A storm hits, a stranger knocks on your door, and an hour later you are being told your roof is "about to collapse" and the price is "only good today". Sound familiar? Roofing is one of the trades where homeowners get caught most often, because most people can't see their own roof and have to take someone's word for it.
Here are 9 red flags to watch for when hiring a roofer in Sydney, and what to do instead. Screenshot this list or send it to a neighbour before they sign anything.
Quick rule: a good roofer is happy for you to check their licence, read their quote and take your time. A bad one will try to stop you doing all three.
1. They knock on your door and pressure you to decide now
"We're doing your neighbour's roof, so we can give you a special price today." Door-knocking spikes after big storms. Genuine roofers can be busy too, but they won't make you decide on the spot.
What to do: take a day, and get at least two other quotes. A fair price is still fair tomorrow.
2. They can't or won't show a licence
In NSW, residential building work worth more than $5,000 (labour and materials) must be done by a licensed contractor. Some roof work, such as gutters, downpipes and roof drainage, counts as plumbing work, and plumbing needs a licence whatever the cost.
What to do: ask for the licence number and check it on the NSW Fair Trading public register, or call Fair Trading on 13 32 20. It takes two minutes.
3. They ask for a big deposit upfront
Under NSW home building law, the maximum deposit for residential building work is 10% of the contract price. If someone wants half the money before they start, walk away.
What to do: pay the deposit only against a written contract, and pay the rest as the work is completed, not before.
4. There is no written quote or contract
A handshake isn't enough. For jobs over $5,000 you should have a written contract, and any quote should list exactly what work is included.
A good written quote has:
- The full scope of work, step by step
- The total price, including GST
- Start and finish dates
- Materials and products to be used
- Warranty details
5. They can't show insurance
Ask for proof of public liability insurance, in case something gets damaged on your property. For residential work over $20,000, the roofer must also have Home Building Compensation cover in place before taking a deposit or starting work.
What to do: ask for a copy of the certificate, and don't be shy about it. Professionals expect the question.
6. The price is far lower than everyone else's
A quote half the price of two others usually means steps are missing. For roof painting or roof restoration, the missing steps are often the high-pressure clean, the repairs and the primer. Paint applied over dirt, moss or loose tiles peels, and you pay twice.
What to do: line up your quotes and compare what is included, not just the total.
7. They diagnose your roof from the street
"I can see the problem from here." A roof leak is rarely where the stain appears. Water runs along rafters and battens before it drips through, so the damp patch on your ceiling can be metres from the real opening. Common sources include cracked tiles, worn flashing, failing ridge capping and blocked valleys.
What to do: insist on a proper onsite inspection before any work is quoted. A good roofer finds the actual source, explains it, and shows you. See our roof repairs service for how we approach it.
8. The scope is vague, or they want to "seal everything"
Be wary of "we'll coat the lot and it will never leak again." Paint and sealer don't fix a cracked tile or failed flashing, and sealing the wrong places can trap water. On tile roofs, the ridge capping is bedded in mortar and sealed with pointing, and it needs small drainage gaps called weep holes left open so water behind it can escape. A careless job covers them over, and the roof can start leaking after the work.
What to do: ask what will be repaired first, what will be coated, and how drainage will be kept clear. See our repointing service for how ridge capping should be done properly.
9. You can't find a real business behind the name
Warning signs include no ABN, no business address, no reviews you can check, a phone number that only works for texts, and "cash only." A real local roofer has a website, a Google profile, completed jobs you can see and reviews from named customers.
What to do: search the business name and ABN, look at their Google reviews, and ask to see recent work in your area.
Your 60-second checklist before you hire
| Check | What you want to see |
|---|---|
| Licence | A number that checks out on the Fair Trading register |
| Quote | In writing, with the full scope and price |
| Deposit | 10% or less |
| Insurance | Proof of public liability (and HBC cover over $20,000) |
| Inspection | An onsite look, not a guess from the street |
| Reviews | Real names and real photos you can verify |
| Pressure | None. You can take a day to decide |
Questions to ask any roofer
- Can I see your licence and insurance?
- What exactly is included, and what is not?
- What warranty do you give, and in writing?
- Who will actually be on my roof?
- What will you do if you find more damage once you start?
If something has already gone wrong
Keep your quote, messages, photos and receipts, and contact NSW Fair Trading. Don't pay any further money until you have advice. This article is general information, not legal advice, so check fairtrading.nsw.gov.au for your situation.
How we work
We give a free onsite quote with a clear written scope, so you know what's included before anything starts. We also provide a rain warranty on leak repairs once we are engaged to proceed with the scope of work. Book the same day as your quote and take 10% off.
Get your free quote or call 0434860035. Want to see our work first? Browse our completed jobs and read our customer reviews. We work across Sydney, so find your area.
Frequently asked questions
Does a roofer need a licence in NSW?
For residential building work worth more than $5,000 including labour and materials, yes. Plumbing work, which can include gutters and roof drainage, needs a licence regardless of cost. Check any roofer on the NSW Fair Trading public register.
How much deposit can a roofer ask for in NSW?
The maximum deposit for residential building work is 10% of the contract price.
How do I check a roofer's licence?
Search the roofer's name, ABN or licence number on the NSW Fair Trading public register, or call Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Should I get more than one roofing quote?
Yes. Get at least two or three written quotes and compare what is included, not only the price.
What should I do after a storm damages my roof?
Stay off the roof, take photos, call your insurer, and get a licensed local roofer to inspect. Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door offering cheap repairs. For urgent leaks, see our emergency roof repairs.
Is a free quote really free?
It should be. A genuine roofer inspects, explains the options and gives you a written quote at no cost, with no obligation to proceed.