Roofing in Cairns

A straightforward single-family roof takes 1-3 days for asphalt shingles or metal sheeting, and up to 1-2 weeks for tile, slate or complex multi-plane roofs. Weather delays are normal — a competent crew will never strip more roof than they can waterproof the same day.

Flashing is the metal detailing that seals joints — around chimneys, valleys, vents, skylights and wall junctions. These joints move and collect water flow, so flashing fails long before the main covering. If a roofer proposes reusing old flashing on a full replacement, push back.

Dry, settled weather — and before your region's storm or rainy season, not after it starts. Roofers book out weeks or months ahead of peak season, so schedule inspections early; shoulder-season slots are often cheaper and easier to get.

It scales with roof area, pitch, number of storeys, access, and material. Basic asphalt shingle or concrete tile sits at the bottom of the range; metal, slate and clay cost two to four times more. Tear-off of the old covering, disposal, scaffolding or edge protection, and hidden deck repairs are the lines that move a quote most — make sure all four are priced before comparing.

A full replacement runs roughly AUD $10,000 for a small single-storey home to $40,000+ for a large two-storey, with metal (Colorbond) and concrete tile the mainstream options. Roof restoration — clean, rebed, repoint and repaint — is the cheaper alternative at about $2,500-$7,000 when the roof is structurally sound.

Restoration keeps the existing tiles or sheets: high-pressure clean, replace broken tiles, rebed and repoint ridges, then seal and paint. It costs a fraction of replacement and adds 10-15 years to a sound roof, but it cannot fix widespread corrosion, cracked battens or failed sarking.