Roofing Contract Addendums That Protect You Legally

The base residential roofing contract is usually 2 to 4 pages and covers scope, price, and signature. That is not enough to protect a contractor in 2026. Material prices swing 30 percent year over year. Weather delays push completion dates 60+ days on major storms. Change orders happen on 40 percent of jobs. Payment disputes happen on 15 percent. This is the addendum library that bulletproofs a residential roofing contract.

Why the base contract is not enough

A standard contract says "Contractor will install 35 squares of GAF Timberline HDZ at $18,500." That is fine until:

• The actual roof is 41 squares after tear-off reveals it
• GAF raises prices 18 percent the week before install
• A storm delays install 11 days
• The homeowner changes to a different shingle color requiring a re-order
• The homeowner demands a change mid-job

Without addendums, every one of these events is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Addendums convert gray areas into documented processes both parties agreed to.

Addendum 1: Material price escalation clause

Purpose

Protect against material price spikes between contract signing and material delivery.

Sample language

"In the event that material costs increase by more than 5 percent between the contract execution date and material delivery date, Contractor reserves the right to pass through such increases to Customer, provided that Contractor delivers written notice of the price change with supporting documentation from the material supplier within 5 business days of the price change effective date. Customer has the right to cancel the contract within 10 business days of receiving such notice, with full refund of any deposit paid."

Why this matters

In 2022, GAF and Owens Corning each raised prices 3 times in a calendar year, totaling 28 to 34 percent. Contractors without escalation clauses ate the increases or breached contract. Both options are bad.

How to operationalize

• Sign contract with customer on day 1
• Order material day 1 or 2 to lock price
• If price lock is not possible, set contract expiration at 30 days pending material order
• Keep supplier email confirmations on file

Addendum 2: Change order process

Purpose

Define how mid-job changes are priced, authorized, and documented.

Sample language

"Any change to the scope of work must be documented via a written Change Order signed by both parties before the change is executed. Each Change Order will specify the added or removed work, the adjusted price, and any schedule impact. Customer authorization via text message, email, or verbal agreement is not sufficient to authorize a Change Order. All Change Orders are binding upon mutual signature."

Common change order triggers

• Decking replacement discovered at tear-off
• Chimney flashing work the customer wants included
• Skylight replacement
• Color or product change
• Upgrade from architectural to luxury shingle
• Additional work on garage, porch, or accessory structures

Pricing structure

Decide and document your change order markup. Typical range is 25 to 45 percent markup on material and labor for mid-job changes. This reflects the disruption cost of changing scope mid-install.

Addendum 3: Weather delay language

Purpose

Protect against weather-related schedule delays that are outside contractor control.

Sample language

"Work schedule is subject to weather conditions. Contractor reserves the right to delay start or suspend work due to rain, high winds (over 25 mph sustained), hail, snow, ice, or temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather delays do not constitute breach of contract. Customer acknowledges that installation during unsuitable weather voids manufacturer warranties and creates safety hazards. Work will resume when weather permits safe and code-compliant installation."

Why 40 degrees matters

Most shingle manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Atlas) require ambient temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for proper seal strip adhesion. Install below 40 degrees can void the manufacturer warranty and cause shingles to fail to seal until next summer.

Customer expectation management

Include this language in the initial sale. Customers who understand the weather dependency up front are less frustrated when delays happen. Customers who were not told are angry when the project runs 3 weeks past estimate.

Addendum 4: Payment schedule

Purpose

Define when payments are due, how late payments are handled, and what happens on non-payment.

Sample language

"Payment schedule: (a) 10 percent deposit due upon contract signing; (b) 40 percent due upon material delivery to job site; (c) 50 percent due upon Substantial Completion. Substantial Completion is defined as roof installation complete, permit passed inspection, and all roof-related debris removed. Payment is due within 7 business days of each milestone. Late payments accrue interest at 1.5 percent per month. Contractor reserves the right to file a mechanic's lien on the property after 60 days of non-payment."

Check your state law

Florida, California, and New York have specific rules about deposit amounts and payment schedules. Florida limits deposits to 10 percent of contract value without a permit in hand. Know your state before writing the schedule.

Insurance claim jobs

For insurance claim work, payment often comes in tranches from the carrier: ACV on the front end, depreciation on the back end. Structure the payment schedule to match the carrier's release schedule to avoid cash flow mismatches.

Addendum 5: Right to rescission

Purpose

Comply with Federal Trade Commission Cooling Off Rule and state-specific rescission laws.

Sample language

"Customer has the right to cancel this contract without penalty or obligation within 3 business days of signing. Cancellation must be delivered in writing to Contractor at the address provided. Contractor will refund any deposit paid within 10 business days of receiving cancellation notice. This right applies to contracts signed at the Customer's home or away from the Contractor's place of business."

Door-to-door canvassing

Contracts signed at the customer's home are subject to the FTC Cooling Off Rule giving the customer 3 business days to cancel. Failing to include this language is a federal compliance violation that can result in fines and voided contracts.

Addendum 6: Dispute resolution

Purpose

Define how disputes are resolved before they escalate to court.

Sample language

"Any dispute arising from this contract will first be submitted to good-faith negotiation between the parties. If unresolved within 30 days, the parties agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Construction Industry Rules. Arbitration will take place in [County], [State]. Each party bears its own legal costs. This arbitration clause does not waive Contractor's right to file mechanic's liens for non-payment."

Arbitration vs litigation

Arbitration is typically faster (3 to 9 months vs 2+ years) and cheaper (20 to 50 percent less) than litigation. Most residential roofing disputes are better suited for arbitration.

Addendum 7: Warranty terms

Purpose

Document workmanship warranty separately from manufacturer warranty.

Sample language

"Contractor provides a 10-year workmanship warranty on installation labor, covering leaks and installation defects. Workmanship warranty is non-transferable and requires the original customer to provide reasonable access for inspection and repair. Manufacturer material warranties are governed separately by the shingle manufacturer's terms, and Contractor will assist Customer in filing manufacturer warranty claims. Workmanship warranty does not cover damage caused by subsequent storms, fallen trees, or homeowner modifications to the roof."

Warranty duration

10 years is standard for workmanship. Longer warranties are marketing gimmicks unless backed by escrow or insurance-backed warranty programs.

Addendum 8: Photo release

Purpose

Authorize the contractor to use photos of the completed project in marketing.

Sample language

"Customer grants Contractor permission to photograph the project before, during, and after completion, and to use such photographs in Contractor's marketing materials including website, social media, and print. Photos will not identify Customer or Customer's address without additional written consent."

Assembly into the full contract

A complete roofing contract in 2026 includes:

1. Base contract (scope, price, signature page)
2. Material price escalation addendum
3. Change order process addendum
4. Weather delay language
5. Payment schedule addendum
6. Right to rescission notice
7. Dispute resolution clause
8. Warranty terms
9. Photo release
10. Insurance assignment of benefits (if applicable)

Total contract length: 8 to 14 pages. Yes, it is long. Yes, customers will complain. Yes, it will save you $50,000 in one lawsuit.

For contract-related topics, see collecting the deductible legally. For claim process, read supplementing underpaid scopes.

The tech stack

RoofKnockers Contract Manager templates all 9 sections above with state-specific language. Customer signs via e-sign with legal timestamp and IP address capture.

FAQ

Do I need a lawyer to write these addendums?

You need a lawyer to review them once for your state. After that, the template is reusable. Budget $500 to $1,500 for initial attorney review.

What if the customer refuses to sign the full contract?

Explain that the addendums protect both parties. If they still refuse, decline the job. A customer who objects to clear contract terms is a customer who will dispute later.

Can I add addendums after the base contract is signed?

Only with the customer's written agreement. Unilateral addendums are not enforceable. Include all addendums in the initial signing packet.