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What goes in a roofing contract template

A solid roofing contract spells out who, what, how much, when, and what happens if something changes: the parties and license number, a detailed scope, the materials and shingle line, the total price and payment schedule, a completion window, labor and material warranties, a change-order clause, and the insurance-claim and lien language that protects you. Get all of it signed before a single shingle comes off.

We build websites and lead engines for roofers, not legal forms, so treat this as a checklist rather than legal advice. A roof is a five-figure job and one of the most disputed in the trades, which is exactly why the contract matters as much as the crew.

The sections every roofing contract needs

📋 Scope of work

Tear-off versus overlay, number of layers, decking inspection and replacement terms, underlayment, flashing, ridge vent, and cleanup. Vague scope is where roofing disputes start.

🏷️ Materials and brand

Name the manufacturer, shingle line, color, and any upgrades. Specifying the exact product prevents the "I thought I was getting architectural shingles" argument at the end.

💵 Price and payment schedule

Total price, deposit, draw schedule, and final payment on completion. Tie draws to milestones, not dates, so you are never funding work you have not done.

🛡️ Warranty terms

Separate your labor warranty from the manufacturer's material warranty, and state the length and what voids each. Homeowners conflate the two, so spell it out.

🔁 Change orders

Rotten decking and hidden damage are common. A change-order clause sets a per-sheet price up front so you are not negotiating on the roof with a homeowner staring at you.

⛈️ Insurance-claim language

For storm work, tie price to the insurance scope, reserve the right to supplement for code and hidden damage, and make the deductible the homeowner's responsibility.

The insurance-claim clause that protects you

If you do storm and insurance work, this is the section that keeps you out of trouble. A good clause:

When a free template is enough

You do not need a custom contract drafted from scratch for every situation. A solid template is fine when:

Pay an attorney for a one-time review once you do heavy insurance work, carry financing, or run crews across multiple states. A few hundred dollars on the contract is cheap next to one lien or fraud dispute.

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Where we fit

A great contract closes the jobs you sit down for. Getting more roofs to sit down for is the other half, and the part we handle. We build the website and SEO that put roofers in front of homeowners searching after a storm, with 24/7 AI lead capture so the inspection request never goes to voicemail.

Our Start Getting Leads plan is $249/month, Grow in Google adds the SEO content engine at $597/month, and you own everything. See roofing website design, roofing SEO, the contractor estimate template, and SEO for contractors.

Common questions

Can I waive a homeowner's deductible to win the job?

No. Offering to absorb or rebate an insurance deductible is illegal in many states and is treated as fraud. Your contract should state clearly that the homeowner is responsible for their deductible.

Do I need a right-to-cancel notice?

For contracts signed at the homeowner's door, most states require a three-day right to cancel. Include the notice and the dated form. Skipping it can let a customer void the contract well after work has started.

Should the contract mention liens?

Yes. Many states require a lien-rights disclosure, and including a clear payment-and-lien section protects you if you are not paid. Check your state's mechanic's-lien rules and the required notice language.

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