What shapes a re-roof in Brisbane
Houses built before 1947
Brisbane City Council's character rules protect many houses substantially built in 1946 or earlier. Under City Plan 2014, changes to those houses are meant to complement the traditional style in certain circumstances, and pre-1911 fabric is to be kept. Ask council before changing the roof material or colour on an older house.
Within 1 km of the shoreline
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority's guidance says the National Construction Code requires homes within one kilometre of the shoreline to use heavily galvanised or stainless steel structural elements, fitted to the maker's specifications and inspected regularly. If you're that close, a re-roof is the moment to check the brackets, straps and fixings, not just the sheets.
Bushfire-prone blocks
If council maps your block as bushfire prone, the new roof needs to suit its Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) under AS 3959. Colorbond roofing and gutters can be part of a compliant system right up to the highest level, BAL-FZ, and sarking under the sheets helps keep embers out.
Changing material changes the load
If you're swapping heavy tiles for lighter steel, Monier warns that a roof's pitch and structure were designed for one material, and lightweight roofing may need engineering advice. In Queensland, repairs affecting structural parts need building approval unless a minor like-for-like exemption applies, such as replacing a beam that holds up to 5 square metres of roof.
Built before 1990? Think asbestos first
Queensland's asbestos authority says a home built before 1990 is likely to contain some asbestos, and you can't tell by looking. Have any fibro roof sheeting tested before anyone cuts, drills or walks on it. Removing more than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos needs a Class A or B licensed removalist, who must notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland 5 days before starting.
Contracts for a job this size
If the price is $20,000 or more, Queensland requires a Level 2 contract with a start date, the statutory warranties and the QBCC's Consumer Building Guide, and the deposit can't exceed 5%. Progress payments must track the work, so a contractor can't claim more than 50% of the price until at least half the job is done. Under $20,000, the deposit cap is 10%.
Questions before you sign for a Brisbane re-roof
- Is my house covered by council's character rules, and will you check before we pick a material?
- How far am I from the shoreline, and does that change the steel, fixings or brackets you'll use?
- Will you check the battens and tie-downs, or only replace the sheets?
- If there's asbestos, who removes it, and do they hold a Class A or B licence?
- Is this a fixed-price contract, and what's the deposit?
Our call on re-roofing in Brisbane
We'd only settle on a material after checking council's rules for a pre-1947 house and the right steel grade for our distance from salt water. Then we'd ask for a fixed-price contract and a quote that names the product, the grade and who takes the old roof away. The national roof replacement page covers the job in depth, and the Brisbane hub has more on local conditions.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.