Re-Roofing Your Home

Knowing where to begin when you need or want to re-roof your home can be an overwhelming experience, that's where we come in! As RoofingSmiths you can trust that we're experts in our field who pride ourselves in quality work, high-end customer service and out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to challenging roofing projects.

You might be curious about the process behind re-roofing, to put it simply, re-roofing refers to the process of removing the existing roof covering, repairing any damaged substrate (this may include replacing roof trusses and support battens or purlins), replacing underlay and installing a new roof covering that is suitable for your environment and meets your building's needs. 

There are two core reason's behind wanting to re-roof your home in Aotearoa.

- Your roof doesn't reflect your personal taste
- Your roof has experienced a system failure, e.g. corrosion, rust, mould and leaks have occurred due to old age, poor maintenance or poor installation. 

Regularly checking your roof is the best way to make sure your roof is doing its job. It’s the first line of defence against the weather, so you’ll want to make sure it’s in top condition and that you can identify any problems early before they start to cause damage. You can check your roof yourself fairly easily, but if you’re not sure, you can get one of our team to come out and give you a free assessment.

To check your roof, first inspect from the road or any vantage point that gives you a good view. For other options on accessing your roof, go to WorkSafe for guidelines on working at heights.

We advise you proceed with caution when checking your roof from height.
Falls from roofs and ladders are extremely common. Before you get on your roof please ensure you follow the WorkSafe guidelines around working at heights. Guidelines can be found here.

Check that your roof can be safely walked on. Some roof materials cannot support the weight of a person or can be damaged when walked on, so wear soft-soled shoes with good grip.

Maybe you just want a change or maybe your current roof has seen better days, whatever your motivation, the following guide is designed to help make the process of replacing your roof as easy as possible:

How do I know I need a new roof?
Depending on what has started your search (leaks, rust, damage, aesthetics) this can be a hard question to answer on your own, so we recommend you contact us to help give you a definitive answer.

The true cost
When you re-roof, it’s important that you take a long-term view. Costs can be broken down into up-front (materials and installation) and lifecycle (maintenance and longevity) costs. Installing a roof using cheap materials, or a less than reputable roofer may mean you’ll have to replace the roof in only a few years which could cost more in the long run. At RoofingSmiths our expertise and quality craftsmanship is backed by Dimond Roofing - New Zealand's lead supplier of roofing products.

Choosing the product
Your decision will be steered by the environment, your home’s orientation and architectural style and your neighbourhood. You’ll need to discuss a few key details with us so we can identify the best roof that fits your home's requirements. Questions to ask that can help clarify choosing the best product include:

• What sort of profile should my roof have?
• Do I want the same kind of roof I’m replacing or do I want to go for a different style?
• What colour do I want my roof to be?
• What sort of environmental conditions will the roof be exposed to?
• Do I need to obtain council consent to install a new roof on my home?
• What is the roof slope, and does this limit the choice of product that can be used?

Time frame
Weather permitting, it is reasonable to expect to wait 4-6 weeks after selecting a roofer for work to begin. A small, uncomplicated roof, can be finished in 2-3 days. Large, complex projects, can take around a week.