What to check before you hire a roofer
Before you pay a roofer a deposit, check six things: the licence number on your state register, a certificate of currency for insurance, a written quote that lists what is included, a small deposit within your state's legal limit, a warranty in writing, and photos of past jobs. Each check takes a few minutes and costs nothing. The table further down links to the register and the deposit rules for each state. RooferScore shows a licence status and its check date on every roofer page where the check is live, but check the number yourself before you sign. Updated 17 Oct 2026.
Six checks
- Licence. Ask for the number and look it up on your state register (table below). We show what we found and the date, but check it yourself before you sign.
- Insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency and read the end date. Your own insurer may also ask for the roofer's compliance certificate later.
- A written quote. It should list what is included: battens, blanket under the roofing, tie-downs, flashings and waste disposal. Be wary of a quote from someone who has not been on your roof.
- Deposit. Keep it small, and ask your state regulator what the legal limit is before you pay anything. The limit differs by state, and the table below links to each one.
- Warranty. Get the years and the name of who backs it, in writing. A warranty is only as good as the business behind it, so look at how long the business has traded.
- Past work and old reviews. Ask for photos of past jobs with the suburb and date. Reviews that go back a few years tell you more than a burst of recent five-star ones.
Where to check, by state
| State | Regulator | Register | Licence line | Deposit rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | NSW Fair Trading | NSW Fair Trading licence register | A licence for work over $5,000. Roof plumbing has its own licence class. | Ask NSW Fair Trading |
| Victoria | Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly VBA) | Victorian Building Practitioner Register (BPC, formerly VBA) | A registration for work over $10,000. Plumbing-only work is exempt from building registration but has its own rules. | Ask the Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly VBA) |
| Queensland | QBCC | QBCC licensed contractors register | A licence for work over $3,300. Plumbing needs a licence at any value. | Ask QBCC |
| Western Australia | Building and Energy | Building and Energy licence and registration search | A registration for work over $20,000. Plumbing is licensed separately by the Plumbers Licensing Board. | Ask Building and Energy |
| South Australia | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | Consumer and Business Services public register | A licence for work over $20,000. | Ask Consumer and Business Services (CBS) |
Questions
How much deposit is normal for a roof job?
Keep it small. Each state may set a legal limit on deposits, so check with your state regulator before you pay (the table above links to each). Get the amount in writing, and check the licence first.
What if it leaks after the job?
Photograph the leak and email the roofer the same day, quoting your written warranty. If it is not fixed by the date you set, complain to your state regulator (links in the table above). Agree the final payment terms before work starts, so you are not chasing a roofer you have already paid in full.
Why are roof quotes so different, and how many should I get?
Quotes differ because the scope does: battens, blanket, tie-downs, flashings and waste disposal are easy to leave out of a cheap one. Get at least three in writing and compare line by line. Our cost guides show what each kind of job costs.
Can a roofer pay to move up your list?
No. A roofer can pay for a labelled spot, but those sit outside the ranked list and have no effect on any score. How we make money
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