Roofing quote template (Australia)

Roofing quotes vary wildly because access, materials and the extent of damage differ so much between jobs. A repair on a single-storey tile roof in calm weather is a fundamentally different job to a metal roof restoration on a two-storey house that needs scaffolding. Use this template to make sure two roofing quotes are genuinely comparing the same scope of work — and to spot the storm-chasing operators who appear at your door after a hailstorm.

What is a roofing quote template?

A roofing quote template is the list of line items a written quote for a roof repair or restoration should contain — inspection notes, itemised scope, access and safety equipment, debris removal, materials warranty, workmanship warranty, GST, and a clear progress-payment schedule for larger work. It is also the easiest way to filter out post-storm scams.

When to use this template

Use this template for any roof repair, leak investigation, gutter or downpipe replacement, ridge re-bedding, re-pointing, or full roof restoration on tile, metal, Colorbond or terracotta. The bigger the job, the more important an itemised written quote becomes — and the same checklist applies whether you are dealing with insurance or paying out of pocket.

Before you request quotes — get these details ready

The more concrete the detail you can give a roofer up front, the faster and more accurate the quotes you receive. Aim to have these details ready before you post the job:

• A description of what you are seeing — a leak, a slipped tile, a rusted gutter, peeling paint on iron sheets — and where it shows up inside the house.
• Roof type and approximate age (concrete tile, terracotta tile, Colorbond / metal sheet, slate) if you know it.
• Whether the issue followed a storm — important for both safety and any insurance claim you may be running.
• Photos from the ground showing the affected area and the access (gates, driveway, height to gutter line).
• Any inside-the-roof photos if you can safely get into the manhole — staining on insulation or sarking tells the roofer a lot.
• Whether you have lodged or plan to lodge an insurance claim, and the claim reference if so.

What your roofing quote should include

A complete written roofing quote from a reputable Australian roofer should contain every one of the line items below. If any are missing, ask for the detail in writing before comparing against another quote:

• Written inspection notes plus on-roof photos showing exactly what the roofer found.
• Itemised scope: number of tiles replaced, square metres of metal sheet, lengths of ridge capping, valley iron, flashings, sarking and insulation as relevant.
• Access and safety equipment — scaffolding, harness anchor points, edge protection — clearly itemised, as they are mandatory for most Australian roof work.
• Debris removal and skip-bin hire — old tiles, broken bedding, off-cut metal and tip fees should be in or out of the price in writing.
• Materials warranty — brand and warranty length for tiles, metal sheet, sealants and paint.
• Workmanship warranty — 5–10 years is common for restorations, 12–24 months for spot repairs.
• GST status and payment schedule — for larger jobs, staged payments tied to milestones (strip, repair, paint) protect both sides.
• Roofer's ABN, business name, licence (where the state requires it) and public liability insurance reference.

How to compare roofing quotes fairly

When a storm-damage roofing quote comes in materially cheaper, the cheaper one is almost always missing scaffolding, debris removal or ridge re-bedding. Line both quotes up against this template's items and confirm whether each line is included, extra or excluded — "price on application" for scaffold on a two-storey home is a soft no. Use the roofer cost guide for typical Australian pricing ranges, then line up the quotes against this checklist row-by-row before deciding on price.

Common quote mistakes to avoid

• Letting a door-knocker climb on your roof for a "free inspection" without doing your own research first.
• Accepting a flat-rate "restoration" quote with no breakdown of bedding, pointing, primer and top-coats.
• Skipping the workmanship warranty paragraph in writing — verbal warranties on a roof are worth nothing.
• Paying the full quote up-front rather than against milestones.
• Letting the same operator handle your insurance claim and the repair without an independent inspection.

Red flags before you sign

Any one of the warning signs below is a reason to slow down and seek another quote. Two or more is a reason to walk away — there is always another roofer.

• Door-knockers offering "free roof inspections" hours or days after a major storm.
• Pressure to sign on the spot for a "today only" price.
• Refusal to provide on-roof photos or written inspection notes.
• Requests to deal directly with your insurer on your behalf without independent assessment.
• Quotes that bundle scaffolding, debris removal and "miscellaneous" into a single line you can't unpack.

Questions to ask before choosing a provider

The questions below tend to surface a thoughtful, experienced roofer from someone who is winging it. There are no wrong answers, but the willingness to answer them clearly in writing is itself the signal:

• Can I see the photos you took on the roof during the inspection?
• Is scaffolding or harness anchoring included, or quoted separately?
• Who removes the debris, and is the skip-bin fee in the price?
• What workmanship warranty do you offer in writing for this kind of work?
• If we find rotted timber or hidden damage once the tiles come off, how is the variation handled?
• Are you covered by public liability insurance, and can I see a certificate?

How TaskerAsker helps you get better roofing quotes

TaskerAsker is a free Australian marketplace for home services. Post your roofing job once and receive up to three written quotes from local roofers. Every provider has their ABN verified before they can quote, their trade licence is surfaced on the profile where the trade is licensed, and reviews are tied to completed jobs only. Post your job free or browse verified roofers first, or read the roofer cost guide for typical pricing.

Final checklist before you post

Tick each item off before you send a roofer job out to quote:

• Written inspection report with on-roof photos.
• Itemised scope with quantities and brands.
• Access and safety line items shown separately.
• Workmanship and materials warranty length in writing.
• Staged payment schedule for jobs over a few thousand dollars.
• At least one independent quote — never just one quote on storm-damage work.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a roofer's workmanship warranty be?

Five to ten years is the common Australian range for full roof restorations; twelve to twenty-four months is normal for spot repairs. The exact length should be on the written quote, alongside the manufacturer warranties for tiles, metal sheet and any paint or sealant used.

Is scaffolding always required for roof work?

For most pitched-roof work on a single-storey home a harness anchor system is enough; once you go above eaves on a two-storey home, full scaffolding is usually mandatory under Australian work-at-heights rules. Either way it should appear as its own line on the quote, not be tucked into a vague "safety" total.

Should I deal with an insurance claim through the roofer?

Be cautious. An honest roofer will quote the repair, leave the claim to you and your insurer, and accept payment direct from you once the claim is settled. Operators who insist on handling the entire insurance interaction "to make it easy" are a known scam pattern after big hail and storm events.

How do I know if my roof needs a full restoration or just a repair?

An honest roofer will tell you in writing, with photos. A repair fixes a localised issue (slipped tiles, a single failed ridge cap, a damaged section of valley iron). A restoration is appropriate when the surface treatment of the whole roof has failed — widespread bedding cracks, faded paint, surface rust on metal sheet. If two roofers disagree, ask the third.

What is fair to pay as a roofing deposit?

For a small spot repair, no deposit. For a larger restoration, a small deposit of around 10% on signing is reasonable, with staged payments tied to milestones (strip, repair, primer, top coats) and final payment only after a walk-through inspection.

Ready to compare quotes? Post your roofing job free and receive up to three written quotes from verified Australian roofers. You can also browse the roofers hub, read the roofer cost guide, or browse all quote templates.

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