That’s why finding a contractor you can actually trust isn’t a luxury – it’s the line between peace of mind and financial disaster.
This isn’t a fluffy checklist. It’s a field guide. The kind that protects families from tradies who talk big, quote low, and show up with no license, no insurance, and no intention of doing it right.
1. If They Can’t Prove Licensing and Insurance, Walk
Let’s not overcomplicate this. Roofing’s risky. It involves heights, heavy materials, structural work, and exposure to weather that turns bad fast.
In NSW, any roofer working on jobs over $5,000 legally needs to hold a contractor licence with NSW Fair Trading. If they don’t show it, or if the name on the licence doesn’t match their business – walk.
But don’t stop there. You’re looking for three things:
- Valid contractor licence (not a subcontractor’s cousin’s card)
- Up-to-date public liability insurance (minimum $5M is the norm)
- Workers’ comp insurance for every person touching your roof
Ask to see the certificates. A real pro will have them on hand or email them before you ask. If they deflect or get defensive, that’s your answer.
Risk Reality: If someone gets injured on your property and they’re not covered, you might end up liable. That’s not an inconvenience. That’s bankruptcy-level stupid.
2. Be Wary of Fast Quotes and Vague Promises
A real roofer doesn’t quote your roof like they’re ordering fast food.
If a contractor fires back a full quote based on a 30-second call or a Google Maps image, they’re cutting corners, and that’s how they’ll treat your roof too. Every property has quirks: gutter angles, flashing issues, past patch jobs, sagging timbers. You can’t see that from a satellite.
Here’s what a legit quote process actually looks like:
- On-site inspection with photo documentation
- Discussion of your roof’s history, materials, and your future plans (repair vs replace)
- A quote that breaks down materials, labour, warranty, and timeline
If a roofer avoids details or hands you a round figure without explanation? That’s not experience – that’s laziness.
Red Flag: “We’ll figure it out as we go.” Translation: “Expect add-ons later.”
3. Look at Their Past Work, Not Just Their Website
Anyone can build a good-looking website these days. It doesn’t mean they can build a good-looking roof that lasts 20 years.
If they claim they’ve done 100s of jobs across Sydney, great. Prove it. Ask for:
- Photos of completed work, especially in your suburb or similar house styles
- Client references or published testimonials (bonus if they’re from repeat customers)
- Google reviews with real names and context, not vague “Great job!” blurbs
The best roofing contractors know their work speaks louder than their copy. They’ll proudly show it off, not hide behind stock photos or excuse after excuse.
Pro Tip: Ask, “What’s one job you’re really proud of?” Listen to how they answer. The good ones light up. The dodgy ones get vague.
4. Understand the Warranty or You’re Just Guessing
Plenty of roofers offer a “10-year warranty.” Few can explain what that actually covers.
There are two types of warranties you should care about: A trustworthy roofer will:
Warranty Type | What It Covers |
Manufacturer Warranty | Covers roofing materials (e.g., Colorbond steel or tiles). Usually void if installed incorrectly. |
Workmanship Warranty | Covers the installation itself. If your roofer screws up the flashing or valley work, this is what protects you. |
- Spell out both warranties in writing.
- Clarify what’s excluded (e.g., storm damage, foot traffic)
- Honour it without hoops, legalese, or ghosting.
Watch out for: Verbal promises, vague timeframes, or one-line clauses like “standard warranty applies.” That means nothing, and they know it.
5. Choose Local Reputation Over National Reach
There are big-name roofers with flashy vans and centralised call centres, and then there’s the roofer who knows your street, has worked on your neighbour’s place, and waves when they drive by.
Local contractors bring:
- Faster turnaround
- Better accountability (harder to vanish in a small community)
- Familiarity with Sydney-specific roof issues, like leaf-blocked gutters in leafy suburbs or salt air corrosion along the coast
Tomkat Roofing, for example, isn’t a national giant; we’re Sydney through and through. That matters when you need someone who’ll still be around for the next job, the warranty call, or the storm cleanup.
Pro Move: Ask if they’ve worked on properties in your postcode. Real locals will say yes, and maybe even name the street.
6. Work With Roofers Who Want a Relationship, Not Just a Transaction
A lot of contractors want one thing: get in, get paid, get gone.
But the best roofing work isn’t transactional, it’s built on ongoing trust. Because a good roof isn’t “set and forget.” It needs maintenance. It needs someone to call when a storm blows through or when you’re ready to expand that granny flat.
That’s why at Tomkat Roofing, we don’t just install and disappear. We build relationships that last longer than your roof’s warranty. You’ll always get:
- Transparent advice (even if it means telling you not to spend)
- On-site inspections, no satellite quoting here
- Clear documentation, every step of the way
And if something goes wrong later? We won’t vanish. We’ll fix it.
Because we’re not chasing jobs, we’re building a name. And your roof is part of that legacy.
Need a Roofing Quote You Can Actually Trust?
Let’s keep it simple.
If you’re looking for a contractor who’ll show up, do it right, and stand by their work, you’ve found them.
Tomkat Roofing offers honest inspections, no-obligation quotes, and roofing advice that’s worth its weight in steel. No pressure. No oversell. Just facts, photos, and clear next steps, so you can make the right decision for your home or commercial property.
Reach out today to schedule your inspection.
Let’s make sure your next roofing job is one you don’t have to stress over.
