By taking measurements, using fast estimating, presenting to customers, and then getting customers to commit to jobs, Bolster streamlines your entire sales & estimating process.
"Bolster proposals are professional, had everything lined out, and the terms were great. It sets us apart from the slacks that are out there handwriting their proposals."
Save time, win more jobs, increase profit, and get paid faster with Bolster.
Roofing software should take you from a measured roof to a signed contract and a paid invoice without retyping anything. Bolster is roofing estimating software and siding contractor software in one: measure the roof or walls, choose the system (asphalt shingle, metal, siding, soffit and fascia), and Bolster prices materials and labour, builds the quote, schedules the crew and collects payment.
Roofing and exterior work is competitive and time sensitive. Homeowners often collect several quotes after a storm or when a roof fails, and the contractor with the clearest, fastest, most professional quote has the advantage.
Illustrative example: a roof with a 2,000 sq ft footprint at a 6/12 pitch. Multiplying by the 6/12 pitch factor (about 1.118) gives roughly 2,236 sq ft, or 22.4 squares, before waste. Add 10 to 15% waste depending on complexity, then price underlayment, starter, ridge cap and drip edge from the measured linear footage. These numbers are only an example; use your own measurements, waste factors and supplier pricing.
Metal roofing is priced differently from shingles. A metal roofing profile is the shape of the sheet seen from its short edge: corrugated, ribbed (exposed fastener) panels, or standing seam with flat pans between tall raised seams. Each profile has its own cover width, minimum pitch, fastening method, trims and hardware, so each needs its own assembly. If you are adding metal for the first time, set up two or three profiles carefully before expanding. Our guide to metal roofing profiles explains the differences.
Siding works the same way. Vinyl, fibre cement, engineered wood and metal siding each carry different exposure, waste, trim and labour rates. Price wall area net of openings, then add corners, J-channel, starter strip, house wrap, soffit and fascia as separate lines so the quote is easy to explain and adjust.
Bolster Takeoff measures areas and lengths on satellite imagery, plans or photos and links them directly into your estimate. AutoCost keeps material and labour pricing current for your region. Build each roof and siding system as an assembly once and reuse it, so every estimator produces the same price for the same scope.
Each estimate becomes an interactive quote where the homeowner can compare shingle lines, upgrade to metal or add gutters, then sign online. If hidden damage turns up, send a change order for digital approval before the extra work starts. When the job is booked, Bolster creates the schedule, material list and budget, and you collect deposits and final payments through Bolster Payments. For broader exterior work, see our page for exterior contractors.
Many roofing and siding jobs follow storm damage. Clear, itemized estimates make it easier for homeowners to understand what is covered and what is an upgrade. Keep photos with the job through the CompanyCam integration, record scope changes as signed change orders, and keep the homeowner updated through their client portal so there is a clear record of what was agreed and done.
Roof and siding replacements are the natural time to sell gutters, gutter guards, soffit and fascia, attic ventilation and window trim. Set each up as an optional item in your Bolster quote so homeowners can add it and see the new total instantly. Bolster contractors win 15% bigger jobs on average when they offer upgrades and options.
Measurement reports and aerial tools give you roof areas, pitches and linear footage. They are an input, not an estimate. Roofing estimating software takes those measurements and turns them into a priced scope of shingles or panels, underlayment, accessories, tear-off, disposal and labour, then into a quote, schedule, material order and invoice. In Bolster you can measure directly with Takeoff or bring in exterior measurements through HOVER, and the numbers flow into your roofing and siding assemblies without retyping.
For a two-storey house with 2,400 sq ft of gross wall area and 300 sq ft of windows and doors, price about 2,100 sq ft of net siding plus waste, then add house wrap for the gross area, starter strip along the base, outside and inside corners by linear foot, J-channel or trim around every opening, and soffit and fascia by linear foot of eave. Labour is priced per square with adders for height and tear-off. These figures are an example only; use your own measurements and rates.
Roofing leads go cold quickly. Bolster's CRM pipeline moves every lead from estimate to booked job to payment, and alerts you when a homeowner opens or changes a quote so you can follow up while they are deciding.
The best roofing software measures roofs accurately, prices the full roofing system with current costs, produces professional quotes with options, handles change orders and collects payments. Bolster covers estimating, quoting, scheduling, CRM and payments in one platform for roofing and siding contractors.
Measure the roof area of each plane, adjust footprint area for pitch using a pitch factor, add the planes together and divide by 100. Then add a waste percentage based on how complex the roof is.
Yes. Bolster Takeoff lets you measure areas and lengths on satellite imagery, plans and photos. Bolster also integrates with HOVER to bring exterior measurements from smartphone photos into your estimates.
Yes. Siding contractors build assemblies for vinyl, fibre cement, engineered wood or metal siding, including trims, wrap, soffit and fascia, and price them from measured wall areas.
Set up a separate assembly for each metal roofing profile, because cover width, minimum pitch, trims and fasteners differ by profile. Start with two or three profiles you install often.
Include a clear allowance or unit price for decking replacement in the quote, then document any extra with a change order the homeowner approves digitally before the work continues.
