There are several factors to remember when assessing Brisbane roofing contractors, such as:
Credibility.
Affordability.
Services offered.
Deciding which contractor is capable of delivering the work you need can be confusing. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand what to look out for and what to expect from quality roofing services.
Key takeaways
What makes a Brisbane roofing company legitimate?
Before we get to the qualities a good roofer should exhibit, there are certain baseline criteria that every company should meet. If they can’t meet the following requirements, they’re not worth considering:
Valid QBCC licence
Any building work that’s valued at over $3300 must be completed by a fully licensed professional service. A licence tells you several important things, including:
The roofer has the necessary technical know-how to do the job.
They meet the minimum financial requirements to operate in the industry.
They’re qualified to perform specific tasks as required for the project.
A roofing company should be listed on the QBCC Licensee Register. You can search the register using a licence number or by the contractor’s name.
Home warranty insurance
Home warranty insurance is required for all residential roofing work valued at over $3300. It’s included in your contract and is paid before the work begins. The insurance generally covers the following issues:
Your contractor does not, or cannot, complete the work they’ve been hired to do.
Your contractor refuses to fix a defect.
Home warranty insurance pays out a maximum of $200,000 on a claim. It covers the contractor’s work for six years and six months from whichever of these events is earliest:
The contract was entered into.
The premium was paid.
The work was begun.
Public liability insurance
While home warranty insurance is crucial, it doesn’t cover all critical aspects of roofing. Your roofer should also be expected to carry an appropriate amount of public liability insurance to cover:
Any damage that’s done to the property during the work.
Any injuries that are sustained by third parties.
A reputable Brisbane roofing company should hold public liability cover of at least $10 million, with $20 million now standard for commercial roofing work. Anything below $10 million is a red flag for residential projects of any meaningful size.
Don’t just take their word for it, ask for a current Certificate of Currency from their insurer before work begins. This single-page document confirms the policy is active, names the insurer, lists the cover amount, and shows the expiry date. Any legitimate Brisbane roofing contractor will provide one without hesitation.
Written contract
You must have a written contract with the roofing company. The contract should cover major details of the work to be completed, such as:
The scope of the work.
The materials that will be used.
The total price and a breakdown showing how it’s calculated.
When the project will begin and end.
If the project costs more than $20,000, the contractor has to give you a copy of the QBCC consumer building guide. This guide provides information on:
Key building and contract issues.
How to avoid or handle disputes.
Common pitfalls.
You’ll need to sign and date the guide after reading it to show that the contractor has fulfilled this obligation.
What services do Brisbane roofing contractors offer?
Every roofer determines the scope of work they’re willing to offer. A range of roofing services that are typically available include:
Complete roof replacement. A new roof may be needed when there’s too much damage to justify repairs. These roofing projects can include:
Replacing tile roofs with a Colorbond metal roof.
Removing old materials and disposing of them.
Installation of new battens and sarking.
Upgrading drainage and ventilation systems.
Any metal roof replacement should be designed and installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1562.1:2018. Design and installation of metal cladding (Part 1: Metal), which sets the minimum requirements for metal roof and wall cladding in Australia. Reputable Brisbane roofing contractors should be able to confirm their work complies with this standard.
Roof repairs. Repairs are a more frequently requested service. They can be especially important after situations like severe storms. Repairs may involve:
Fixing roof leaks.
Replacing isolated tiles or metal sheets.
Repairing damaged flashing.
Roof restoration. Restorations sit somewhere between getting your roof replaced and repaired. They’re typically designed to refresh an old roof through jobs like:
High-pressure cleaning.
Applying protective coating.
Repointing ridge caps.
Gutter replacement. Gutters can be a particular point of concern. Blockages can lead to water damage and other issues that can become major problems if left unchecked. This could include:
Gutter cleaning.
Gutter guard installation.
Roof inspections. Regular inspections help Brisbane homeowners identify necessary maintenance before potential issues have a chance to turn into something more serious. Inspections typically involve:
Documentation for insurance claims.
Routine check-ups.
Asbestos roof removal. Removing asbestos can be a more specialised roofing job. Asbestos removal in Queensland is regulated under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. Removalists must hold the appropriate licence issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland:
Class B asbestos removal licence — required for removing more than 10m² of non-friable (bonded) asbestos, which covers most asbestos cement roof sheets.
Class A asbestos removal licence — required for any friable asbestos, regardless of quantity.
Always ask to see the current licence before any asbestos roofing work begins. This is in addition to the contractor’s QBCC licence.
How to compare roofing contractors in Brisbane
You can use a combination of metrics to determine which contractor is right for you versus other roofing companies. There’s more to choosing the right roofer than who’s the cheapest.
Get a quote
A proper quote isn’t just a single figure showing you how much you can expect to pay in total. Here is some key information to look out for:
A list of the tasks that are required to complete the roofing project successfully.
The materials that will be required. This could include Colorbond steel, insulation products, and more.
A breakdown of all of the costs involved. This will include things like labour and materials.
How long the project is expected to take.
Any warranties that the roofer provides.
Details of the roofer’s insurance and licences.
Get at least two or three quotes from different contractors. This can give you a better idea of what a reasonable price looks like.
Look at their portfolio
Experienced Brisbane roofers should have a considerable amount of evidence for their quality workmanship. Peruse their past projects and consider whether you like what you see. It’s also important to know if they work with the roofing material you want.
Look at their reviews
Good roofing specialists should have a proven track record with customers. You can get an idea of their reputation by looking at online reviews. It’s important to be able to read reviews critically to get the most out of them. Some factors to consider are the following:
Are there consistent points that keep coming up?
How does the contractor respond to negative feedback?
Are the reviews detailed, or do they all seem generic?
Contact the contractor
You may have found a business with skilled tradesmen and extensive local experience. The next step is to speak to them personally to make sure they can provide a reliable solution to your situation. It’s useful to prepare some questions beforehand, such as:
What services do you provide?
Do you have transparent pricing?
Can you provide a free quote?
How much do you expect this project to cost?
Do you use only premium materials?
Have you handled similar jobs to mine before? If so, can I see the results?
Once you’ve spoken with them, assess what their communication was like. For example, ask yourself:
Did they explain the project and their services in easy-to-understand language?
Were they upfront about their fees, or did they seem unwilling to talk about them?
Were they able to provide evidence of their workmanship?
Did they seem friendly and easy to work with, or were they abrupt and rude?
From our clients
Infinite Roofing were amazing from start to finish designing and installing our patio roof. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to install new or update a roof or patio. Small or large job nothing seemed to be too much trouble.
- Margaret Seeley
Austin was great to deal with from the start. Really professional and a high quality of workmanship. Would definitely recommend.
- Michael Kapatan
Conclusion
If you’re looking for quality roofing, Brisbane offers some excellent service providers. But if you want to make sure that a contractor can meet your specific roofing needs, there are many things to keep in mind. You have to ensure they offer the service you require and how they stack up against other contractors.
Are you looking for Brisbane roofing services?
Our team has decades of combined roofing industry experience. We work on both residential properties and commercial buildings. Call us today, or use our online enquiry form, for high-quality service at competitive prices for your Brisbane roofing solution.
