Plan the inspection and compare the repair
In short
Choose a roofer who services your Gold Coast suburb and has experience with your roof material. Check the contracting business's Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence against the work: roof tiling and roof and wall cladding have different scopes. For a coastal property, ask how the proposed materials and fixings suit the site's salt exposure. Compare written diagnoses and repair inclusions before booking. For non-life-threatening storm or flood emergencies, call SES on 132 500; call Triple Zero (000) if life is at risk.
Step 1
Choose the first call from the damage you can safely see
Describe the problem from inside or from ground level. Do not climb onto a damaged roof to get photos. SES carries out temporary emergency measures during severe weather; permanent repairs are arranged through your insurer or a private contractor. Stay away from fallen trees and powerlines.
What sort of help do you need?
| What you have noticed | First action |
|---|---|
| Roof damage during severe weather, with water entering the house | For emergency assistance, call SES on 132 500. Give the exact address, roof type, number of storeys and hazards. |
| A ceiling stain that returns with wind-driven rain | Book an inspection and explain which room is affected, when the stain appears and any previous repairs. |
| Rust, loose fixings or deteriorating gutters noticed from the ground | Ask for a condition assessment covering the affected roof area and adjoining drainage before choosing a repair or replacement. |
Step 2
Check the licence for the proposed roof work
QBCC's roof tiling class covers fixing roof tiles, bedding, pointing and associated flashing. Bedding and pointing secure and seal ridge tiles; flashing seals roof joins and openings. Roof and wall cladding covers roof coverings other than terracotta and concrete tiles, rainwater goods and external flashings.
Ask for the business name and QBCC licence number, and check the current classes and conditions against the quote. An advertised service such as 'roof plumbing' is not a licence class check. If the work extends to regulated plumbing or drainage, ask who holds the appropriate occupational licence. Ask for evidence of relevant insurance and examples of similar roofs the contractor has repaired.
Step 3
Describe coastal exposure and access in the inspection brief
Include your suburb and whether the property faces the ocean, sits beside a canal or is inland. Describe visible corrosion without trying to diagnose it. Mention the roof material, age if known, solar panels, skylights and any temporary storm protection already installed. If you suspect asbestos roofing, say so before the inspection.
Give the building height and access restrictions, including narrow side paths, shared driveways and space for equipment. For a unit or townhouse, identify the person who can authorise work to the shared roof and arrange entry. Confirm any inspection fee and when you can expect written findings.
Step 4
Compare the diagnosis, materials and full work scope
Send the same brief to each contractor. Ask what inspection evidence supports the repair and which defects it will address. If a patch and a full replacement are proposed, ask each roofer to explain the condition that makes their option suitable and what would remain outside the work.
For metal roofing, ask the contractor to specify compatible roof sheets, flashings and fixings, and explain their suitability for the site's coastal exposure. QBCC identifies salt conditions, wind classification, roof pitch and manufacturer instructions as factors in preventing cladding defects. Ask who will arrange any required approvals.
Compare access equipment, waste removal, GST, any solar panel work and protection from rain while the roof is open. Agree how hidden damage, weather delays and changes to the scope will be handled, then check the contract and payment schedule before signing.
Step 5
Ask for completion records and a maintenance plan
For a possible storm insurance claim, ask your insurer what assessment and approval it needs before you authorise permanent repairs. Keep any SES reference number and tell the roofer about temporary measures.
At completion, request photos of the repaired areas, product details, the invoice and written warranty terms. Ask what maintenance is needed for the installed materials and who to contact if water enters again. Record any roof or gutter sections excluded from the repair so they can be addressed separately.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- QBCC: roof tiling
Scope includes roof tiles, bedding, pointing and associated flashing.
- QBCC: roof and wall cladding
Roof coverings, rainwater goods and flashing scope; occupational plumbing and drainage require appropriate credentials.
- Queensland SES: assistance
Emergency contacts, information to provide and temporary measures rather than permanent repairs.
- QBCC: preventing roof cladding defects
Compatible materials, coastal salt exposure, wind classification, manufacturer specifications and work records.
