Roof replacement cost: 5 questions you need to ask

First and foremost, you need to determine if your roof needs replacing. What condition is your roof in? Is it damaged in any way? Does it leak? How old is it? The answers to these questions will help you work out if your roof is still serviceable or if replacement is the best option.

When assessing your roof, here are some of the warning signs that will tell you it may be time to replace your roof:

• Water damage/stains on your ceiling
• Loose nails or fasteners
• Chipped or cracked tiles
• Displaced tiles
• An excess of moss
• Large sections of rust
• Your roof is older than 20 years
• The overall appearance of your roof is worn and dated

Once you notice any of these signs, you should take action immediately. What might seem like a small issue now, can quickly escalate and threaten the safety of your home.

Importantly, if you live in an area that is prone to extreme weather conditions it’s even more crucial that your roof is checked on a regular basis.

Of course, if you are concerned about the condition of your roof and want a professional opinion before you make any decisions, a specialist roofing service can provide you with an on-site inspection and recommendation.

The cost of roof replacement depends on a number of factors, including the size and layout of your roof and the roofing materials used.

The four main considerations that will affect the cost of replacing your roof include:

1. The type of roofing material you choose

The most common materials used in roofing are:

Metal/steel

With industry leader Colorbond offering flexible roofing solutions built to withstand the varying weather conditions across Australia, metal roofing provides strength, stability, and durability.

With energy and money-saving benefits, Colorbond steel is a popular choice when it comes to roof replacement.

Tiles

Available in slate, terracotta, or concrete, tiled roofing may take a larger chunk out of your budget, however, these materials offer a significantly longer lifespan than metal roofing.

If you are replacing a metal roof with this type of roofing, your home may require some additional structural work to accommodate the heavier materials.

2. The size of your roof

The cost of roofing is priced per square metre (m2). Therefore, the size of your roof and the materials you choose will directly impact how much you pay:

Colorbond steel

$18 to $37 per m2

Concrete tiles

$40 to $60 per m2

Terracotta tiles

$80 to $130 per m2

Slate tiles

$200 to $500 per m2

3. The layout/design of your roof

There are a number of different types of roofing designs that determine whether the replacement process will be relatively easy or more complex.

A skillion roof, for example, usually has one flat surface with a slight pitch for water runoff. This type of roof is comparably straightforward to replace than a curved or hipped roof which is more complicated in design and therefore more costly to replace.

4. Labour charges

A major part of replacing your roof is the removal and disposal of your existing roofing material. The associated labour costs will vary depending on the type of roofing you have, with asbestos removal increasing costs considerably due to safety requirements.

Ease of access to your roof and any necessary structural repairs will also affect the overall costs of roof replacement.

As discussed, when replacing your roof, you need to take into consideration the configuration and composition of your current roof, the type of replacement materials you choose, and your roof area. These factors all contribute to the costs involved in roof replacement.

Generally speaking, however, for an average three-bedroom house, you may find costs ranging from $6,000 to $20,000. This price range assumes the use of Colorbond steel in the following circumstances:

• replacing existing metal roofing with Colorbond – $6,000 to $10,000
• asbestos removal and Colorbond roof replacement – $15,000 to $20,000
• tiled roofing replacement using Colorbond – $20,000