How to check a roofer is experienced with your roof type
Verify a roofer's experience with your roof type. Check references, view past work, confirm insurance and qualifications before hiring.
You've spotted a crack in your tiles, or water staining on your ceiling, and you know you need a roofer. But not every roofer has worked on your type of roof — whether that's clay tiles, corrugated iron, asbestos cement sheets, flat membrane, or something hybrid built thirty years ago. Hiring someone without the right experience is how quick repairs become expensive disasters. Here's how to verify a roofer actually knows your roof before you hand over a deposit.
Check their track record on your exact roof material
Start by asking directly: "How many roofs like mine have you repaired in the past two years?" A roofer comfortable with clay tiles may not understand the weight-bearing requirements of a tile-and-thatch hybrid, or the brittleness of old asbestos products. The answer matters more than a vague "yes, we do those."
Ask for photos of completed work on the same roof type. A honest roofer carries these on their phone or in a portfolio. Don't just glance; look for work that matches your home's age, construction style and material. If they hesitate or offer generic pictures, move on. Ask whether they've worked on homes in your suburb or area — regional building codes, common installation faults, and climate stresses vary. A roofer who knows local patterns (load-shedding-induced thermal stress, for example, or salt-spray damage near the coast) spots problems faster.
Request references and speak to past customers
Ask for at least two references from customers with the same roof type you have. This is non-negotiable. A verified Strove profile helps, but phone a past customer directly. Don't email; call them. Ask them: "Did the roofer explain what was wrong before starting?" "How long did the repair take?" and most importantly, "Has the leak come back, or have you had any problems since?" A roofer's work is only good if it holds.
If they can't or won't provide references, that's a red flag. Experience isn't theoretical; it's built on visible, verifiable jobs. Ask the reference how long they've known the roofer and whether they'd hire them again. Quick answers suggest genuine relationships.
Verify qualifications and insurance
Ask to see proof of public liability insurance that covers work on your roof type. This is essential. Ask whether they've completed any formal training on your material — for instance, clay tile courses, corrugated-steel certification, or membrane-system accreditation. Not all roofers have these, but the best ones do or can point you to their training.
If they're registered with a professional body (such as the Master Builders Association or equivalent provincial trade body), ask to confirm their membership number. Check it with the organisation directly. Insurance and membership don't guarantee quality, but absence of either is a warning sign.
Listen to how they diagnose your problem
When a roofer visits, watch whether they climb onto your roof and inspect the damage hands-on, or whether they squint from the ground. A roofer experienced with your roof type will spot material-specific issues — cracked mortar between tiles, rust patterns in corrugated iron, flashing failures, or ponding in flat areas — that others miss. They should also ask about your home's age, any previous repairs, and whether the leak is seasonal or constant. These questions show they understand that roof faults vary by context.
Ask them to explain what they found in plain language. If their explanation is vague, or if they jump straight to "we'll replace the whole section," ask why the cheaper local repair won't work. A roofer confident in their experience can justify their approach.
Get quotes from at least two experienced roofers
Once you've vetted experience, ask for written quotes. Compare not just price but what each roofer includes: materials, Labour, guarantees, cleanup, and how long the job will take. Consistent quotes from two experienced roofers give you confidence. Wild price differences suggest someone is either cutting corners or overcharging.
Before you sign, confirm one more time: "Can you show me that previous job on a roof like mine?" If they still can't or won't, hire someone else. On Strove, you can search roofers by suburbs and service type, read verified reviews from customers with similar roofs, and message a few to ask about their experience with your material before you book a site visit.
Common questions
- How do I know if a roofer has worked on roofs like mine?
- Ask them directly how many similar roofs they've repaired in the past two years, and request photos or a portfolio of completed work on the same material. Contact at least two past customers on that roof type and ask if the repair has held up.
- What qualifications should a roofer have?
- Check for public liability insurance, ask whether they've completed training on your specific roof material (such as clay tile or membrane courses), and verify membership with a professional body such as the Master Builders Association. You can confirm membership details directly with the organisation.
- What should I ask a roofer during a site visit?
- Ask them to explain what they found in simple terms, whether they climbed onto the roof to inspect it, what materials or parts they'll replace, and why they're recommending that approach. A roofer experienced with your roof type can justify their diagnosis and answer questions confidently.
- Is a roofer with insurance and references always reliable?
- Insurance and references are essential safeguards, but they're starting points, not guarantees. Check references by phone, ask them whether the repair has lasted, and get quotes from at least two experienced roofers so you can compare what each proposes to do.
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