How to Quote a Roof Restoration in Australia

What a good restoration quote covers

Before you price anything, walk the roof and list every task. A complete restoration quote accounts for all of these:

• High-pressure cleaning — stripping moss, lichen and old coating back to a sound surface.
• Broken tile replacement — counted and priced per tile, not guessed at.
• Ridge cap repointing — re-bedding and pointing with a flexible compound, priced per lineal metre.
• Valley and flashing repairs — rusted valley irons and tired flashings, replaced where needed.
• Sealer or primer coat — before any colour goes on.
• Two coats of membrane paint — name the brand, colour and warranty in writing.
• Gutter clean-out and safety gear — harnesses, edge protection or scaffold, priced into the job.

Roof restoration costs in 2026

Price depends on roof area, condition, access and how many repairs the roof needs — so quote from what you saw on the inspection, not a rule of thumb. As a starting point:

Repointing and tile replacement are the two lines that move the most between roofs. Count them on the inspection and itemise them — a roof with 40 cracked tiles and 60 metres of failed pointing is a very different job to one that just needs a wash and a coat.

Inspect the roof before you quote

Never price a restoration from the ground or off a photo the customer sent. Get up there — or fly a drone — and check the condition properly. It's the only way to size the repairs, and it builds trust with the client. Look at:

• Number of broken or cracked tiles.
• Ridge cap condition — cracked or crumbling pointing.
• Valley irons — rust, holes or wear.
• Flashing condition around penetrations and walls.
• Gutter and fascia state — often needs attention at the same time.
• Overall surface condition — how much cleaning and how many coats.

Safety and access costs

Roof work is working at height, so fall protection is a legal requirement under WHS regulations — and a real cost that belongs on the quote, not buried in your overheads. What you need depends on the roof:

• Single-storey — a harness and anchor system is usually enough, around $200–$400 per job.
• Double-storey or steep — edge protection or scaffold, typically $1,500–$5,000.
• Steeper pitches and poor access slow every stage — add hours, not just gear.

Double-storey jobs aren't just 'a bit more'. The scaffold, the extra setup and the slower pace can add thousands, which is exactly why quoting a two-storey roof off a single-storey rate is such an easy way to lose money.

Common mistakes that eat your margin

1. Not inspecting in person. Quoting off the ground or a customer photo hides the broken tiles, rusted valleys and failed pointing that make up most of the cost. Get on the roof first.
2. Underestimating repair quantities. Guess the tile and repointing counts low and you'll wear the difference. Count them on the inspection and itemise them.
3. Forgetting safety equipment. Harnesses, edge protection and scaffold are a legal must and a real cost. Leave them out and they come straight off your margin.
4. Treating a double-storey like a single. Access, scaffold and slower work make two-storey roofs a different job. Price the access, don't blend it into a per-roof rate.
5. Quoting cheap paint. A budget coating that fails in a few years kills your warranty and your reputation. Quote a quality membrane with a manufacturer warranty and say so.

Pro tips for a restoration quote that holds

• Inspect every roof before you quote — a drone saves time and gets you into the photos.
• Itemise repairs (tiles, pointing, valleys) separately so the customer sees the value, not just a lump sum.
• Specify the paint brand, colour and warranty in writing.
• Put safety and access gear in as their own line on every quote.
• Factor weather delays into the timeline — you can't paint a wet roof.
• Offer a maintenance plan after the restoration for recurring work down the track.

Frequently asked questions