Roof restoration quote: what it should include and how to compare (2026)
A roof restoration quote should list the roof areas, cleaning and preparation, repairs, coating system, exclusions and total price, including whether GST applies. It should also explain the deposit, payment stages and how extra work is approved. Compare the work included before comparing the totals. A quote for washing and painting is different from one that also fixes broken tiles, failed ridge joints or rusty screws.
At R&R Restorations, our roof restoration quotes set out the areas, preparation, repairs and finish, with exclusions and possible changes made clear. The checklist below helps you compare ours with any others you receive.
In summary
- Get the repairs written down. “Roof repairs as required” does not tell you which faults the price covers.
- Compare the same roof areas, repair quantities and coating system, including access and safety setup.
- Our published guides put a medium tiled roof restoration at about $6,500 to $9,500. These are budget ranges, not a quote for your roof.
- For Queensland domestic building work over $3,300 and below $20,000, the ordinary maximum deposit is 10% of the contract price. That is a legal ceiling, not a recommended payment.
- Resolve missing items and exclusions before accepting, then keep the agreed scope and payment terms in writing.
What should a roof restoration quote include?
A useful roof restoration quote tells you exactly what the contractor will do, where they will do it and what you will pay. The scope of work is the written description of that job; it needs more detail than “full roof restoration”.
Use this checklist to mark each item as included, excluded or still unclear. These are questions to check in a quote, not a promise that every item is needed on every roof.
| Item | What to look for in writing |
|---|---|
| Contractor and property | Business details, licence number, your property address, quote date and how long the offer remains valid |
| Roof areas | Which sections are covered, including any garage, extension or separate roof; measured roof area if pricing uses square metres |
| Cleaning and preparation | The cleaning method, treatment of moss and lichen, and preparation of old or loose coatings |
| Tile repairs | Which damaged tiles will be replaced, the quantity or allowance, and how additional replacements are priced |
| Ridge capping | Which sections need rebedding, which need repointing, and the extent of each |
| Metal-roof repairs | Where rust treatment and failed-screw replacement are included; any sheet repairs or replacement listed separately |
| Coating | Product system, primer or sealer where required, finish coats and colour; whether coating is suitable for the roof material |
| Safety and access | Required safety setup for the roof's height and pitch, and whether it is included in the total |
| Other roof details | Whether valleys, flashings, gutters and areas beneath solar panels are included or excluded |
| Site cleanup | What happens to removed materials and debris, and what cleanup is included |
| Price and payments | Total price, GST status, deposit, progress payments and when the balance is due |
| Timing and extra work | Expected timing, weather delays, exclusions, and the process for agreeing to changes |
Our assessment checks the roof's material, condition, pitch and access before the scope is confirmed. For steep or two-storey roofs, we include the extra safety equipment and setup in the quote. If you cannot find an item you expected, ask us to clarify it before you accept.
What do rebedding and repointing mean on a tile quote?
Rebedding means resetting ridge caps on a fresh bed of mortar. Repointing means applying the flexible outer material that seals the ridge joints. They are different jobs, so a quote that says only “repoint ridge caps” does not tell you whether failed bedding will also be replaced.
For our tile roof restoration work, we identify the broken tiles and ridge work during the assessment. Ask for the extent of each repair to be clear rather than assuming the whole ridge line needs the same treatment.
Terracotta needs another question: does it need coating at all? Terracotta holds its colour in the clay, and our work may centre on cleaning, replacing broken tiles and rebuilding ridge joints. We assess whether a coating is needed. A longer list of paint products does not automatically make that quote better.
How do you compare roof restoration quotes fairly?
Compare quotes against one agreed scope, then compare their total prices. A missing item is an unanswered question, not an included service, and a lower price alone does not prove poor workmanship.
Put the quotes beside each other and check them in this order:
- Confirm they cover the same roof sections and the same problem. Tell each contractor about leaks, damaged areas and previous repairs.
- Match the repair work. Check tile allowances, ridge work, rust treatment and screws before looking at the paint.
- Compare the coating systems. Ask what each layer does and whether the proposed system suits your roof. Do not assume every roof needs the same products or coat count.
- Resolve exclusions. Ask who handles anything outside the scope, such as work around solar panels, and whether another quote is needed.
- Ask for a revised written quote where the scope changes. Compare the final totals on the same GST basis.
Here is a worked example of the wording to question. It is a comparison exercise, not a real customer quote or our standard contract.
| If a quote says… | Ask for this detail before comparing it |
|---|---|
| “Clean and paint roof” | Which roof sections, what preparation and which coating system? |
| “Replace broken tiles” | What quantity is included, and what happens if more are found? |
| “Repoint roof” | Which ridge sections, and is any rebedding required or included? |
| “Treat metal roof” | Which rusted areas and failed screws are covered? |
| “Extras charged if required” | What could become an extra, how is it priced and when do I approve it? |
For example, a tile quote with no rebedding allowance cannot be compared fairly with one that includes resetting failed ridge caps. Ask the first contractor whether the bedding is sound or whether the work has been left out. You need their assessment, not a guess that the price difference is all profit.
Our itemised scope gives you the same basis for checking our quote: roof areas, preparation, repair work and finish.
What price range should you expect from R&R's published guide?
Our published roof restoration ranges are about $6,500 to $9,500 for a medium tiled home, $9,000 to $13,000 for a larger tiled roof, and $5,000 to $12,000 for metal or Colorbond. Use them to plan a budget, then use the assessed scope to judge your quote.
| Roof restoration type | Published indicative range |
|---|---|
| Medium tiled home | $6,500 to $9,500 |
| Larger tiled roof | $9,000 to $13,000 |
| Metal or Colorbond roof | $5,000 to $12,000 |
Source: our roof restoration cost guide, checked 28 October 2026. These are published market ranges, not fixed prices. Smaller roofs can come in lower; extensive repairs, difficult access and heavily weathered surfaces can push the total higher. Check the GST treatment on your actual quote.
The number of bedrooms does not settle the price. Roof area, pitch, height, condition and access change the work. On a metal roof, a quote should account for rust treatment and failed screws rather than covering them with a fresh colour. On tiles, the broken tiles and ridge joints need to be assessed before the finish is priced.
A quote outside the table is a reason to ask what is different about the job. It is not proof of overcharging or a bargain.
How much deposit can a roofer ask for in Queensland?
For Queensland domestic building work, the ordinary maximum deposit depends on the total contract price. The cap is 10% for work over $3,300 and below $20,000, and 5% for work costing $20,000 or more.
| Value of the work | Ordinary maximum deposit |
|---|---|
| $3,300 or less | 20% |
| More than $3,300 but less than $20,000 | 10% |
| $20,000 or more | 5% |
Source: QBCC, Understanding deposits and progress payments, published 29 September 2025, checked 28 October 2026.
There is a limited exception allowing a deposit up to 20% where substantial customised building work or prefabrication happens off site and represents more than 50% of the total contract price, including labour, materials and GST. Do not assume buying roof paint or tiles qualifies. Ask for the basis of an exception and check it with QBCC.
What does that mean against our published roof restoration ranges?
If the final contract total, including any GST, falls within the ranges below, these are the ordinary 10% deposit ceilings. This is arithmetic using our published ranges and the QBCC rule, not our requested deposit or a payment policy.
| Final contract total falls within… | Ordinary maximum deposit would fall within… |
|---|---|
| $6,500 to $9,500, our medium tile guide range | $650 to $950 |
| $9,000 to $13,000, our larger tile guide range | $900 to $1,300 |
| $5,000 to $12,000, our metal/Colorbond guide range | $500 to $1,200 |
The actual deposit and payment stages should be stated in your contract. A contractor can ask for less than the ceiling.
Under QBCC's progress-payment guidance, payments must relate to the work completed. For contracts over $3,300, a contractor cannot claim more than 50% of the price, including the deposit, before at least 50% of the work on site is complete. That guidance was reviewed on 27 June 2025.
These are Queensland rules. We also service the Tweed and Northern Rivers, but this table should not be applied to a job across the state border.
What should be agreed before you accept the quote?
Agree on the written scope, price, payment schedule and terms before accepting. QBCC says Queensland domestic building contracts over $3,300 must be written, dated and signed by all parties; accepting a quote can itself create a binding agreement, so do not treat acceptance as a placeholder while you sort out the details.
The QBCC guide to quotes, contracts and variations, published 23 September 2025, covers this distinction.
Check the contractor's details against the QBCC licensee register, and request insurance details.
Also ask what happens if work changes. A variation is a change to the agreed contract after it has been signed. It should describe the changed work, the price adjustment or calculation method, and any effect on timing.
QBCC's contract variations guidance, published 26 February 2025, requires written documentation and the homeowner's written agreement before variation work starts, subject to a narrow urgent-work exception. A vague “extras if needed” line does not give you enough information to decide what you are agreeing to.
For our roof restoration work, we agree access, weather and timing before starting. Suitable weather matters for preparation and coating. If rain interrupts the work, we pause and tell you when the next step can go ahead.
Should you get a roof replacement quote as well?
Get a roof replacement assessment if the structure is failing or the roof covering is too deteriorated to keep. If one contractor recommends roof restoration and another recommends replacement, ask each to explain the condition that led to that recommendation before comparing prices.
| The roof's assessed condition | The scope to discuss |
|---|---|
| One isolated fault, with the rest of the roof sound | A focused repair |
| Widespread surface wear or failed ridge joints, with sound structure underneath | Roof restoration |
| Failed structure or roof covering that cannot reasonably be retained | Roof replacement |
Our work is roof restoration and roof repairs. We check the roof first and tell you if replacement is the better choice. Our guide to roof restoration versus roof replacement explains that decision in more detail.
Is R&R right for your roof restoration quote?
We are a good fit if you want an assessed, itemised roof restoration or repair quote for a concrete tile, terracotta or metal roof across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Logan, or the Tweed and Northern Rivers. We are owner-operated by Alex Rowe, and our scope separates the preparation, repairs and finish so you can see what you are paying for.
A full roof restoration is not the right purchase if your roof only needs one repair. It is also the wrong purchase if the structure has failed and the roof needs replacing. We assess that before recommending the work.
Start with your suburb, roof type and what you have noticed. Photos taken safely from the ground are useful but optional; you do not need to climb onto the roof to request a quote. We review your details, arrange a visit if needed and quote after the assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How many roof restoration quotes should I get?
Get several detailed quotes if you want to compare providers. Give each contractor the same information and compare the written scope, not just the price. A stack of vague totals is less useful than clear descriptions of the work.
Can I get a roof restoration quote from photos?
Photos can help start the enquiry, but they may not show the condition of ridge bedding, tiles or metal sheets. With us, ground-level photos are optional. We review your details and arrange a visit if needed before the quote follows the assessment.
Is a roof restoration estimate the same as a quote?
An estimate is a budget indication. A quote should identify the price for a defined scope and any conditions that could change it. Ask which you have; our published price ranges are guides, while your quote follows the roof assessment.
Should roof cleaning be included in a roof restoration quote?
Yes, the cleaning and preparation included should be written into the scope. We use high-pressure roof cleaning as part of our published roof restoration process, with the method matched to the roof material and its condition. Compare the preparation as well as the finish.
Does a full roof restoration include new gutters or solar-panel removal?
Do not assume either is included. Ask how gutters, solar panels and the roof beneath them are handled, who is responsible and whether a separate price is needed. Our quote identifies the roof areas and exclusions; it does not make unlisted work part of the job.
Can I ask for a lower roof restoration quote?
Yes, but ask what work would change. A focused repair may suit a roof with an isolated fault. Removing necessary preparation or repairs from a full roof restoration scope is a different decision from negotiating the price for the same work.
Ready to find out what your roof needs?
Request an itemised roof restoration quote. Tell us your suburb, roof type and the problem you want fixed, so we can assess the work before you commit.