Roofers price guide

How much does a roofer cost?

Most Australian roofers charge around $60–$110 an hour, but they usually quote by the job. Fixing a roof leak typically costs $250–$1,000, cleaning and repairing gutters $200–$600, and a full roof restoration $3,000–$8,000. Replacing a metal roof on a typical single-storey home runs about $8,000–$20,000, and more for big or steep roofs.

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Typical hourly rate $60–$110 Roof plumbers often sit at the top. Most roofers quote a fixed price per job, with a minimum charge for small repairs.

Leak inspection $100–$250 Tracking down where the water gets in. Some roofers credit it against the repair, and restoration quotes are often free.

What common roofer jobs cost

Job	Typical price	Notes
Clean and repair gutters	$200–$600	Single storey; two storeys and leafy blocks cost more
Find and fix a roof leak	$250–$1,000	Cracked tiles, flashings, a rusted sheet or a blocked valley
Install a whirlybird or roof vent	$250–$500
Roof condition report with photos	$250–$450	Worth having before you buy, or before agreeing to big work
Re-bed and re-point ridge capping	$1,500–$4,000	Whole tiled roof; a few metres costs much less
Replace gutters and downpipes	$2,000–$5,000	Typical single-storey home in Colorbond steel
Roof restoration	$3,000–$8,000	Clean, repairs, re-point and recoat; big or two-storey roofs cost more
Replace a metal roof	$8,000–$20,000	Single-storey home; tile-to-metal swaps and large roofs cost more

Indicative prices for typical Australian homes, including GST. A guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

What drives the price

Roof work comes down to four things: the size and shape of the roof, how hard it is to work on safely, what it’s made of, and how much is actually wrong with it.

Size, pitch and height. A low, single-storey roof is quicker and safer to work on than a steep two-storey one. Steep pitches and second storeys can mean scaffolding or edge protection, and on bigger jobs that’s a real line on the quote.

Material. Concrete tiles, terracotta, slate and metal all need different skills and parts. Terracotta and slate are slower to work with and replacement tiles cost more. On metal roofs the price follows the sheet profile, the length of the runs and the flashings around skylights, chimneys and solar panels.

Condition. A leak from one cracked tile is a quick fix. A roof with failing pointing all over, rusted valleys or soft battens is a bigger conversation, and that’s usually where the repair, restore or replace question comes up. If your home was built before about 1990 and has a fibro roof, assume it may contain asbestos: removal has to be done by a licensed asbestos removalist and adds to the cost.

Extras. New gutters and downpipes, sarking, whirlybirds and carting away the old roof all add up. Ask for them as separate lines so you can see where the money goes.

Getting a fair quote

A good roofing quote is written and specific. It should say what’s being repaired or replaced, the materials and coating system, how many coats, whether gutters and disposal are included, and the warranty on both the workmanship and the product. Ask for photos of the problem, especially if you can’t get up there to see it yourself.

Be wary of door-knockers who spot an “urgent” problem from the street. Don’t sign on the spot; get an independent look first. Our guide to spotting a dodgy tradie covers the usual tricks.

Roofing and roof plumbing are licensed in some states, in others only once a job passes a dollar threshold, and a few have no roofing licence at all. Where one applies, check the roofer’s licence number on your state’s register; our licence checks page has the right lookup for every state.

You don’t need a stack of quotes to know whether a price is fair. One written quote from a properly vetted roofer, read against the ranges on this page, tells you most of what you need. That’s how needatradie works: we match you with one local roofer whose licence, insurance, ABN and reviews we’ve already checked.

Roofer, roof plumber or someone else?

For metal roofs, gutters, downpipes and flashings, the person you want is often a roof plumber. Tiled roofs suit a roof tiler or a restoration specialist, and many businesses do both. Water through a ceiling isn’t always the roof, either. A leaking pipe or shower upstairs can look exactly the same, so if the roof checks out, a plumber is the next call. Once the leak is fixed, a stained ceiling usually just needs a painter.

Roofers prices by city

City	What to expect
Sydney	Top of the national range, and the city's older terracotta tiled roofs keep re-bedding, re-pointing and tile replacement in steady demand.
Melbourne	Close to Sydney on price; concrete and terracotta tiled roofs are everywhere, and heritage slate work in the inner suburbs costs more.
Brisbane	Mid-range, but storm and hail season from about November to March brings a rush of leak and storm-damage calls.
Perth	Mid-range. Perth's brick-and-tile homes mean plenty of concrete tile roofs due for re-pointing and restoration after years of harsh sun.
Adelaide	Usually a little under the east coast, with lots of work on the corrugated iron roofs of older villas and cottages.
Gold Coast	Similar to Brisbane, and salt air near the beach shortens the life of metal roofing, flashings and fixings.
Newcastle	Often a touch under Sydney rates, with storm-damage repairs piling up after east coast lows.
Canberra	At the higher end, similar to Sydney; restorations bunch up in the warmer months because coatings need dry, mild weather to cure.

Roofers costs: common questions

How much do roofers charge per hour in Australia?

Around $60 to $110 an hour is typical, with roof plumbers often at the top of that range. Most roofers would rather quote a fixed price for the whole job, because access, safety gear and materials make up a big part of the cost. Small repairs usually carry a minimum charge, so a ten-minute fix won't cost ten minutes of labour.

How much does it cost to fix a leaking roof?

Most leak repairs land between $250 and $1,000. Swapping a few cracked tiles or resealing a flashing sits at the bottom of that range, while a rusted valley, failed ridge pointing or storm damage sits at the top. Finding the leak is often the hard part, so some roofers charge an inspection fee and credit it if you go ahead with the repair.

Is $30,000 too much for a roof?

It depends on the roof. A typical single-storey metal re-roof usually comes in around $8,000 to $20,000. A large, steep or two-storey house, a tile-to-metal conversion with new battens and sarking, or a job that includes new gutters and asbestos removal can reach $30,000 or more. If you're quoted that much, ask for an itemised quote and get a second look before you sign.

Is a roof restoration worth it?

Often, if the roof's structure is sound. A restoration usually covers a pressure clean, replacing broken tiles, re-bedding and re-pointing the ridges, and a sealer and topcoat, for around $3,000 to $8,000. That's a fraction of a new roof. It isn't worth it if the battens are rotten, the metal is rusted through, or the tiles are failing across the whole roof.

What's the difference between a roofer and a roof plumber?

A roof plumber works on metal roofing, gutters, downpipes and flashings, and in some states that work needs a plumbing licence. A roofer or roof tiler mostly works on tiled roofs: replacing tiles, re-pointing ridges and restorations. Plenty of businesses do both. For a leaking metal roof or new gutters, ask for a roof plumber. For cracked tiles or crumbling pointing, a roof tiler.

What is the best time of year to replace a roof?

Dry, mild months are best, because roofers need dry days to work safely and coatings need the right temperature to cure. In much of Australia that means autumn and spring. Summer storm season in Queensland and northern NSW fills roofers' diaries with urgent repairs, so plan big jobs around it. If you have an active leak, though, don't wait for the season.

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