How much does a roofing cost in Sydney?
Sydney's roofing market is the most expensive in Australia, driven by high labour costs, strict building regulations, and the sheer variety of roof types across the city's diverse housing stock. As of 2026, roof replacement in Sydney typically costs between $120 and $230 per square metre depending on material, while roof restoration (cleaning, repairs, and recoating) runs $25–$45 per square metre. For a standard 3-bedroom home with a 150–200m² roof, that translates to $20,000–$40,000 for replacement or $5,000–$9,000 for restoration.
Sydney's coastal climate adds unique challenges: salt air corrosion in eastern and northern beach suburbs, intense UV degradation, and storm damage from increasingly severe weather events. The city's mix of heritage terracotta, concrete tile, and modern Colorbond roofing means tradespeople need broad expertise, and specialist materials can extend lead times and increase costs.
We've compiled pricing from licensed roofing contractors, manufacturer data, and industry databases to give you the most accurate breakdown of roofing costs across Greater Sydney for 2026.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof repair (minor) | $288 | $920 | $518 per job |
| Roof repair (major) | $920 | $3,450 | $1,725 per job |
| Full re-roof — Colorbond | $9,200 | $28,750 | $17,250 total |
| Full re-roof — tiles | $11,500 | $40,250 | $23,000 total |
| Gutter replacement | $1,150 | $4,600 | $2,530 total |
| Gutter cleaning | $173 | $518 | $288 per job |
| Leak detection | $230 | $690 | $402 per visit |
| Ridge cap repointing | $1,725 | $5,750 | $3,220 total |
| Roof painting / coating | $2,875 | $8,050 | $5,175 total |
| Skylight installation | $920 | $3,450 | $1,840 per skylight |
| Whirlybird / vent installation | $230 | $690 | $402 per unit |
| Roof inspection | $173 | $460 | $288 per visit |
Prices include GST. Based on Sydney metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Your suburb affects roofing costs through three main channels: property age (which determines roof type and condition), accessibility (steep blocks, multi-storey homes, tight street access), and environmental exposure (coastal salt, bushfire zones).
Eastern Suburbs & Inner City
Paddington, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick. Predominantly terracotta and slate roofing on heritage-listed or character homes. Heritage overlays in many areas restrict material changes — you may be required to use matching terracotta tiles rather than converting to Colorbond, significantly increasing costs. Multi-storey terraces require scaffolding ($3,000–$8,000), and narrow street access limits crane use for material delivery. Salt air in beach suburbs accelerates metal fastener corrosion.
North Shore & Northern Beaches
Mosman, Manly, Dee Why, Chatswood. Mix of concrete tile and terracotta on 1950s–80s homes, plus Colorbond on newer builds. Steep blocks common on the North Shore make roof access challenging and increase scaffolding costs. Coastal suburbs need marine-grade fasteners and coastal-rated Colorbond to prevent premature rust. Strong nor'easters can damage ridge capping — repointing costs $1,500–$4,000 and is the most common repair job in these suburbs.
Western Sydney
Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool. Predominantly concrete tile roofs on 1970s–2000s homes, with Colorbond on newer estates. Generally good access, flat blocks, and straightforward roof lines make this the most cost-effective area for roofing in Sydney. Extreme heat in western Sydney (40°C+ regularly) means lighter-coloured Colorbond (Surfmist, Shale Grey) is recommended to reduce heat absorption and cooling costs.
Hills District & Sutherland Shire
Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Cronulla, Miranda. Mid-range pricing with a mix of tile and Colorbond. Some areas in the Hills District fall within bushfire-prone zones (BAL ratings), requiring specific roofing materials and ember guard mesh — this adds $2,000–$5,000 to a standard job. The Shire has older fibro homes where the roof sheeting may contain asbestos, requiring licensed removal ($50–$80/m² additional).
Here's what common roofing projects cost in Sydney in 2026. All prices include labour, materials, and standard scaffolding where required.
Roof restoration — tile roof, standard 3-bedroom home
Includes high-pressure cleaning ($500–$1,500), replacing cracked or broken tiles ($20–$60 per tile), rebedding and repointing ridge caps ($1,500–$4,000), and applying two coats of protective roof coating ($15–$25/m²). A restoration extends your roof's life by 10–15 years and is typically one-third the cost of full replacement. Best value when the underlying structure is sound but the surface is weathered.
Tile to Colorbond conversion — full replacement
Removal and disposal of old tiles ($30–$50/m²), structural assessment (existing battens may need replacing), installation of new Colorbond roofing ($65–$100/m² for materials), new guttering and fascia if required ($2,000–$5,000), and insulation/sarking ($4–$10/m²). Converting from tiles to Colorbond reduces roof weight by 70%, potentially extending the life of your timber structure. It also eliminates ridge cap maintenance and cracked tile replacements forever.
Colorbond re-roofing — like-for-like replacement
Removal of old Colorbond ($15–$25/m²), replacement with new Colorbond ($65–$90/m² for materials plus labour), and new flashings, gutters if needed. A typical 150m² roof runs $12,000–$18,000. If the existing battens and structure are sound, this is straightforward — 2–3 days for most homes. Colorbond comes with a 25-year warranty from BlueScope, but this only applies when installed by a licensed roofer.
Leak repair — single point of entry
Finding and fixing a single leak including replacing damaged tiles or patching metal. The cost is in the diagnosis — water can travel a long way from the entry point before dripping inside. A roofer may need 1–2 hours to identify the source. If the leak is at a flashing point (where the roof meets a wall or chimney), reflashing costs $300–$800. Multiple leaks or widespread damage suggests restoration or replacement is more economical than ongoing repairs.
Asbestos roof removal and replacement
Licensed asbestos removal ($50–$80/m²) plus disposal fees ($800–$2,000), new Colorbond roofing, and often new guttering, fascia, and insulation. Asbestos cement roofing was common in Sydney homes built between 1940 and 1985 — it's identifiable by its flat, grey appearance and corrugated profile. Removal must be done by a SafeWork NSW-licensed removalist with an asbestos removal plan. Council notification is required, and air monitoring may be mandated. Never attempt to disturb or remove asbestos roofing yourself.
Roof material
Colorbond steel is generally cheaper than concrete tiles, which are cheaper than terracotta or slate. Material choice affects both cost and longevity.
Roof size and pitch
Steeper roofs are more dangerous and time-consuming to work on. Larger roof areas obviously cost more. Most quotes are calculated per square metre.
Access and height
Single-storey homes are significantly cheaper to work on than two-storey. Difficult access (steep blocks, tight spaces) adds to costs.
Existing damage
Water damage to battens, rafters, or ceiling may not be visible until old roofing is removed, potentially adding $2,000–$8,000.
Asbestos
Homes built before 1990 may have asbestos in the roof or eaves. Removal requires licensed specialists and adds $2,000–$10,000.
Insulation
Adding or upgrading insulation during a re-roof is cost-effective. Budget $1,000–$3,000 for roof insulation.
Roofing work in NSW requires specific licensing and must comply with Australian Standards. The consequences of non-compliant work — particularly waterproofing failures and structural issues — can be devastating and expensive to rectify.
NSW Fair Trading licence: Roofing contractors must hold a NSW Fair Trading building licence. For work over $5,000, the contractor must hold a Contractor licence (not just a Tradesperson licence). Verify at the Service NSW website. For work over $20,000, Home Building Compensation (HBC) insurance is mandatory — your roofer must provide a certificate before work begins.
Australian Standards compliance: Roof installation must comply with AS 1562 (metal roofing) or AS 2050 (roof tiles). These standards cover material quality, fastener spacing, overlap requirements, and weatherproofing details. A compliant installation is your protection against leaks and storm damage — and it's required for your home insurance to cover roof-related claims.
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL): If your property is in a designated bushfire-prone area (common in the Hills District, Northern Beaches fringe, and Sutherland Shire hinterland), your roofing must meet BAL requirements. This can mean specific materials, ember guards, and gap sealing that add $2,000–$8,000 to a standard roofing job. Check your property's BAL rating at the NSW Rural Fire Service or your local council.
Asbestos regulations: Any roof containing asbestos (common in pre-1985 homes) must be removed by a SafeWork NSW-licensed asbestos removalist. Testing costs $30–$80 per sample. Class A (friable) asbestos requires specialised removal costing significantly more than Class B (bonded). Never pressure-wash, drill into, or break asbestos roofing — this releases dangerous fibres.
Timing your roofing project affects both cost and quality. Sydney's weather patterns create distinct windows for different types of work.
Autumn (March–May) is the ideal season for major roofing work. Summer storms have passed, rainfall is lower, temperatures are mild (perfect for coating application), and roofers have cleared their storm-damage backlog. You'll get better pricing and shorter wait times than in summer. Coatings applied in autumn have optimal curing conditions.
Winter (June–August) is good for structural work and Colorbond installation (metal doesn't need warm weather to install), but roof coatings and tile bedding compounds cure slowly in cold, damp conditions. If your project involves coatings, avoid mid-winter. Otherwise, winter offers competitive pricing and good availability.
Spring (September–November) is busy as homeowners prepare before summer, but weather is generally cooperative. Book early if you want spring work — quality roofers fill their schedules 4–8 weeks ahead.
Summer (December–February) is peak storm season and the most expensive time. Roofers are in high demand for emergency repairs after hailstorms and wind damage. Extreme heat also makes working conditions difficult and can affect material handling. Avoid starting a planned project in summer unless it's urgent.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, tradie marketplaces (ServiceSeeking, hipages, Airtasker, Service.com.au), industry body data (HIA, Master Builders), and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get at least 3 quotes. Last reviewed February 2026. Read our full methodology →