What separates a good choice from a risky one
The right roofing contractor for a Brisbane home is one you have actually checked: licensed with the QBCC for the work, insured, clear about the scope in writing, and working under a proper contract with a deposit inside the rules. Price matters, but it should be the last thing you compare, not the first. Most roofing disputes trace back to a skipped check rather than bad luck.
This guide sets out the checks in the order you would normally do them. They apply whether you find a contractor yourself or through a referral service like ours.
Step 1: Check the QBCC licence
In Queensland, roofing work above a set value must be carried out by a licensed contractor. The QBCC sets that value, so check the current threshold on its website. A full roof replacement on a house will almost always need a licence.
Use the QBCC's online register to confirm:
- The licence number on the quote belongs to the business you are dealing with
- The licence is current, not suspended or cancelled
- The licence class covers roofing work, not just a related trade
- Whether there is any recorded disciplinary or compliance history
If the person quoting gives you only a first name and a mobile number, ask for the business name and licence number before you go any further. A legitimate contractor will provide them without fuss.
Step 2: Ask for insurance certificates
Ask for a current certificate of currency for public liability insurance, plus confirmation of workers' compensation for employees. For eligible residential work, home warranty insurance through the QBCC should be taken out for your job, and the contractor should be able to show you evidence. Check the expiry dates and that the insured name matches the contract.
We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs. Ask to see them before work starts anyway; it is a reasonable request and good practice.
Step 3: Get the scope in writing
A one-line quote that says "replace roof" is not enough. The scope should describe exactly what will be removed, what goes back on, and how it will be fixed. On a Brisbane house that usually means detail about:
- Removal and disposal of the existing roof, including any asbestos handling
- Batten inspection and what happens if timber is rotten or termite damaged
- Sarking, insulation and ventilation
- Sheet profile, material and colour, such as Colorbond or Zincalume
- Ridge capping, flashings, valleys and penetrations
- Gutters and downpipes, if included
- Tie-down upgrades to suit the site's wind classification
- Site protection, cleanup and weather contingency
Our guide to roof replacement quotes in Brisbane explains how to read and compare these documents in detail.
Step 4: Read the contract
For domestic building work in Queensland, the contract should be in writing and should set out the price, the scope, the start and finish expectations, how variations are handled and the payment stages. Read it before you sign, not on the day the crew arrives. Pay attention to variation clauses. On older roofs the most common variation is rotten battens or damaged fascias discovered once the sheets come off, so it helps if the contract explains how those will be priced.
Step 5: Keep the deposit within the rules
QBCC rules limit deposits on domestic building contracts, and the limit depends on the value of the work. Check the current rules on the QBCC website. After the deposit, progress payments should line up with work actually completed, not dates on a calendar. Never pay the full amount upfront.
Step 6: Look at how they work, not just what they say
Paperwork tells you a contractor is legitimate. How they handle the inspection tells you whether they suit your house. A careful roofer will want to get into the roof space, look at the battens and the condition of the frame, check the gutters and downpipes, and ask about leaks you have noticed. They should explain the problems they find in plain language and give you a written quote within a reasonable time.
Ask whether they have worked on houses like yours. Re-roofing a highset Queenslander on stumps is different from a lowset brick-and-tile home or a two-storey project home, and salt air near the bay in suburbs such as Wynnum or Sandgate calls for suitable material grades. A contractor who has thought about those details is more likely to get the job right.
Red flags to watch for
| Warning sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Door-knocking after a storm | Often linked to unlicensed or out-of-town operators |
| Pressure to sign today | Removes your chance to check the licence and compare |
| Cash-only or large upfront payment | Leaves you with little protection if the job stalls |
| No licence number on paperwork | You cannot verify who you are dealing with |
| Vague scope or verbal promises | Makes disputes over what was included likely |
| Offers to handle your insurance claim for a fee | Can complicate the claim and your rights |
Brisbane's summer storm season brings a wave of hail and wind damage, and with it a wave of opportunistic door-knockers. If your roof has been damaged, make it watertight, contact your insurer, and get your own inspections. Our page on insurance roof replacement explains how claims typically run.
Questions worth asking at the inspection
A short conversation tells you a lot. Ask who will actually be on the roof, how they will protect the house if a storm arrives mid-job, what manufacturer warranty applies to the materials, and how long they expect the work to take. Compare their answer with our guide to how long a roof replacement takes in Brisbane.
Putting it together
Once two or three contractors have passed the checks, compare their scopes and prices side by side. To understand what drives the numbers, see how much a roof replacement costs in Brisbane. If you would rather not chase contractors yourself, we can arrange for the contractors we work with to inspect your roof and provide written quotes. You still do the checks and make the decision.
General information for Brisbane homeowners, written for planning, not a substitute for someone inspecting your roof. Rules and products change; confirm details with Brisbane City Council, the QBCC or the agency named before acting.