1. The different types of roofing
There are two main types of roofing: metal or steel roofing, also known by the brand name Colorbond; and tiles (terracotta, concrete or slate). All are durable and fire-resistant, but metal roofing is more affordable to install and easier to maintain. Tiled roofing will require more maintenance over time as it needs to be repointed and/or individual tiles may require replacing or re-aligning. Metal roof repairs involve either patching a spot leak or replacing an entire sheet of roof sheeting. Leaks can also develop in metal roofing, especially at the joins or where the roofing joins flashing or guttering.
2. The cost of roofing
Once you know what types of roofing materials there are you can now look at the cost of each. Expect to pay around $50 to $70 per square metre for high quality metal roofing, while tile roofs cost anywhere from $80 to $110 per square metre, with terracotta tiles at the upper end of the price scale. This together with the size of your roof (in square metres), the pitch or angle of your roof, labour and access will determine the final cost of your roofing job.
3. Getting quotes from roofers
Happy for a tradie to give you a quote over the phone or in conversation? We recommend you get a written quote – especially for larger, more expensive jobs. Why? You need to see the breakdown of materials vs labour and get a detailed description of the work to be carried out. Does the quote include removal of your old roofing? Written quotes should also detail the business’s key information, like the name, address, phone number, licence number, ABN and payment conditions. The validity of the quote – typically 30 days or less – is also often detailed on the quote.
4. Licensing of roofers
You should only hire licensed tradies. Why? Licensing is like an additional layer of security for homeowners, by requiring individuals and businesses to prove they have the right qualifications. Depending on where you live your roofer could be required to hold one of the following licences: metal roofing & cladding, roof plumbing, roof tiling or roof slating. These will appear on their physical licence or appear on their online listing. Checking a licence is as easy as running an online search by checking the status of the current licence number.
5. Research their background
If you are going to be spending any amount of money on your home you look into the background of the tradies you will be hiring. Why? You want to be sure they are right for your job, with the right experience with a good reputation for quality workmanship. Otherwise you could have a poor overall experience. You can start by looking at the feedback on their hipages profile, Facebook page or other online review sites. Word of mouth is also a great way of getting feedback from people who have personal experience with the tradie or business.
Hopefully our article will give you the knowledge to hire a local roofer for your project, so your job gets done by a properly qualified and experienced business.
