A roofer’s answers tell you as much as their price. Clear, specific answers that end up in writing make a quote easier to compare and a dispute less likely.
Ask the same questions of every contractor, write the answers down, and where an answer matters to the price or the warranty, ask for it to be added to the written quote. The questions are grouped in the order you are likely to need them.
What should you ask before the inspection?#
Start with how the contractor will assess the roof and what you will get afterwards. This sets expectations and helps you avoid paying for an inspection that produces only a number.
- Is there a fee for the inspection or the quote?
- Will you inspect the roof surface, the roof space, or both?
- Will I receive photos of what you find, marked with where they were taken?
- Will the quote be written and itemised?
- What are your business details, including ABN and any licence or registration numbers?
Why it matters. Consumer Protection WA notes that some quotes attract a fee, so it is worth asking before anyone arrives. Photos and an itemised quote are what let you compare one contractor with another, which our guide to comparing roofing quotes relies on. If you want a report on condition rather than a sales quote, a roof inspection may be the better starting point.
What should you ask about the findings?#
Once the roof has been looked at, ask the contractor to separate what they saw from what they recommend. A finding is “three cracked tiles above the laundry”; a recommendation is “replace them and check the sarking underneath”.
- What did you find, exactly where, and can you show me a photo?
- Is this the cause of my problem or a symptom of something else?
- Which items are letting water in now, and which are wear that can be planned for?
- What is likely to happen if this item is left for now?
- Did you see anything that might be asbestos cement?
- What condition are the battens, sarking and roof frame in, as far as you could see?
Why it matters. Linking each finding to a location and a photo makes the quote checkable. It also helps you decide whether a repair, restoration or replacement is the right scale of job. If asbestos cement is suspected, the rules change; our asbestos roof guide explains why.
What should you ask about the scope?#
The scope is the list of work you are paying for. Ask questions that turn general phrases into quantities and named tasks.
- Which items are necessary, and which are optional or cosmetic?
- How many tiles, sheets or metres of capping are included in the price?
- Which ridges or hips are being rebedded, and which only repointed?
- Are valleys, flashings, gutters and downpipes included, checked or excluded?
- What is specifically excluded from this quote?
- If you find more damage once work starts, how will you price it and get my approval?
- How will debris and old materials be removed and disposed of?
Why it matters. Consumer Protection WA says tradespeople must get your permission before doing extra work, and you do not have to pay for extra work done without it. Agreeing on how variations will be handled before the job starts removes most of the arguments at the end.
What should you ask about products and materials?#
Product questions matter most for coatings, replacement tiles and metal roofing, where similar-looking options can perform differently.
- What are the product names, and are they suitable for my tile or metal type?
- For coatings, is there a primer or sealer, and how many coats?
- Can replacement tiles be matched to my profile and colour?
- Is the metal product and its fixings suitable for a coastal or industrial location?
- Will the products be installed to the manufacturer’s instructions?
- What must I do to keep any product warranty valid?
Why it matters. Product warranties often depend on correct installation and the right product for the site. Building and Energy’s guidance on changing a roof cover says the covering should be installed to the manufacturer’s instructions. For coatings, our roof painting page explains what the terms on a quote mean.
What should you ask about safety and access?#
Roofers work at height, often near fragile materials, power lines and solar cabling. You are entitled to know how the risk will be managed at your home.
- How will people get onto the roof, and what fall protection will be used?
- Will you prepare a safe work method statement for this job?
- Who will be working on the roof: your employees or subcontractors?
- How will solar panels, aerials, air-conditioning units and evaporative coolers be handled?
- How will you protect my paving, gardens, windows and neighbours?
- Do you have insurance that covers accidental damage to my property?
Why it matters. WorkSafe WA treats construction work with a potential fall of 2 metres or more as high-risk construction work that needs a safe work method statement before it starts. Consumer Protection also suggests checking that a tradesperson has insurance to cover accidental damage. Our guide to roof safety for homeowners explains what contractors are expected to manage.
What should you ask about money and contracts?#
Money questions are easier to ask before you are committed. Ask them plainly and ask for the answers in the contract.
- Is this a fixed quote or an estimate?
- Does this job need a building permit, and if so, who will apply for it?
- If the job needs a permit and is valued at $20,000 or more, are you a registered building contractor?
- Will I get a written contract, and does the Home Building Contracts Act apply?
- How much is the deposit, and when are the other payments due?
- What does each progress payment relate to?
- Is GST included in the total?
- If a coating is involved, is the painting work done by a registered painter where that is required?
Why it matters. In WA, building work that needs a permit, is valued at $20,000 or more and is in the prescribed area must be done by a registered building contractor, and you can check registration online or through the ServiceWA app. Painting work above a set value also requires registration. For home building work contracts between $7,500 and $500,000 the contract must be in writing and the deposit cannot exceed 6.5 per cent; for other jobs Consumer Protection suggests a deposit of no more than 10 per cent. Our guides to roofing contracts and your rights and building permits go into the detail.
What should you ask about warranty and handover?#
The end of the job is when you collect the evidence you may need later. Ask about it at the start so the contractor knows you expect it.
- What does your workmanship warranty cover, for how long, and what does it exclude?
- Will the warranty be in writing, in my name, and does it transfer if I sell?
- What documents will I receive at the end: photos, invoice, product details, permit paperwork?
- Who do I contact if something goes wrong after the job is finished?
- Is there any maintenance I need to do to keep the warranty valid?
Why it matters. A warranty is only as useful as its written terms. Photos, product details and the final invoice also help if you later sell, claim on insurance or use a different contractor.
How should you judge the answers?#
Good answers are specific, match the written quote and are backed by photos or product details. Be cautious if answers change when you ask for them in writing, if you are pressed to sign the same day, or if you are asked for a cash deposit or full payment upfront.
Frequently asked questions
Is it reasonable to ask a roofer for photos of the problem?
Yes. Photos marked with where they were taken let you see what the contractor saw, and they make quotes easier to compare. Many contractors provide them as a normal part of a quote.
Should a roofer charge for a quote?
Some do and some do not. Consumer Protection WA notes that some quotes attract a fee, so ask before the visit and find out whether the fee is credited if you go ahead.
What if a roofer will not put answers in writing?
Treat it as a warning sign. A quote becomes a binding contract when you accept it, so anything that affects the price, scope, payments or warranty should be written into it before you agree.
Should I ask a roofer for references?
It is a sensible step. Consumer Protection WA suggests asking for recommendations and checking reviews and references from recent work, alongside checking any licence or registration that applies.
Do I need to be home when a roofer inspects?
It helps, especially if the roofer needs the roof space hatch, side gates or the meter box, or if you want to show where a leak appears inside. If you cannot be there, agree on access and ask for photos of everything they inspect.
Sources
- Consumer Protection WA: estimates, quotes and deposits
- Consumer Protection WA: hiring tradespeople
- WA Government: find a registered building service provider
- WA Government: painters' registration
- Building and Energy: changing your roof cover? Things you need to know
- Building and Energy: Home Building Contracts Act fact sheet
- WorkSafe WA: managing the risks of falls from roofs in housing construction