Gone are the days when you could spit into your palm and “shake on it”.
The average roof costs $6,000 to $40,000. That’s a serious investment. Homeowners want assurance that their money isn’t falling into the wrong hands.
As Harvard Business Review points out, trust is the core of any successful business venture.
And trust comes from having a rock-solid contract. A contract is a written agreement that defines the scope of work, costs, timelines, and responsibilities for both parties.
In the next 10 minutes, we’ll walk you through how to write a contract, and common contract mistakes to avoid.
Bonus #1: You’ll also get 7 free roofing contract templates you can download and customize yourself.
Bonus #2: Want to skip the wait and get profitable roofing jobs this month? Partner with the right roofing marketing agency and let’s hit the gas!
Ready to 2.5x Your Lead Generation?
Join 330+ contractors who've transformed their business with our proven marketing strategies
What Is a Roofing Contract?
A roofing contract (also called a roofing agreement) is a written document between a roofing contractor and a property owner that clearly defines the scope of work, materials being used, project timelines, pricing, and payment terms.
It also outlines responsibilities, warranties, and what happens if changes or delays occur.
Why is a contract important? As per a Legal Insights Inc. survey, at least 45% of respondents have been caught in a verbal contract dispute at least once in their lives.
Now bear in mind: A roofing contract can apply to both residential and commercial roofing projects. In fact, we’d say no job is too “small” to be backed by a formal, written contract.
Ontario.ca tells us that every consumer should demand a contract for anything over $50. With roofing, that safety puts your business in this category!
When you spell out every expectation on paper, homeowners get clarity, and you get backup when problems arise. A win-win.
Why a Roofing Contract Is Super Important in 2026
Roofing projects are bigger, pricier, and more regulated than ever!
The U.S. roofing market is projected to reach 31.38 billion by 2026. The money is high, and the stakes are even higher.
So, what do you do? Write a contract! It’s a clear, written agreement that protects both your business and your bottom line and is a legally binding agreement.
Here are 5 BIG reasons why every roofing job should begin with a contract:
- Legal protection: A roofing contract documents agreed-upon terms and helps protect you if disputes, delays, or claims arise.
- Clear expectations: It defines the scope of work, materials, and timelines reduce confusion for homeowners and crews alike.
- Payment security: Money is the BIG thing on everyone’s mind! Written payment terms help prevent late payments, partial payments, or awkward collection conversations.
- Liability coverage: Contracts outline responsibility for permits, damages, and insurance, reducing legal exposure.
- Dispute prevention: When everything’s in writing, there’s far less room for “that’s not what we discussed.”
As per the latest roofing industry statistics, there are well over 136,000 roofers across the U.S.
The competition’s certainly there!
As a business owner, you literally cannot afford to lose prospects because of a messy contract that creates doubt.
Law 4 Small Business stresses, “A good contract can keep you out of trouble, minimize costs when things go awry, maintain revenue streams, and ensure performance.”
4 Common Types of Roofing Contracts
So many options, so little time!
You can and should write a roofing contract for any type of roofing work.
Elite Roofing points out: “You need a contract whether you’re repairing, replacing, or installing a roof. Your contract has serious implications, so it’s important to get it right.”
Here are the 4 most common roofing company contracts you’ll see in the field:
- Service contract: Used for routine repairs, maintenance, or small roofing jobs. It outlines the scope of work, pricing, and payment terms for shorter, lower-risk projects.
- Residential or commercial roofing contract: Designed for full roof replacements or major installations. These contracts detail materials, timelines, warranties, and responsibilities in more depth due to higher costs and longer project timelines.
- Roofing warranty agreement: Covers workmanship and materials after the job is complete. It explains what’s protected, for how long, and under what conditions repairs or replacements are covered.
- Subcontractor agreement: Used when hiring subcontractors. It defines roles, pay structure, timelines, and liability to ensure everyone is accountable.
64% of U.S. civil lawsuits arise because of contract disputes! Insane right?
We cannot say this enough: Choose the right contract type and make it fool-proof.
When thinking about how to grow your roofing business, this should literally be numero uno.
Key Elements to Include in a Roofing Contract
Clarity. That is at the heart of a good roofing contract!
Who doesn’t want a buttery-smooth roofing job from start to finish? To get there, you need a detailed and crystal clear contract.
Remember, your business could lose 8–9% of annual revenue if you write crappy contracts.
Here are the essentials every competent roofing contract should have:
| Contract Element | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Scope of work | Clearly defines what’s included (and excluded), preventing “I thought that was part of the job” disputes. |
| Materials | Lists roofing materials, brands, and specifications so homeowners know what they’re getting, and contractors avoid substitutions later. |
| Project timeline | Sets start dates, estimated completion, and delays due to weather or supply issues. This keeps expectations realistic. |
| Payment terms | Outlines deposits, progress payments, and final balances, helping contractors get paid on time and homeowners plan financially. |
| Warranties | Explains workmanship and material warranties, including coverage length and exclusions, so there are no surprises after installation. |
| Liability & insurance | Clarifies responsibility for permits, property damage, and insurance coverage, reducing legal risk for both parties. |
| Termination clause | Defines when and how either party can cancel, protecting against sudden job abandonment or last-minute walkaways. |
Again, we want to stress clarity! 90% of people struggle or find it downright impossible to understand the average contract.
Confusion causes friction. Friction loses you clients.
A Simple Process for Writing a Roofing Contract
Ready to learn how to write a roofing contract?
Just like making crème brûlée, you need to follow a recipe!
Swear by these 5 trusty steps, and it will save you a world of pain. You won’t have to worry about payment issues, disputes, and legal headaches later on!
Here’s a simple, repeatable process you can use for a comprehensive roofing contract:
- Start with a proven template
Don’t write from scratch. Use a professional roofing contract template that already includes essential clauses and structure. Keep scrolling for our top 7 templates! - Customize it for the job
Adjust the scope of work, materials, pricing, timeline, and payment terms to match the specific project. Do not leave in any details from previous jobs. - Spell out expectations clearly
Avoid vague language. Be specific about what’s included, what’s not, and how changes are handled. - Review it for clarity
Read it as a homeowner would. If something could be misunderstood, tighten it up. - Have it reviewed by a legal professional
A lawyer can ensure your contract complies with local laws and protects your business before you reuse it across jobs.
Pro Tip: You can also run it through ChatGPT or Perplexity with a prompt like:“Flag unclear language, missing sections, or potential confusion a homeowner might have.”
Yes, it takes a little time upfront. But once that first contract is done with all the details, the process is repeatable!
7 Roofing Contract Templates You Can Download for Free
Do not reinvent the wheel!
The process of how to make a roofing contract is 10 times simpler with a template.
Instead of starting from scratch, you get a proven structure that covers pricing, scope, timelines, and legal basics.
Keep scrolling to see 7 free, reliable roofing contract examples you can download, customize, and use for real roofing jobs!
1. LegalTemplates
LegalTemplates is fantastic. It offers a customizable sample roofing contract agreement. You’ll notice it’s designed to outline your roofing services, pricing, and expectations.
To get started, select the roofing services agreement, answer a short guided questionnaire, and download the completed contract in Word or PDF format, ready to customize for your job.
What’s included:
- Scope of work and materials
- Description of services
- Project timeline and payment terms
- Warranty details
- Liability and insurance language
- Termination and dispute clauses
This is easy to reuse and will lead to a no-fuss signed contract process. LegalTemplates is a great legal document for both the contractor and the roofing client.
2. ServiceTitan
ServiceTitan offers a free roofing contract template designed for contractors handling residential and new roof construction projects.
Yes! It’s an editable PDF that focuses on the core details needed to formalize roofing work without overcomplicating the agreement.
To get the template, you’ll have to submit a short form on the ServiceTitan website, and the contract is emailed to you instantly for download and use.
What’s included:
- Contractor and client information
- Project start and completion dates
- Total contract price and payment terms
- Signature lines for both parties
A solid option for straightforward roofing jobs!
3. Signaturely
Signaturely offers a roofing contract sample created with input from real legal experts and proofreaders!
The template is available in Word or PDF format and is designed for repeated use as your roofing business grows.
To access it, simply enter your email address on their site and download the file. You can also use Signaturely’s platform to collect digital signatures if you want to keep everything paperless.
What’s included:
- Scope of work and quality standards
- Payment terms and pricing structure
- Completion dates
- Insurance and liability clauses
- Amendment and dispute resolution terms
We love it! Simple, reusable, and contractor-friendly.
4. eForms
eForms provides an incredible free roof contract template that lets you create a state-specific agreement.
Want something tailored to local requirements? This is your best bet.
To use it, complete their guided form with around 14 questions, and export the finished contract as a PDF or Word document, ready to download and customize for your job.
What’s included:
- Contractor and client details
- Governing law and contract term
- Scope of services and duration
- Payment structure and installment schedule
- Expense handling and liability insurance
- Termination terms and additional conditions
Simple, practical, and easy to tailor to your project.
5. JobNimbus
JobNimbus offers a pretty cool roofing contract template.
It helps roofers clearly explain what will be done, how much it costs, and the estimate!
You can download the template from JobNimbus’s free tools page and customize it with your company name, logo, job details, and pricing.
What’s included:
- Scope of work and materials
- Project timelines and milestones
- Payment schedule and accepted methods
- Warranties and guarantees
- Liability, insurance, and permits
- Cleanup expectations and signatures
A strong option if you want your contracts to be polished. Who wouldn’t?
6. TemplateLab
TemplateLab offers 10 roofing agreement contract templates in Word format.
Do you handle repairs on one end and full replacements on the other? These templates work well for different types of roofing jobs!
They’re straightforward and easy to edit, making them a good fit for common residential roofing projects!
To use them, browse the available roofing templates, select the one you like, and download the Word document directly from the TemplateLab page.
What’s included:
- Scope of work and materials
- Project timeline and duration
- Payment terms and deposits
- Warranty and responsibility clauses
- Termination terms and signatures
We love it because it’s simple, flexible, and easy to customize.
7. PandaDoc
PandaDoc offers a fantastic residential roofing contract template.
Take a look! Their template covers full project details and works well for roof replacements and any larger residential jobs.
Sign up for a free PandaDoc account to access the template. You can customize the contract online and collect e-signatures, making it easy to send, sign, and store everything digitally.
What’s included:
- Scope of work and materials
- Project timeline and pricing
- Payment terms and milestones
- Warranty and responsibility sections
- Digital signatures and audit trail
For digital-first roofing contracts, PandaDoc makes things smoother than butter from start to finish.
Get More Clients. Sign More Contracts!
You now have everything at your fingertips to create a killer roofing contract.
Make sure your contract spells everything out (scope, pricing, timelines, and expectations). This guarantees projects run smoothly, and you get paid on time.
But great contracts need great customers.
Partner with Comrade Digital Marketing today if you want more qualified leads, better-fit jobs, and year-round profits, with no interruptions.
Take Built to Last Roofing. They saw a 750% increase in qualified leads with our top-tier SEO, PPC, and web design services.
Ready to take control? Book a consultation and sign more contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How detailed should the scope of work be in a roofing contract?
Very detailed. A clear scope of work helps prevent disputes by spelling out exactly what’s included in the roof installation contract. List materials, labor tasks, the project timeline, and who’s responsible for what. The more specific it is, the fewer surprises later.
-
How do change orders work in a roofing contract?
Change orders allow project changes after the roof contract is signed. If the scope, materials, or pricing needs to change, those updates should be documented in writing and approved by both parties before work continues. This keeps everyone aligned and avoids payment issues.
-
Can a homeowner cancel a roofing contract, and under what conditions?
Yes, in certain situations. Homeowner rights may include cooling-off periods or cancellation if there’s a breach of contract. To avoid confusion, clearly outline termination clauses, deadlines, and any penalties in the contract from the start.
