As a professional roofing company, the team at Action Reroofing talk to New Zealand homeowners every day who are curious and sometimes concerned about the roof repair process. We find there are a few commonly asked questions that get brought up in almost every one of these conversations, so to make things easier, we thought we would put together this list of the most commonly asked roofing questions we hear from our customers.
Q 1: How Do I Know If I Need A New Roof Or Just A Repair?
A: This is the number one question we get! While it’s hard to give a definitive answer without an on-site inspection, there are some tell-tale signs that can indicate a full roof replacement is necessary.
- Widespread Damage. If you have large patches of rust, significant deterioration in your roof cladding or major leaks, it’s likely time for a replacement.
- Age. Most tile roofs last 20-30 years, and Colorsteel roofs up to 50 years. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, a replacement is likely a better investment than repeated repairs.
- Leaks. While a single leak can be a simple repair, multiple leaks or leaks with no obvious source can indicate a failing roof system.
Our Advice: A professional inspection is the best way to get a clear answer to this one. Call in the roofing professionals and they will be able to assess the overall health of your roof and provide an honest recommendation.
Q 2: How Much Does A New Roof Cost?
A: Probably one of the big questions a lot of people have, and for good reason. The truth is, the cost of a roof repair can vary dramatically based on several factors.
- Materials Used. Colorsteel roofing iron is typically the most affordable roofing in NZ, while concrete or clay tile is slightly more expensive.
- Size And Complexity. A larger roof with a steep pitch, multiple valleys, or skylights will require more labour due to its complexity, and also materials.
- Structural Issues. If rot or other issues are discovered after removing the old roof, this will also add to the final cost of the repair.
Our Advice: Always ask your roofer for a detailed, transparent estimate that breaks down all the costs involved so there are no surprises.
Q 3: How Long Does A Roof Replacement Take?
A: While the answer to this one largely depends on the availability of your roofing contractors, once on-site the average residential roof replacement can often be completed in as little as one or two days (depending on its size and complexity). Larger homes, steep pitches, or unexpected structural repairs can obviously extend this timeline.
Our Advice: When you are hiring a roofing contractor, always remember to ask about their availability (when they can start the job).
Q 4: Will You Be Using Subcontractors Or Your Own Employees?
A: Homeowners often prefer companies that use their own trained crews for better quality control and accountability, so we often get this question. So ideally the answer you want here is that the roofing company will be using their own employees for the work. This doesn’t mean you should rule out alternative setups, just being aware of the situation allows you to make informed decisions.
Our Advice: Using company-trained and certified crews allows a contractor to easily maintain strict quality control and ensures every staff member on your property is fully insured and accountable for their work, which offers obvious benefits to the homeowner.
Q 5: What Kind Of Warranties Are Available?
A: Most homeowners will have a basic understanding of the difference between a manufacturer’s warranty and a workmanship warranty, but it is still important to get a good idea of what they cover specifically and their duration. More on these two types of warranties below:
- Manufacturer’s Warranty. This covers the roofing materials themselves, protecting against manufacturing defects.
- Workmanship Warranty. This covers the quality of the installation work, so that if any issues arise due to workmanship they will fix them right away. Your roofing contractor should always offer a comprehensive workmanship guarantee and stand by the quality of their work.
Our Advice: Be sure to ask any roofer you consider about both types of warranties. Homeowners might also want to know if the warranties are transferable if they sell the house. This is a key question for customers who might be thinking about selling their home in the future.
Q 6: What Can I Expect During The Installation Process?
A: A professional roof replacement is a big project, but a good contractor will make it as smooth as possible. They will cover all aspects of the roof replacement process including protecting your property (covering landscaping, patios, and driveways), managing debris (removing all old materials and ensuring your property is clean when they leave), and maintaining good communication.
Our Advice: Make sure you have a dedicated project manager who is your primary point of contact throughout the entire process. This helps with simplifying the communication process and also providing accountability.
Q 7: Will A New Roof Affect My Home’s Energy Efficiency?
A: Homeowners are always interested in the long-term benefits of a new roof, especially as it relates to energy savings. The good news is that a new roof can actually improve your home’s energy efficiency when installed right! The effectiveness generally comes down to things like its sunlight reflection/absorption properties, proper ventilation and the surrounding location of the home.
Our Advice: Have a read of our Exploring Colour Options For NZ Roofs here and learn more about how roof colours and designs can impact your home’s temperature and energy efficiency.
Q 8: What Materials Do You Recommend For My Home And Why?
A: Customers often request guidance on the best roofing material for their budget, climate, and desired lifespan. This question revolves around the desire for value for money but also longevity and ongoing maintenance. Generally speaking, here in NZ homeowners have two main roofing options that cover the bases – Colorsteel long run metal roofing and concrete or clay tiles. What works best for your home will depend on the preferred styling, location and climate conditions (near the sea, high winds, likelihood of snow etc.).
Our Advice: The most popular roofing option in New Zealand is long-run steel (also known by brand names like Colorsteel). This type of roofing is a firm favourite here in New Zealand for its durability and weather resistance under our highly variable weather conditions. Plus it is lightweight and easy to install.
Q 9: Will My House Insurance Pay For A Roof Repair Or Replacement?
A: In New Zealand, whether your house insurance will pay for a roof repair or replacement depends entirely on the cause of the damage. Most standard house insurance policies in New Zealand cover “sudden and accidental damage” caused by specific events. This means your insurance is likely to pay for roof damage from natural disasters (Storms, high winds, hail, floods, earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity). The cost for this is covered by a levy paid to the Natural Hazards Commission as part of your regular insurance premium, with your private insurer covering any costs above the NHC limits.
Accidents are also covered (a tree falling on your roof or a vehicle hitting your house for example), as is vandalism where your roof is intentionally damaged by a third party. In these cases, the insurance policy will generally cover the reasonable costs to repair or rebuild the damaged part of the house to a condition “substantially the same as it was when it was new.”
What is not covered – house insurance is designed to protect against unexpected events, not the predictable process of aging. So this means wear and tear and gradual deterioration to your roof are not covered. Your insurer will not pay for a roof that is at the end of its natural life (due to age, rust, corrosion, or decay), or for a lack of maintenance that leads to a leak and damage, or for pre-existing damage that existed before you took out the policy or before a specific event occurred. Or for poor workmanship and faulty materials.
Our Advice: Every insurance policy is different, always thoroughly read your policy wording to understand the terms, conditions, and exclusions. Pay close attention to sections on “wear and tear,” “maintenance,” and “gradual damage.” Notify your insurer if you are planning a re-roofing project beforehand. The temporary removal of your roof increases the risk to your property, and failing to notify them could void your policy. Some insurers recommend getting “Contract Works” insurance to cover the period of construction. Don’t even think about doing your own repairs – if your roof is damaged in a way that you believe is covered by insurance, contact your insurer immediately. Do not attempt to fix it yourself, as this could compromise your claim. Only emergency or temporary fixes to prevent further damage are permitted.
Interested in learning more about the reroofing process or have more questions about getting a new roof? Contact Action ReRoofing for reliable roofing services in Christchurch today!
