Legality & Dangers Of DIY Metal Roofing: Should You Leave It To The Pros?

DIY enthusiasts love nothing more than an ambitious home improvement project – but is making renovations yourself always a wise idea? DIY work can be enjoyable and satisfying, save you money, and avoid the inconvenience of waiting for an appointment or being unable to have work done at a time that suits you. For some projects that you might be tempted to DIY, the risks and requirements can actually mean that calling in the professionals is the most sensible solution. 

One home improvement that you might want to complete yourself is metal roofing. You might think that installing metal sheets yourself is simple enough that professional services are a waste of money. However, it’s important to think carefully before you proceed. When it comes to the legality and dangers of DIY metal roofing, should you leave it to the pros?

Table of contents:

First of all, let’s consider the legal requirements for DIY metal roofing in Queensland. For metal roofing installation and repairs taking place throughout the state, it’s necessary to be appropriately licensed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. This includes having a license for cutting metal tiles or installing pre-fabricated metal roofing tiles. 

Professionals pay fees and demonstrate that they meet the requirements for licensing. They also have to renew licenses as necessary. For consumers, this gives you the added benefit of having confidence that the professionals you hire meet the necessary standards. If you don’t possess the appropriate license it could create more significant problems for you later on. These include the roof performing ineffectively due to a lack of certified expertise. If you work as a roofer and have the appropriate licenses you might be in a position to install your own roof at home, but otherwise, this might be best left to licensed professionals.

Aside from licensing requirements, installing your own metal roof comes with a significant level of risk. It’s worth considering the consequences of the risks associated with this work and deciding if you want to accept the burden. Risks are present whilst you’re working on the roof and afterwards. These are some of the risks that are commonly related to installing a DIY metal roof.

Working at a height without the appropriate safety training and equipment poses a real risk. Without the knowledge of how to work safely on a roof, there’s a risk of falling, which could cause serious injury and even death. Working at a height close to electrical lines can also pose a serious risk of harm. Professional roofers are fully trained to work safely and carefully on roofs and at heights. They’re able to work efficiently without posing harm to themselves or other members of their team. When you’re considering a DIY metal roof, it’s important to recognise the risk of severe injury this might cause.

The primary purpose of a roof is to protect the interior of the building from leaks and debris. Installing your own roof without the necessary knowledge and training can mean there are more likely to be faults. The roof also may not last as long as when it’s installed by professionals. An ineffective roof can increase the chances of leaks in the property, which can damage the building’s structure as well as possessions inside the building. Leaks can cause substantial damage that’s costly and time-consuming to repair, so a sub-standard DIY roof simply isn’t worth the trouble.

In some cases, a roof that isn’t installed by professionals can cause difficulties with your insurance provider. Before you proceed with any kind of roof installation, it’s vital to check the terms of your insurance policy. This might include stipulations about what type of DIY work is permissible. If you need to claim on your insurance, your claim might be affected by having an unapproved DIY roof. When you choose professional roof installation, you can be certain that the roof complies with insurance requirements and that it won’t present a problem when you need to renew or claim on your policy.

Whilst it may be tempting for DIY fans to embark on their own metal roofing project, in most cases the risks are simply too great. As well as the practical risks of accidents and injury whilst you work, installing your own roof can affect your insurance policy and might be less effective than a roof installed by a professional team. Lack of appropriate licensing can also be an obstacle when you’re installing a roof yourself. 

Choosing professional services is worth the financial investment for the greater peace of mind that it brings. If you’re looking for metal roofing services in Townsville get a quote from Top To Bottom Plumbing now.