A roof restoration is cleaning, repairs and a full repaint done as one job, to bring an ageing roof back into sound condition without replacing it. On a concrete tile roof it usually means treating moss, water blasting, replacing cracked tiles, re-bedding ridges, sealing and two topcoats. On an iron roof it means washing, rust treatment, replacing bad sheets or fixings, priming and painting. This page is part of our guide to roof painting in Auckland. It covers what a restoration includes, how it compares with re-roofing, what it costs, and what to ask a specialist before you choose.
What does a roof restoration include?
A roof restoration includes an inspection, a moss and lichen treatment, a thorough clean, the repairs the roof needs, and a full repaint. The repairs are what set it apart from a simple repaint: cracked tiles, failed ridges, rusted sheets, loose fixings and tired flashings are fixed before any paint goes on. Gutters are usually cleaned at the same time, because the wash sends debris into them.
A typical restoration, step by step:
- Inspection of the roof surface, ridges, valleys, flashings and fixings, with photos of problem areas.
- Moss and lichen treatment, left to work before cleaning.
- Cleaning, by water blasting on tiles or a roof wash on metal, with wash water kept out of the stormwater drains.
- Repairs: tiles or sheets replaced, ridges re-bedded and re-pointed, fixings replaced, flashings resealed.
- Primer or sealer to suit the roof type.
- Two topcoats of roof paint.
- Clean-up of gutters, paths and anything below the roof.
Ask for this list in writing with your quote, so you can see exactly what each specialist includes.
Is roof restoration worth it, or should you re-roof?
A roof restoration is worth it when the roof structure and most of the tiles or sheets are still sound, and the problems are surface wear and isolated damage. It costs a fraction of re-roofing. Replacement is the better choice when rust has gone through many sheets, many tiles are crumbling, the underlay has failed, or the roof leaks from the structure rather than the surface.
| Roof condition | Restoration | Re-roofing |
|---|---|---|
| Faded, mossy, a few cracked tiles | Good fit | Not needed |
| Rust spots at laps and fixings | Good fit, with repairs | Not needed |
| Many soft or crumbling tiles | Poor value | Better choice |
| Rust holes across many sheets | Poor value | Better choice |
| Sagging roof or failed underlay | Will not fix it | Better choice |
If you are not sure, ask for both options at the same visit. A good specialist will tell you when a restoration is not worth the money.
How much does roof restoration cost in Auckland?
A restoration costs roughly the price of a repaint plus the repairs: usually around $3,500 to $6,500 for an iron roof and $7,000 to $12,000 for a concrete tile or pressed metal tile roof. The number of tiles or sheets to replace and the state of the ridges move the price most. Your exact price comes from an on-site inspection and quote.
What pushes the cost of a restoration up:
- Lots of cracked tiles, failed ridges or rusted sheets
- Heavy moss and lichen that needs more than one treatment
- A steep roof, a second storey or difficult access
- Extra work such as flashings, valleys or gutters
For a full price table and what to compare between quotes, read the roof painting cost guide.
How long does a roof restoration take?
Most house roof restorations in Auckland take somewhere between a few days and two weeks of work, spread over a longer stretch when rain or dew gets in the way. The moss treatment may need time to work before cleaning, and tiles must be completely dry before they are sealed. Ask the specialist for a realistic timeline that allows for weather.
What affects the timeline:
- Weather: painting cannot happen in rain, on a wet roof or with heavy dew.
- Repairs: replacement tiles or sheets may need ordering.
- Roof size and pitch: a big or steep roof takes longer to set up safely.
Do roof restoration products work?
Good roof paint systems work when they go onto a properly cleaned, repaired and dry roof. They protect the surface, refresh the colour and slow wear. They do not repair broken tiles, rusted-through steel or leaks, which is why the repair stage of a restoration matters most. Resene notes that roof paint lets moisture vapour pass, so it is not a cure for a leak.
Be wary of claims that one product does everything. A restoration works because of the preparation and repairs, not because of a special coating.
What should I ask before I hire someone for roof restoration?
Ask what the restoration includes step by step, which products and how many coats, how they will keep wash water out of the drains, how they will manage working at height, and what warranty covers their workmanship. On older houses, ask how they will check for asbestos. Get the answers in writing with the quote so you can compare like with like.
Questions worth asking each specialist:
- Which repairs are included, and how many tiles or sheets do you expect to replace?
- Which primer or sealer and topcoat will you use, by product name?
- How will you set up edge protection? WorkSafe expects fall risks to be managed on every roof, including single-storey houses.
- My house is older. How will you check for asbestos? WorkSafe warns that high pressure water blasting must not be used on roofing that contains asbestos, and its alert names older decramastic tiles as one roofing product that may contain it.
- How will you stop wash water and paint going into the stormwater drains, as Auckland Council requires?
- What warranty do you give on workmanship, and what does the paint maker cover?
Questions people ask
What is the difference between roof restoration and roof painting?
A roof repaint is cleaning and painting. A roof restoration adds the repairs: replacing cracked tiles or rusted sheets, re-bedding ridges, fixing flashings and fasteners. If your roof is only faded, a repaint may be enough. If it has damage, a restoration fixes that first. Our tile roof painting and iron roof painting guides cover the repaint side for each roof type.
Is $30,000 too much for a roof?
For a restoration on a typical Auckland house, $30,000 is far too much. Most restorations cost between $3,500 and $12,000. For a full re-roof of a large or complex house, it can be within range. If you have a quote that high for a restoration, ask exactly what it includes and get at least two more quotes to compare.
Should gutters be replaced during a roof restoration?
Only if they are damaged, rusted through or sagging. Most restorations include cleaning the gutters, because the roof wash sends moss and grit into them. If your gutters are near the end of their life, replacing them while the roof work is happening can save setting up access twice. Ask for it as a separate line in the quote.
Who does roof restoration, a roofer or a painter?
Both. Some roof restorations are done by roof painting specialists who also handle tile and ridge repairs, and some by roofers who also paint. What matters is that whoever you hire can do both the repairs and the coating properly. Ask each one which parts they do themselves.
Sources used
- WorkSafe New Zealand, check for asbestos before high pressure spraying on roofs
- WorkSafe New Zealand, working on roofs
- Auckland Council, pressure washing and water blasting guidance
- Resene, roof painting questions answered by its technical team
- Published prices of several Auckland roof painting businesses, checked November 2026
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