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There are generally two reasons to consider re-roofing your home. Firstly, if your existing roof is old, damaged or leaking, you may be forced to replace it. Secondly, it may be an aesthetic choice if your home is quite old. Either way, it’s not always a cheap job so you need to be prepared for the re-roofing cost.
Depending on your style of roof, and indeed the size of your home, prices can vary. However, we’ve tried to put together a guide for the major expenses to help make it easier for you to plan your re-roofing project. We’ll also discuss some other costs that often get forgotten.
What materials will you use?
Firstly, you need to determine what material you’d like for your roof. The most common in Australia, by a long way, is metal roofing. It’s easier to install, extremely durable and offers a great appearance. However, every home is different, so it’s important to understand that there are other options out there.
These are the basic costs for re-roofing materials.
- Colorbond® metal roofing: $19 – $38 per m2.
- Concrete and asphalt tiles: $40 – $60 per m2
- Terracotta tiles: $80 – $120 per m2
- Slate tiles: $200 – $500 per m2
As you can see, metal roofing is the cheapest, but this is just the cost of materials. Labour for installation is the other expense to consider. Fortunately, metal roofing also ends up as a winner there, with it being easier to install than other options.
Still, you may have an older home and you want to keep the existing aesthetic, which is where other materials may be favoured. It all comes down to your individual home, your budget and personal preference.
How much does re-roofing usually cost?
Since the figures above are just for the materials, we thought it was worth giving a snapshot of the overall re-roofing cost. Remember, the old roof needs to be removed, so the existing materials can impact how long it takes to get rid of the existing roof.
In very general terms, for an average Australian home, here are the total costs below:
- Replacing old metal roofing with Colorbond®: Between $6,000 – $10,000
- Removal of an asbestos roof in favour of Colorbond®: $15,000 – $20,000
- Removing a tiled roof and adding Colorbond® roofing: Approx $20,000
Again, these figures won’t be accurate for everybody because the size and complexity of the roof can make a big difference. But this is a handy guide to show you the ballpark figure you should be budgeting for.
Other costs to consider
Like everything, it’s always worth asking your roof contractor about any additional costs. You don’t want to get your final bill and get a shock because you haven’t budgeted for certain expenses. So, always ask your roofing expert for a complete quote with everything included.
Here are a few things to consider.
Structural works
Older homes may not have desired (or in some instances, required) structural integrity to support a re-roofing project. In many cases, structural timber battens could be water-damaged or rotted, meaning they also need to be replaced. In certain areas with high winds, you may even be required to use steel battens.
It’s not always possible for your roofer to know this until the removal of the old roof takes place, so you should always maintain constant contact in case an issue such as this occurs.
Removal of the old roof
Most roofing contractors would include the removal and disposal of old roofing materials in their initial quote. But on the off chance they don’t, make sure you ask if this is part of the service. If not, you may need to search elsewhere, such as hiring a skip bin or arranging another way to get rid of old materials.
Ventilation products
If your old roof had ventilation products such as whirlybirds, you’ll no doubt want something similar on your new roof. There is a range of different ventilation options these days, so talk to your roofing expert to decide what will work best. But naturally, the old ones need to be removed and replaced, so this will add to your costs.
Solar panels
Finally, solar panels often get forgotten when planning the re-roofing cost. Much like ventilation, solar panels need to be taken down and put back up when the new roof is installed. As there is likely to be wiring involved, you’ll need to hire an electrician for both the removal and re-installation. It shouldn’t be a huge expense, but naturally, you’ll be paying a solar expert for two visits that need to be accounted for in the budget.
Looking for the right re-roofing cost?
Brastin Roofing offers exceptional workmanship at affordable prices. It’s always been our goal to help Australian families get the roof they want at the right price. So, contact us today for your re-roofing needs, and we’ll provide you with an accurate quote that helps you budget more easily.