Roof Restoration in Gosford and the Central Coast

What roof restoration in Gosford and the Central Coast actually involves

Roof tiling covers fixing concrete, clay or metal tiles, tile bedding and pointing, sarking and battens, and protective coatings on a tiled roof, so long as nothing about the roof's structure changes. Roof plumbing covers guttering, downpipes, roof flashing and roof coverings, but not non-metallic tiles, slates, glass, concrete, timber or membrane roofing. Painting is its own category: unlike stand-alone internal paintwork, external roof painting is not excluded from needing a licence. What a contractor holds is an individual, endorsed, company or partnership contractor licence, or a qualified supervisor certificate, for the category the job falls into. There is no licence class called roof restoration. Building Commission NSW says unlicensed residential building or trade work can be fined A$22,000 for an individual or A$110,000 for a company.

The contract, the deposit and the cover

Above A$5,000 the contract must be in writing. Above A$20,000 it must be a large job contract, home building compensation cover is required, and a five-clear-business-day cooling-off period applies. A deposit must not exceed 10% of the contract price. Check the contractor on the NSW Government's licence-check tool, and check the business's cover on the HBC Check tool before paying anything on a job over A$20,000.

Working at height, and Council approval

SafeWork NSW says a business must protect workers from a fall from one level to another, whatever the height, and must use a fall-prevention device where reasonably practicable. Guardrails are the best control over a roof edge; a harness is considered only once a risk assessment shows edge protection is not reasonably practicable. Work with a risk of falling 2 m or more, or likely to disturb asbestos, is high risk construction work, and a site-specific safe work method statement is needed before it starts. Painting, cladding repairs and other remedial maintenance to a roof are exempt development, with no planning or construction approval needed, as long as the work does not touch a heritage item or a heritage conservation area, does not create or enlarge any roof opening, and meets the Building Code of Australia's standards. Scaffolding on a footpath or other public land needs Council's own approval and fee.

For a heritage item, or a property inside a heritage conservation area, altering the roof's finish or appearance needs development consent unless Council has agreed in writing beforehand that the work is minor or maintenance. The costs page lists every rule against the job's value, and the suburbs page lists the areas this site covers.

Roof Restoration in Gosford and the Central Coast — common questions

Is there a roof restoration licence?

No. Roof tiling, roof plumbing and painting are separate trade categories, and a contractor needs a licence or supervisor certificate for the category the job falls into once it passes A$5,000 in labour and materials, including GST.

How do I check a contractor?

Use the NSW Government's online tool to check a contractor or tradesperson is qualified and licensed for the job. For a job over A$20,000, also check the business's insurance on the HBC Check tool before you pay any money.

Do I get a written contract?

For a job over A$5,000 including GST the builder or tradesperson must give you a written contract. A deposit must not exceed 10% of the contract price.