Your roof is too important — and too expensive — to hand to the wrong person. The roofing trade has its share of cowboys, and the way to avoid them is simple: ask the right questions before you sign anything. Here are ten that separate the professionals from the chancers.
1. Are you licensed?
In Queensland, roofing work over a certain value must be done by a QBCC-licensed contractor. Ask for the licence and check it’s current. A reluctant answer is a red flag.
2. Are you fully insured?
They should carry public liability and the appropriate insurances. If something goes wrong on your property and they’re not insured, that can become your problem.
3. Can I get the quote in writing, itemised?
A professional gives you a written, itemised quote so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Vague “from” pricing or a number scribbled on a notepad is how surprises happen.
4. Are you local?
A local roofer knows the climate, is invested in their reputation, and is still around if you need them later. Be wary of out-of-town operators who blow through after a storm.
5. What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
Get the workmanship warranty in writing, and ask about the manufacturer warranties on materials. “She’ll be right” is not a warranty.
6. Will you actually inspect the roof before quoting?
Anyone quoting from the ground or over the phone is guessing. A proper quote follows a proper look — ideally with photos of what they found.
7. Who’s actually doing the work?
Is it their own team or subcontractors? Either can be fine, but you want to know who’ll be on your roof and that they’re competent and insured.
8. Can you show me examples or reviews?
Genuine reviews and examples of similar work build confidence. Check independent reviews, not just the ones on their own site.
9. Do I need council approval, and will you handle compliance?
A good roofer knows when work needs approval or a licensed contractor and handles the compliance side properly, including any asbestos.
10. What’s the payment schedule?
Be very wary of anyone demanding a large sum up front before any work. A reasonable deposit and progress payments are normal; “cash up front for the whole job” is not.
Why licensing and insurance matter so much
Of all ten questions, the first two are the ones people are most tempted to skip — and the ones that cause the most grief when they’re ignored. In Queensland, building work above a fairly low value, including most roofing, has to be carried out by a contractor holding the appropriate QBCC licence. The licence isn’t just a piece of paper: it means the contractor has demonstrated the right qualifications and financial standing, and it gives you access to dispute resolution and statutory protections if something goes wrong. An unlicensed operator leaves you with none of that.
Insurance protects you in a different way. Roofing is work at height, and if a worker is hurt on your property or your home is damaged during the job, the right insurances are what stand between you and a serious bill. A genuine professional carries public liability cover and can show it without fuss. If a roofer can’t or won’t produce a current licence and proof of insurance, that single fact tells you most of what you need to know — walk away, no matter how good the price looks. You can verify a QBCC licence yourself online, and a reputable roofer will expect you to.
How to spot a storm-chaser
After every big Darling Downs storm, out-of-town operators appear, knock on doors in the worst-hit streets, and offer to “fix the hail damage” on the spot. Some are fine. Many are not. The pattern to watch for is the high-pressure pitch: they happen to be “working in the area”, they need a decision today, they want cash or a big deposit up front, and the quote is verbal or scribbled on a docket.
The problem isn’t just dodgy work — it’s that they’re gone by the time the work fails. There’s no one local to call back, no warranty worth the paper it’s printed on, and often no real licence behind them. If you’ve copped storm damage, slow down. Get the damage documented for your insurance claim, and choose a local roofer who’ll still be here next year. Honest storm and insurance work doesn’t require a same-day signature.
How to compare quotes fairly
Once you’ve got two or three written quotes, the mistake is to skim to the bottom line and pick the cheapest. Roofing quotes are only comparable if they cover the same scope, and they often don’t. One quote might include repairs, re-bedding and re-pointing, a proper clean and two coats of quality product; another might be a quick wash and a single thin coat over the existing problems. The second will be cheaper today and far more expensive in two years.
Read each quote line by line and check the scope matches. Are repairs included or extra? How many coats, and what product? Is ridge capping being re-bedded as well as re-pointed? Are gutters and flashings part of the job? A clear, itemised quote lets you compare like with like; a vague one-line figure is hiding something. If one quote is dramatically cheaper than the rest, that’s not a bargain to grab — it’s a question to ask. Usually it means a smaller scope, lesser materials, or a corner about to be cut. We go deeper into this in our guide on what affects a roofing quote and how to compare quotes fairly.
Questions worth asking about the job itself
How long will the job take, and what happens if the weather turns? A straight answer shows the roofer has actually planned the work. On the Downs, weather delays are normal, and you want to know they’ll make the roof safe and watertight between work days rather than leaving it open to the sky.
What happens if you find extra problems once you’re up there? Hidden damage is common, especially on older roofs. A good roofer tells you how they handle it — they’ll stop, show you photos, and get your sign-off before doing extra work, rather than presenting a surprise on the final invoice.
Will you clean up and remove the old material? Old tiles, offcuts and packaging add up. Confirm that site clean-up and rubbish removal are included so you’re not left with a pile in the yard and a stray screw waiting for a tyre.
Can you put the start date and timeframe in writing? Verbal promises slip. Having the timing in the quote or contract keeps everyone honest and gives you something to point to if the job drags.
Red flags to walk away from
Some warning signs are worth treating as deal-breakers no matter how friendly the roofer or how tempting the price. A refusal or reluctance to show a current QBCC licence and proof of insurance is the biggest. Demanding a large cash payment up front, before any work has started, is another — a reasonable deposit and staged payments are normal, but “pay it all now and I’ll start tomorrow” is how people get burned. So is pressure to sign today, the classic line that the price is only good if you commit on the spot.
Watch too for quotes that won’t be put in writing, work that’s promised “off the books” to dodge GST or paperwork, and a roofer who gets irritated when you ask basic questions about scope, materials or warranty. A vague answer about who’ll actually be doing the work, or who’s responsible if something goes wrong, is a quiet red flag as well. None of these on their own proves a roofer is dodgy, but each one is a reason to slow down and ask more before any money changes hands.
How a good roofer quotes
It’s worth knowing what a proper quoting process looks like, so you can tell when you’re getting one. A professional starts by actually inspecting the roof — getting up on it, or at least using a ladder and a camera, rather than eyeballing it from the driveway. They’ll often take photos of what they find and show you, so you understand what you’re paying for and why. The damage or wear is explained in plain terms, not roofing jargon designed to baffle you into agreeing.
From there you get a written, itemised quote that sets out the scope: exactly what work is included, what materials and products will be used, how long it should take, and what the warranty covers. A good roofer is happy to walk you through it line by line and answer follow-up questions without getting defensive. They’ll also be upfront about how they handle the things that can’t be seen until the job starts, like hidden rot or extra damage. That transparency is the whole point — when the restoration, repair or replacement is itemised and explained, you can compare it fairly and you know what you’ve bought. Cowboys avoid this process precisely because it leaves nowhere to hide.
The honest roofer test
A good roofer will happily answer all of these — in fact, they’ll respect you for asking. Evasiveness, pressure, cash-only demands and reluctance to put things in writing are the warning signs. The professionals expect scrutiny and welcome it; it’s the chancers who get prickly when you start asking for licences, insurance and detail in writing.
We’re happy to answer every one of these before you commit, whether you’re after a restoration, repairs or a full replacement. Get a free, no-obligation quote and see the difference an honest local roofer makes.