How to Prepare Your Home for a Roof Restoration

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How to Prepare Your Home for Roof Restoration

Preparing for a roof restoration is mostly about access and protection: disconnect your rainwater tank, move cars and outdoor furniture away from the house, keep pets inside, tell the neighbours, and plan for solar panels if you have them. Before you book, check what the quote includes, how long it will take, and how the crew will work safely on your roof.

The short answer

  • Before booking: compare what each quote includes, the coating system and the warranty
  • Disconnect rainwater tank inlets before cleaning and painting
  • Clear access around the house and move cars away from the walls
  • Plan for solar panels: removal and refitting adds cost
  • Keep pets inside and let neighbours know

Before you book: things to consider

What the quote includes

Cleaning, broken tiles, rebed and repoint, valleys and the coating system should all be listed.

Restore or replace

If tiles are failing across the roof, a restoration is money poorly spent. Ask for an honest assessment.

The coating system

How many coats and which products. A primer and two topcoats is the minimum for a lasting finish.

Warranty

Ask what is covered and for how long. Royce restorations carry a 7-year warranty.

Who does the work

The company’s own crews, or subcontractors?

Contract and insurance

In Victoria, domestic building work over $10,000 needs a written contract, and over $16,000 domestic building insurance.

Our cost guide lists market price ranges and how to compare quotes.

Sources: Consumer Affairs Victoria: Work that requires a building contract; VBA: Domestic building insurance.

Preparing your home

  • Rainwater tanks: disconnect or divert the inlet before cleaning starts, and keep it off until the coating has cured and the first rains have run off
  • Cars: park away from the house and off the driveway closest to the roof
  • Outdoor furniture, pot plants and washing: move them away from the walls and under cover
  • Pets: keep them inside or away from the work area
  • Access: clear side paths and gates so the crew can set up ladders and safety rail
  • Windows and doors: keep them closed during cleaning and spraying
  • Neighbours: let them know; cleaning is noisy and spray can drift in wind

Sources: enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks.

Ready to plan your restoration?

Book a free inspection. We will quote the full job and tell you what to expect.

Solar panels, antennas and air conditioners

Tiles and capping under solar panels need attention too. Panels may need to be removed and refitted by a licensed installer so the roof underneath can be cleaned, repaired and coated; Canstar cites this adding $700 to $2,000 to a quote. Antennas and roof-mounted air-conditioning units are worked around or temporarily moved. Tell us what is on your roof when you book.

About these prices

These are market ranges from published Australian price guides, not Royce Roofing prices. Every roof is different. We give you a fixed written quote after a free inspection.

Sources: Canstar: How much does a roof restoration cost in 2026? (citing hipages).

During the work

Most restorations take 3 to 7 days on site, depending on the roof and the weather. You can stay home. The crew sets up safety rail first, then cleans, repairs, rebeds and repoints, and coats. Coating stops for rain, dew and cold, so a wet week can stretch the job. Read how long a restoration takes and lasts.

Our own rail, every job

WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.

After the restoration

  • Walk through the finished work with the crew and ask questions
  • Reconnect your rainwater tank only once the coating has cured and the first rains have run off
  • Keep the invoice and warranty details with your house records
  • Keep gutters and valleys clear to protect the new work

Sources: enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks.

Common questions

How do I prepare my house for a roof restoration?

Disconnect any rainwater tank inlet, move cars and outdoor furniture away from the house, keep pets inside, clear side access and let your neighbours know.

Do I need to disconnect my rainwater tank for a roof restoration?

Yes. Health guidance advises against collecting run-off from newly painted roofs, so disconnect the inlet before cleaning and keep it off until the coating has cured.

Do solar panels need to be removed for a roof restoration?

Often, so the roof underneath can be repaired and coated. Canstar cites removal and refitting adding $700 to $2,000 to a quote.

Can I stay home during a roof restoration?

Yes. Most of the work happens on the roof. Keep windows closed during cleaning and spraying.

What should a roof restoration quote include?

Cleaning, broken tile replacement, rebedding and repointing, valley repairs, the coating system and number of coats, and the warranty.

Do I need a contract for a roof restoration?

In Victoria, domestic building work over $10,000 needs a written major domestic building contract, and over $16,000 domestic building insurance.

Sources: enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks; Canstar: How much does a roof restoration cost in 2026? (citing hipages); Consumer Affairs Victoria: Work that requires a building contract; VBA: Domestic building insurance.

Dave Porter

Dave Porter

Qualified roof tiler. Owner and Managing Director, Royce Roofing. Founder, PorterVac.

Dave Porter is a qualified roof tiler who has run roofing businesses in Melbourne since 2000. He founded PorterVac, the vacuum gutter cleaning and roof maintenance business, in 2004, and has led Royce Roofing as owner and managing director since 2018. A working at heights safety advocate and educator, Dave introduced the safety and training programs Royce crews follow on every roof.

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