Knowing the roofers process before work starts makes the whole job easier. This guide covers the materials you will be asked to choose between, what you can do to prepare, and what to expect while the work is under way.
How the Roofers Process Works
Most roof jobs follow the same order: inspection, quote, scheduling, set-up, removal of old materials, repairs underneath, new cover, flashings, clean-up and handover.
Your main decisions come early. Once the materials and scope have been confirmed, the work is mostly a matter of good weather and good sequencing.
You do not need to get on the roof to prepare for a job. Take photos from the ground and leave the rest to people with the right equipment.
Materials to Understand Before You Choose
Colorbond and metal roofing
Steel is light and comes in long lengths and many colours. Profile matters because each has a minimum slope, and fixings and flashings need to be compatible with the sheet.
Concrete tiles
A common option on established brick homes. They are heavy, usually more economical than terracotta and can need re-coating as their surface wears.
Terracotta tiles
Clay tiles hold their colour well and suit traditional homes. They generally cost more and need a frame designed for the load.
Sarking and insulation
Sarking is a reflective or breathable layer under the roof. It catches water that gets past the cover and helps manage dust and heat. A re-roof is the easiest time to add or upgrade it.
Gutters, flashings and fascias
These parts carry water away and seal the joints. Replacing them when you re-roof helps stop old parts from shortening the life of the new roof.
Preparing Your Home Step by Step
Two weeks before
- Confirm colours and materials in writing.
- Tell the roofer about alarms, pets and solar panels.
- Talk to neighbours if access or noise may affect them.
- Arrange removal of solar panels if required.
The week of the job
- Move cars, bins and outdoor furniture from the work area.
- Cover valuables in rooms below the roof, as dust can fall through ceilings.
- Take fragile items off walls that may vibrate.
- Clear a space for deliveries and waste.
Each day during work
- Keep children and pets well away from the work zone.
- Check with the crew before using the driveway.
- Ask questions early, not after a stage is finished.
What to Expect During the Job
The noisiest stage is the removal of the old cover. A well-run job opens only what can be made weathertight that day, and it keeps you informed if rain changes the plan.
If rot or damage is found, your roofer should stop, show you and agree on the extra work before going further.
How Each Stage Runs on the Day
Set-up and safety
Before anyone works at height, edge protection, scaffold or harness anchors are put in place. Expect the crew to spend time on this first. It can look slow, but it is a necessary part of working safely on a roof.
Removing the old cover
Sheets or tiles are taken off in sections and moved to a bin or trailer. If your home is older, suspect materials should have been identified before this point. Old cement sheet must not be broken up or thrown from the roof.
Checking the structure
With the roof open, the crew can check battens and rafters. Soft timber, old leak damage and sagging all become visible. This is the stage when a good roofer will call you over and show you anything unexpected.
Installing the new layers
Sarking goes on first, followed by battens where they are needed, and then the sheets or tiles. Valleys, ridges and flashings come next, and these details take time because they are what keep water out.
Final clean-up
Metal filings need to be swept off steel roofs because they can rust and mark the surface. Gutters should be checked for offcuts and dust, and the yard cleared of screws and small debris.
Ask for photos of the job at each stage. They are useful if you sell the home, and they show what was done beneath the surface.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- What will be removed, and who disposes of it?
- How will the roof be protected if rain arrives mid-job?
- How will you tell me about extra work and what it costs?
- Which products are being used, and what warranty applies?
- Which licences apply to this job, and who holds them?
- Who is my contact while the work is under way?
Clear answers to those questions usually tell you a lot about how the job will be run. If the answers are vague before work starts, they are unlikely to improve once the roof is open.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a colour from a small sample without checking it outdoors.
- Leaving solar panel arrangements until the last minute.
- Forgetting to protect items in the ceiling space.
- Assuming old gutters will suit a new roof.
- Making verbal changes without confirming them in writing.
Local Considerations in Launceston
Launceston's winters bring frost, fog and rain, so outdoor programs need to allow for delays. Coating work is usually best planned for the warmer months.
In areas with mature trees, such as Newstead and around Trevallyn, it can be worth considering gutter guards or larger gutters as part of the job.
Ready to Start Your Roof Project?
We can talk you through materials and timing before you commit. Call +61 483 709 394 or send through the quote form.
Questions about your own property?
Call Now — +61 483 709 394For a local assessment, explore our Asbestos Roof Removal And Replacement or ask about work in East Launceston.