The right questions before a re-roof will tell you more about a contractor than any brochure. This page is a practical checklist for Adelaide homeowners who are comparing quotes and want to understand who they are hiring, what exactly they are paying for and how problems will be handled. Print it, take it to each site meeting and ask for the answers in writing.
Roof Replacements Adelaide is a referral service. The work is done by independent local roofing contractors, and we ask the ones we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs. You should still ask to see them before work starts. That is simply good practice with any builder.
Questions about the business and its paperwork
Who will hold the contract, and what is the licence number? In South Australia, building work contractor licences are issued by Consumer and Business Services (CBS). Check the number on the CBS public register and make sure the name matches the business on your quote.
What insurance do you carry for this job? Ask to see current certificates for public liability and for workers, and ask whether any home building cover applies to work of this kind. The contractor should be able to explain what applies to your job.
Will your own crew do the work, or subcontractors? Neither is wrong, but you should know who will be on your roof and who supervises them.
Who is my day-to-day contact? Get a name and a phone number for the person running the job.
Questions about scope
Quotes for the same roof often differ because they cover different things. Ask each contractor to confirm in writing:
- Is the whole roof being replaced, or only some sections?
- Is new sarking or an insulation blanket included?
- Are battens being replaced, and at what spacing?
- Are valleys, flashings, ridge caps and barges new or reused?
- Are gutters, fascia and downpipes included?
- How are solar panels handled, and who organises the electrician?
- Is scaffold or edge protection included in the price?
- Is removal and disposal of the old roof included?
Our step-by-step process guide explains each stage, so you can see whether anything is missing.
Questions about materials
Which product, profile and colour are you quoting? Get the exact name, not just "steel" or "tile".
Why this material for my house? A good contractor will talk about your roof pitch, location and exposure, such as salt air near the gulf coast, bushfire overlays in the Hills or heat on a west-facing slope. Our guide to the best roofing materials for Adelaide's climate gives background.
What manufacturer warranty comes with the material, and what conditions apply? Some product warranties depend on distance from the coast or on correct installation. Ask for the details in writing.
Questions about the unexpected
This is where many disputes start, so spend time here.
What happens if you find rotten timber or a damaged frame once the roof is off? Ask how it will be shown to you, how it will be priced and whether work stops until you approve it.
How do you price variations? A set rate or a clear method beats "we'll sort it out".
What if part of the roof might be asbestos? On older Adelaide homes, especially post-war builds, extensions, eaves and sheds, asbestos cement sheet is common. Ask whether the contractor will arrange testing, who does removal and where it goes. SafeWork SA sets out when a licensed removalist is required, so check with them, and disposal must go to an EPA-licensed facility. Our asbestos roof guide explains the warning signs.
How do you protect the house overnight and in bad weather? The answer should be specific: tarps, temporary covers, and only opening as much roof as can be closed the same day.
Questions about approvals and compliance
- Does this job need development approval, or is it like-for-like? Applications go through the PlanSA portal; check with your council before work starts.
- Is the property in a heritage area or a bushfire hazard overlay, and does that affect materials or detailing?
- Who is responsible for checking and lodging anything required?
Questions about time and money
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| When can you start, and how many working days on site? | Separates lead time from roof time |
| How are weather delays communicated? | Avoids frustration on stop days |
| What deposit is required, and when are later payments due? | Links payments to progress |
| What is excluded from the price? | Exposes gaps between quotes |
| Is the quote fixed, and for how long is it valid? | Material prices change |
Avoid quoting conversations that rush you to sign on the spot. For an explanation of what moves the price, see the roof replacement cost guide.
Questions about the site and the crew
What safety set-up will you use? Expect a clear answer about scaffold, edge protection or harness anchors. Fall protection on a residential roof is a workplace safety requirement, not an optional extra.
Where will the skip, materials and vehicles go? On narrow blocks or homes with tight side access, this affects your driveway, your garden and sometimes your neighbours.
How many people will be on site, and on how many days? This helps you compare timelines between quotes and plan your own week around the noisiest days.
What hours will you work? Councils set limits on building noise, and crews often start early in summer to avoid the heat on a steel roof.
Can you send progress photos? Photos after stripping, after sarking and before the ridges go on give you a record of work that ends up hidden.
Warning signs in the answers
A few responses are worth pausing on, whoever gives them:
- A price offered only if you sign today.
- Reluctance to provide a licence number, insurance details or a written contract.
- A request for full or near-full payment up front.
- A quote with no mention of sarking, flashings, gutters or waste disposal.
- Confident claims that a roof does not contain asbestos without any testing.
- An unsolicited door-knock after a storm, followed by pressure to act fast.
Any one of these is not proof of a problem, but each is a reason to ask more questions or get another quote.
Questions about the finish
What does clean-up include? Gutters flushed, yard swept for fixings, broken tile and offcuts removed, skip and scaffold collected.
What will I receive at the end? Ask for photos of the finished roof, product details and the terms of any workmanship warranty the contractor offers.
Who do I call if something leaks later? Get the contact and the process in writing.
Reading the answers
You are not only listening for the right facts. Notice whether answers are clear and consistent, whether the contractor is happy to put them in writing, and whether they explain trade-offs rather than pushing one option. Short, specific and patient answers are generally a better sign than a polished pitch.
If you want help finding someone to put these questions to, contact us and we will connect you with an independent roofer in your part of Adelaide. Before the first visit, it is also worth reading how to prepare for a roof replacement.