Should roofers collect a deposit before inspection?

For retail jobs: yes — a small refundable inspection deposit ($100-$200) collected via Stripe filters storm-chaser-curious leads and lifts inspection show rates from 30-40% to 85-95%. For insurance-claim jobs: typically no pre-inspection deposit — the carrier is paying, and homeowners filing a claim are already committed. Material deposits (30-50% of contract) are collected after contract signing on both paths.

How much should the inspection deposit be?

$100-$200 for a retail-job inspection deposit. The amount filters tire-kickers without scaring serious homeowners. Refundable if the inspection reveals the roof doesn't actually need replacement, if the homeowner cancels within a set window, or if the insurance carrier ultimately denies the claim. Always disclose the refund policy in writing.

What about material deposits before install?

Standard practice is 30-50% material deposit at contract signing, balance due at install completion. Some contractors split into thirds (1/3 at contract, 1/3 at material delivery, 1/3 at completion). State law often caps the initial deposit at a percentage of contract value or a dollar amount (often 10% or $1,000, whichever is less) before work begins, though material orders typically qualify as 'work begun' in most jurisdictions. Consult a licensed attorney for state-specific rules.

How to Collect Deposits from Homeowners for Roofing (2026)

The short answer: collect a refundable $100-$200 inspection deposit on retail-quote postcards, skip pre-inspection deposits on insurance work, collect 30-50% material deposit at contract signing on both. Roof Launch's customer portal integrates Stripe checkout on every render.

Retail vs insurance — different deposit structures

Retail roofing

Homeowners shopping a retail re-roof are weighing 2-3 contractors. A refundable inspection deposit filters tire-kickers and locks the prospect to your inspection. Standard: $100-$200 refundable via Stripe at the customer portal.

Insurance-claim roofing

Homeowners filing an insurance claim are already committed to the project — the carrier is paying. Pre-inspection deposits feel like friction at the worst time and can lose deals to storm-chaser competitors who don't ask. Most insurance-focused contractors skip pre-inspection deposits entirely and collect material deposit at contract signing only.

Material deposits at contract signing

Standard practice for both retail and insurance jobs:

30-50% at contract signing — funds material order.
Balance at install completion — released after walkthrough.
Some contractors split into thirds: 1/3 contract, 1/3 material delivery, 1/3 completion.

State law caps initial pre-work deposits at percentages of contract (often 10% or $1,000, whichever is less) in many states, but material orders typically qualify as "work begun" in most jurisdictions. Consult a licensed attorney for state-specific rules.

How Roof Launch automates the deposit workflow

Homeowner scans postcard QR. Lands on customer portal with rendered roof + square count + material-tier prices.
Stripe checkout integrated. Homeowner taps "Pay $X to schedule your inspection."
Deposit confirmed. Automated email + SMS within seconds.
Lead created in CRM with deposit-paid status, contact info, claim status, and rendered roof attached.
Material-deposit Stripe link generated at contract signing for the larger second deposit.

Common deposit mistakes

Pre-inspection deposit on insurance jobs. Loses storm-zone deals to chasers who don't ask.
Material deposit above state-cap percentage at contract signing. State law caps vary; check before quoting deposit amount.
Non-refundable framing on inspection deposit. Closes deals badly; most homeowners won't pay non-refundable deposits to a contractor they haven't met.
Slow refunds. Drives reviews and complaints. Refund within 7 business days, automatically via Stripe.

Deposit-paid roofing leads. Automated.

Free account, free rendering, $1 per mailed roof quote. Stripe deposit integrated on every customer portal.

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