Roofers in TasmaniaNo home warranty insurance, so contracts carry the load.

Builder or plumber? Tasmania draws a hard line

Repair, replacement and maintenance of a building need a building services licence, except low-risk work the Building Act doesn't reserve for builders.

Roof plumbing is a plumbing licence stream, and CBOS says only licensed plumbers have been allowed to do it since 2010. Since 4 July 2018 a builder can hold a roof drainage endorsement, but it's narrow, and it doesn't let them advertise as a roof plumbing contractor.

No home warranty insurance: what that means

The CBOS Building Services Work Determination (version 2.3, from 1 October 2024) lists contract works and public liability as the insurance a builder must carry. Home warranty isn't on the list, so don't assume a fund will finish the job if your builder goes broke mid re-roof.

Statutory warranties form part of every residential building contract for six years from practical completion, and pass to a buyer if you sell.

Defects: up to 24 months since October 2024

From 1 October 2024, the period for finding defects a builder must fix at their own cost went from 12 months to a maximum of 24 months. For plumbing defects, the council permit authority can order the plumber to fix the work.

Contracts from $20,000

Tasmania's contract law only applies from $20,000. Then the contract must be written, signed and dated, with the licence number, price, completion date and statutory warranties. You get a copy and the CBOS Residential Building Consumer Guide within 5 business days, and can withdraw in writing within five business days of receiving them.

Deposits are capped at 10% from $20,000 to $50,000 and 5% from $50,000, and no more than 50% can be charged before half the work is done.

Checking a Tasmanian licence

Use the CBOS Find a licensed tradesperson search (occupationallicensing.justice.tas.gov.au/Search/onlinesearch.aspx). It lists current licence holders only, not pending applications, so a missing name is worth a question. Our licence check guide explains what to look for.

If a Tasmanian roof job goes wrong

Tell the builder as soon as you notice a problem, then follow up in writing. CBOS gives free dispute advice. Either side can then lodge a notice of dispute for mediation through the Director of Building Control, usually sharing the mediator's costs. TASCAT only hears the dispute once mediation has been tried.

What Tasmanian roofs face

Heavy rain and wind. In May 2018, 128 mm fell on Hobart in 24 hours and a few Sandy Bay homes lost their roofs. Several CBOS documents we relied on were read from archived copies, so confirm current rules with CBOS before you sign.