Works underway

Order of operations

Every installation team works slightly differently, but the day roofing works commence should generally follow a predictable sequence. Scaffolding and materials should already be on-site, and installation teams will often arrive early in the day to avoid traffic and maximise usable daylight.

Standard practice is to strip and replace the roof in sections. Before any removal begins, installers will assess weather conditions to ensure that an appropriate portion of roof can be safely stripped and reinstated within the same day.

This process constitutes the “lay” of the new roof. The lay is typically completed in sections over multiple days, if required, until the entire roof has been replaced at sheet level. When correctly installed, roofing underlay functions as a standalone waterproof system with substantial effectiveness and acts as a critical redundancy layer while roofing and flashing works are still in progress. In many cases, existing ridge flashings will be loosely reinstated on top of new sheets at the end of each day to provide additional temporary weather protection and reduce reliance on the underlay alone. Some flashings, such as valleys, must be installed before sheets are laid, as they sit beneath the roofing material.

Once the lay is complete, the team will move on to detailing and flashing installation. This includes ridges, aprons, barges and other edge treatments. Roof penetrations, such as vent pipes, are sealed using rubber Dektites and, in some cases, a metal back-tray flashing to ensure effective waterproofing. Skylights require custom flashings and will always incorporate a back-tray as part of their installation.

Final works involve a thorough site tidy. Particular attention should be paid to removing loose screws and metal offcuts from gutters and the ground below roof edges. All old roofing material must be removed and disposed of, and metal swarf should be blown off the roof surface using a blower to prevent rusting, which can degrade paint coatings and galvanisation over time.

Roofbuddy helps by providing a third-party quality assurance inspection once all works are completed. This confirms that the installation meets Building Code requirements and recognised industry best practice.

Variations and additional costs

While it is not common, it is possible that unanticipated issues or additional works arise during roofing projects that were not included in the original quoted specifications. Where this occurs, decisions often need to be made under time pressure, as the roof may be open and delays can either halt progress or increase the risk of exposure to the property.

Remedial solutions may require involvement from other trades, such as builders or painters. These works are often subcontracted by the roofer to trades they have an existing relationship with, although larger and more established companies may have in-house multi-trade capabilities.

Roofbuddy helps by acting as an intermediary and negotiator between consumers and service providers to ensure that any proposed variations are appropriate and fairly priced. This includes assessing whether the additional work genuinely falls outside the original quoted scope, which can sometimes be unclear or disputed, and providing guidance on whether pricing is reasonable given the circumstances. We also ensure consumers are fully informed of available options before being asked to make a decision.

Timeframe, weather and communication

Weather is the primary limiting factor for progress on any roofing works. Even partially clear days can restrict productivity if forecasts make it too risky to strip a section of roof. If adverse weather arrives earlier than anticipated, installers may be placed in a compromised position with an exposed roof. For this reason, caution is often prioritised over speed. Additional weather-related factors such as wind, shorter daylight hours in winter and morning dew that makes surfaces slippery can further slow progress. Productive, dry and clear roofing conditions are a limited and valuable resource.

Beyond weather, a wide range of other variables can delay installation progress. Common examples include staff illness or reduced attendance, material delivery delays where orders arrive in multiple stages, pending manufacture of specialised flashings, ordering errors, reliance on other trades such as carpenters or painters, shortages of specialised

Communication around progress, delays, next steps and revised timelines varies significantly between service providers and is a common pain point for consumers. Best practice is clear, concise and proactive communication, ideally via a brief message at the end of each productive workday outlining what was completed, when the next site visit is expected and the anticipated remaining duration. This communication should always be framed as weather dependent, as conditions can change quickly. A frequent source of frustration is installers not arriving as expected without any accompanying update.

Roofbuddy helps by encouraging consistent, clear and timely communication from service providers throughout the installation process. Where progress updates or scheduling information have not been adequately communicated, we can step in to facilitate communication and support consumers.

Progress payments

In some circumstances, particularly on larger projects, it may be fair and reasonable for a service provider to request a progress payment while works are still underway on-site. Cash-flowing an entire project through to completion can place pressure on service providers, especially where unforeseen delays arise, and can make it difficult to meet commitments to staff, suppliers and other creditors.

Requests for progress payments should be assessed on their merits and in the context of the service provider’s conduct throughout the project to date.

If a consumer is comfortable proceeding, best practice is to release a progress payment that still leaves a final outstanding balance greater than the cost required to complete the remaining works. This helps ensure sufficient incentive remains for timely and satisfactory completion. Any agreed progress payment amounts and revised balances should be clearly recorded in writing before funds are transferred.

Roofbuddy helps by mediating and negotiating progress payment requests. This includes assessing the completion status of works on-site and proposing a fair and reasonable payment amount that aligns incentives and balances risk, supporting efficient progression toward completion.