Choosing the right roofing contractor is one of the most important decisions in any roof replacement project. A roof is not like a paint job or a landscaping refresh. If it is done well, you will not think about it again for thirty years. If it is done poorly, the consequences, leaks, structural damage, failed warranties, and compliance issues, can follow you for a decade and cost far more than the project itself.
The good news is that separating a trustworthy, qualified contractor from an unreliable one is not difficult if you know what to ask. This guide gives you the complete list of questions to ask before signing any roofing agreement, and explains why each one matters. Use it before you commit to anyone.
Why Do the Questions You Ask Before Hiring Matter So Much?
The roofing industry in Queensland, like most trade industries, has a wide range of operators. At one end are experienced, licensed, fully insured contractors with strong track records, transparent quoting practices, and workmanship they stand behind. At the other end are operators who take deposits and disappear, cut corners on materials or installation method, do not hold the right licences for the work they are quoting, and leave homeowners with no recourse when problems emerge.
The questions in this guide are specifically designed to identify which end of that spectrum a contractor sits on. A contractor who cannot or will not answer these questions clearly is telling you something important.
What Are the Most Important Questions to Ask About Licensing and Insurance?
What Is Your QBCC Licence Number, and Can I Verify It?
In Queensland, any roofing work valued over $3,300 must be carried out by a QBCC-licensed contractor. Ask for the licence number before the quote stage is complete and verify it yourself through the QBCC’s online licence search at qbcc.qld.gov.au. Verify rather than trust. Check that the licence is current and that the licence category covers the specific type of work being proposed, whether that is metal roofing, roof tiling, or asbestos removal.
For a detailed explanation of what a QBCC licence means and what to check when verifying, read our QBCC roofing contractor guide.
Are You Licensed for All Elements of This Specific Project?
A general roofing licence does not automatically cover all types of work that may be part of your project. If your roof replacement involves asbestos removal, for example, the contractor must hold a separate asbestos removal licence in addition to their roofing contractor licence. If they are proposing to carry out plumbing connections to new downpipes, a plumbing licence applies. Ask specifically about every component of the quoted scope and confirm the relevant licence for each.
What Public Liability Insurance Do You Hold, and What Is the Coverage Amount?
Public liability insurance protects you if a member of the contractor’s team causes property damage or injury during the project. Ask for the coverage amount and ask for a certificate of currency before work begins. A reputable roofing contractor operating in Queensland carries a minimum of $10 million in public liability cover. If a contractor cannot provide evidence of their public liability insurance, that is a significant red flag.
Will QBCC Home Warranty Insurance Be Lodged for This Project?
QBCC Home Warranty Insurance is a statutory requirement for eligible residential building work in Queensland. It protects you if the contractor cannot complete the project or cannot rectify defects. For eligible projects, this insurance must be lodged before work begins, not after. Ask for written confirmation that the insurance has been lodged and the certificate details before any work starts on your property. Do not assume it is automatically handled.
What Are the Most Important Questions About the Scope of Work?
What Exactly Is Included in This Quote?
A quote should be itemised and specific. Ask your contractor to confirm in writing exactly what is included. Does the quote cover removal and disposal of the existing roof? Is guttering included or excluded? Does it include all flashings, ridge capping, barge capping, and penetration seals? Is roof insulation included? Are downpipes included? Ask what is excluded too. Low quotes often omit items that higher quotes include, and comparing quotes on different scopes is comparing apples with oranges.
How Do You Handle Variations If Something Unexpected Is Found?
Roofing projects occasionally reveal unexpected issues once the existing roof is removed, such as damaged battens, deteriorated sarking, or structural repairs needed to the roof frame. Ask the contractor how they handle variations, specifically whether they will notify you and obtain your approval before carrying out any additional work that affects the price. A reputable contractor will have a clear variation process and will not present you with a bill for undiscussed extras at the end of the project.
Who Will Actually Be On Site During the Project?
Find out whether the work will be carried out by the contractor’s own employees or by subcontractors. This matters for two reasons. First, subcontractors are sometimes not covered under the head contractor’s licence and insurance for all types of work. Second, if the project is partially or fully subcontracted, you may have less visibility over the quality and experience of the people actually installing your roof. Ask for clarity on this and who specifically is responsible for the workmanship throughout.
What Is the Timeline, and What Happens if Weather Delays the Project?
Get the expected start date and completion timeline in writing. Ask specifically what happens if wet weather affects the installation. Sealants and joint compounds require dry conditions to perform correctly, and a contractor who will push through in wet conditions to stay on schedule is cutting corners on quality. A reputable contractor will pause work in unsuitable conditions and communicate clearly about any schedule changes.
What Are the Most Important Questions About Materials and Warranties?
What Roofing Material and Profile Are You Proposing, and Why?
Ask your contractor to explain their material recommendation for your specific home. The answer should be tailored to your roof’s pitch, your home’s location and exposure, and your architectural style. If the contractor cannot explain why they are proposing a specific product rather than an alternative, that is a concern. You should understand what is going on your roof and why it is the right choice for your home.
What Warranty Comes With the Materials?
Colorbond steel roofing carries a 30-year manufacturer warranty. Zincalume carries its own manufacturer warranty. Ask your contractor to confirm the material warranty in writing, who the warranty is with (the manufacturer or the contractor), and what it covers. Make sure you understand whether the material warranty is transferable if you sell the property during the warranty period.
What Workmanship Warranty Do You Offer?
The material warranty covers the product. The workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation. These are separate and both matter. A reputable roofing contractor backs their installation with a meaningful workmanship guarantee. Ask how long the guarantee is, what it covers, and what the process is for raising a workmanship concern after the project is complete. A contractor who is not willing to stand behind their workmanship with a written guarantee is signalling something important about their confidence in the quality of their own work.
We back every roof installation with a 10-year workmanship guarantee alongside the Colorbond manufacturer warranty. Details of what our warranty covers are available on our warranties page.
What Are the Most Important Questions About Communication and Handover?
How Will You Communicate With Me During the Project?
Ask how the contractor will keep you informed during the project. Who is the contact person on-site? How will weather delays or variations be communicated? Will you receive any progress updates? A contractor who cannot answer this question with specifics is often one who will be difficult to reach once the project has started. Clear, proactive communication is a hallmark of a professional operation.
What Does the Handover Process Include?
A professional handover should include a site walkthrough to review the completed work, confirmation that the site has been left clean and tidy with all materials removed, and provision of all warranty documentation in writing. Ask your contractor to describe this process before you sign anything. If the answer is vague, that is a signal.
Can You Provide References From Recent Comparable Projects?
Ask for references from homeowners who have had similar projects completed by the same team. A reputable contractor with a strong track record will be comfortable providing references. You can also review independently verified customer reviews through Google Business profiles, which give you a broader picture of the contractor’s consistency across many projects rather than a curated selection.
Our full process from inspection through to handover is explained on our roof replacement process page. We are transparent about every step and welcome questions at any stage.
What Red Flags Should You Watch For?
Beyond the questions above, here are the clearest signs that a roofing contractor is not the right choice for your project.
- They cannot or will not provide a QBCC licence number, or the number does not match their name in the QBCC register.
- They provide a verbal quote only and resist putting the full scope in writing.
- They ask for a large upfront deposit, particularly before any inspection has been carried out.
- They pressure you to sign quickly, citing urgency around pricing or availability.
- They cannot confirm who will be on site or who is responsible for the workmanship.
- They offer a price that is dramatically lower than other quotes without a clear explanation of what has been excluded.
- They are unable or unwilling to provide evidence of public liability insurance.
None of these individually is definitive, but any combination of them should prompt you to look further before committing.
Works Cited
Fortified Roofing Group. “How Do You Choose a QBCC Roofing Contractor?” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/qbcc-roofing-contractor-guide-australia/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “Warranties.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/warranties/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “Roof Replacement Process.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/roof-replacement-process/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “Metal Roofing Services Brisbane.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/metal-roofing-services/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “Asbestos Roof Replacement Brisbane.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/asbestos-roof-replacement-brisbane/.
Queensland Building and Construction Commission. “Licence Search.” QBCC, 2026, www.qbcc.qld.gov.au.
