Roof replacement in Perth: the short version
A roof replacement means taking the old roof off, fixing what is underneath, and installing a new roof with new flashings, ridges and valleys. Roofing Perth arranges roof replacement across the Perth metro area through independent local roofing contractors, for tile roofs, steel roofs and asbestos cement roofs. The contractor inspects first, then puts the scope in writing.
People usually come to us at one of three points: the roof has started leaking in several places, a building inspection on a sale has flagged it, or they are renovating and want the roof done while the house is already disrupted.
When replacement is the right call
Replacement is not always the answer, and you should be wary of anyone who jumps straight to it. It usually makes sense when:
- Concrete tiles have worn through their surface. Old tiles lose their coating, become porous and grow lichen. They then crack under foot traffic, so every repair breaks more tiles.
- Steel is rusting through. Surface rust on old galvanised iron can be managed for a while. Once sheets are holed along laps, around fixings or at the gutter line, patching becomes a losing game.
- Leaks keep moving. If the roof has been repaired several times and the leak just turns up somewhere else, the problem is usually the roof as a whole.
- Battens or the frame have moved. A wavy ridge line or dips between rafters usually mean battens have sagged or rotted.
- The roof contains asbestos. Asbestos cement sheeting cannot be cleaned, painted over safely or repaired forever, and many owners replace it before selling or renovating.
Our roof replacement vs repair guide goes through the decision in more detail.
Choosing the new roof
For most Perth homes the choice is between Colorbond steel and new concrete or terracotta tiles.
Steel is light, quick to install and suits low pitches. Lighter colours reflect more summer heat, which matters on a single-storey home with a shallow ceiling space. Near the coast, ask the roofer which steel grade suits your distance from breaking surf. Tiles are heavier and slower to install but quieter in rain and suit some older streetscapes. See Colorbond roofing and tile roof replacement for each option, or read our best roofing materials for Perth guide.
How the job runs
- Inspection and quote. The contractor gets on the roof and into the ceiling space, measures up and photographs problem areas.
- Approvals. If your local government requires a building permit for the work, it is lodged before materials are ordered.
- Set-up. Scaffold or edge protection goes up, and a bin or truck is placed for the old roofing.
- Strip and re-batten in sections. The old roof comes off one section at a time, battens are checked and replaced, and sarking or a blanket goes down.
- New roof, ridges and flashings. Sheets or tiles go on, followed by ridge capping, valleys, flashings and penetrations.
- Gutters and clean-up. New gutters and downpipes if included, a magnet sweep for screws, and a final walk-round with photos.
For timing, see how long roof replacement takes. Weather is the biggest variable, especially in winter.
Permits and asbestos
Building work in Western Australia is regulated under the Building Act 2011, and your local government is the permit authority. Whether a re-roof needs a building permit depends on the work, so check with the council's building services before anything starts. Our building permit guide explains the usual triggers. If the old roof is asbestos cement, WorkSafe WA requires a licensed asbestos removalist for removal of more than 10 square metres; see asbestos roof replacement.
Prices
Prices sit on one page so they stay accurate: see the Perth roof replacement cost guide.