Roof pitch
What is roof pitch?
How steep a roof is, written as inches of rise per 12 inches of run — and a driver of both safety and price.
Definition
Roof pitch is the slope of the roof, expressed as rise over run — a “6/12” pitch climbs 6 inches for every 12 inches across. The bigger the first number, the steeper the roof.
Pitch affects the job two ways: steeper roofs are harder and more dangerous to work, and they need more material. That’s why carriers pay steep charges on higher pitches — a line item that’s often missed on the first scope.
Knowing the pitch tells you what the roof will cost to do safely and which steep-slope charges belong on the claim. It’s a small number with a big effect on the estimate.
Related terms
Roofing squareThe unit roofers price by — one square equals 100 square feet of roof area.Supplement line itemsThe specific items added to a claim through a supplement — the missed materials, code work, and underpriced entries that bring the scope up to the real job.Aerial measurement reportA roof measurement built from aerial or drone imagery — squares, pitch, ridges, and valleys — without climbing for tape measurements.Scope of lossThe carrier’s itemized estimate of the damage and what they’ll pay to repair it — the document every claim is built on.