Asbestos Roof Removal and Replacement in Perth
Perth Re-Roofing removes and replaces asbestos cement roofs across the Perth metro area. We are a Registered Building Contractor (BC106884) and we manage the entire asbestos-to-Colorbond conversion under one contract: licensed removal, WorkSafe WA notification, lawful disposal at a licensed facility, structural preparation and installation of the new Colorbond roof. Most Perth homes fall between $35,000 and $70,000 ex GST. You do not need to engage a separate asbestos contractor.
Asbestos cement roof sheeting, often called super six, fibro or AC sheeting, was installed on Perth homes from the 1940s through to the late 1980s. It does not fail gracefully. As the cement binder weathers, the sheets become brittle, the fixings rust out, and the surface begins to shed fibres. Once a roof reaches that point, patching is not a real option. The roof needs to come off.
This page answers the questions Perth homeowners, landlords and strata managers actually ask before they book the job: who is legally allowed to do the work, whether council is involved, what it costs, and who carries the paperwork.
Who does asbestos roof removal and replacement in Perth?
An asbestos roof replacement is two regulated activities in one job. There is the licensed asbestos removal, and there is the residential building work of putting a new roof on the house. How those two pieces are contracted decides where your risk sits.
| How the job is structured | What you sign | Where the risk sits |
|---|---|---|
| You engage each trade yourself | Two or more separate contracts, typically a removalist and a roofer | With you. If the roof sits open, the structure needs unexpected work, or the trades blame each other, you are the one in the middle |
| A roofing contractor without builders registration | One contract | Partly with you. Residential building work over $20,000 requiring a building permit must be carried out by a Registered Building Contractor and covered by home indemnity insurance |
| A Registered Building Contractor as head contractor | One contract covering removal, disposal, structure, new roof, permits and warranty | With the builder. One party is accountable for the whole job and remains liable for the workmanship |
Perth Re-Roofing operates as the head contractor. We hold builders registration BC106884, we take care of every step of the process from the first inspection to final handover, and we remain responsible for the completed job under our contract with you.
We also specialise exclusively in full roof replacements. We do not sell restorations or patch repairs, which means the advice you get from us is not shaped by trying to sell you a cheaper holding fix on a roof that needs replacing.
Do I need a licensed contractor to remove an asbestos roof?
Yes. On a house roof, always.
In Western Australia, asbestos removal is governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022, administered by WorkSafe WA. The rule that decides whether a licence is needed is a simple area threshold.
- Class B licence: required to remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos. Asbestos cement roof sheeting is non-friable.
- Class A licence: required for friable asbestos, which crumbles to powder under hand pressure.
- Under 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos: no licence legally required, though safe work practices still apply.
The smallest residential roof in Perth is well over 100 square metres. A typical 3×1 is roughly 180 to 220 square metres. That is 18 to 22 times the licensing threshold. There is no scenario where a full asbestos roof is a legal do-it-yourself job or a job for an unlicensed roofer.
If a quote for a full asbestos roof replacement does not name a licensed removalist, ask who is doing the strip and what licence they hold. It is a fair question and any legitimate contractor will answer it without hesitation.
The second credential most people never check
Licensed removal is only half of it. Putting the new roof on your house is residential building work, and in Western Australia that has its own requirements under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991.
- Residential building work valued over $20,000 that requires a building permit must be carried out by a Registered Building Contractor.
- That work must be covered by home indemnity insurance, taken out in the owner’s name by the builder.
- The cover runs for six years from practical completion and protects you if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent and cannot rectify defective work.
- You are entitled to a copy of the certificate of insurance.
Every asbestos-to-Colorbond conversion falls well above the $20,000 threshold. So on a job of this size you should be checking two things: that the removalist is licensed, and that the company putting the roof on is a Registered Building Contractor. Perth Re-Roofing holds builders registration BC106884.
Do I need council approval to remove an asbestos roof in Western Australia?
You do not usually need a council permit for the asbestos removal itself, but three separate approvals or notifications are typically involved in the job as a whole. Here is how they split.
| Requirement | Who it goes to | Who lodges it |
|---|---|---|
| Notification of licensed asbestos removal work, at least 5 days before work starts | WorkSafe WA | The licensed removalist |
| Building permit for the replacement roof, where the works require one | Your local government | Us, as Registered Building Contractor |
| Lawful transport and disposal of asbestos waste | Licensed disposal facility, regulated by DWER | The licensed removalist, with disposal receipts provided to you |
Your local government does have a role. Local government Environmental Health Officers hold delegated responsibility under the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992, and since 2017 they have been able to issue infringement notices for offences under those regulations. Penalties under the regulations run to fines of up to $10,000. In practice this means councils are the ones who respond to complaints about unsafe removal, dust, or improperly stored asbestos waste on a residential street.
Requirements vary between local governments across the Perth metro area. We confirm what applies to your specific property and address as part of the quote, so you are not the one chasing it.
Do re-roofing companies handle asbestos removal permits, or do I need a separate contractor?
We handle all of it. You do not need to engage a separate asbestos contractor or lodge anything yourself.
This is one of the most common reasons homeowners delay an asbestos roof replacement. The assumption is that it is a two-contractor job with a gap in the middle where nobody is responsible. On our jobs it is not.
What we manage on your behalf:
- Engagement and supervision of the WorkSafe WA licensed removalist
- The 5-day WorkSafe notification before removal begins
- Neighbour notification, where the removalist letter drops surrounding properties
- Site containment, wetting down and controlled removal
- Transport and disposal at a licensed facility, with disposal documentation provided to you
- Building permit lodgement with your local government where required
- Structural inspection and any batten, purlin or timber replacement needed
- Installation of the new Colorbond roof, insulation, flashings, gutters and downpipes
- Manufacturer material warranty and our workmanship warranty on the completed roof
You sign one contract and deal with one company from the first inspection through to final clean-up. If something needs sorting out at any point in that list, you call us, not a subcontractor and not the council.
How much does it cost to replace an asbestos roof in Perth?
An asbestos-to-Colorbond roof replacement in Perth typically costs between $35,000 and $70,000 ex GST for a standard residential home. Larger homes, two-storey properties and complex roof geometry run higher.
For comparison across the three conversion types we do:
| Conversion type | Typical range (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Tin to tin replacement | $25,000 to $50,000 |
| Tile to Colorbond conversion | $30,000 to $60,000 |
| Asbestos to Colorbond conversion | $35,000 to $70,000 |
| Larger or two-storey homes | $60,000 and above |
Why asbestos costs more than a tile conversion
The premium over a standard tile-to-Colorbond conversion is not margin, it is compliance cost. Specifically:
- Licensed removal labour. Class B licensed crews, nominated supervisors and controlled removal methods cost more per hour than a standard strip.
- Disposal fees. Asbestos waste goes to a licensed facility at a materially higher tipping rate than clean construction waste, and it must be wrapped, labelled and manifested.
- Containment and PPE. Wetting down, sheeting, decontamination and single-use equipment on every job.
- Notification and documentation. The 5-day WorkSafe process adds lead time and administration.
- Structural condition. Roofs of this age frequently need batten or timber replacement once the sheeting is off, which we assess before quoting rather than after.
What moves the price on your specific roof
- Roof area in square metres, and pitch
- Single or double storey, and scaffolding requirements
- Access for a skip and removalist vehicles
- Condition of battens, purlins and structural timbers underneath
- Whether asbestos is present elsewhere, such as eaves or wall sheeting
- Colorbond profile and colour, insulation specification, and whether gutters and downpipes are being replaced
- Solar panel removal and reinstatement
We quote a fixed price after a physical inspection. We do not quote asbestos work from aerial imagery alone, because what is under the sheeting is the part that moves the number.
How the process works, step by step
- Free on-site assessment We inspect the roof, confirm whether the sheeting is asbestos cement, measure the area, check structural condition and access, and identify anything that will affect the scope.
- Fixed-price quote You receive a written quote covering removal, disposal, structural works, the new roof and all permits. No provisional sums for the asbestos component.
- Permits and notification We lodge the building permit where required and the removalist submits the WorkSafe WA notification at least 5 days before work starts. Neighbours are notified.
- Licensed removal The site is contained, sheeting is wetted down and removed in controlled sections, then wrapped and loaded for disposal. The roof is not left open overnight.
- Lawful disposal Waste goes to a licensed disposal facility. You receive the disposal documentation for your records, which matters if you later sell or lease the property.
- Structural preparation We inspect and replace any battens, purlins or timbers that are not sound, and install new insulation and sarking.
- New Colorbond roof installed Sheeting, flashings, ridge capping, gutters and downpipes installed to manufacturer specification.
- Final inspection and handover Site cleaned, roof inspected, and you receive your warranty documentation and disposal records.
Most standard residential asbestos-to-Colorbond replacements are completed on site within one to two weeks, subject to weather. The 5-day WorkSafe notification period sits before that, so allow lead time from acceptance of quote to the crew arriving.
Asbestos roofs on rental and investment properties
Yes, we handle asbestos roof replacements on tenanted and investment properties across Perth, and we coordinate directly with your property manager.
If you own a rental with an ageing asbestos roof, the exposure is not only the roof. As an owner you have duties around the safe management of asbestos on a property you lease. A deteriorating asbestos roof that is shedding fibres, leaking, or has already been disturbed by storm damage is a live problem, not a maintenance item to defer.
What we do differently on tenanted properties:
- Coordinate access and timing directly with your property manager or tenant, so you are not the intermediary
- Schedule to minimise disruption, with the roof never left open overnight
- Provide full disposal documentation, which forms part of your property records and supports disclosure at sale
- Provide written scope and warranty documentation suitable for your accountant, given the works are typically capital in nature rather than a repair
We also handle strata and unit complex roof replacements. If you are on a strata council or managing a small complex with asbestos roofing across multiple buildings, see our commercial and strata roofing page or contact us directly for a staged scope.
Why choose Perth Re-Roofing for asbestos roof replacement
- Registered Building Contractor. Builders registration BC106884, with home indemnity insurance in your name as required on residential building work over $20,000.
- Full replacements only. We do not sell restorations or patch repairs, so we have no incentive to talk you into a temporary fix on a roof that needs replacing.
- We take care of every step. Licensed removal, disposal, permits, structural works, new roof and warranty, all managed by us under one contract.
- Free on-site assessment before quoting. Physical inspection, not a phone estimate.
- Fixed pricing. No provisional sums on the asbestos component.
- Documentation provided. WorkSafe notification reference, licensed removalist details and disposal receipts, given to you as a matter of course.
- Perth metro focus. Based in Osborne Park, servicing the full metropolitan area.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my roof is asbestos?
Asbestos cement roof sheeting was used on Perth homes from the 1940s to the late 1980s. It usually appears as large corrugated grey sheets, often called super six, with a wide corrugation profile and a chalky, weathered surface. If your home was built before 1990 and has grey corrugated cement sheeting rather than tiles or metal, it is likely asbestos. The only way to confirm it definitively is a sample tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory. Do not break, drill or pressure clean a sheet to inspect it. We can identify it visually during a free assessment.
Can I remove the asbestos roof myself to save money?
No. In Western Australia, removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos requires a WorkSafe WA Class B licence. A residential roof is typically 180 to 220 square metres, far above that threshold. Unlicensed removal of a full roof is unlawful, uninsurable, and creates a disclosure problem when you sell.
Do I have to move out while the asbestos roof is removed?
In most cases no. The work is carried out from outside the building with the internal ceiling remaining in place. We will tell you at quoting stage if your specific job requires anything different, for example where asbestos is also present in eaves or internal linings.
How long does an asbestos roof replacement take?
Most standard residential jobs take one to two weeks on site, subject to weather. Add the 5-day WorkSafe notification period before the crew starts. Larger, two-storey or complex roofs take longer.
Does home insurance cover asbestos roof replacement?
Standard home insurance does not cover replacing an asbestos roof simply because it is old or deteriorating, as that is treated as wear and maintenance. Where a roof has been damaged in a covered event such as a storm, an insurer may contribute, and asbestos handling costs are sometimes treated separately in a claim. Check your policy wording and speak to your insurer. We can provide a written scope and quote to support a claim.
What happens to the asbestos after it is removed?
It is wrapped, labelled and transported to a licensed disposal facility approved to accept asbestos waste. Illegal dumping is prosecuted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. You receive disposal documentation for your records.
What should I check before hiring someone to replace an asbestos roof?
Two things. First, that the asbestos strip will be carried out by a WorkSafe WA licensed Class B asbestos removalist, and that they will lodge the required notification with WorkSafe at least 5 days before starting. Second, that the company putting the new roof on is a Registered Building Contractor, since residential building work over $20,000 requiring a building permit must be, and must carry home indemnity insurance in your name. Also ask whether you will receive disposal documentation, and whether the price is fixed or carries provisional sums on the asbestos component.
Can I replace an asbestos roof with tiles instead of Colorbond?
Technically yes, but it is rarely the right call. Tiles are significantly heavier than asbestos cement sheeting, which usually means structural upgrades to the roof frame and a higher total cost. Colorbond is lighter, faster to install, and better suited to the existing frame on most Perth homes that were built with sheet roofing.
Do you service my suburb?
We cover the full Perth metropolitan area from Osborne Park, including the northern suburbs, western suburbs, southern suburbs, Fremantle and Joondalup.
Get a fixed price on your asbestos roof replacement
Free on-site assessment across the Perth metro area. We inspect the roof, confirm the scope and give you a written fixed-price quote covering removal, disposal, permits and your new Colorbond roof.