If you have a new build in Australia, installing the roof is one of the most significant undertakings when completing it. However, what is the process for installing a roof in Australia, and is it best to hire a professional or do it yourself?
Read on to find out the roofing installation process for professionals, whether you should attempt it on your own, and some key materials (metal roof sheets for metal roofing, for example).
Is It Wise to Install a Roof Yourself Instead of Hiring a Professional?
Although installing a roof yourself can save you money if you know what you’re doing, it is inadvisable for several reasons; if you are not careful, self-installation could cost you more than hiring a professional roofer.
Here are the critical risk factors when installing a roof yourself.
You Must Consider the Safety Risk
Professional roofers need a license in most Australian states. Hence, they understand and have experience with the risks they will encounter while doing the job.
A homeowner will likely have far less experience, so the safety risk increases significantly.
A significant trap many homeowners fall into is relying too much on untrustworthy information on the internet (Youtube tutorials, for example); if the information is not from a reliable source, it could be dangerous and cause accidents during the roofing process.
That is why it is ultimately safer to hire a professional roofer.
You Must Think About Your Lack of Experience and If That Will Cause Mistakes
As well as causing a safety risk, a lack of roofing experience can result in various mistakes and an unsatisfactory roof. Here are some examples of the more costly roof installation mistakes you can make due to inexperience.
- Not insulating the roof properly can lead to a colder house and a significant increase in heating bills.
- If enough water leaks through, leaving holes in the roof can cause long-term damage.
You Must Estimate How Much More Time Self-installation Will Take
Because DIY enthusiasts are not roof installation professionals, the roofing installation process will take significantly longer.
Therefore, you need to think about the time constraints. Specifically if installing the roof yourself will take too much time and affect your budget. Also, consider how much time you will add because of your inexperience.
Determining the time it will take to install a roof will inform you of whether it is a good idea.
What Material Will You Need if You Want to Install Your Roof?
Although some roofers can provide materials (for a cost), you may want to research and purchase some yourself. Here are some examples of roofing materials you can purchase.
- Tiles for a tiled roof
- Roof cladding (similar to wall cladding) with insulation properties
- Guttering (if you need new gutters). Make the gutter end look neat and ensure there is nothing blocking it.
What Is the Australian Roof Installation Process for a Professional Installer?
Most people will hire a professional roofer to give them peace of mind. However, despite them being professionals, the process still takes time, so you should know every step in detail.
Here are the critical steps to the roof installation process.
Step 1: Inspecting Your Current Roof, Or Taking Measurements for a New Build
Before installing a new roof, the roofer will inspect your current roof and take measurements so they can begin to create a quote.
If it is a new build, they will need your desired measurements to create a quote; they also need to know your schedule, so they know when to start roofing.
Step 2: Creating a Quote
Next, they will create a quote from their findings and present it to you. It will include the time of the installation and the cost of their time, the tools they need and the materials (if they provide any). They will also include your requests within the quote, like specific roofing material, like metal roofing (metal roof sheets are sturdy and provide insulation).
They will also give you a plan on how they will proceed with the roofing installation, including the estimated time.
Step 3: Initial Preparation for the Roof Installation Process by Removing Old Roof Sheets (Metal Roof Sheets, For Example)
After you accept the quote, the roofer will prepare for the roof installation.
First, they will completely clear the area so that it is safe for them to start the roofing process; this can take time, but you must ensure safety.
Next, if they are replacing a roof, they will remove your current one by taking off the tiles, checking for damage to repair, and removing metal flashing surrounding chimneys and vents.
Step 4: Install Roofing (Metal Roofing, Corrugated Roofing, etc.)
The final step is to install the new roof. They do this by:
- Laying down insulation and filling all gaps (using foil metal sheets, for example).
- Adding panelling (metal roofing, for example) and ensuring a high roofing standard by checking measurements (also ensures that there are no gaps in the roof).
- Carefully fitting roof panels (metal roof sheets, for example) around the chimney and vents.
- Applying an adhesive for extra insulation.
- Adding the new flashing.
How Easy Is the Roof Installation Process in 2023, and Should You Hire a Professional Roofer?
The roofing installation process can be extremely difficult for beginners, and it is time-consuming if you do not have any experience.
Therefore, while it can be less expensive if you do it yourself, if you do not have experience, it can cost more (metal roof sheets for metal roofing can be costly), so you should consider getting a professional to install roofing if you can afford it.
Additionally, a professional roofer will always give you an excellent quality roof; you cannot guarantee this if you do it yourself and do not have much experience.