Just paid for a new roof and something doesn’t look right? Leaking only two years after the builder finished? Need evidence for your insurer or strata committee? We inspect roofs across Canberra, the ACT and Queanbeyan and write independent reports that show each problem in photos, explain it plainly and set out what to do next.
Call us 24/7: 03 8583 2640 or 0426 204 244
Independent means independent
I’m Victor, and I run Holy Mess Repairs. When we write a roof report, we’re not angling for a particular job. We can repair, restore or replace a roof, so there’s no reason to push one answer. Our job is to tell you what’s really there, with the evidence, so you can deal with your builder, insurer or tradie from a position of knowing.
Common reasons Canberra clients call us
- Checking a new or replaced roof against what was quoted and the standards before final payment
- A newish home or townhouse leaking within a few years, when the builder says it’s “maintenance”
- Hail and storm damage, where you need it documented for your insurer
- Strata and shared roofs, where the committee needs to know what’s failing and who’s responsible
- Buying a home, so you understand the roof before you commit
- Planning maintenance on an office, school or commercial building
How it works
- Brief. Tell us why you need the report and send us any quotes, plans or photos you have.
- Inspection. We walk the roof where it’s safe, and check the roof space where we can get in: battens, tie-downs, insulation and sarking.
- Checks. Fixings, laps, flashings, cappings, gutters, falls and penetrations, compared with the standards, the manufacturer’s requirements and, for new work, what you were quoted.
- Report. Every defect gets a photo, an explanation, a priority and the responsible trade.
- Options. If you want them, we add repair or rectification options with costs.
What you’ll get
- Photos and, where useful, video of each issue
- A plain-English explanation of why each one matters
- Priority and responsible trade for each item
- What we couldn’t access, so nothing is assumed
- Options and costs on request
- A report you own, ready for your builder, insurer, strata manager or another tradie
Roofs we see around Canberra
New and replaced metal roofs
Many Canberra roofs are low-pitch Colorbond. On new work we check sheet fixing patterns, lap lengths, flashings, cappings, anti-condensation blankets and ventilation, and whether what went on the roof matches what you paid for.
Two-to-five-year-old townhouses
The roof should be at its best at this age. When it isn’t, we often find cappings without enough fall, joints and laps relying on silicone, and screws through the top of parapet cappings. Those are workmanship issues, not maintenance.
Storm and hail
We record what the storm damaged and what was already there, so your insurer has a clear picture to assess.
Strata, schools and commercial
On shared and large roofs we document each section and the shared elements, like box gutters, so committees and facilities managers can approve the right work. See our box gutter page if that’s where your trouble is.
Watch: roof inspections
What does a roof report cost in Canberra?
Price depends on what you need, from $450 + GST for an inspection and quote, up to $1,800 + GST for a detailed report for a legal case. We’ll tell you the price before we book you in.
Our offer: if you’re not impressed with the advice, we’ll refund you $110. As a real Canberra example, our fixed price for a full-day inspection and detailed compliance report on a newly replaced single-storey Colorbond roof was $1,450 + GST. That covered a two-person team for a day on site, the roof and roof cavity, and a written report with photos.
Covered by Professional Indemnity insurance
Our roof reports are covered by our Professional Indemnity insurance, just like our dye test reports. If we make a mistake or leave something out of our advice and it costs you money, that insurance is there to cover it.
Recent Canberra reports
Whitlam: a two-year-old townhouse roof
A townhouse roof about two years old was already showing problems. The parapet capping didn’t have enough fall and was holding water, the corner joint was relying on a bead of silicone, and a screw had been driven through the top face of the capping. Our report set out the defects and the standards they relate to, so the owner could take it to the builder and use it for any claim.
Deakin: checking a new roof against the quote
A 1960s terracotta tile roof had been replaced with Colorbond corrugated sheeting. An independent inspection was requested before sign-off, so we quoted a full-day forensic inspection covering the sheets, fixings, flashings, gutters, cladding, eaves and the roof cavity (battens, tie-downs, blankets, ventilation), checked against the original scope.
Warranty
If you go ahead with any repairs, the warranty follows the type of work and the materials used, and matches the material supplier’s warranty. We spell it out for each option.
Why Holy Mess Repairs
- Licensed roof plumbers. Victorian roof plumbing licence 32176, recognised Australia-wide, including the ACT, under mutual recognition laws.
- Professional Indemnity insurance covers our reports, like our dye test reports
- $110 refund if you’re not impressed with the advice
- Around 4.4 stars from 120+ Google reviews
- No single solution to sell, so the advice is independent
- Photos and standards references for every defect
- A report you own
- Open 24/7 in Canberra, the ACT and Queanbeyan
HOLYMESS PTY LTD · ABN 31 666 327 813
Canberra roof report FAQs
Can you check my new roof before I make final payment?
Yes. We compare the work with your quote, the manufacturer’s requirements and the standards, and list each defect for the builder to fix.
My roof is only a couple of years old and leaking. Is that maintenance?
Usually not. On young roofs we commonly find workmanship issues like silicone in place of proper laps, cappings without fall and badly placed screws. Our report shows what’s there so you can raise it with the builder.
Do you inspect inside the roof space?
Yes, where it’s safe to get in. We check battens, tie-downs, blankets, sarking and signs of moisture.
Can the report be used for insurance?
Yes. We document the damage, the likely cause and a repair scope. The insurer decides on the claim.
How much is a roof report in Canberra?
It depends on what’s required, from $450 + GST for an inspection and quote, up to $1,800 + GST for a report for a legal case. For example, a full-day inspection and detailed compliance report on a newly replaced single-storey roof was $1,450 + GST. If you’re not impressed with the advice, we’ll refund you $110.
How long does the report take?
For a detailed compliance report we’ve allowed 5–7 business days after the site visit. Simpler reports can be quicker.
Do you cover Queanbeyan?
Yes. Canberra, the ACT and Queanbeyan.
Report or dye test?
A report covers the condition of the whole roof. A dye test finds exactly where a specific leak gets in.
Is the report insured?
Yes. Our roof reports are covered by our Professional Indemnity insurance, like our dye test reports.
Get the facts on your roof
An independent report with photos, plain explanations and options. Call us any time:
Holy Mess Repairs · Serving Canberra, the ACT, Queanbeyan and surrounding areas · Open 24/7
In Melbourne? See roof reports in Melbourne. Hunting a leak? See leak detection and dye testing in Canberra.