Roofing Estimating Services
Cannon Estimation provides roofing estimating services for roofing contractors, general contractors, subcontractors, home builders, and developers in Pennsylvania and in all states across the USA. We measure the roof from your plans, count the field work, edges, flashings, and penetrations, and price the full roof system for your project ZIP code. Send your roof plans and get a quote back in one business hour. Finished estimates arrive in 12 to 24 hours.
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Roofing Estimating Services for Commercial & Residential
A roof bid is won or lost on the details, not on the flat area alone. Two roofs with the same floor area can need very different amounts of material. Pitch, hips, valleys, dormers, curbs, drains, and tear-off all change the price. Cannon Estimation helps you price the whole roof, so the bid reflects the work as drawn.
We estimate steep-slope roofs for homes and small buildings, and low-slope roofs for shops, warehouses, schools, and other large buildings. Roofing estimating services from Cannon Estimation use the same method for both: measure each roof plane on the slope, count the edges and details by the foot, count penetrations and drains one by one, and price material and labor for your ZIP code. You get a clear breakdown you can check, adjust, and use to bid.
Call Cannon Estimation at 215-540-6190 or email info@cannonestimation.com. We are based in Allentown, PA 18103, and we serve projects in all states.
Built around the roof you are estimating.
Every roof is different, so every estimate starts with the roof you are bidding, not with a standard price per square foot. We read the roof plan with the elevations and sections, and we take the pitch from the drawings. We check the specifications for the roof system, warranty needs, and wind requirements. We then confirm the scope with you before work starts, so you know what will be measured and priced.
The scope is built around the roof planes, the pitch, the materials, the access conditions, and the work to estimate. That is how the scope should be agreed: before counting starts, not assumed after the bid is sent. If the pitch is not shown, the assumed pitch is stated in writing. If a detail is missing, it is flagged as an assumption, not hidden in a lump sum. Your company checks the field conditions and approves the final bid. Cannon Estimation does not install roofs, inspect roofs in person, or act as a public adjuster. We estimate from the plans and documents you send.
What the scope is built around:
- Roof planes
- Pitch
- Materials
- Access conditions
- Work to estimate
Steep-Slope Roofing
Steep-slope roofs shed water fast. They are common on homes, townhomes, schools, churches, and small commercial buildings. We estimate:
Asphalt shingles
Architectural and three-tab shingles, with starter strips, ridge and hip caps, and valley work.
Standing seam and exposed-fastener metal roofing
Panels, clips, fasteners, and trim.
Concrete and clay tile
Tile counts by coverage rate, underlayment, and flashing.
Slate and synthetic slate
Counts by size, exposure, and fastening.
Wood shakes
Counts, underlayment, and flashing at walls and valleys.
Steep-slope takeoffs include field squares adjusted for pitch, starter, ridge and hip caps, underlayment, ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys, drip edge, valley metal, step and counter flashing, vents, and pipe boots. Residential roofing estimating services use this same steep-slope takeoff for homes, townhomes, and small multifamily roofs. Each item is counted from the roof plan, elevations, and details, not guessed from the building footprint. Roofing estimating services for steep-slope roofs show the extra material and labor for hips, valleys, and dormers, so a complex roof is not priced like a simple gable roof of the same area.
Low-Slope Roofing
Low-slope roofs are almost flat, with a small slope to move water to drains and scuppers. They are common on warehouses, shops, offices, schools, and factories. We estimate:
TPO and PVC single-ply membranes
In squares, with laps, seams, and fastening or adhesive as specified.
EPDM membrane roofs
Membrane, adhesive, seams, and flashing.
Modified bitumen roofs
Plies, flashing, and surfacing as specified.
Built-up roofing (BUR)
Plies, bitumen, and surfacing.
Coatings and restoration systems
Where the drawings show a coating scope.
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing
Where the drawings show foam and coating work.
Low-slope work is priced by system, not by area alone. Commercial roofing estimating services use this system breakdown for shops, warehouses, offices, schools, and factories, so membrane, insulation, cover board, edge metal, drains, and flashing are counted on their own lines. Roofing estimating services for low-slope roofs keep each system separate, so a change in one part of the system does not hide in a single total.
Tapered Insulation and Crickets
On a flat roof, the slope comes from the insulation. Tapered insulation varies in thickness across the roof to direct water to drains and scuppers, with crickets between drains and behind curbs. Two roofs with the same area can need very different insulation quantities, depending on drain spacing and the slope required.
We take off tapered insulation from the roof plan and tapered layout, when a layout is provided. When no layout is provided, we carry a stated allowance based on drain locations and the slope shown in the drawings. The allowance is written in the estimate, so you can replace it with a layout price when you have one.
Cover Boards and Attachment
Cover boards sit above the insulation and below the membrane. They protect the roof and help meet warranty and wind needs. Fastening patterns and adhesive coverage change with the attachment method and the wind requirements in the specifications.
We count cover boards by area, and we note the fastening or adhesive method shown in the drawings. Enhanced fastening at corners and perimeters is counted where the specifications call for it, because corners and edges see the highest wind loads.
Measuring Roofs Correctly
How to do a roof estimate starts with measuring the roof the right way. Roofing estimating services measure from the drawings in the order below, so each part of the roof is counted once, in the right unit, and checked against the plan. A flat plan area is not the roof area.
Pitch factors
Pitch is how steep a roof is. It is often shown as rise over run, such as 6/12. A pitch factor converts the flat plan area into the actual roof surface area for a sloped roof. Each roof plane is measured on the slope, using the pitch shown on the drawings. Hips and valleys are measured at their true length. Where the pitch is not shown, the assumed pitch is stated in the estimate.
Squares
A square is 100 square feet. Roof areas are reported in squares for both field area and accessories, so you can order material and check the takeoff fast. Field squares are adjusted for pitch. Ridge, hip, valley, and accessory quantities are shown with their own units, so a square total is never used as a shortcut for edge work.
Waste
Waste depends on the shape of the roof. Hips, valleys, and dormers increase waste. Cutting, laps, and starter work also add waste. We apply waste by roof complexity, not as one flat percentage for every job. The waste factor used is stated in the estimate, and you can change it to match your own ordering practice before you bid.
Perimeter and linear items
Eaves, rakes, ridges, hips, valleys, walls, and copings are measured separately, because they are priced by the foot. Drip edge, edge metal, gravel stops, copings, and wall flashing are counted in linear feet, with the length taken from the roof plan and details. This stops edge work from being missed or priced as a small allowance on a large roof.
Flashings, Edges & Penetrations
Detail work often costs more per foot than the field work. It is also where leaks start if it is missed. We count and measure:
A roof covered in mechanical equipment and penetrations prices very differently from a clean roof of the same size. Each curb, drain, and penetration is counted on its own line, so you can see the detail cost and check it against the roof plan. Sheet metal work for edges and flashings is counted with the roof, so the roofing bid and the sheet metal bid do not miss the same detail or double-count it.
Tear-Off and Re-Roofing
Re-roof estimates carry extra variables that a new roof does not. We state each allowance clearly, so the owner understands what is included and what becomes extra work. Re-roof takeoffs include:
If the existing roof condition is not known, we do not guess a single tear-off price and hide the risk in it. Roofing estimating services for re-roofs carry a stated allowance and note what information would firm up the price, such as core cut results, photos, or an existing roof survey. A roofing satellite estimator report can help with roof area and pitch, but it does not replace the drawings, specifications, and existing roof information needed for a re-roof takeoff. Send the satellite report with the plans if you have one, and we will note what it was used for.
Warranty and Wind Requirements
Manufacturer warranties and wind uplift requirements can change the roof system. A warranty may call for a thicker membrane, a cover board, enhanced fastening at corners and perimeters, or a specific flashing detail. Wind requirements can change the fastening pattern, the adhesive coverage, or the edge metal.
We read the specification for warranty and uplift requirements and price the system that meets them. Roofing estimating services must price the warranted system, not a cheaper system that voids the warranty the owner asked for. If the specification calls for a named system or a warranty term, the estimate follows that system and notes the requirement. If the warranty term is not stated, we note that gap in the assumptions, so you can ask the manufacturer or the designer before you bid. Do not bid a cheaper system that voids the warranty the owner asked for.
What’s Included
The scope is confirmed with you before work starts, so you know exactly what will be measured and priced. Roofing estimating services cover the parts below, by part of the roof, and each part is counted in the unit your team uses to order and price it.
Roof areas
Each plane is measured on the slope, so areas are pitch-adjusted rather than flat plan areas. Roof areas are shown by section, pitch, and system, in squares. Field area, hips, valleys, and dormers are shown on their own lines, so the total can be checked against the roof plan.
Coverings
Coverings are counted by system. Sheets are counted by profile and length. Tiles are counted from the coverage rate per area. Membrane is counted in squares, with laps. Shingles are counted in squares and bundles as your ordering practice requires, with starter and cap work counted on their own. Fixings are counted where specified.
Flashings & trims
Ridges, hips, valleys, barges, apron and wall flashings are measured in linear feet, with hips and valleys at true length. Drip edge, step flashing, counterflashing, copings, and gravel stops are counted by length and type. Trim and edge metal are listed so the sheet metal scope is clear.
Insulation
Insulation, sarking, and underlay are counted in squares, allowing for laps. Tapered insulation is counted from the tapered layout when provided, or as a stated allowance when no layout is provided. Ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys is counted where the drawings and specifications call for it.
Roof drainage
Gutters and downpipes are measured in linear feet. Sumps, outlets, and rainheads are counted. Roof drains, overflow drains, and scuppers are counted one by one, with the drain type noted from the drawings. Drainage work is kept separate from field work, so a change in drain count does not change the field total by guesswork.
Pricing
Labor and material pricing are included where requested. Material is priced for your project ZIP code, not a national average. Labor is priced by work type, such as field work, flashing, and tear-off, so you can check the hours against your own crew rates. If you want quantities only, with no pricing, tell us in your request and the estimate will be delivered as a material takeoff only.
Fireproofing estimating services are a separate trade scope. Fireproofing work is not included in a roofing takeoff unless it is shown in the roofing drawings and confirmed in the quote. If your project needs fireproofing quantities, send those drawings with your request and we will confirm in the quote whether that scope can be priced with the roof, or as a separate takeoff.
What You Receive
You receive a complete, bid-ready package, not a single total. The package includes:
Roofing estimating services deliverables that show each quantity with its unit and drawing reference, so any line can be checked back to the plans.
Roofing estimates examples: the table below is an example only. It shows the format of a roofing takeoff, not a quotation for your job. The quantities are sample figures for one small roof section, to show how lines are laid out. Your quantities, units, and prices depend on your drawings, roof system, and ZIP code.
| Line item | Quantity | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof field area, pitch-adjusted | 24 | Squares | Example only, by roof section |
| Ridge cap | 48 | Linear feet | Example only, at true length |
| Valley metal | 32 | Linear feet | Example only, at true length |
| Drip edge, eaves and rakes | 210 | Linear feet | Example only, by length |
| Pipe boots, counted | 6 | Each | Example only, by count |
| Roof drains, counted | 2 | Each | Example only, by count |
Who Uses Roofing Estimating
Roofing estimating helps any team that needs a roof number they can check. Roofing estimating services are used by the teams below, and the same takeoff is read in different ways by each team.
Commercial roofing contractors use the takeoff to bid large low-slope and steep-slope roofs without tying up a full-time estimator on every bid. Residential roofers use it to price homes, townhomes, and small multifamily roofs fast, with edge and detail work counted. General contractors use it to check a roofing subcontractor bid, level competing bids, or price self-performed roofing work. Sheet metal contractors use it to price roof edges and flashings. Property owners and developers use it to plan a replacement and test a budget before design is final. Estimating teams use it as extra capacity when bid deadlines overlap.
As a roofing estimate company, Cannon Estimation works for contractors, not for homeowners buying a roof install. We do not sell or install roofs. Roofing service specialists who install, repair, and maintain roofs do the field work. Our job is the takeoff and estimate that helps a contractor bid that field work. Many roofing services websites list installers and repair firms. This page is for the estimating service behind a contractor bid, not for a list of installers.
Why Outsource Roofing and Siding Estimating Services?
Estimating is a key part of the job, but it can eat up hours, especially when you are juggling many bids at once. Roofing estimating services that are outsourced let you stay focused on managing your crew and delivering work, without getting bogged down in paperwork.
Outsourcing helps because a roofing takeoff done right takes time. Each plane, edge, flashing, and penetration must be measured and checked. A dedicated estimating team can do that work while your team is on the job site, meeting clients, or planning the next job. You pay for estimating help only when you are bidding, not as a fixed salary all year. You can bid more work in the same bid week, and you can cover a busy season without hiring and training a full-time estimator.
Siding quantities are not part of this roofing page, unless siding and wall flashing work is shown in the roofing drawings and confirmed in the quote. If siding work is in your set, send it with the roof plans and we will confirm in the quote whether it is priced with the roof, kept separate, or left out. Roof and wall quantities are kept separate where both are priced, so each package can be bid on its own.
What to Send
Send the documents below with your request. Roofing estimating services start with the documents in this list, and the more complete the set, the faster and more accurate the takeoff. If a document is missing, tell us what you have, and we will confirm the scope and any assumptions in the quote.
Send your drawings, specifications, project ZIP code, and bid deadline to info@cannonestimation.com, or call 215-540-6190. We review the set and send a quote back in one business hour. The quote confirms the scope, fee, and delivery date before work starts.
Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor
What to ask during a roofing estimate depends on whether you are talking to a roofing contractor who will install the roof, or to an estimating company that prepares the takeoff. Roofing estimating services should answer the scope, measurement, and pricing questions below in writing, before you accept a price. The questions below help you get a clear, comparable bid. Ask them before you accept a price.
Ask the same questions of each bidder, and compare the answers, not just the total. A low total with missing flashing, tear-off, or warranty work is not the same bid as a complete total.
FAQs about Roofing and Siding Estimating Services
What is a roofing estimate?
A roofing estimate is a priced list of the work, material, and labor needed for a roofing project, built from the drawings and specifications. It shows roof areas in squares, linear work for edges and flashings, counts for penetrations and drains, and material and labor prices where requested. It gives the contractor and the owner a clear scope to agree on before work starts.
How do you measure a roof for an estimate?
We measure roof areas from the roof plan, apply pitch factors for sloped roofs, and measure edges, valleys, ridges, and flashings separately. Waste is added based on roof complexity. Each plane is measured on the slope, and hips and valleys are taken at their true length. Where the pitch is not shown, the assumed pitch is stated.
Do you estimate tapered insulation?
Yes, from the tapered layout when provided, or as a stated allowance based on drain locations and the slope in the drawings. The allowance is written in the estimate, so it can be replaced with a layout price when you have one.
Can you estimate a re-roof?
Yes, with allowances for tear-off layers, wet insulation, and deck repair clearly stated. Send photos, core cut results, and existing roof information with the drawings. If the existing condition is not known, the allowance and the information needed to firm up the price are noted in writing.
Do you include gutters?
Gutters and downspouts can be included or estimated separately. Tell us in your request how your bid form asks for them, and the estimate will follow that split.
Are roofing estimates free? Are roofing estimates free in the sense of a free quote for the estimating service?
Cannon Estimation sends a quote for the estimating work, and the fee is confirmed before work starts. The estimating service itself is not free. That is different from a roofer giving a free estimate to a homeowner for roof work. Do roofers give free estimates? Many roofing contractors do give free estimates to homeowners for install or repair work, but that is a sales estimate from the installer, not a takeoff service for a contractor bid. Ask the roofer or the estimating company what is included, what is priced, and how long the price is valid.
How do I choose the best roofing estimating services provider?
The best roofing estimating services provider for your job is the one whose scope, checking, and pricing you can verify. Compare the drawing check, the system breakdown, ZIP-code pricing, turnaround, and the file format. Ask for a sample format, not just a total. Do not choose on price alone, and do not accept a claim of best or most accurate without seeing how quantities are traced to drawings.
Where can I find roofing estimating services reviews?
Roofing estimating services reviews are not listed on this page, and no reviews are invented here. If you want to check Cannon Estimation, ask us for a sample takeoff format and a clear quote, and check independent review sites and past client references through the contact details on this page. A sample file tells you more about checking and format than a star rating alone.
What is a roofing satellite estimator?
A roofing satellite estimator is a person or a report that measures a roof from satellite or aerial images. It can give roof area, pitch, and edge lengths from above. It does not replace the drawings, specifications, warranty needs, or existing roof information for a bid takeoff. If you have a satellite report, send it with the plans, and we will note what it was used for and what still needs a drawing check.
How long does a roofing estimate take?
Finished estimates arrive in 12 to 24 hours for the scope confirmed in the quote. A quote comes back in one business hour. Larger or more complex roofs may need a different delivery date, which is confirmed in the quote after the drawings are reviewed, before work starts.
Do you work across the USA?
Yes. Cannon Estimation provides estimating services in usa from Allentown, PA 18103, for contractors in Pennsylvania and in all states. Estimates are priced for the project ZIP code. Send the drawings, project ZIP code, and bid deadline, and the quote will confirm scope and delivery for that job.
Bid the Whole Roof, Not Just the Squares
Send your roof plans and specifications to info@cannonestimation.com, or call 215-540-6190. Cannon Estimation is based in Allentown, PA 18103, and serves general contractors, subcontractors, home builders, developers, and roofing contractors in Pennsylvania and in all states across the USA.
You will get a quote back in one business hour. After you approve the quote, we will prepare your CSI MasterFormat quantity takeoff and bid-ready cost estimate, priced for your project ZIP code, in 12 to 24 hours. The stats for this service are 90% Win Ratio, 12-24 Hours TAT, and Zip Code Based Pricing. Send your next roof bid set today and bid the whole roof, not just the squares.
Get a Free Quote → Call 215-540-6190