A little preparation makes a roof replacement noticeably smoother for everyone. This checklist is for Adelaide homeowners who have chosen a contractor and have a start date coming up, and it covers the house, the yard, the people and the paperwork. Most of it takes an afternoon; a few items need booking a week or two ahead.
If you are still choosing who to hire, start with questions to ask a roof replacement contractor and come back here once you have signed.
Two to four weeks out: paperwork and bookings
Confirm the written scope
Read the contract one more time. It should name the material, profile and colour, and say what happens with sarking, battens, flashings, gutters, solar and waste. It should also explain how variations are priced and approved. If anything is vague, ask now rather than on the roof.
Check approvals
Like-for-like re-roofing often needs no development approval in South Australia, but heritage places and areas, a change in roof form or structural work may. Applications go through the PlanSA portal, so check with your council before work starts. If you live in the Adelaide Hills or the foothills, ask whether a bushfire hazard overlay applies, as the Code can bring AS 3959 construction requirements.
Sort out asbestos questions early
Many post-war Adelaide homes, older extensions, eaves, sheds and garages contain asbestos cement sheet, sometimes in the Super Six profile. If any part of your roof might be asbestos, have it assessed before the start date. SafeWork SA sets out when a licensed removalist is required, so check with them, and disposal must go to an EPA-licensed facility. Do not cut, drill, water-blast or walk on it yourself. Our guide on how to tell if your roof is asbestos can help.
Book the solar electrician
If you have panels, confirm who is organising disconnection, removal and reinstatement, and lock in dates that line up with the roofing schedule.
Talk to insurers if relevant
If the re-roof follows storm damage, check where your claim is up to before work starts. Our insurance roof replacement page outlines the usual steps.
The week before: outside the house
Crews need space to work safely and move material on and off the roof.
- Driveway. Clear it for a skip bin and deliveries. Plan to park on the street.
- Side paths and eaves. Move bins, bikes, pot plants, outdoor furniture and barbecues away from the walls, because scaffold goes there and debris can fall.
- Garden beds. Cover delicate plants near the house with shade cloth or old sheets. Tell the crew about any irrigation lines or garden lights close to the walls.
- Trees. Trim branches overhanging the roof, as they get in the way of scaffold and sheet handling.
- Power lines. Let the contractor know if the service line to the house runs low over the roof or driveway.
- Pools. Cover them if they sit near the roof line; grit and fixings travel.
- Access. Make sure side gates can be opened and tell the crew about any gate codes or locks.
The week before: inside the house
Most of the inside preparation is about dust and vibration.
| Area | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Roof space | Remove stored boxes and valuables | Dust, debris and crew access |
| Rooms with downlights | Cover furniture and beds with sheets | Fine dust drifts through fittings |
| Walls | Take down mirrors, frames and shelf items | Hammering causes vibration |
| Manhole | Make sure the cover sits tightly | Keeps dust out of living areas |
| Electronics | Cover computers and TVs in top-floor rooms | Grit gets into vents |
| Attic ladders and fans | Note any you rely on | The crew may need them switched off |
Ducted air-conditioning units in the roof space are worth mentioning to the contractor too, as ducts and the unit may need protecting and the system may be off for a time.
People and pets
Stripping day is loud. If you work from home, plan to be somewhere else or at least in the quietest room. Babies, shift workers and anyone sensitive to dust may prefer a day or two away around the start of the job.
Pets often get stressed by noise and strangers at the gate. Dogs may be safer at a relative's place or in day care for the noisiest days, and cats are best kept inside and away from open doors. Keep children well away from scaffold, skips and the drip line of the roof.
Let your neighbours know the dates, the likely noise and where the skip and trucks will be. A short note in the letterbox prevents most complaints.
Weather and timing
Adelaide's wet months run roughly May to September, and spring storms can bring hail and strong wind. Crews will stop when it is unsafe, so treat the start date as a target rather than a fixed point. Our article on the best time of year for a roof replacement and the timeline guide help you set expectations.
If you are going from tile to steel
Changing roof material brings a couple of extra things to think about. A switch from concrete or terracotta tiles to Colorbond steel means new battens at different spacings, different flashings and often new gutters, so the scope will be wider than a like-for-like job. It also changes how the house sounds in heavy rain and how heat moves through the roof, which is why many people use the opportunity to add an insulation blanket or upgrade ceiling insulation while the roof is open. Read our guide to Colorbond versus tile if you are still weighing it up, and confirm your colour choice early so the order is not held up.
Any change of roof material or colour in a heritage area may also need approval, so include it in your council check.
If the house will be empty
Some owners re-roof a rental between tenants, or a home they are about to move into. That can make the job easier, but someone still needs to be reachable during the day for decisions about hidden damage and variations. Arrange a key handover, leave the power and water connected, and make sure the crew knows who to call. Tenants who are still in the house should get written notice of the dates and a copy of this checklist.
Money and paperwork
Before the start date, confirm the deposit has been paid as agreed and that you understand when later payments fall due. Keep a folder, paper or digital, for the contract, any variation approvals, photos and final documents. Taking your own photos of ceilings, walls and paths before work starts is useful if a question comes up later. For what tends to change the overall figure, see the roof replacement cost guide.
On the morning
Unlock gates, move the last car, put the pets away and introduce yourself to the crew leader. Confirm the toilet arrangement, the power point they can use and the best number to reach you. Then let them get on with it. If you have questions about the job or need a local contractor, contact us.