Overview
Thatch is sold by the square metre and the lifespan, and the ridge detail is the line that proves the craft
Thatch roofing is the heritage end of the roofing trade. The customer owns a thatched cottage, a Tudor restoration, a barn conversion, or a holiday let with the original roof needing periodic re-coating or full replacement. The materials are long straw, combed wheat reed, or water reed (the most durable), and the lifespan varies wildly: 25 years for water reed, 15 to 20 for combed wheat reed, less for long straw. The ridge is the part the customer sees up close from the road, and the patterned spar work that decorates a ridge is the visible craft of the trade. A flat 'thatch roof, $24,000' quote without naming the material, the ridge detail, and the lifespan expectation misses the heritage conversation.
QuoteGenio gives thatch roofers a quoting shape built for heritage work. Survey and material recommendation as the first line, thatch material by type and source with the lifespan estimate, ridge work with the pattern named (straight cut, block cut, ornamental), spar work and fixings, flashings around chimneys and dormers, scaffolding and access, labour by day with the team size, and any planning or listed-building paperwork. Send via WhatsApp or email to the homeowner with photos of the existing roof, take a deposit at booking, raise progress invoices through stripping and re-coating, and the final invoice closes with the new roof photographed and a maintenance schedule for the next 25 years.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of thatch roofing business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every thatcher knows
Thatch is a specialist trade with few rivals but every client asks for 'a rough idea' that turns into a day of measuring and thinking.
Thatch is priced by the layer and ridge
Quoting per square metre skips the ridge, eaves detail, and fire treatment. Every thatcher knows the maths but the client does not.
Verbal repairs spiral into re-thatches
You quote a patch. The client decides to do the whole side. Without written scope, the original price hangs over the job.
Material prices swing with harvest
Cape reed and water reed prices move with harvest seasons. A quote written four months ago eats your margin.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
Quotes that spell out thatch, ridge, fire spray, and scaffold so the client sees the full job and approves with confidence.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for thatched work
Line items for strip and dispose, battens, thatch layers, wire, ridge, fire spray, and scaffold. Every stage priced separately.
Quote from the ladder
Check the pitch, note the condition, key the area in, and send the quote before you leave the property.
Fire spray and warranty written in
Save your fire retardant and warranty terms once. They attach to every quote so the client sees what is covered.
Track what is outstanding
Thatch jobs run for weeks. Know who owes you what, follow up with one tap, and get paid faster.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how thatch roofers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Thatch Roofers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Thatch Roofers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Thatch Roofers job pricing
Guideline pricing for thatch work. Rates shift with thatch type (Cape reed versus water reed versus sedge), pitch, access, and height. Use as a sanity check when pricing your rate card.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Cape reed re-thatch (per sq m) | $ 78 - $ 145 / sq m |
| Water reed re-thatch (per sq m) | $ 145 - $ 265 / sq m |
| Thatch repair patch (per sq m) | $ 95 - $ 220 / sq m |
| Ridge replacement (per m) | $ 88 - $ 175 / m |
| Fire retardant spray (per sq m) | $ 18 - $ 35 / sq m |
| New build thatch (per sq m) | $ 95 - $ 185 / sq m |
| Scaffold hire (per week) | $ 220 - $ 680 / week |
Pricing shown in USD as a rough benchmark. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Thatch surveys take time. A full re-thatch assessment with pitch measurement and roof condition notes is half a day of work. Charge $ 180 to $ 450 as a survey fee, refundable against the contract. Free surveys on thatch are for regulars only.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use fixed per-sq-m pricing on clean re-thatches with known thatch type. Use daywork rates ($ 180 to $ 320 per thatcher per day) for repair work, matching heritage thatch, or anything where the batten condition is unknown. Always note that rotten battens or rafters will be quoted separately as a provisional sum.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
A clean thatch quote shows each stage: strip, batten, thatch, wire, ridge, spray, access, and clean. Thatched clients are used to big numbers but want them explained.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Cape reed re-thatch, 95 sq m lapa roof with new ridge and fire spray
Strip existing thatch and wire, dispose
Check and replace battens (provisional 15%)
Cape reed thatch supply and install 300mm layer
Galvanised wire tying
New sedge ridge (18m)
Fire retardant spray (SABS-approved)
Scaffold hire (2 weeks)
Site clean, ground cover, rubble removal
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strip existing thatch and wire, dispose | 95 | $ 14.00 / sq m | $ 1,330 |
| Check and replace battens (provisional 15%) | 1 | $ 480 | $ 480 |
| Cape reed thatch supply and install 300mm layer | 95 | $ 88.00 / sq m | $ 8,360 |
| Galvanised wire tying | 95 | $ 8.00 / sq m | $ 760 |
| New sedge ridge (18m) | 18 | $ 98.00 / m | $ 1,764 |
| Fire retardant spray (SABS-approved) | 95 | $ 24.00 / sq m | $ 2,280 |
| Scaffold hire (2 weeks) | 2 | $ 420 / week | $ 840 |
| Site clean, ground cover, rubble removal | 1 | $ 320 | $ 320 |
| Subtotal | $ 16,134 | ||
| Tax (10%) | $ 1,613 | ||
| Total incl. tax | $ 17,747 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Batten replacement as a provisional sum, scaffold if the pitch exceeds 45 degrees, fire retardant spray (regulatory in many areas), ridge renewal every 15-20 years, post-thatch cleanup (straw everywhere), and a 10-year workmanship warranty. Thatch clients forget these exist and will ask mid-project.
Peer snapshot
How Thatch Roofers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Thatch Roofers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
27
Quotes sent per month
65%
Average quote acceptance
5 min
Median time to send quote
$ 17,747
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
Thatch is a specialist trade but the quoting mistakes are universal. Fix these and you protect both your margin and your reputation.
Mistake: Quoting sq m with no layer depth
Better: Thatch cost shifts massively with layer thickness (200mm vs 300mm vs 400mm). State the layer depth in the quote (usually 300-400mm for new, 150-250mm top-up). Clients compare on sq m price alone and confuse themselves.
Mistake: Forgetting the ridge
Better: The ridge is its own line at its own rate. Sedge ridges, wire ridges, and bound ridges all cost differently. Quote ridge per metre, state the material, and include ridge renewal frequency in your notes.
Mistake: No fire spray line on new thatch
Better: Most jurisdictions now require fire retardant on new thatch. Add it as a separate line with SABS or local approval reference. Clients who try to skip it find their insurance is void.
Mistake: No batten allowance on re-thatches
Better: Strip the old thatch and some battens will be rotten. Quote a provisional sum of 10-20% for batten replacement. Clients accept a planned allowance, they object to surprises.
Mistake: Free survey on every enquiry
Better: A thatch survey is half a day. Charge $ 180 to $ 450, refundable against contract. Tyre kickers fall away, serious clients book the work.
Mistake: No fire spray renewal schedule
Better: Fire retardant needs renewal every 7-12 years. Quote the current spray AND include a line in notes about renewal intervals. Offer a scheduled service; easy recurring revenue.
Mistake: Quoting with no warranty term
Better: Thatch should carry at least a 10-year workmanship warranty, with materials warranty passed through from the thatch supplier. Put this in the quote terms. Clients want to know the number; silence worries them.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote thatch roofing jobs
Measure the pitch, the ridge length, and the thatch area in square metres, then walk the underside to assess the batten condition. Check the thatch type on-site: Cape reed, water reed, or sedge each price differently and have different weather and longevity characteristics. Note the layer depth of the existing thatch and whether a full strip or a top-up is appropriate. Count internal elements like dormer transitions and fireplace flashings, photograph moss or organic debris on the surface, and check whether scaffold is needed (almost always where the pitch exceeds 45 degrees). Thatch surveys take half a day with proper pitch measurement and batten inspection, so charge $ 180 to $ 450 for the survey, refundable against the contract.
Itemise strip and dispose per square metre, batten replacement as a provisional sum of 10 to 20 percent, thatch material per square metre with the layer depth stated (300mm to 400mm for new work), galvanised wire tying as its own line, and the ridge as a separate running-metre line with the material (sedge ridge, wire ridge, bound ridge) named. Fire retardant spray goes on its own line with the SABS-approved formulation referenced. Scaffold hire is quoted per week and site clean includes straw removal and ground cover. Include moss removal at $ 8 to $ 18 per square metre where needed, and a minimum job fee of $ 800 to $ 1,500 on small lapas because small work takes a day regardless of size.
Set a 45 day validity on thatch quotes because Cape reed and water reed prices swing with harvest seasons and sedge supply tightens through the dry months. Require a 30 to 40 percent deposit on acceptance to secure thatch stock from the supplier, a progress payment at batten stage, and balance on ridge completion. State a 10 year workmanship warranty with the materials warranty passed through from the thatch supplier, and include fire spray renewal schedule (every 7 to 12 years) in the notes to open recurring revenue. Weather delays are written into the quote: thatch cannot be laid in sustained rain or high wind, and ridge work needs consecutive dry days.
Thatch clients are often rural or remote and WhatsApp reaches them more reliably than email. Build the quote on-site with photos of the existing thatch, any moss or sag, and the ridge condition, and send before you drive off the property. Thatchers are a small market with long lead times, so a clear quote on the day usually wins even against specialists with better reputations. Follow up after a week to answer questions about material sourcing and start dates, and send a separate maintenance schedule quote (annual inspection, 3-yearly wire check, 7 year ridge renewal) within a week of acceptance. Variation work like extra fire spray areas or additional ridge renewal is quoted before execution.
FAQ
Common questions from thatch roofers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Set up each as a line item with its own rate. Most thatchers have two rate cards, one for standard Cape reed and one for premium water reed, because the longevity and install time differ.
Yes. Line items can be marked as options or included by default. Most thatchers include fire spray on new jobs as a baseline and note it on the quote.
Yes. Every quote generates a shareable link. Send via WhatsApp and the client views a branded PDF on their phone. Thatch clients are often rural or remote; WhatsApp works when email does not.
Quote heritage thatch at a premium (40-80% above standard) because sourcing specific reed species takes longer, techniques are more specialised, and the client usually needs approvals from heritage bodies. Separate the thatch material line from the labour line, and include a line for material sourcing time.
Partial work is more expensive per square metre than full re-thatches because matching is harder and access costs don't scale down. Quote at 30-60% above the full-roof rate, and state that the new thatch will take 1-2 years to weather into the existing.
Yes. Use the terms or notes field to list recommended maintenance (annual inspection, 3-yearly wire check, 7-10 year ridge renewal, 7-12 year fire spray refresh). It justifies your price and opens recurring work.
Quote as a separate pre-job item. Moss and organic debris add weight and hide condition issues. Typical rates are $ 8 to $ 18 per sq m for mechanical removal, more if harnesses or access equipment is needed.
Lapas are simpler because they lack ridge detail and complex flashings, but they use the same thatch materials. Price per sq m but set a minimum job fee ($ 800 to $ 1,500) because small lapas take a day regardless of size.
Yes. Many thatchers run fire spray as a recurring service on existing thatch roofs. Quote per sq m with a minimum callout, and include a certificate of application. Insurers and local fire authorities often require the certificate.
Yes. QuoteGenio groups all quotes and invoices under each client. Heritage homes with ongoing maintenance and upgrades are easy to track.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Guides
Guides for Thatch Roofers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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