include a waste allowance?
Because shingles, starter, and ridge are cut and lapped. Complex roofs waste more, so the material order should reflect the roof shape.
What is most often left out of a roof quote?
Disposal and dump fees for multiple layers, and steep or access charges that slow production.
What to do next
The MarginJob calculators use the same profit method for every trade. This page adds the cost lines and checks that matter for this specific type of work. Planning estimates only; verify quantities, codes, and pricing with current project documents.