What a roofing invoice should include
A roof is one of the largest bills a homeowner pays, and sometimes an insurance company pays part of it. That can mean two readers: the client and, sometimes, an adjuster. Both want to match each line to the work they saw or approved.
- Tear-off and new shingles as separate lines, both in squares. A square is 100 square feet of roof. Billing 24 squares of tear-off and 24 squares of architectural shingles shows the client that the old roof came off and the new one went on, and each line can be checked against the measurement.
- Underlayment and ice & water shield named. These sit under the shingles where the client never sees them. Naming them proves they were installed and explains part of the cost.
- Decking by the sheet. Rotted OSB usually shows up only after tear-off. Billing "6 sheets at $78" ties the extra cost to a number the client can understand, and it matches a per-sheet price if you quoted one.
- Ridge vent and drip edge by the linear foot. These run along edges, so a per-foot rate is easy to check against the roof's length.
- The dumpster and haul-away. A 20-yard dumpster is a real line item. Leaving it out means paying for it yourself.
- The claim number and warranty in the notes. The example lists an insurance claim number, a 10-year workmanship warranty and net 30 terms. All three answer questions before they're asked.
The example has no sales tax line. Whether roofing materials or labor are taxed depends on where you work, so check your state's rules.
How to write a roofing invoice
- Start from the signed estimate or the approved scope. Keep the same line names and units, so anyone can lay the two side by side.
- Bill measured work in the units you measured - squares for the field, linear feet for edges, sheets for decking.
- Add anything found during the job as its own line, with the quantity. Hidden decking damage is the common one.
- Take photos of what you found. A picture of rotted decking before it's covered is the easiest proof you'll ever have.
- Put the claim number in the notes if the job is part of an insurance claim, and ask the adjuster what else they want to see on the invoice.
- State the workmanship warranty and the due date. Insurance jobs can take longer to pay, so pick terms you can live with.
Use this roofing invoice template
Before the job, the roofing estimate template shows how to quote storm repairs and price hidden decking up front. Smaller fixes after a storm - a fence panel, a door - often fit the handyman invoice better, and the painting invoice shows how to bill trim by the linear foot.
Frequently asked questions
What does a roofing invoice look like?
It looks like the example on this page: your company and the client, an invoice number and dates, then one line per part of the roof - tear-off, shingles, underlayment, decking, vents and edges, disposal - each with a quantity and a unit. The notes carry the warranty, the payment terms and the claim number if there is one.
How do I write a roofing invoice for insurance?
Match the line items to the scope the adjuster approved, use the same units, and put the claim number in the notes. Add photos of anything extra you found, like damaged decking. Every insurer is different, so ask the adjuster or the homeowner what the insurer needs before you send it.
Can I use this as a roof repair invoice example?
Yes. For a repair, replace the tear-off and full shingle lines with the repaired area in squares, and add lines for items like pipe boot flashings or sealing a skylight. Keep the photos and the warranty note - they matter as much on a small repair as on a full roof.
Should I bill rotted decking if it wasn't in the estimate?
Yes, if the client agreed to it. The best way is to put a per-sheet price in the estimate for decking you can't see yet, then bill the actual number of sheets on the invoice. A photo of the damage helps the client accept the extra line.