Guide
Roofing deposits and payments: keeping the balance right
Deposits, insurance checks in pieces, supplements and final payments: roofing money comes in many parts. A simple routine keeps every balance right and every customer clear on what they owe.
Published · welvy team
Set the deposit up front
Put the deposit on the estimate so the customer sees it before they sign, for example half at signing and the balance on completion. Rules on deposits differ from state to state, so check yours.
Record every payment against the invoice
- Record each payment on its own, with the date, amount and how it was paid: check, card, cash, Zelle, ACH or financing
- Note the check number or reference so the bookkeeper can match it
- Add approved supplements and change orders to the invoice as new lines, so the total matches what was agreed
- Never change a recorded payment; if one was entered by mistake, void it with a reason and enter it again
Know who owes you, and for how long
Once a job is invoiced, follow up on the balance. A simple list of who owes what, grouped by how long it's been, shows where to call first.
How welvy does it
In welvy the invoice is made from the approved estimate, and the deposit and balance are one tap away when you record a payment. Payments can be voided with a reason but never edited, the customer's copy shows what's paid and what's still due, and the who-owes-what report groups balances by age.
Common questions
How much deposit should a roofer take?
Many roofers take a deposit at signing to cover materials, often around a third to a half of the price. Check your state's rules on deposits for home improvement work.
How do I track insurance payments that come in parts?
Record each check as its own payment against the invoice. The balance due updates as each one comes in.
What if a payment was recorded by mistake?
Void it with a short reason instead of deleting it, then record the right one. That keeps a clean history your bookkeeper can trust.