Getting a roofing quote can feel straightforward — until the invoice arrives and there are extras you didn't expect. A thorough quote protects both you and your tradesperson, so knowing what to look for before you sign is well worth the effort. Here's a practical guide to reading a roofing quote with confidence.
What a Complete Roofing Quote Should Include
A professional roofer's quote should be detailed enough that you can compare it fairly against other quotes. Watch for these key elements:
- Scope of work — exactly what is being done (full re-roof, repair, re-pointing, recoating, etc.)
- Materials specified — brand, product name, profile, colour, and gauge (for metal roofing) or weight (for tiles)
- Quantity of materials — square metres of roofing, linear metres of ridge, valley, and barge
- Flashings — are new flashings included, or will existing ones be reused?
- Underlays — type and brand of sarking or underlay (required under the NZ Building Code)
- Fixings — screws, nails, clips; stainless steel is recommended in coastal areas
- Labour — broken out separately so you can see what you're paying for
- Scaffolding or edge protection — often quoted separately but must be included somewhere
- Removal and disposal — stripping the old roof and disposing of it legally (asbestos disposal has extra requirements — see below)
- GST — confirm whether the price is GST-inclusive or exclusive
- Payment terms and schedule — deposit, progress payments, and final payment
- Warranty — both the workmanship warranty and the product manufacturer's warranty
Red Flags in a Roofing Quote
Be cautious if a quote:
- Is a single lump-sum figure with no breakdown
- Doesn't specify the brand or grade of materials
- Omits scaffolding (WorkSafe NZ requires edge protection or scaffolding for roof work at height — confirm the specific threshold and requirements with WorkSafe NZ)
- Doesn't mention underlays or flashings
- Has no mention of building consent (see below)
- Is significantly cheaper than all other quotes — this often means something has been left out
Building Consent: Do You Need One?
This is one of the most commonly overlooked items. In New Zealand, like-for-like roof replacement is generally exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act — but this depends on your specific situation. If you're changing the roofing material, altering the roof structure, or the work affects weathertightness in a significant way, consent may be required.
Always ask your roofer whether consent is needed, and confirm with your local council before work starts. You can find guidance at MBIE Building Performance. If consent is required and not obtained, you could face issues when selling your home.
Flashings and Weathertightness
Flashings are the metal strips that seal joins around chimneys, skylights, walls, and valleys. They are a leading cause of leaks when done poorly. Make sure your quote explicitly states whether flashings are being replaced or reused, and what material they'll be made from (aluminium, zincalume, or copper). The NZ Building Code clause E2 (External Moisture) sets out weathertightness requirements — a good roofer will be familiar with this.
Asbestos: A Critical Safety Check
If your home was built before the mid-1980s, there is a chance your existing roof or underlays contain asbestos. If you're unsure, arrange for a sample to be tested by an accredited laboratory before any work begins. Asbestos removal is restricted work and must be handled by a licensed removalist. WorkSafe NZ has clear guidance on this. If your quote doesn't mention asbestos testing or management and your home is older, ask the question directly.
Comparing Multiple Quotes
Always get at least three quotes. Use a simple comparison table like this:
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials specified | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Flashings included | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scaffolding included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disposal included | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| GST shown | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workmanship warranty | 10 yr | 5 yr | Not stated |
If a quote is missing items that others include, ask the roofer to clarify — it may be an oversight, or it may be a deliberate omission to keep the price looking low.
Questions to Ask Your Roofer Before Signing
- Are you a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)? Roof work is a licensed building activity in NZ.
- What brand and product are you using, and can I see the technical data sheet?
- Is scaffolding included, and who is responsible for it?
- What happens if you find rotted timber or damaged purlins once the old roof is off?
- How long is your workmanship warranty, and is it in writing?
- Do you carry public liability and contractor's insurance?
When to Call a Professional
All significant roof work — re-roofing, structural repairs, flashing replacement — should be carried out by a qualified roofer who holds an LBP licence in Roofing. This is a legal requirement for restricted building work in New Zealand. You can verify an LBP's licence at Licensed Building Practitioners. Attempting major roof work yourself is not only dangerous but may void your home insurance and create issues with your building consent record.
If you need a trusted local roofer, you can search for qualified professionals on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Roofing Association of NZ (RANZ)
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
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