If your Adelaide roofer can answer all 10 of these questions clearly and without hesitation, you're probably dealing with a good operator. If they dodge any of them, that's a signal.
The 10 questions
1. Can I see your BLD licence number?
It should be on every quote, contract, and email signature. A 6-digit number prefixed with BLD. Verify it at the CBS Public Register.
2. Can I see your public liability insurance certificate?
Should be $20M minimum, currency confirmed for the work date.
3. For work over the prescribed threshold, when will I receive the Building Indemnity Insurance certificate?
SA law requires BII before work starts or deposit paid. They should know this.
4. Can you walk me up onto the roof to show me the issues?
The legitimate Adelaide roofers say yes. Some show you photos taken from a drone or pole-cam first.
5. What product brand will you use?
For restoration: Dulux Acratex or Shieldcoat. For Colorbond replacement: genuine BlueScope. For pointing: a named flexible polymer product (Stormseal, Skyflex).
6. What workmanship warranty do I get?
Reasonable Adelaide standards: 5-7 years on workmanship, 15 years on product (matched to the manufacturer warranty).
7. Can I see a recent Adelaide job in my suburb?
Most good roofers have a portfolio organised by suburb. References from your area carry the most weight.
8. Will the scope be itemised on the quote?
Yes is the right answer. Single-line quotes are difficult to compare.
9. What deposit do you require?
Anything over 10% is questionable. Many Adelaide roofers take no deposit at all - they bill progressively or on completion.
10. What happens if there's a problem after the job is done?
Reasonable answer: come back to inspect within 7-10 days. Fix workmanship issues at no charge during warranty period.
What to do with the answers
Ask the same 10 questions to 3 different Adelaide roofers. The differences are revealing. The good operators answer confidently and consistently. The dodgy ones get evasive or change the subject to discount talk.