Honest Answers to the Questions We Get Asked Most

6 min read

After quoting and restoring hundreds of roofs across Perth, we hear the same questions over and over. Here are the straight answers.

”Is restoration actually worth it, or should I just replace the roof?”

For 90% of the roofs we look at, restoration is the right call. A structurally sound roof with surface-level aging (faded coating, cracked pointing, some broken tiles) is a perfect restoration candidate. You get another 15+ years of life for $8,000-12,000 instead of $25,000-35,000 for a full replacement.

Replacement only makes sense when the roof has major structural problems. Extensive rust-through on metal, widespread broken tiles (we’re talking hundreds, not dozens), sagging or compromised framing. Those are replacement jobs and we’ll tell you that upfront.

”Can you just clean it and not paint it?”

Yes, and sometimes that’s all you need. If your roof coating is still in reasonable condition and you just want the moss, dirt, and lichen removed, a standalone roof clean is a much cheaper option.

But here’s the reality check. If your coating is already faded and chalking, cleaning it will make it look even worse. Once the dirt comes off, every bit of wear is visible. Most people who start with “just a clean” end up wanting the full restoration once they see what’s underneath.

We’ll always be honest about whether a clean alone will give you a decent result.

”How do you quote without getting on the roof?”

Satellite imagery. We measure the roof area, assess the pitch, tile profile, and access difficulty from aerial imagery. It’s surprisingly accurate and means we can provide a fixed quote without needing to come out for an inspection.

The quote is a fixed price. The number we give you is the number you pay. We don’t add extras on the day.

”Do you need to come inside the house?”

No. Everything we do is external. We access the roof from outside using ladders and work entirely from the roof surface. We don’t need to come inside your house at any point.

The only exception would be if you asked us to check for ceiling damage from a leak, but that’s not part of a standard restoration.

”What if it rains during the job?”

We stop work and wait for it to dry. We can’t pressure-clean in rain (pointless), can’t apply coating in rain (it won’t bond), and can’t coat on a wet roof (same problem).

We schedule around the weather forecast and build in flexibility. If rain delays the job by a day or two, it delays it. Better to wait for the right conditions than rush and compromise the result.

”How long does the coating actually last?”

The Dulux Acratex coating we use carries a 15-year manufacturer warranty on eligible roofs. In practice, with reasonable maintenance, it often lasts well beyond that.

“Reasonable maintenance” means keeping gutters clear, getting the roof cleaned every 3-5 years, and fixing any minor damage promptly. It’s not high-maintenance, but it’s not zero-maintenance either.

”Why Dulux Acratex specifically?”

Because it works. We’ve tried other products over the years and nothing performs as well in Perth conditions. The UV stability, heat resistance, and adhesion are genuinely better than the cheaper alternatives.

We’re also Dulux Acratex Accredited Applicators, which means we’re approved to offer the Dulux manufacturer warranty. That warranty is issued by Dulux, not by us. It’s an independent guarantee that the product will perform.

”What about the pointing? Do you redo the bedding as well?”

Repointing (the flexible compound that seals the joints between ridge caps) is included in every restoration. Rebedding (replacing the mortar bed under the caps) usually isn’t needed and isn’t included as standard.

The pointing is what actually seals the ridge line and prevents water entry. Modern flexible pointing compound bonds everything together and moves with the roof through temperature changes. In the vast majority of restorations, the existing bedding is perfectly fine and the flexible compound does the heavy lifting.

If we get up there and find any individual caps are completely missing their bedding, we’ll let you know. It’s usually one or two at most.

”Do you do metal roofs?”

Yes. Metal roof restoration is a different process to tile (no pointing or tile replacement involved), but we clean and repaint Colorbond and other metal roofs regularly. High-pressure clean, prime, then two Dulux Acratex top coats suited to the metal type. If a metal roof has actually rusted through, that needs replacement rather than a clean and repaint, and we’ll tell you that upfront.

”Is there anything you won’t restore?”

Asbestos roofs. We won’t touch them. Asbestos removal requires specialist licensed contractors and specific disposal processes. If you have an asbestos roof (common in Perth homes built before the mid-1980s), it needs to be removed and replaced, not restored.

We also won’t restore a roof that’s structurally compromised. If the framing is damaged, tiles are extensively broken, or there are major structural issues, restoration won’t fix the underlying problem. We’d rather tell you that upfront than take your money for a job that won’t last.

”My neighbour got their roof done by someone cheaper. Why?”

Probably different products, different scope, or different business structure. The roof restoration market in Perth has operators at every price point.

The main differences you’ll see between a $5,000 quote and a $10,000 quote:

• Product quality. Premium Dulux Acratex vs budget brand coatings. The budget stuff fades and peels within 5-7 years.
• Scope of work. Some operators skip repointing, don’t replace tiles, or apply one coat instead of two.
• Warranty. A Dulux manufacturer warranty vs a verbal promise from a bloke with a spray gun.
• Insurance and licensing. Not everyone operating in Perth is properly licensed and insured.

We can only speak for what we do. We use premium materials, we include all the prep work, and we’re licensed and insured. That costs what it costs.

”When’s the best time of year to do it?”

Autumn and spring are ideal. Mild temperatures, low rainfall, and good drying conditions. Summer works too but we avoid coating on extreme heat days (above 35 degrees) because the product dries too fast.

Winter is the trickiest because of rain interruptions, but it’s still doable. We just need a dry window of a few consecutive days.

The worst time to think about it is when you actually need it, because that’s usually during a wet winter when the schedule is busiest. If you know your roof needs work, getting a quote in the drier months gives you more flexibility on timing. You can request a quote any time and we’ll work the timing around the weather.