- Leaving an old, damaged roof unfixed for sometime can be costly to replace
- Colorbond sheets are the most popular and affordable type of roofing
- Roof replacements can cost as much as $20,000 for a typical house
Unfortunately, a roof replacement is a necessary home improvement project that may be needed if your roof is old or in a very poor condition.
Leaving it for too long can result in a dangerous and cost leaks.
The cost of replacing a roof can vary significantly depending on the size and configuration of your roof, along with what materials are already there and which ones you wish to change too.
While a skillion roof is typically the cheapest to replace, factors such as asbestos in your roof will significantly increase the cost of installation.
Every roofing job is different, so it is important to get quotes from multiple roof replacement specialists.
It should be noted that if there are structural problems with your roof, such as rotted timber that has to be replaced, this will involve additional roof repair costs.
Also, if you are replacing lighter material with more heavier material, such as concrete or terracotta, the roof may need to repaired in order to carry that extra weight.
While a roofing specialist will likely have a builder on board to assist with this, a structural engineer may need to be hired to assess a larger problem.
What are the different types of roofs?
There are four main types of roof materials.
Colorbond
The most popular roofing type of roofing that is installed in Australia, Colorbond is affordable and usually comes with a warranty. Also, you can get Colorbond sheets specifically designed for saltwater exposure, which is highly beneficial if you live near the coast.
Concrete and asphalt tiles
Asphalt and concrete tiles are reasonably affordable and come in various styles and colours. This can resemble more expensive roofing such as terracotta tiles. While you will pay more for concrete tiles that are of a higher quality, they are far cheaper than terracotta or slate, and come with the added benefit of a long warranty.
Terracotta tiles
Terrocato tiles are more expensive than Colorbond and concrete tiles and are expensive to install. Many owners find them more appealing. They also have a longer lifespan than concrete or metal roofing.
Slate tiles
Slate roofing is another expensive option. However, the steep price tag reflects the longevity of this material – some slate roofing is guaranteed to last for 75 years. In fact, some slate tiles are known to have lasted for centuries with some maintenance.
Other roofing options include timber roofing and solar roof tiles.
What is the cost of roofing materials, and installation?
Roofing material costs can vary. Some of the most popular type of roofing materials include Colorbond, concrete and asphalt tiles, terracotta tiles and slate tiles.
According to hipages, these are the costs of these materials and the labour cost of installing these types of roofs are:
- Colorbond or other metal roofing – $50 to $70 per square metre
- Concrete and asphalt tiles – $40 to $60 per sqm
- Terracotta tiles $80 to $120 per sqm, with this range depending on the pitch of the roof and other factors
- Slate tiles – $200 per sqm to $500 per sqm for premium slate
So, for a 200 sqm roof, expect to pay around:
- $10,000 to $14,000 for metal roofing
- $16,000 to $22,000 for terracotta roofing
- $8,000 to $12,000 for concrete roofing
- $40,000 to $100,000 for slate roofing
As a rule of thumb, a new roof should cost around 2% to 4% of the value of your home. Therefore, for a $1,000,000 home, a new roof should cost between $20,000 to $40,000.
In terms of replacing a roof with Colorbond, these are the typical replacement costs:
- $6,000 to $10,000 to replace a metal roof with Colorbond
- $15,000 to $20,000 to replace an asbestos roof with Colorbond
- $16,000 to $24,000 to replace a tiled roof (for a 200sqm roof) with Colorbond
Do note that these estimates can vary significantly from city-to-city– especially given the chaotic nature of material costs and labour shortages. These estimates do also not include costs such as structural work or the removal of the old roof itself.
Also, most roofing installers will charge you for transporting old materials to the tip.
If your roofing has asbestos, the cost of removing it and sending it to an approved disposal high can be very high.
How to choose a roofing contractor?
Obviously, replacing a roof shouldn’t be done as a do-it-yourself (DIY) job.
When seeking a roofing contractor, you should look for several key things.
These include making sure they are a registered business, carry the appropriate insurance and are well established in your area.
You can ask for references too.
Also, make sure the quote is in writing after having your roof inspected. Also, most roofing contractors should belong to a professional organisation.
Lastly, they should offer a warranty on all of their work. Warranties can be from two to seven years, although one can be for up to 10 years.
Depending on what jurisdiction you live in, roofing contractors may need to be licenced.
- In New South Wales, Fair Trading NSW issues roofing licences
- In Victoria, the Victorian Budling Commissions issues roofing licenses
- In Queensland, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission issues two types of roofing licences: a nominee supervisor and another for trade contractor
- In Western Australia, roofing jobs worth $20,000 or more require a contractor
Do get an accurate quote before an inspection that would provide you with a firm quote, you should be able to know how many square metres your roof is, whether it has a steep or gently pitch, it single storey or two-storey, how complex is the roof and are there any access problems.
Given the significance of this job – and the fact a job well done would usually increase the value for your home –
