How to Write a Standard Roofing Contract

A clear, signed roofing contract protects both you and the homeowner. This guide walks through the essential clauses every roofing contract should include, plus a copy-ready template you can adapt for your next job.

Disclaimer: this is a general business guide, not legal advice. Have a licensed attorney in your state review your contract before using it with customers.

Why a written roofing contract matters

Verbal agreements collapse the moment something goes wrong — a delayed delivery, a change in materials, an insurance claim that takes longer than expected. A written contract sets expectations up front, documents the price and scope, and gives you a clean paper trail if you ever need to defend the work in court or to an insurer.

Essential clauses checklist

At minimum, every standard roofing contract should cover:

• Parties & contact info — legal business name, license number, and the homeowner's full name and address.
• Property address — the job site, even if it differs from the billing address.
• Scope of work — tear-off, decking, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, type and color of shingles, gutters, cleanup.
• Materials & brands — specific manufacturer, product line, and grade (e.g. GAF Timberline HDZ, architectural).
• Start & completion dates — with a weather-delay clause.
• Total price & payment schedule — deposit, progress payments, final payment on completion.
• Change orders — how added work (rotten decking, extra layers) is priced and approved in writing.
• Workmanship warranty — your labor warranty length, and the separate manufacturer warranty on materials.
• Insurance & licensing — proof of general liability and workers' comp.
• Permits — who pulls them and who pays for them.
• Lien rights & notices — any pre-lien notices required in your state.
• Cancellation / right to rescind — most states require a 3-day right of rescission for residential work.
• Dispute resolution — mediation, arbitration, or venue/jurisdiction.
• Signatures & date — printed name, signature, and date for both parties.

Scope of work: be specific

"Replace roof" is not a scope — it's a fight waiting to happen. List every line item the crew will perform: removal of existing layers, decking inspection and replacement rate (e.g. "decking replacement billed at $X per sheet beyond the first two"), ice and water shield coverage, drip edge, valleys, pipe boots, ridge vent, and cleanup including magnetic sweep of the yard.

Payment terms that protect cash flow

A common, fair structure for residential roofing:

• Deposit: 10–30% on signing (check your state's deposit cap).
• Material delivery: a progress payment when materials hit the job site.
• Substantial completion: the balance due on the day the job passes final walkthrough.

For insurance jobs, the contract should specify that the final price is the insurance approved scope plus any owner-approved upgrades, and that supplements paid by the carrier are part of the contract price.

Warranty clause

Separate your workmanship warranty from the manufacturer's material warranty. State the length of each (e.g. "5-year workmanship warranty on labor; materials warranted by the manufacturer per the product's published terms"), what voids them (homeowner modifications, foot traffic, satellite installs), and how warranty claims are submitted.

Change orders

The most common dispute on a roofing job is unexpected decking. Spell out the per-sheet price, require written homeowner approval before extra work proceeds, and attach a one-page change-order form to your contract template so the crew can sign it on site.

Copy-ready roofing contract template

ROOFING CONTRACT

This Agreement is made on _______________, between:

Contractor: [Legal Business Name], License #_________
Address: _______________________  Phone: _____________

Homeowner: _____________________
Job Site Address: ______________________________________

1. SCOPE OF WORK
Contractor agrees to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment to:
   - Tear off ___ layer(s) of existing roofing and dispose of debris.
   - Inspect decking; replace damaged sheets at $____ per 4x8 sheet.
   - Install synthetic underlayment over entire roof deck.
   - Install ice & water shield at eaves, valleys, and penetrations.
   - Install [Brand/Product/Color] architectural shingles.
   - Install new drip edge, pipe boots, step flashing, and ridge vent.
   - Clean up job site daily and perform magnetic nail sweep on completion.

2. MATERIALS
Shingle: ________________  Color: ____________
Underlayment: ___________  Ice & Water: _______
Ventilation: _______________________________

3. PRICE & PAYMENT
Total Contract Price: $______________
   - Deposit on signing: $__________
   - Due on material delivery: $__________
   - Balance on substantial completion: $__________

4. SCHEDULE
Estimated start: ____________   Estimated completion: ____________
Weather, material shortages, or homeowner-requested changes may extend
the schedule without penalty to the Contractor.

5. CHANGE ORDERS
Any change in scope must be documented and signed by both parties before
work proceeds. Decking replacement beyond inspection allowance is billed
per Section 1 above.

6. WARRANTY
Contractor warrants its workmanship for ___ years from completion.
Materials are warranted by the manufacturer per published terms.
Warranty is void if the roof is modified by others or damaged by
non-roofing trades (e.g. satellite installs, HVAC work).

7. INSURANCE & LICENSING
Contractor maintains general liability and workers' compensation
insurance. Certificates available on request.

8. PERMITS
[ ] Contractor will pull and pay for permits.
[ ] Homeowner is responsible for permits.

9. RIGHT TO CANCEL
Homeowner may cancel this contract within three (3) business days of
signing without penalty by giving written notice to Contractor.

10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute arising from this contract shall first be submitted to
mediation in __________ County, [State]. Unresolved disputes will be
settled by binding arbitration under the rules of the American
Arbitration Association.

SIGNATURES
Contractor: _____________________________  Date: ___________
Homeowner:  _____________________________  Date: ___________

From signed contract to finished job

Once the contract is signed, the next risk is the job itself — crews on the wrong site, missing photos, time disputes, weather. Roof Control is built for roofing crews to log time, capture voice and photo reports, get weather alerts, and generate clean invoices from the same job record. See pricing →

FAQ

Do I need a written contract for small roofing repairs?

Yes. Most states require a written contract for any home-improvement work above a low dollar threshold (often $500–$1,000). Even below that, a one-page work order with scope and price protects you.

How much deposit can a roofer legally take?

It depends on the state. Some cap residential deposits at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. Check your state contractor board before setting your standard deposit.

Should the contract reference the insurance scope?

For insurance-funded roofs, yes — tie the contract price to the carrier's approved scope plus any owner-approved upgrades, and include supplements as part of the contract amount.