How to compare three roofing quotes like for like (with a worked comparison)
Line up re-roof quotes in Australia on the same scope, area and inclusions, adjust for missing items and payment terms, and decide on value rather than headline price.
To compare roofing quotes fairly, first put them on the same scope: the same roof area, the same removal, battens, sarking, roof covering, flashings, gutters and safety equipment. Then add the cost of anything a quote leaves out, convert each to a total for the same job, and only then compare price, along with licence, insurance, warranty, payment terms and start date. The cheapest headline quote often stops being cheapest once missing items are priced in. The worked example below shows the method with illustrative figures.
This guide is part of the roof replacement quote checklist.
Step 1: build a comparison table
Make a table with one row per item and one column per quote. Use your own job brief as the scope.
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof area used | |||
| Remove and dispose | |||
| Battens | |||
| Sarking or blanket | |||
| Roof material and profile | |||
| Flashings, ridges, valleys | |||
| Gutters and downpipes | |||
| Edge protection or scaffold | |||
| Approvals and certificates | |||
| GST included? | |||
| Deposit and stages | |||
| Workmanship warranty | |||
| Licence checked | |||
| Home warranty insurance |
Mark each cell as included, excluded or unclear. Ask each contractor to clarify every "unclear" in writing.
Step 2: worked example (illustrative)
Three quotes for a 200 m² tile-to-steel re-roof in Brisbane, all including GST:
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline price | $22,900 | $27,800 | $26,300 |
| Area used | 185 m² | 205 m² | 200 m² |
| Battens | Reuse existing | New steel battens | Refix and add where needed |
| Blanket | Not included | Included | Included |
| Gutters and downpipes | Not included | Included | Included |
| Edge protection | Included | Included | Included |
| Deposit requested | 20% | 5% | 5% |
| Start | Next week | 6 weeks | 4 weeks |
Adjust for the area
Quote A uses 185 m², which is low against your own measurement of about 200 m². Ask how they measured. If the roof is really 200 m², quote A will either be varied upwards later or has under-measured.
Price the missing items
Using illustrative rates:
- Quote A: blanket 200 m² × $13 = $2,600; gutters and downpipes $3,900; battens may need replacing at 200 m² × $15 = $3,000 if reuse turns out unsuitable.
- Quote B: nothing missing.
- Quote C: nothing missing; battens partly reused.
Adjusted totals:
- Quote A: $22,900 + $2,600 + $3,900 = $29,400, or $32,400 if battens must be replaced.
- Quote B: $27,800.
- Quote C: $26,300.
Quote A goes from cheapest to most expensive once the scope is matched.
Check the deposit
In Queensland the deposit cap for contracts of $20,000 or more is 5%. Quote A's 20% deposit is above the cap, a red flag on its own, and the QBCC warns that overpaid deposits cannot be recovered through the Home Warranty Scheme. Check any quote with the deposit limit check.
Weigh the non-price factors
Quote C is $1,500 cheaper than B, starts two weeks earlier and partly reuses battens. Ask C to confirm in writing that the reused battens meet the steel manufacturer's spacing requirements for the wind classification. If they do, C is the better value on these facts.
Step 3: check the paperwork for your shortlist
- Licence number and class on the regulator's register: see licence thresholds by state
- Home warranty insurance certificate before any payment: see home warranty insurance thresholds
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Product warranty for the exact roofing product at your location
- Workmanship warranty terms, on top of your statutory warranties
- Written contract with progress stages tied to completed work: see deposits, progress payments and contract terms
Signs a quote needs more questions
| Sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Much lower than the others | Likely missing scope, under-measured, or a different product |
| Much higher than the others | May include extra work you did not ask for, or a premium product; ask why |
| Price only, no itemisation | Hard to compare and harder to resolve disputes |
| Deposit above the legal cap | Unlawful and unprotected |
| "Today only" discount | High-pressure sales; take your time |
| No licence number on the quote | Check before going further |
| Cash discount for no paperwork | Removes your protections and may be unlawful |
Use the estimator as a sanity check
Enter your measured area in the re-roof cost estimator. If all three adjusted quotes sit inside the estimator's illustrative range, the comparison is about scope and service. If one sits far outside, ask why before you decide. Remember the ranges on this site are illustrative and your local market may be higher or lower.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tell contractors about the other quotes?
You can, but do not share one contractor's itemised quote with another. Asking each to quote the same written scope is the fairest approach.
Is a longer workmanship warranty worth paying more for?
It can be, but a warranty is only as good as the business behind it, and statutory warranties under your state's building law apply regardless. Licence history and home warranty insurance matter more.
What if the cheapest contractor can start immediately?
Fast availability can be genuine, but after storms it can also signal an out-of-area operator. Check the licence and insurance especially carefully.
Should I pick the middle quote?
Not automatically. Pick the quote that best matches the scope you need at a fair adjusted price from a licensed, insured contractor.
Sources
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission — deposit limits, licence search and home warranty
- NSW Government building and renovating — Building Commission NSW quotes and contracts guidance
- Consumer Affairs Victoria — comparing quotes and dealing with tradespeople
- ACCC — consumer rights when buying services
