What makes a Perth re-roof different
Asbestos on older homes
The City of Cockburn's guide notes asbestos-cement shingles on Inter-War California Bungalows (1915 to 1940) and Post-War Minimal Traditional houses (1925 to 1955). Older workers' cottages had corrugated iron, which is a much simpler strip-off.
New framing has to handle termites
All of WA is treated as subterranean termite country. If rafters or other roof framing need replacing once the old roof is off, the new framing must be steel or another metal, treated or naturally resistant timber, or protected by a termite management system.
Permits, registered builders and insurance
Building and Energy says swapping to a roof material of a different weight or shape will likely need a building permit, and starting before it's granted is an offence. If that work is over $20,000, a registered builder has to do it and take out home indemnity insurance in your name before asking for a deposit.
Lighter roofs need holding down
A Building and Energy investigation found that about half the Perth roofs lost in storms were lightweight metal sheeting that had replaced heavy tile or asbestos. A lighter roof may need extra tie-downs. Our Perth Colorbond page covers steel choice near the coast.
Bushfire rules in the hills
A bigger re-roof in a mapped bushfire prone area may have to meet the home's BAL, which covers roofs, gutters and downpipes.
Before anyone touches an asbestos roof
Don't drill, cut, water-blast or walk on a roof that might be asbestos cement. WorkSafe WA says anything over 10 m2 of bonded asbestos must be removed by a licensed removalist, who has to notify WorkSafe at least 5 days before starting. Your council's environmental health team may need to approve it. Read asbestos roof replacement before you get quotes.
Who does what on the day
On an asbestos roof, the licensed removalist goes first, then the roofer. Waste has to go to a site licensed to take asbestos, and WorkSafe says a competent person should issue a clearance certificate afterwards. Get removal and the new roof quoted together so there's no gap where the house sits open.
Once the old roof is off, the frame is exposed. That's the moment to check rafters and battens for termite damage and rot, and to add any tie-downs, before new sarking and roofing go on.
Ask before you choose a roofer for a Perth re-roof
- Does this job need a building permit, and are you a registered builder?
- Will you take out home indemnity insurance in my name before asking for a deposit?
- Who removes the asbestos, what licence do they hold, and is disposal in the price?
- Will you check the framing for termites, rot and tie-downs once the old roof is off?
- Does the price include sarking, flashings, gutters and downpipes?
Where we'd put the money
If it's an asbestos roof, we'd have the removal and the new roof quoted as one job, by people who've done plenty of both. We'd also ask for photos of the frame the day the old roof comes off, before anything new goes on. Paying for a few new rafters then is far cheaper than finding termite damage under a brand new roof.
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.
Give us your postcode and a line about the house. We pass re-roofing jobs to one licence-checked roofer where we have one in your part of Perth, and tell you straight away if we don't. The general roof replacement page and our Perth hub have more.