Worked example: what a school re-roof quote should contain

A school business manager or estates lead comparing quotes for a warm-deck re-roof of a flat-roofed teaching block faces three extra questions a warehouse owner does not: the school stays open, the funding bid needs evidence, and older school buildings often contain asbestos. This worked example sets out what each quote should say. It illustrates the method and is not an account of a real school, job or price.

The situation

A flat-roofed teaching block from the 1970s leaks over two classrooms. Earlier patch repairs have not held. The school has asked for quotes for a warm-deck re-roof, to be done in the summer holiday if possible, and may bid for funding.

Lines every school quote should state

Evidence of condition. Core samples showing whether the insulation is wet, photographs of the failures, and the roofer's view of the remaining life. A Condition Improvement Fund bid from an eligible academy or sixth-form college needs condition evidence, so this line serves the bid as well as the comparison.
The build-up and U-value. A warm-deck re-roof of most of the roof is normally a renovated thermal element under Approved Document L. The quote should state the insulation, its thickness and the target U-value.
Falls and outlets. If water sits on the roof, the quote should explain how the falls are corrected, for example with tapered insulation, and whether outlets are renewed.
Asbestos. Schools from this period may contain asbestos in roofing felts, soffits or boards. The HSE expects a refurbishment survey before work that disturbs the fabric. Ask who commissions it and how any findings change the price and programme.
Programme and safeguarding. The dates, the plan if the work overruns into term, site segregation, contractor vetting arrangements and how pupils and staff are kept away from the work area.
Access and fragile roofs. Scaffold or edge protection, protection to rooflights, and the method statement under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
CDM roles. The school or trust is the client under the CDM Regulations 2015. The quote should say who acts as principal contractor and, where needed, principal designer.
Guarantee and building control. Who issues the guarantee and for how long, and whether the firm can self-certify through a competent person scheme such as CompetentRoofer.

Comparing the quotes

Put the quotes on the same area, take any provisional sums for asbestos or deck repairs out and compare them separately, and add access back in where a quote shows it as "by others". Then use the six scope lines to explain each price gap. A quote that is much lower but silent on the insulation upgrade, asbestos or the holiday programme is not comparable yet.

VAT

Re-roofing a school building is normally standard-rated at 20%. Whether the school or trust can recover the VAT depends on its status, so budget with your finance team on the right basis. The quote sense-check shows each total with and without VAT.

For more on flat roof systems see the flat roofing quotes guide, and for funding routes see where the money for a roof comes from.

Worked example for illustration only. Not a real school, job or client. Last checked 25 October 2026.

Compare your school roof quotes

Enter the roof area and quote totals; the read shows totals with VAT at 20%.

Instant indicative read. Enter the roof area and the totals on the quotes you hold: the form works out the price per m² of each quote, the gap between them, the total with VAT and the scope lines each quote still has to state.

Nothing is calculated from a rate card. Every number in the read comes from your own quotes; the only fixed figure is VAT at the 20% standard rate.

We reply by email. Send the form if you want a written view of the comparison or help with what to ask each roofer.

Who reads this form: Commercial Roofing Quotes is an independent publisher run by SEO Dons Ltd. We do not survey, price or install roofs, we hold no roofing trade accreditations, and we do not pass your details to a roofing contractor. Your enquiry is read by us and we reply by email.