The construction client must consider contractor credentials, past work experiences, pricing plans, and building styles. As there are various parts of a building, there is also various expertise that contractors offer their customers. Whether the client needs replacements for their roofing or they are in the process of building a new one, a contractor must write up a contract to ensure a clear understanding between them and a client. Creating a roofing contract is the way to go. What is a roofing contract, and how does drafting one affect the relationship between the contractor and client? The article contains valuable information about the document, including its definition, components, and construction procedure. A section also answers frequently asked questions regarding this type of contract.

9+ Sample Roofing Contracts

What Is a Roofing Contract?

A roofing contract is a legally binding document between a client and roofer that promises services for a particular job. While more experienced roofing contractors offer lengthier documents to their clients, most roofing contracts are straight to the point. Roofing jobs are delicate by nature, and it takes highly trained and skilled individuals to complete the work efficiently and effectively. Roofing contractors cover different aspects of roofing, including restorations, plumbing, tiling, or painting, and each construction project must have a thorough plan to keep it going. The contractor becomes responsible for executing the roofing project, whether it is for residential or commercial purposes. They are also responsible for gathering their employees to work and charging the client for the necessary labor, materials, and other fees. The roofing contract details the necessary information, including the terms and conditions of the work the contractor needs to accomplish within a given timeframe.

According to the statistical data provided by IBISWorld, the market size of the roofing contractor industry by revenue amounts to 52.2 billion US dollars in 2022. The roofing contractor industry projects an increase of 0.6 percent this 2022. As such, roofing contractors have an average growth rate of one percent starting from 2017 to 2022.

Components of a Roofing Contract

Regardless of the services that a roofing contractor brings to the table, there are essential elements to consider when composing a roofing contract. Certain provisions and terms in the contract must be present for the contractor and the client, whether the building is a commercial or residential area. The section below helps individuals identify the necessary components of a roofing contract together with their descriptions. Familiarity with these terms ensures that the contract is fair to both parties.

Business details: The first component of a roofing contract details the basic information about the business of the roofing contractor, including details like license numbers, insurance information, and physical address. Writing these essential facts assures homeowners and building owners that the contractor has a legitimate business. The roofing contract must also indicate information about the client, including their name, address, contact information, including phone numbers, and email addresses. The document can also incorporate information about the location of where the roofing contractor must perform work if and when the location is different from the address or location of the client. Every roofing contract must also have attachments that come with copies of proof of insurance, including compensation insurance of workers, liability, and bonding, if applicable. The roofing company or contractor must also supply proof that they comply with state and federal laws and local codes and ordinances, including mandated licenses, required permits, safety inspections, and zoning notices. It also includes legal jurisdiction governing contracts.Scope of work: The scope of work section describes the responsibilities of the roofing contractor, including their duties and necessary materials and labor leading to the completion of the project. If the business client or the homeowner orders a complete roofing job, the contract must indicate the accessories and materials for installation processes. For example, if the roofer focuses on roofing shingles, the inclusion comprises ridge cap shingles, starter strip shingles, roof deck protection, vents, and leak barriers.Project duration: Business clients and homeowners expect work to start between two to six weeks after the contract signing. However, the condition of starting roofing jobs depends on the time of the year and whether or not the contractor has previous backlogs on work. Regardless of when the contractor can start the project, they must be straightforward about their availability for the homeowner to have a clear and reasonable expectation. Once the contractor starts working on the roofing project, the job must not undergo any interruption other than weather. The length of time for roof installations varies depending on the size of the home. Asphalt shingle roofing typically takes one week to complete. Adverse weather conditions also affect and cause delays in the duration of the roofing project. Generally, an experienced roofing contractor provides an accurate timeline towards project completion. In certain situations, some jurisdictions require the “no later than” clause to be present in the contract. Having this clause allows the client to have the contract null and void if and when the contractor fails to start the project on time.Materials and services: The roofing contract must include a section that lists all services and materials that the contractor uses to accomplish the project scope of work, aside from the basic roofing and labor requirements. The material list and services list must indicate specific product names and any additional information regarding manufacturer warranties for selected materials. If this particular section is not present in the contract, it is best to have a thorough discussion of permit acquisition fees, project cleanup, and disposal services between contractor and client.Warranties: If a contractor offers a warranty for their roofing installations, there must be a clear statement that describes it in detail. It must also come with valuable information about the length of applicable warranties and whether there are any limitations to its implementation. The contract must also be clear about indicating limited warranties that cover the materials in situations where defects are present. In such cases, roofing contracts can have separate documents for the homeowner or business client, where they state that they understand the indicated terms and conditions in the contract, including the limited warranty coverage of manufacturers.Installation methods: The roofing contract must distinguish the different components that require installation. For example, most shingles require four nails for their installation. If a homeowner or business client pays extra for additionals like a wind-resistance limited warranty, the contractor installs the shingles using a six-nail installation process. The roofing contract must indicate these installation methods.Payment schedule: Payment schedules and deposit requirements varies from one contractor to another. Every client working with contractors expects to pay some form of deposit. Despite expecting the possibility of initial deposits, there must be no assurance that the payment covers the entire cost of the roofing job. In addition, the total deposit and payments from the client while the project is ongoing should never equate to more than 75 percent of the completed work. With that, it is common for initial deposits to happen once the project schedule becomes available. A second payment comes right after the scheduled delivery of materials to the work location, and the final payment from the client comes when the project reaches completion.Provision for unforeseen circumstances: Costs of a roofing project substantially fluctuate in the project lifespan if and when the contractor experiences any unforeseen circumstances to complete the project. A good example of this situation is that a contractor discovers that the roofing is already rotting. To compensate for the rotting, the contractor must make the necessary purchases of materials or hire additional laborers to complete the work according to schedule or to make proper repairs. The roofing contract must contain rough estimates in the event of unforeseen circumstances manifesting during the project.Option for contract termination: A roofing contract must state the terms and conditions for termination of the contract. It must include the notice period that the client or contractor must provide, necessary payments to accomplish, and information regarding the refundability of deposits. Many roofing contractors demand clients to pay specific percentages of the total contract value and cost of materials if they want to cancel the arrangement past a specified date and time after the roofer incurred costs for the project.

How To Write an Effective Roofing Contract For the Business

Roofing contracts often share similarities with job proposals and job estimates. For experienced roofing contractors, there is a possibility of lengthier and more detailed contracts. Regardless of its length, you must evaluate its contents carefully. It is also advisable to discuss various aspects of the roofing job with clients. Below are helpful guidelines that can help you with writing an effective roofing contract to seal the deal with homeowners and business clients.

  • 1. Clearly Define the Scope of Work

    Since the scope of work identifies what exactly you will do to service client demands and the materials and labor you need to accomplish the job, it is crucial to review its contents together with the client to assure there is a clear understanding of resources you need to finish the work effectively and efficiently. Discuss with clients and allow them to check if the contract contains work details regarding manufacturing warranties and installation requirements. These work details also include ventilation, insulation, and protection, if and when applicable.

  • 2. Indicate the Length of the Work

    As defined earlier, the duration for any roofing work starts with the first two to six weeks upon signing of the contract. Remind the client that several factors still affect the timeframe for performing work, including backlogs and weather conditions. You must also be straightforward when discussing your availability for them to have realistic expectations in the long run. It is also advisable on the roofing contractor’s part to inform the client of any other unforeseen activities that can affect the work schedule aside from inclement weather conditions.

  • 3. List Down All the Necessary Materials and Offered Services

    Aside from the basic roofing and labor that the client expects from the roofing project, as a contractor, you must place possible estimates of the materials and services that are part of the construction scope of work, including accessory products and installation warranties and requirements. Allow your clients to inquire about other information, including permit acquisition fees, cleaning services, and disposal assistance. The roofing contractor must also indicate the official names of products and materials for clients to reference manufacturing warranties to the products they utilize.

  • 4. Ensure a Clear Arrangement of Deposits and Payment Schedules

    For starters, deposits and payments vary from one contractor to another. In certain situations, clients may feel it is unreasonable to pay for security deposits, paying for the entire job much more so. You must also recommend to clients that the deposits they make for you to accomplish the roofing work and other progress payments must not exceed 75 percent of the total roofing value. For roofing contracts, initial, second, and final payments are what clients pay for during the job duration.

FAQs

How do you negotiate a roof contract?

When negotiating with roofing contractors, make sure to discuss the house or building that they need to fix or repair. The contractor must also assess the client’s roofing project plan. The client must have clarity on warranties and whether or not these affect the pricing of materials and labor. Roofing clients must also commit to background checks on potential roofing contractors and obtain second opinions on certain aspects of the contract.

How do you get out of bad roofing contracts in Florida?

Under Florida law, a roofer must acquire one of two distinct types of licenses for them to operate. A client can cancel their roofing contract if their roofing contractor does not have a certified contractor license.

What is the cheapest roof to install for residential buildings?

Asphalt shingles are the cheapest material available in the market. There are three types of asphalt shingles, and out of the three, the cheapest one is the three-tab shingles. These are great options for clients that are tight on their construction budget.

Most roofing contracts are straightforward, allowing clients to easily understand their contents through a thorough discussion between them and the roofing contractor. The document covers various aspects related to roofing services, including painting, tiling, restoration, and repair, among others. The components of a roofing contract include client information, the scope of work, project duration, warranties, installation methods, materials, services, and payment schedule. Construct your roofing contract and start turning client expectations into a reality. Download the 9+ SAMPLE Roofing Contracts in PDF | MS Word today, only from Sample.net.