Install Pricing Calculator

1. Select the material type. Choose the type of roofing material you are installing. The calculator auto-fills typical install hours based on your selection: architectural shingles default to 16 hours, metal standing seam to 24, tile to 32, and 3-tab shingles to 12.

2. Enter material cost and markup. Use your wholesale cost from the supplier. A 35% markup is a common starting point for shingles, but adjust based on your market and competition. The calculator shows what the customer pays for materials.

3. Set labor details. Enter crew size, install hours, and your billable rate per worker. The billable rate is what you charge the customer per person per hour, not the worker's wage.

4. Configure accessories. Use the checklist to toggle common accessory items on or off. The total auto-fills the accessories cost field. Set your accessories markup percentage to calculate the customer-facing price.

5. Add other costs and review. Include permit fees, tear-off and disposal costs, and miscellaneous expenses. Enter the roof size in squares so the calculator can show your price per square. Review the full breakdown, profit, and margin.

Cost-plus pricing is the foundation. You start with your actual costs for materials, labor, and accessories, then add a markup to each category. The markup covers your overhead, warranty reserve, and profit. This method ensures you never sell a job below cost.

Target margin drives your pricing. Most roofing install companies aim for 25-40% gross margin. If the calculator shows you below 25%, you need to increase your markups, reduce costs, or both. Use the reverse calculator toggle to enter a target sell price and see what margin it gives you before sending the proposal.

Price per square is a quick benchmark. Dividing total sell price by roof squares (100 sq ft each) gives you a per-square number you can compare across jobs and against competitors. Architectural shingle installs typically run $350 to $550 per square. Metal standing seam tends toward $800 to $1,200 per square. If your number is significantly outside these ranges, investigate why.

Building a quote after the inspection. You have measured the roof and assessed the scope. Plug in your material cost from the supplier, set your standard markups, and adjust the hours based on roof pitch and complexity. Walk the customer through the price with confidence because you know the margin is healthy.

Comparing material options for the customer. Run the calculator for architectural shingles, then again for metal standing seam. Show the customer both price points side by side. The material cost, hours, and accessories change, so the total and price per square shift. This helps the customer make an informed decision and positions you as a consultant, not just a bidder.

Training your sales team on pricing. New salespeople often discount too aggressively to close deals. Have them use this calculator to see exactly what happens to profit margin when they knock $500 off the price. When they see the margin drop from 32% to 22%, they learn to protect the price or find other ways to add value.