In New Zealand, both roofing contractors and builders can work on roofs — but they have different areas of expertise, training, and licensing. Knowing which trade to hire can save you time, money, and headaches. Here's a plain-English breakdown of the differences and when each one is the right choice.
What Does a Roofing Contractor Do?
A roofing contractor is a specialist tradesperson whose core focus is the roof itself. Their day-to-day work typically includes:
- Installing new roofing systems (metal, tiles, membrane, asphalt shingles)
- Re-roofing and roof replacements
- Roof repairs — fixing leaks, replacing damaged sheets or tiles, resealing flashings
- Installing and maintaining flashings, gutters, and downpipes
- Roof inspections and condition reports
- Waterproofing flat or low-pitch roofs
Because roofing contractors work exclusively (or primarily) in this area, they tend to have deep knowledge of roofing products, NZ weather conditions, and the specific requirements of the NZ Building Code — particularly Clause E2 (External Moisture), which governs how roofs must be designed and installed to keep water out.
What Does a Builder Do?
A builder (sometimes called a general contractor or carpenter) handles a much broader scope of construction work. This includes framing, cladding, decking, alterations, additions, and yes — some roofing work. Builders who work on restricted building work must be Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), a scheme administered by MBIE.
Builders are well-suited to roofing tasks that are part of a larger project — for example, framing a new roof structure during a home extension, or replacing roof framing after storm damage. However, for the actual roof cladding installation (the weathertight layer), a specialist roofing contractor often brings more product-specific expertise.
Licensing and Restricted Building Work
This is where things get important. Under the Building Act 2004, certain work is classified as Restricted Building Work (RBW) — meaning it must be carried out or supervised by an LBP in the relevant licence class.
Roofing that is part of the weathertightness of a home is considered restricted building work. The relevant LBP licence classes include:
| LBP Licence Class | Covers |
|---|---|
| Carpentry | Roof framing, structural timber work |
| Roofing | Roof cladding, flashings, weathertight envelope |
| Design | Designing compliant roof systems |
A roofing contractor who holds an LBP Roofing licence is legally authorised to carry out and sign off on weathertight roofing work. A builder with an LBP Carpentry licence can do the structural framing but may not be licensed to sign off on the cladding layer itself — though some builders hold both classes.
Always ask any tradesperson to confirm their LBP licence class before they start work. You can verify LBP registration on the Licensed Building Practitioners register.
When Do You Need a Building Consent?
Not all roofing work requires a building consent. Minor repairs — like replacing a few broken tiles or resealing a flashing — generally fall under Schedule 1 exemptions of the Building Act. However, a full re-roof or any structural roof work is more likely to require consent.
Always check with your local council before starting work. Getting this wrong can cause problems when you sell your home or make an insurance claim. MBIE Building Performance has useful guidance on what work is exempt.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Roofing Contractor | Builder | |
|---|---|---|
| Specialisation | Roofs only | Broad construction |
| Typical licence | LBP Roofing | LBP Carpentry |
| Best for | Re-roofs, repairs, leaks, flashings | New roof framing, extensions |
| Weathertight sign-off | Yes (if LBP Roofing) | Only if also holds Roofing class |
| Gutters & downpipes | Often included | Less common |
Which One Should You Hire?
- Leaking roof or repair job? Call a roofing contractor first.
- Full re-roof? A specialist roofing contractor is usually the best choice.
- Building an extension with a new roof? A builder will handle the framing; they may subcontract the roofing cladding to a specialist.
- Storm damage affecting structure and cladding? You may need both — a builder for the framing and a roofing contractor for the weathertight layer.
For any job involving the weathertight envelope of your home, BRANZ recommends using appropriately licensed tradespeople and ensuring work complies with the NZ Building Code.
When to Call a Professional
Roofing work at height carries serious safety risks. WorkSafe NZ has strict requirements around working at height, and homeowners should not attempt significant roof work themselves. Even if a minor repair seems straightforward, an incorrect fix can cause ongoing leaks, rot, and costly damage.
For any roofing work that affects the weathertightness of your home, always hire a qualified, LBP-licensed tradesperson. You can find experienced local roofing contractors and builders on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Roofing Association of NZ (RANZ)
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
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