When building a new home, a roof is one of those non-negotiables that you’ll need to factor into your budget. While safety and longevity are much more important factors to consider than the price, it’s nice to know how much of your budget you should set aside to get a great roof fitted to finish off your new build.
Whether you’re getting a completely new roof fitted or are interested in reroofing, we’ll hopefully be covering everything you need to know before getting started.
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Typical roofing cost in Australia
There are plenty of types of roof materials to choose from, so the price can vary greatly. On average, the price of roofing ranges from $40 to $500 per square metre – so quite a range!
The size of your roof will obviously affect its cost. For example, if your roof is 200 square metres, you can expect to pay between $8,000 and $100,000, depending on the material you choose.
Breakdown of specific roof types and their prices
Concrete or clay roofing ($40 to $60 per square metre)
Concrete roofs come in a range of colours and profiles, and these are very commonly seen across Australia. They’re both traditional and contemporary, so if you’re looking for an easygoing material to complete your perfect aesthetic, concrete tiles might be the perfect way to go. They’re super durable and perfect for coastal locations, and there’s no chance of them warping or rusting!
However, concrete tiles are quite heavy so they might not be the best option for all homes. They might also grow moss and lichen, so they’ll need spraying occasionally to keep them looking fresh.
For a 200 square metre roof, expect your invoice to be between $8,000 and $12,000.
Metal roofing ($50 to $70 per square metre)
Metal roofs can either be made from steel sheets or metal roof tiles. They can be painted and finished in various ways to provide the ultimate protection depending on the climate your home is in. They’re easy to install and require very little maintenance. There are also loads of options to choose from – perfect if you have a clear idea of what you want the roof of your new build to look like!
Metal roofs do come with a few issues though, like warping, rusting, and corroding. This means that they might need replacing in the near future depending on the climate you live in. Plus, they’re not the best for coastal climates where there’s plenty of water in the air.
For a 200 square metre roof, you can expect to pay between $10,000 and $14,000.
Copper roofing ($180 to $250 per square metre)
While not so common any more, copper has been used for centuries as a dependable roofing solution. It’s actually one of the best choices for many parts of Australia according to experts, thanks to its durability and corrosion resistance. This makes it perfect if you live by the coast – and it doesn’t hurt that it looks great either!
The only downside of a copper roof is the need for occasional maintenance and clean-downs, especially if you live in an area where there’s lots of rain or sea salt spray. It’s also not a cheap option, but with the right care and attention, copper roofs can often last 200 years.
For a 200 square metre roof, expect your invoice to be between $36,000 and $50,000.
Slate roofing ($200 to $500 per square metre)
Slate roofing is much more expensive than other types of roof materials, and this is because it’s been slated as the ‘gold standard in roofing materials’. When installed properly, slate can give you more than 100 years of service. It’s not bothered by UV light, salt spray, or even acid rainfall, so no matter what weather it’s put up against, slate has a fighting chance.
The downside is that slate weighs around 38 kg per square metre, making it a heavyweight roofing material. This means that your home might need extra structuring to help hold it up. We recommend consulting a structural engineer before choosing slate as you don’t want to risk the rest of your home for your roof. This consult will most likely cost extra, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Slate roofs vary greatly in price, but on average, expect a cost of around $40,000 to $100,000 for a 200 square metre roof.
How much will it cost to replace a roof?
Reroofing involves removing old materials, making repairs, and installing your new roof. Again, the cost of this all depends on the size, materials you choose, and labour cost. Other factors that might affect this include:
- Whether you have a single or two-storey home
- The angle of your roof pitch
- If you need any structural work or repairs
- How much effort it takes your contractor to remove old roofing materials
As you can see, it’s pretty impossible for us to give you an accurate cost of what you pay for reroofing, but here are some general costs you might encounter along the way:
- if you’re replacing a metal roof with a Colorbond roof: $6,000 to $10,000
- Replacing an asbestos roof with Colorbond steel: $15,000 to $20,000
- Replacing a tiled roof (based on 200 metre squared size): $16,000 to $24,000
The best way to find out how much it will cost to reroof your home is to get in touch with a trusted contractor and I have them write you a quote for the job that needs doing.
What are the key factors impacting roofing costs?
The type of roof you choose
The type of roof you choose is, of course, going to impact how much you pay for it. Cheaper materials like metal and concrete are easier to install and therefore your contractor should be able to get the job done much quicker. This will lead to lower labour costs, which along with the lower material costs, can save you a lot of money as a whole. On the other hand, choosing a more expensive material like slate can increase costs tenfold as not only is the material more expensive, but your contractor will also likely increase the hourly rate as lifting and installing slate is much harder on the body.
Installation difficulties
As we’ve already touched upon, if your roof is more difficult to install because of the weight of your new material, no access, or multiple roof pitches to contend with, it’s likely that your contractor will charge more. The best way to keep this cost down is to plan for a simple roof in your initial building development sketches. While the idea of having multiple roof pitches may seem unique and intriguing, it will also cost you much more when it comes to fitting your roof.
Size of your home
The size of your house will also affect the overall cost of your roof because more space equals more materials, which equals more labour costs. Our article has stuck to pretty much only looking at 200 square metre roofs for comparison purposes, but you may be building a house that’s much smaller or larger than this. We recommend talking to your contractor and getting an estimate for each material you’re considering per square metre, so you can work out the overall estimated cost depending on the size of your new build.
How to choose the best roofing contractor for your home
Hiring an experienced roofing contractor is the best way to make sure you’re happy with the results after the project has been completed. Here are a few things to look for when choosing your new contractor:
- Make sure the business is fully registered
- Ask to see their insurance
- Look for local reviews and testimonials from people in your area
- Ask them to provide references and make sure they align with what you’re hoping to get out of your work
- Get a written quote after they’ve inspected your roof
- Check the length of the warranty they offer (longer warranties might hint that the roofer is more confident about their work than those who offer shorter warranty periods)
Our tips for managing the costs of your roof
Buying a new roof can be costly, but it’s not exactly like you can leave your home without one! Here are a few of our favourite tips to manage the cost of your roof so it will fit within your budget, budget:
- Research the materials you want to use thoroughly to make sure you’re choosing the best value for money option
- Shop around and ask for quotes from multiple contractors in your area so you can pick the one with the most competitive pricing
- Roofing contractors might work at higher rates within the winter, so ask about this if you’re planning on having your roof replaced between September and March
- Look for alternative materials if you can’t make your first choice work within your budget
Buildi is here to help you throughout your building journey. Book your free consultation now.
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