We Need a Cheap Roof Tradie

Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 17:26

My old Mum's tiled roof has somehow acquired a broken tile, (stray asteroid probably), and in the last rain a coupla weeks ago the water came in through the broken tile, pooled on the ceiling right above her bed, and dribbled through the light fitting to the floor carpet tiles. So, we have a big problem. Several, in fact.

I moved her bed aside, and threw a tarp over the roof from the window upstairs, (I wasn't about to get on the roof myself!), but water still leaked in. So, I need to get the roof fixed and the bedroom ceiling probably totally replaced.

We're both "Seniors" obviously, so I need some clues and/or referrals to sources of very affordable people who will give us a quote to

(a) Fix the broken roof tile

(b) Replace the ceiling.

I'll see if I can get the carpet tiles clean and dry myself.

Any tips, guys? Thanks.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Stewardo on 06/04/2025 - 17:27

    What did her insurance company say?

    • ihbh on 06/04/2025 - 17:36
      +2

      Insurance companies probably won't cover issues from lack of maintenance. Check T&Cs.

      • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 18:35

        Dunno if it's from lack of maintenance. Who gets up on their roof just to make sure it's still intact?

        But yeh, Insurance Co will probably find a way to dodge. I think her policy T&Cs say they don't cover flood damage. Not that this was caused by any flood. Just rain through a broken tile.

        • brendanm on 06/04/2025 - 19:37
          +2

          You need to look up the definition of flood damage. Unless the water was up to your roof and swept a tile away, it's not flood damage.

          Perhaps something hit the tile and damaged it during the storm, this has caused the other damage as well. Call insurance.

        • 2esc on 07/04/2025 - 10:00
          +1

          I do and have replaced tiles in the past.

          When i got the roof professionally repointed and painted i got them to paint all my spare tiles as well for the future.

          I try to inspect roof and gutters twice a year near the end of autumn before winter(rain potential leaks) and start of summer(Bushfires- ingress points for ash and leaf buildup).

          • Lord Ra on 07/04/2025 - 13:43

            @2esc: Any videos for us to follow if I was to do the same myself please?

            • lgacb08 on 07/04/2025 - 15:38

              @Lord Ra: Not that hard, plenty of youtube videos on how to take out and replace terracotta or cement tiles. If you have corrugated metal then no inspection needed unless it's 40 + years old and look rusty.

              • Lord Ra on 07/04/2025 - 17:22

                @lgacb08: Mine is tiled.
                I specifically was referring to this part

                inspect roof and gutters twice a year

                I think this is something I can do myself, safely, as I have the ladder to get roof access.

  • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 17:30

    Haven't contacted them yet. Always hard to get a quick answer from them, and even to get in touch with them.

    And I'm cutting to the chase. More rain expected next week.

    • Stewardo on 06/04/2025 - 17:35

      Didn’t this happen 2 weeks back?

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/04/2025 - 17:58
      +3

      At the very least tell them especially about the water to the light fitting etc , they can arrange a ‘make safe’ - in the two times I’ve had to use it, the insurance company arranged it and had a contractor out within 24 hours.

      • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 18:36

        " they can arrange a ‘make safe’"

        Yes, that sounds like a good start. Thanks.

  • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 17:41

    Yeh, week and a half. I haven't bothered because I know it'll be an uphill battle and I've got my own worries at present. Health bad news. I don't need any aggro or frustration. That's why I posted.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 06/04/2025 - 17:45

    Shame you cant get on the roof and readjust the tarp more/use a bigger tarp.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/04/2025 - 18:01
      +1

      Op says they got health conditions and ‘senior’ age -

      I got up on the roof the other day and had a minor slip on some black mould (it was wet) caught myself and no damage to tiles but probably won’t try again lol

      carpet

      If you haven’t already, hire a dehumidifier or similar to dry out the carpets asap

      • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 18:30

        Yes, slippery roof tiles are bad news. Very.

        I've got a fan that's good for the job. But I just need a reliable sunny day to lay the carpet tiles out in the yard. But I know it's a long job.

        Like I haven't got anything else to worry about now……..

        • tenpercent on 06/04/2025 - 19:11

          Chuck a space heater on in the bathroom over night with the carpet tiles.

          • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 19:14

            @tenpercent: Only trouble with that is, there are about 25+ tiles, I couldn't fit them in the bathroom, unless I stacked then vertically, and to do that I'd need racks.

            • tenpercent on 06/04/2025 - 19:17
              +1

              @Moi Too: Just do as many as you can each night/day, until the sunshine comes your way.

  • Ocker on 06/04/2025 - 17:47
    +2

    Cheap roof tradies do not exist

    • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 17:49

      Really? Well, what about "affordable" ones?

      I just need some tips on local handymen who could do a good-enough job.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/04/2025 - 18:02

        Ask in your local Facebook area Facebook group for recommendations , then asks for some quotes (if it’s free).

        Considering the damage you’ve listed it’s not gonna be cheap.

        • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 18:18

          Yeah, I'll give that a try.

          Not that Facebook is all that reliable.

  • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 17:47
    +1

    First I'd have to get a DeLorean, go back to when I was 40 years younger…

    I've been on that roof about 25 years ago, when I was young and foolish.

  • Kongzi on 06/04/2025 - 18:39

    At least provide your location if you want referrals

    • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 18:41

      Yeah, I don't like to give too much info online.

      It's Brisbane Southside.

      • Kongzi on 06/04/2025 - 18:44
        +1

        If it's simply a broken tile, a handyman can do it by replacing it.

        As for the ceiling, does the whole thing need to be replaced or can it just be bleached for mould and repainted? You'll probably need a plasterer if everything is to be replaced

  • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 18:49

    Yes, that's what I'm thinking, Kongzi. The roof area only covers the single room, and afaik there's only the one tile broken.

    Only half the ceiling got wet. But it got very black and mouldy very quickly. But I'm thinking a handyman could pretty easily replace the half that was wet.

  • MS Paint on 06/04/2025 - 18:57
    +2

    This dude is making a list of cheap tradies.

  • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 19:04

    Thanks, MS.

  • stralya on 06/04/2025 - 19:18

    Airtasker - We got a reasonable priced rooftiler. Not cheap, though

  • thatonethere on 06/04/2025 - 19:34
    +1

    If it's just a broken tile, first start with a handyman to replace it. You don't want more water or possums getting in.

    If the ceiling is stuffed, you want a ceiling plasterer. Then probably a painter.

    • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 20:38

      yeah, come to think, there are possums near the house sometimes. Mum's heard them.

  • tenpercent on 06/04/2025 - 19:36
    +1

    but water still leaked in.

    Are you sure it was new water or was it just water pooled above the ceiling that already got in before?

    Can you ask friends or family or even a neighbour to assist getting a bigger tarp put on and properly secured? You really want to stop any further water ingress and dry everything out asap. Don't want mold setting in because then it may get more costly to fix and/or it can become bad for your mum's health.

    If you/mum receive a pension you (both?) may qualify for interest free loans which could help you get the repairs done:

    Always get at least three free quotes and ask them to explain why work needs to be done. Don't get the upsized fries and coke unless you need it. Depending how much water got in and for how long it was there you may not even need to replace the whole ceiling.

    If you can, have a male family member or friend between ~30 and ~60 years old with you when tradies come to do the quotes if you're not very knowledgable. Some tradies will try to pull the wool over your eyes especially if you're female or elderly and will overcharge because they think you don't know any better.

    • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 20:35
      +1

      It was a bit of each, tenpercent. It was still raining slightly. But then, the heavy flow petered out in a minute or so, and only a slight dribble continued after.

      Thanks for those good tips, too. I can get one of my mates to come over. He's pretty cluey and a bit of a cynic when it comes to some tradies.

      Cheers.

  • cashless on 06/04/2025 - 20:18
    +1

    Try downloading “ServiceSeeking” app.
    Sign up for an account & post your job (repair roof tiles & fix ceiling).
    Then wait. It’s usually pretty quick.

    • Moi Too on 06/04/2025 - 20:36

      Thanks, Cashless, I'll do that.

  • isthatallyougot on 07/04/2025 - 07:26
    +2

    Are you in the NSW ?

    If you call out to the SES , they could send a team across to help you place the tarp better until you get a tradie around ?

    • Moi Too on 07/04/2025 - 17:45

      Now there's an idea! With all this mucking around, I think it's gonna be a while before I get this mess fixed. The little tarp I threw over it didn't help at all. Needs a big one, tied down.

      Thanks.

      • Moi Too on 07/04/2025 - 18:50

        On second thought, a big SES tarp over the roof would be like a neon sign telling passers-by that the house is accessible through a dodgy roof. Don't want to make it too easy for the random opportunists.

        No rain for a while, so I'll get in a handyman this week.

        • isthatallyougot on 07/04/2025 - 20:50

          Really , you think the SES puts branded tarps on roofs ?

          • Moi Too on 08/04/2025 - 10:21

            @isthatallyougot: Of course they don't put "branded tarps" on roofs! But any tarp over a roof is a dead giveaway that it's there to cover a hole in the roof. And a hole in the roof is like an open front door, to some people.

            • isthatallyougot on 08/04/2025 - 10:50
              +1

              @Moi Too: Sure . Your reasoning is spot on . Best not to have a door or window in your house as well because its a dead giveaway that there is an easier way to get into your house rather than smashing through a wall.

              You do realize how easy it is to break into a house these days especially one with a tiled roof . All one would need to do is just jump on it .

              Anyways good luck with getting a cheap tradie , just make sure he doesn't case the place and comes back for a late night visit :)

            • Muppet Detector on 15/04/2025 - 19:55

              @Moi Too: Any burglar keen on breaking in can just lift up roof tiles even if they're not broken. Tarp means nothing.

              Years ago this happened to my parents. Double storey house. All windows and doors had security screens, key locks, sliders had bolts and dowel in the groovy bit at bottom.

              Burglars caused $60k structural damage trying to jammy the doors etc open. Finally climbed on the roof, lifted some tiles and climbed in that way.

              Parents didn't even know they'd been in until two weeks later.

              Careful climbing on roof yourself though, we had a builder walk on our tiled roof and the fat bum broke a whole bunch of tiles as he walked over them.

        • tenpercent on 07/04/2025 - 20:54

          If someone is willing to burgle your house via a single loose tile under a tarp on the roof, they would be willing to just smash a window and climb straight in. My money is on them not risking falling off a roof to burgle you.

          • Moi Too on 08/04/2025 - 10:27

            @tenpercent: Well I don't know, ten. A single loose/missing tile suggests that there are probably other loose/missing tiles around it. Once one is gone, it's relatively simple to lift others beside it.

            In any case, it's my old Mum's house we're talking about. I'm not putting any money at all on the chances of her being burgled, whichever way it's done.

  • Lastchancetosee on 07/04/2025 - 09:12
    +1

    Would be worth getting an electrician to look at the light. I rented a house where unbeknown to us or the owner there was a slow leak in the roof above the laundry. One night the light sputtered out and luckily we notifed a few drops of water underneath. Called the electrician and he said not to touch the light switch again until he'd repaired it.

    I would have thought the trip switch might have kicked in but it didn’t. Some of the wiring was a bit old, so maybe that's why.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 07/04/2025 - 21:43

    LMAO no one is getting on your roof for 'cheap' the best you might get is might not totally rip you off if you pay cash

  • Moi Too on 12/04/2025 - 13:57

    Okay, well, what about a local handyman. I spoke to a bloke at Bunnings who knew of a local lad, but didn't have his card. But he said his name was Jerry Wills, and he lived nearby. Mount Gravatt area.

    Anybody know the guy?

    • tenpercent on 12/04/2025 - 14:35

      This comment is better suited to a Mount Gravatt facebook group tbh.

      I can't believe you're still messing around with this?

      Have you at least got a proper tarp fixed over the roof to stop it getting worse?
      Have you attempted to get the insurance company involved to cough up for storm damage?

      Instead of getting random tips from random blokes at Bunnings who 'knows a guy' but can't give their contact details leaving you to fish around on Ozbargain of all places to find him… instead of that you could try one or more of the several reasonable suggestions you've been provided above to help you get a few quotes to see what it's going to cost.

    • Muppet Detector on 15/04/2025 - 19:57

      What will Jerry do?

      Did you google him?

  • Moi Too on 12/04/2025 - 14:45
    -1

    Thanks very much for your very kind, friendly and helpful tips…………. you can go away now…..

    1 I have contacted Suncorp. They don't wanna know.

    2 I have put my own tarp over the hole.

    1. I am doing what I've always done in the past to get work done; by avoiding the usual commercial routes, and going through friends, relatives, acquaintances, clued-up people, and now Web fora. I found it often works, (that is, until I get some know-all decides to ridicule me, without actually offering any significant help.

    Btw, if you don't trust fora like OzBargain, seems a waste of your time even being here?

  • Muppet Detector on 15/04/2025 - 20:01

    I just googled Jerry.

    There is one on Facebook. Don't have an account though so can't check any further for you.

    If this isn't him, just keep googling key words.

    Why did Suncorp say they won't cover you? That might sound sus?

  • Moi Too on 15/04/2025 - 21:16

    Yeah I see a Jerry Wills on FB. I'll message him.

    My insurance doesn't cover damage from unmaintained deterioration, apparently.

  • drhip on 17/04/2025 - 19:18

    Do you guys usually ask roofer to clean the gutter and solar panels?

    • Moi Too on 18/04/2025 - 13:31

      Solar panels? What are they? ;)

      I think cleaning gutters would bump up the cost a bit, if you only want a coupla roof tiles replaced?

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