Colorbond and metal re-roofing in Warragul

Re-roofing in Warragul with Colorbond or another pre-painted steel means stripping the old corrugated iron or tiles, checking and repairing the battens and sarking, then fixing new sheets with new flashings, ridge capping and usually new gutters. It is the job to choose when the existing roof has rusted through, tiles are failing across the whole roof, or repairs keep coming back. Because the work involves a metal roof covering, it must be done by a licensed roof plumber, and the plumber has to issue a compliance certificate and carry insurance for it.

Re-roofing quotes through this site come from independent local roof plumbers, who measure the roof, price it and do the work under their own licence.

When is it time to replace the whole roof?

Owners usually reach this point for one of these reasons:

• rust holes or rust through the laps across many sheets rather than a handful
• tiles that are cracking, flaking or porous over most of the roof
• leaks in several places that return after each repair
• rotted battens that no longer hold fixings
• a planned renovation or extension where the old roof would not match
• wanting a lighter roof, since sheet steel weighs much less than tiles

If only part of a metal roof is worn, a restoration may still work; the metal roof restoration page explains when.

Which roof is being replaced, and what changes?

Starting roof	What is removed	What usually goes back	Things to ask about
Old corrugated iron	Sheets, nails, old flashings and ridges	New metal sheets, fasteners, flashings and ridge capping	Batten condition, whether the profile changes
Concrete or terracotta tiles	Tiles, ridge mortar, often old sarking	New metal sheets on battens set for the new roof	Batten spacing, sarking, disposal of tiles, permit
Asbestos cement sheeting	Removed only by a licensed asbestos removalist	New metal sheets once the area is cleared	Asbestos removal is a separate step and price

For the cement-sheet case, start with the asbestos roof replacement page. For help choosing between steel and tile for the new roof, the Colorbond or tile comparison sets out the differences.

How is a metal re-roof done, step by step?

1. The roof is measured and inspected, including the roof space where possible.
2. Scaffolding or edge protection goes up, and a skip or trailer is organised for the old roof.
3. The old covering is stripped one section at a time, so the house is not left open to rain.
4. Battens are checked and replaced or refixed where needed, and sarking or a roof blanket is laid if included.
5. New sheets are fixed with fasteners suited to the steel, starting from the side away from the prevailing weather.
6. Flashings, valleys, ridge capping and penetrations are fitted and sealed.
7. Gutters and downpipes are replaced or reconnected.
8. The site is cleaned, the old roof removed, and the compliance certificate issued.

Ask the quote to say whether battens, sarking and gutters are being replaced or reused. Leaving them out of the quote is one of the most common reasons a re-roof costs more than expected. The gutters and downpipes page covers the gutter side if you want it priced separately.

How much does Colorbond re-roofing cost in Warragul?

The Melbourne cost guide published by What’s The Damage gives $84 to $190 per square metre for re-roofing in Colorbond steel, and $14,700 to $31,500 for a full roof replacement on a single-storey home. The per square metre figure is measured on the roof area, which is larger than the floor area because of the pitch and the eaves overhang. A quote measured off the floor plan alone will undercount.

Both bands are Melbourne figures. A Warragul price can differ, and it moves with:

• roof area, pitch and the number of hips, valleys and penetrations
• single or double storey, and the scaffolding needed
• what is being removed, especially if it is a tile roof
• whether battens, sarking, insulation and gutters are included

When you have the details ready, you can request a re-roofing quote and ask for those items to be listed separately.

What licences, insurance and certificates apply?

A new metal roof is roofing stormwater work under the Plumbing Regulations 2018, as the Building and Plumbing Commission sets out on its roofing stormwater page. That means the work must be carried out by a plumber licensed in the roofing (stormwater) class, or by a registered plumber under that plumber’s supervision.

A re-roof will be well over the 750 dollars threshold, so the licensed plumber must issue a compliance certificate when the job is done. The BPC’s plumbing insurance page adds that licensed plumbers must hold insurance for work that needs a certificate, and that the cover runs until six years after the certificate is issued. Keep the certificate with your house papers.

Whether a registered builder and a major domestic building contract are also needed for a re-roof is not straightforward, because single-trade plumbing jobs are treated differently. Ask the provider and check with the BPC before you sign. The checklist for hiring a roofer covers those checks in full.

Questions to settle before you sign

A re-roof is a large job, so settle these in writing first:

• the sheet profile, colour and steel type being quoted
• whether battens, sarking or a roof blanket, insulation and gutters are included
• how the old roof is disposed of and who pays for the skip
• how the house is kept watertight overnight and during rain
• when you will receive the compliance certificate
• the payment stages, and how rot found under the old roof will be priced

Do I need a permit to re-roof?

Victorian council guidance, for example from Hume and Monash, says like-for-like roof replacement is generally exempt from a building permit, but changing the material, such as from tiles to Colorbond, needs one. The roof replacement permits guide explains how to confirm this with Baw Baw Shire Council or a registered building surveyor before work starts.

Does bushfire construction apply to a new roof?

It may. If the property is in a designated bushfire-prone area, construction requirements under AS 3959 can apply to the new roof and its details. This site does not say whether any town or street is in such an area. Look your property up on VicPlan and tell the provider what you find, so the quote allows for it.

Re-roofing around Warragul and Neerim South

Neerim South sits about 20 km north of Warragul. On a rural or sloping block, access for scaffolding, a delivery truck and a skip needs planning before the old roof comes off. Mention access, slopes and any narrow driveway in your enquiry. The Neerim South area page has more on that town. In Warragul itself, a wet climate means a provider will want to strip and cover in sections, so ask how they protect the house overnight and if rain comes in mid-job.

Next step: get a re-roofing quote

The more a provider knows up front, the closer the first figure will be. Put these in your enquiry:

• the current roof material: corrugated iron, concrete tile, terracotta or cement sheet
• the approximate roof area, or the number of squares if you know it
• single or double storey
• a photo of each roof face
• whether new gutters and downpipes should be included
• whether the property is in a bushfire overlay, if you have checked VicPlan

Then start your re-roofing enquiry with your suburb and the best time to reach you.

Send a job enquiry