Envelope & Interiors
Roofing Estimating Services in New Zealand
True roof areas calculated by pitch, with sheet lengths, flashings, gutters, downpipes and underlay measured for ordering.
A roof plan is drawn flat, but a roof is not. Measuring a pitched roof from the plan area alone understates the real surface, and the error grows with pitch. Hips, valleys, penetrations and changes in pitch all add flashings and cutting that a plan-area rate will not capture.
We calculate true roof areas from the pitch of each roof plane, then measure every ridge, hip, valley, barge, apron and parapet in lineal metres. For long-run metal, we calculate sheet lengths per run so you can order cut-to-length. For tiles, we count tiles and ridge caps. For membranes, we measure areas, upstands and outlets.
Rainwater goods are included as well: gutters, downpipes, spreaders, outlets and rainheads, so the whole roof package is in one estimate.
Scope
What we measure in a roofing takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Roof area by plane | m² | True area calculated from pitch. |
| Long-run sheet schedule | no. × length | Sheet counts and cut lengths per run. |
| Tiles and ridges | no. / lm | Concrete, clay or pressed metal tiles with fittings. |
| Membrane roofing | m² / lm | Membrane area, substrate, upstands and outlets. |
| Flashings | lm | Ridge, hip, valley, barge, apron and parapet. |
| Underlay and battens | m² / lm | Roof underlay, safety mesh and battens or purlins. |
| Gutters and downpipes | lm / no. | Spouting, downpipes, outlets and brackets. |
| Penetrations | no. | Skylights, flues and vent flashings. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Roofing takeoffs include a roof plan marked with each plane's pitch and area, so you can check the true area calculation yourself.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Get roofing quantities for a complex hipped roof without climbing a ladder.
- Subcontractors
- Roofers can order cut-to-length sheets directly from the schedule.
- Developers
- Compare a long-run metal roof against tiles across a development.
- Architects
- See the cost effect of adding gables, valleys or a lower pitch.
Process
How a roofing estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload the roof plan, elevations, sections and roofing specification.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm roofing profile, underlay, flashing specification and rainwater goods.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
True areas are calculated per plane, then flashings and sheet runs measured and checked.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the roofing schedule, sheet list, PDF and marked-up roof plan.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
Metal roofing in New Zealand is commonly installed in line with the NZ Metal Roof and Wall Cladding Code of Practice, which covers minimum pitches, fixing patterns and flashing details. Minimum pitch depends on the profile and whether there are end laps, which affects material choice on low-pitched roofs.
E2/AS1 provides acceptable solutions for roof cladding and flashings on low-risk buildings. In very high wind zones or coastal environments, fixing patterns and material grades may change, so we read the wind zone and exposure from the drawings.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of roofing work
01
Roof shape
Hips, valleys, dormers and penetrations add flashings and cutting. A simple gable roof is far quicker to cover than a complex hipped one of the same area.
02
Pitch
Steep roofs need more safety equipment and slower work. Very low pitches limit material choice and may need membranes or special profiles.
03
Material and finish
Long-run metal, tiles, membranes and specialist metals vary widely in cost. Coastal exposure can require higher-grade materials.
04
Height and safety
Edge protection, scaffolding and fall arrest are required for most roofing work. These items are priced separately but should not be forgotten.
Where roofing estimates go wrong
Roofing is often estimated from plan area, which understates the real roof area. On steeper roofs, the difference is significant. We always calculate true areas from pitch.
Flashings are the other common gap. Every ridge, hip, valley, barge and apron needs a flashing, and complex roofs have many of them. We measure flashings by type so nothing is left out.
Penetrations for flues and skylights are also commonly missed. Each one needs flashing and sealing. Solar panel mounting points, which need extra flashing and sealing, are now a common addition too.
FAQ
Roofing Estimating questions
Do you calculate true roof area?
Yes. We calculate the true area of each roof plane from its pitch, not the plan area.
Can you give me cut lengths for long-run roofing?
Yes. We schedule sheets by run with cut lengths, ready for ordering.
Do you include flashings?
Yes. Every ridge, hip, valley, barge and apron is measured in lineal metres.
Can you estimate membrane roofs?
Yes. We measure membrane area, substrate, upstands, outlets and overflows.
Do you include gutters and downpipes?
Yes. Rainwater goods are measured with the roof.
Can you estimate re-roofing?
Yes. We measure removal of the existing roof and new roofing, noting assumptions about the existing structure.
Related services
- Insulation Estimating
Insulation areas by element and R-value, converted into packs and products, measured to the H1 specification on your drawings.
- Waterproofing Estimating
Membrane and tanking quantities for wet areas, decks, basements and roofs, with upstands, outlets and junction details counted.
- Framing Estimating
Stud-by-stud framing quantities for walls, floors and roofs, with lintels, bracing elements and fixings taken from your NZS 3604 or engineered drawings.
- Residential Estimating
Estimates for new homes, townhouses, alterations and additions, measured from your consent drawings and laid out the way builders price.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a roofing estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer