What a full roof replacement includes
Ask for every quote to be itemised so you can see what you're paying for. A typical Wellington re-roof scope covers:
- Scaffolding and edge protection
- Stripping and disposing of the old roofing (asbestos testing first where the roof's age or type means it could contain asbestos)
- Checking and replacing damaged battens, purlins or sarking
- New roof underlay
- New roofing, flashings, ridging and penetrations (flues, vents, skylights)
- Optional new spouting and downpipes while the scaffold is up
- Site clean-up and handover paperwork
Specified for Wellington conditions
Much of the region sits in higher NZS 3604 wind zones. Very High is a design wind speed of 50 m/s and Extra High 55 m/s, and sites above that need specific engineering design 1. Roofing manufacturers publish fixing patterns for each wind zone 2, so your quote should state the wind zone and fixing pattern being used.
Distance from the sea matters as much as wind. COLORSTEEL® classifies exposure from Mild (typically 5 km+ from breaking surf) through to Extremely Severe (right beside the surf), and notes prevailing winds can carry the harsher categories inland 3. Harbour-front and south-coast homes often need a higher-spec product than a home in the Hutt Valley.
Do you need building consent?
Usually not for a like-for-like re-roof. MBIE confirms that replacing roofing more than 15 years old with a comparable product in the same position is exempt under Schedule 1 4. Replacing a clay tile roof with profiled metal is also given as an exempt example, with uplift to be considered 5. If the roof failed within 15 years, or structural framing is being substantially replaced, consent is likely needed. See our consent guide.
What it costs
Published 2026 NZ guides put long-run steel at about $130–$180/m² installed incl. GST, with a typical 3-bedroom home at roughly $18,000–$30,000 and 4-bedroom homes $25,000–$42,000 6. Read the full roof replacement cost guide or try the estimator there.
Related
Tile to steel re-roofing · Asbestos roof replacement · Spouting with your re-roof · How it works
Frequently asked
How long does a roof replacement take?
For a typical NZ house, published guides suggest about 3–7 working days on site, longer for large, steep or two-storey roofs or if repairs are found 7.
Will my house be exposed to the weather?
A good roofer only strips what can be closed in the same day, so the house is weather-tight overnight.
Do I need to move out?
No. Most homeowners stay home during a re-roof.
Sources
- MBIE — E2 External Moisture Acceptable Solution, amendment 5 (wind zone speeds)
- NZ Metal Roofing Manufacturers — Code of Practice: fastening pattern tables (NZS 3604)
- COLORSTEEL® — Environmental categories & warranty guide (PDF)
- MBIE Building Performance — Recladding roofs (building consent requirements clarified)
- MBIE Building Performance — Schedule 1, exemption 1: general repair, maintenance and replacement
- Solution Roofing — How much does a roof replacement cost in New Zealand? (2026 guide)
- RoofHub NZ — How long does a reroof take in New Zealand?
Figures are published planning ranges, checked 26 October 2026. They are not quotes.