A roof is one of the most crucial parts of your home. It keeps out the weather and protects everything inside from damage. So when something goes wrong with it, it’s important you get the right help. Whether you’re looking to have your roof repaired, maintained, replaced or installed, you’ll need a professional roofer. 

What types of roofers are there?

Your roof is part of the structure of your house and so roofers will generally all need to have a license to work on it. Many roofers will be general roofers but different types may need different qualifications depending on the job you need them for. 

In general, you can come across roofers that work as:

Roofing contractors

Roofing contractors are the same as roofers. They will be able to work on most jobs involving a roof. These can include:

• Commercial roofing
• Residential roofing
• Repairs – leaking roofs or otherwise damaged roofs
• Installing new roofs
• Cleaning and painting roofs
• Installing roof insulation
• Replacing roof timbers and other supports

In general, most roofers will fall into this category but other services may specialise in different areas. It’s always good to ask your service what they offer to ensure that they can do the job you need. 

Roof maintenance experts 

Roof maintenance experts focus on more general maintenance of your roof. Many services that offer maintenance also have the skills and qualifications to work on other aspects of your roof but will only offer services that have to do with maintenance. These will generally focus on repairs, replacing tiles and checking skylights, vents and gutters. 

Roof plumber 

A roof plumber specialises in installing and maintaining rooves and they work largely with the drainage systems that keep everything under the roof dry and in good condition. A large portion of their work revolves around the installation of various roof and water-related systems including installing and maintaining:

• Gutters
• Downpipes 
• Rainwater tanks 
• Flashings 
• Stormwater disposal systems 

They can also:

• Maintain or repair stormwater systems 
• Fix roof leaks, including fixing flashing
• Fix mould issues

Roof painters

Roof painters are relatively self-explanatory, they can seal and paint the surfaces of your roof. They work to make sure that the roof is protected against the elements and make the roof look good. They usually clean, repair, paint and seal in the course of their work. 

Roof tilers

If your roof uses tiles, you’ll need a roof tiler. They can install, repair or replace your tiling to ensure that the roof is sealed against the elements. Common tile options for your home can include:

• Concrete tiles 
• Asphalt tiles
• Terracotta tiles 
• Slate tiles 

Reroofers 

If you need your whole roof replaced, or a new one installed, you can contact any reroofing services. These are similar to roof contractors but often specialise in the removal of the old roof as well. 

What affects the cost of hiring a roofer

When you get a quote from a roofer, some factors will affect the price. These will change depending on the job you need to be done but usually come down to the size, complexity and safety equipment needed. 

For new roofs, reroofing and roof painting, factors will include:

• The roofing material you choose
• The size of your roof, in square metres
• The pitch or angle of your roof
• What your roofing contractor charges for labour

Roof plumbers installing guttering or downpipes usually change their prices depending on the materials and the length of guttering installed. 

How much does it cost to hire a professional roofer?

The cost of your roofer will depend on the job you need them to do. For larger jobs like installing a new roof or replacing an old one, expect to pay somewhere in the region of:

• $40 to $60 per m2 for concrete roofing
• $50 to $70 per m2 for metal roofing
• $80 to $110 per m2 for terracotta roofing
• $200 to $500 per m2 for slate roofing

If you want to replace your old roof with a new one, expect to pay roughly:

• $6,000 to $10,000 to replace a metal roof with Colorbond roofing
• $15,000 to $20,000 to replace an asbestos roof with Colorbond
• $16,000 to $24,000 to replace a tiled roof (based on 200m2 roof size)

A roof painter can charge:

• Painting a Colorbond roof can cost $700 to $1,700 for labour alone, plus the cost of roof paint and any other services you need.
• Painting roof tiles can cost between $700 and $2,600 for labour, along with the cost of roof paint and sealant.
• Spray painting a roof costs from $14 to $28 per square metre (m2) or $35 and $60 per hour, not including preparation.

For roof repairs, costs may include:

• $1,000 for minor repairs
• $1,200 replacing gutters
• $1,300 to replace roof tiles
• $2,000 repair ridge caps
• $2,500 to replace mortar

To have gutters installed by a roof plumber, expect to pay:

• $30 to $40 per metre for PVC guttering
• $30 to $50 per metre for zincalume guttering
• $40 to $70 per metre for Colorbond guttering
• $85 to $160 per metre for stainless steel guttering

What to ask when hiring a local roofer

Due to the safety implications and specialist skills required, reroofing is not recommended as a DIY project. Only a qualified roofing contractor has the equipment and skill needed to do the job right.

Most states and territories in Australia require roofers to be licensed. Depending on where you live, they could hold a dedicated roofing licence such as roof tiling, roof slating (NSW), roof cladding (Queensland) or a building licence (Victoria). Ask your roofing contractor about their licence before you hire them.

Other questions to ask roofers include:

• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long is the warranty on your materials?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?
• What roofing materials do you recommend for this job?
• What’s your experience with roof repairs and installation?
• How long will the installation take?
• What kind of warranty or guarantee do you offer for your work?
• Will you handle any necessary permits or inspections?
• How will you handle unexpected issues or serious weather events during installation?