Pre-measure
Once a quote has been accepted, the next visit to the property is the pre-measure. This visit allows the service provider to take exact roof dimensions so manufacturing orders can be placed and roofing materials scheduled for delivery. A pre-measure typically occurs anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after quote acceptance and usually takes between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on the size and complexity of the roof.
The most important decision at the pre-measure stage is confirming colour and roofing profile. Consumers should prepare in advance and aim to make this decision with full confidence. Once colour and profile selections are confirmed at pre-measure, it is generally unreasonable to expect they can be changed later. Manufacturing and coil supply is usually organised promptly after this point, and changes can be difficult or impossible without incurring significant additional cost.
In addition to measuring the roof, the service provider will assess where scaffolding should be erected and where roofing materials will be delivered prior to installation. Consumers may wish to be involved in this discussion to ensure access to the property is not obstructed and vehicle access remains practical. Roofing materials placed on grass can cause damage if left for extended periods, so hard surfaces such as concrete are preferable. Security is also an important consideration, as roofing materials are valuable and should not be stored where they can be easily removed from outside the property.
The pre-measure is also a good opportunity to discuss scheduling. Ideally, scaffolding and materials are delivered one or two days before installation begins to minimise disruption. While having equipment on-site is inconvenient, it is usually manageable, and it is not common or necessary for consumers to vacate their property during reroofing works.
Roofbuddy helps by providing a clear handover between consumers and service providers and by setting expectations around timeframes for booking the pre-measure. We also supply the documentation and resources needed to select colours and profiles in advance and can provide guidance on standard practices and industry conventions to help consumers prepare.
Material deposit
It is standard practice for a second deposit tranche to be invoiced at the pre-measure stage, as this is when the material order is submitted to the manufacturer. Between the initial confirmation deposit and the material deposit, consumers will typically have paid approximately 50 to 60 percent of the total contract value. It is reasonable at this point to request confirmation that the roofing order has been submitted, such as having the order email forwarded or being blind copied, to provide assurance that this step has been completed.
Turnaround times for material orders can range from several days to a few weeks, depending on manufacturer lead times. In many cases, manufacturers will hold completed orders ready for delivery until scaffolding has been erected and the service provider is preparing to commence work, reducing the risk of material damage while on site.
This stage represents the practical point of no return in a roofing transaction. Once this deposit is paid and materials are ordered, consumers should not expect to successfully cancel the contract and recover funds, as costs have already been incurred. Roofing materials are cut to exact measurements and manufactured specifically for a property in the selected colour and profile, meaning they cannot be repurposed for another project. In these circumstances, the fair and reasonable outcome is for materials to be delivered to site and for funds to remain applied to the project.
Roofbuddy helps by clearly defining deposit milestones and ensuring service providers adhere to the deposit amounts agreed under the terms of sale.
Weather dependent lead times
Lead times for the commencement of roofing works are inherently variable. Service providers will often give optimistic estimates at the point of sale regarding start dates or job duration, which can lead to disappointment when those expectations are not met. In addition, lead times discussed during quoting may no longer be accurate by the time a booking is confirmed. For this reason, it is advisable to request an updated estimated start date at the time of booking to establish more realistic expectations.
Clear, dry weather is a strict requirement for safely opening a roof and undertaking installation works. Each day of unsuitable weather between booking and the proposed start date is effectively lost and must be added to the lead time due to the service provider’s prior commitments. Poor weather prevents progress on all roofing installations, not just individual jobs, meaning every project in the pipeline is pushed back by the cumulative impact of weather delays. This effect is typically less pronounced during summer when days are longer and drier, but during winter shorter days and increased rainfall can result in significant delays and frustration for all parties.
Service providers are often poor at communicating delays or responding promptly, particularly where they are owner operators managing quoting, installation and administration themselves. Where possible, consumers should aim to keep communication constructive and positive, as delays often coincide with periods of heightened pressure for service providers. That said, it is reasonable to expect updates and responses within the same or next working day. When difficult news needs to be delivered, some providers may default to silence, which can compound frustration. Patience and an understanding approach are advisable, and SMS or WhatsApp communication is often more effective than email.
Roofbuddy helps by encouraging service providers to adopt conservative lead times and set realistic expectations upfront, favouring an approach of under-promising and over-delivering. Where communication has broken down, we can assist by facilitating contact between parties. We also include communication performance as a separate review metric prior to purchase, enabling consumers to assess each service provider’s track record in maintaining timely and effective communication on previous marketplace jobs.
Delivery of materials and erection of scaffolding
The ideal scenario is for scaffolding and roofing materials to be delivered and erected a day or so before works commence. In practice, particularly where there have been unforeseen delays, this can sometimes occur days or even weeks before the job starts. These milestones should be viewed as positive progress. At this point, deposits have been converted into physical materials and equipment on site, which materially reduces consumer risk by confirming funds have been applied appropriately.
Roofing material is typically delivered in packs of sheets and flashings via a flat-bed truck equipped with a HIAB arm, which places the materials in an agreed location on the property. The delivery process usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Once unloaded, materials should sit in a tight and orderly stack, often appearing surprisingly small relative to the total roof area they will cover. Roofing materials can be sharp and hazardous for pets and children, so occupants should be advised to keep clear. When works begin, sharp metal offcuts and screws can accumulate around the property, and extra care should be taken to avoid punctured tyres by checking driveways before driving out.
Platform scaffolding typically takes most of the day to erect, while edge protection usually requires around half that time and can often be installed safely in marginal weather conditions. The scaffolding truck will likely block the driveway for much of the day, so it is advisable to move vehicles onto the road in advance and minimise coming and going while heavy equipment is being moved around the property. Keeping clear of work areas helps maintain safety and efficiency. While it is a kind gesture to offer bathroom access to the team, consumers should not be surprised if this becomes inconvenient over the course of a full day. Offering water, tea or biscuits is always appreciated, as scaffolding is physically demanding work and small gestures go a long way.
Roofbuddy helps by encouraging service providers to communicate scheduling clearly and proactively, and to maintain professional standards while on site. Where communication breaks down, we can assist by facilitating direct contact between parties.
Red flags prior to commencement
The ideal scenario from booking through to commencement is one where consumers are given an accurate schedule, clear commitments and timely communication, with expectations met as agreed. In practice, delays and poor communication can sometimes extend for weeks or even months, creating stress and frustration for all parties. This is particularly challenging where a structure is not fully waterproof and additional damage may be occurring.
External events can compound these issues. For example, in 2025 Wellington experienced prolonged periods of poor weather, resulting in extremely limited installation productivity for extended periods. This placed significant strain on both consumers and service providers as schedules effectively stalled and backlogs grew. When conditions finally improved, demand for immediate commencement surged across entire installation pipelines, often overwhelming service providers’ capacity to respond.
Patience, understanding and perspective are important in these situations. However, there are certain warning signs that consumers should remain alert to.
Common red flags include:
- Unexplained delays of days or weeks in returning calls or messages. It is reasonable to expect responses the same day or the next working day, provided communication is not excessive.
- Reluctance to make any commitment to a schedule or propose a booking window after a deposit has been taken.
- A pattern of explanations for delay that accumulate and begin to feel like excuses, such as repeated references to weather, material shortages, scaffolding availability or staff illness.
- Resistance to confirming that materials have been ordered or reluctance to arrange delivery of roofing materials to site once deposits have been paid. Weather is not a valid reason for delaying material delivery, and service providers should be willing and able to deliver materials within an agreed timeframe when requested.
- Roofing materials arriving on site in the wrong colour or profile. While this does occur occasionally and responsibility may sit with either the service provider or manufacturer, consumers can reduce risk by confirming selections clearly in writing and avoiding changes.
These indicators require judgement. The focus should be on identifying a pattern of concerning behaviour rather than reacting to a single isolated or reasonably explained delay. If concerns begin to build, it is advisable to document each interaction, date-stamp correspondence and clearly outline concerns in writing via email. This documentation can become critical if the matter later escalates and provides an objective record of actions taken and responses received, or not received.
Roofbuddy helps by acting as an intermediary where communication has broken down or delays appear unreasonable. We support consumers by providing guidance on appropriate next steps and advising on how to document concerns and communication effectively. Where necessary, we can also attend Disputes Tribunal hearings as a witness to assist in achieving fair and reasonable outcomes for all parties.