Yes, it is perfectly legal for a roofing contractor in NZ to subcontract your job to another crew. Subcontracting is a normal and widely accepted practice in the New Zealand construction industry. However, there are important things you should know about your rights, the responsibilities of the parties involved, and how to protect yourself before work starts.
Why Roofers Use Subcontractors
Subcontracting is common in the trades for good reasons. A roofing company may have more work than their own crew can handle, may need specialist skills for a particular roof type (such as standing seam metal or slate), or may operate primarily as a project management business that coordinates qualified tradespeople. None of this is inherently a problem — many excellent roofing jobs are completed by subcontracted crews.
The key issue is accountability: who is responsible to you if something goes wrong?
Who Is Legally Responsible for Your Roof?
When you sign a contract with a roofing company, that company remains legally responsible to you for the quality of the work, regardless of who physically does it. The subcontractor works for the head contractor, not for you. This means:
- Your contract is with the original company you hired.
- If the work is defective, you pursue the head contractor, not the subcontractor.
- The head contractor is responsible for ensuring the subcontractor meets the agreed standard.
This is an important distinction. Always make sure your written contract clearly names the company you are engaging and outlines their obligations.
Your Rights Under NZ Consumer Law
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 provide you with protections when hiring tradespeople. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, completed within a reasonable time, and be fit for purpose. These guarantees apply to the head contractor — the business you hired — even if a subcontractor does the physical work.
If you are a homeowner (not a business), you cannot generally be asked to sign away these rights. Be cautious of any contract that tries to limit your Consumer Guarantees Act protections.
What to Check Before Work Starts
Before signing anything, ask these questions:
- Will you be using subcontractors on my job? A reputable contractor will be upfront about this.
- Who specifically will be on site? Get the name of the crew or company.
- Are the subcontractors licensed where required? (See below.)
- Does the head contractor's insurance cover subcontracted work? Ask for proof of public liability insurance.
- Is the head contractor a Licensed Building Practitioner? Check at Licensed Building Practitioners.
Get It in Writing
Always have a written contract that includes the scope of work, materials to be used, timeline, payment schedule, and warranty terms. A good contract protects both parties.
Licensed Building Practitioners and Restricted Building Work
Some roofing work in NZ is classified as Restricted Building Work (RBW) under the Building Act 2004. This includes weathertightness work on homes — and roofing is explicitly included. RBW must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) with the appropriate licence class (typically Roofing).
This applies whether the work is done by the head contractor or a subcontractor. If a subcontractor is completing RBW on your home, they must hold a current LBP licence or be supervised by one. You can verify any LBP's licence on the LBP register at the link above.
For guidance on what counts as Restricted Building Work and when a building consent is required, check MBIE Building Performance. Always confirm consent requirements with your local council, as requirements can vary.
Insurance and Liability — Don't Skip This Step
Before work begins, confirm:
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Head contractor's public liability insurance | Covers damage to your property during work |
| Subcontractor's own insurance | Adds an extra layer of protection |
| Contractor's all-risk (CAR) policy | Covers the works themselves while under construction |
| Warranty on workmanship | Ensures you have recourse after completion |
Reputable roofing companies will have no hesitation providing evidence of insurance. If they are reluctant, treat that as a red flag.
Can You Object to Subcontracting?
Yes. If you have a strong preference for the company's own crew to do the work, you can negotiate this before signing the contract. Ask for a clause stating that subcontracting requires your prior written approval. Most professional contractors will respect this request. If they won't, you may want to consider other quotes.
When to Call a Professional
Roofing work — whether repairs, re-roofing, or new construction — involves working at height and weathertightness, both of which carry significant safety and legal obligations. WorkSafe NZ has strict requirements around working at height, and roofing is one of the higher-risk trades.
Do not attempt significant roofing work yourself. Even minor repairs can be hazardous and, if done incorrectly, can void manufacturer warranties on roofing materials or create weathertightness issues that lead to costly damage.
If you are unsure whether a contractor or their subcontractor is properly qualified, you can find vetted local roofing professionals on tradedirectory.co.nz. Always get at least two or three quotes and check references before committing.
Roofing Association of NZ (RANZ)
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
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