Roof coating, repairs or replacement: where should you start?

Write down what you have noticed

Are you mainly concerned about appearance, visible coating wear, or a known leak? Note where the problem appears and when you first noticed it. Share any previous roof repairs or coating records.

Take photos only from a safe, accessible position. You do not need to climb onto the roof to make an enquiry.

The existing surface affects the work

Resene’s roof guidance asks about the roof material, previous paint, flaking, rust, location and access. Its preparation advice varies with the existing surface and condition.

That is a useful reason to get the roof assessed rather than asking for a coating price based only on floor area.

Technical reference: Resene: Repainting roofs in poor condition ↗

Separate repairs from the coating decision

Ask the person assessing the roof to identify any repair work and explain who would carry it out. Do not assume a coating quote includes replacing sheets, repairing flashings or resolving every source of a leak.

The written scope should say what is included, what is excluded and what needs to happen before coating can start.

Ask for the basis of the recommendation

If coating is proposed, ask why the existing surface is suitable and what preparation is needed. If replacement is proposed, ask which condition issues lead to that recommendation.

You are looking for an explanation tied to your building, with a clear allowance for any specialist repair or roofing work. Avoid comparing headline prices for options that include different work.

Think about the building below

For a workshop, warehouse or farm building, describe how the space is used and what access is available. Agree how any proposed work would fit around people, vehicles, stock and equipment.

Andrew can discuss the coating enquiry and what information is needed next. The assessment should guide the decision, rather than starting with a promise that a coating will solve everything.