After a hailstorm, the hardest part of a claim is often proving what happened to the roof. Hail dents in metal sheeting can be hard to see from the ground, and the insurer’s assessment does not always match what is up there.

A roof report puts the roof’s condition in writing. This guide covers what a roof report is, what goes into the IM Metal Roof Report, and how homeowners across the Mid North Coast use one, whether they are claiming on insurance, buying a home or have spotted one of the warning signs that a roof needs attention.

The short answer: A roof report is a written assessment of a roof’s condition, backed by photos, time stamps and measurements. Homeowners use one to support an insurance claim, to check a roof before buying or selling, or for peace of mind. The IM Metal Roof Report is IM Metal Roofing’s report for metal roofs, built to insurance standard with a quote attached.

Jump to:

• What the report includes
• How a report differs from an inspection
• Who uses a roof report
• Using the report in an insurance claim
• Common questions

What Is the IM Metal Roof Report?

The IM Metal Roof Report is IM Metal Roofing’s written assessment of a metal roof, completed on site and built so it can be submitted straight to an insurer. It records what the roof looks like today, says what should happen next, and prices that work in the same document.

A Complete On-Site Check of a Metal Roof, Written Up to Insurance Standard

An IM Metal Roofing roofer gets up on the roof, checks its condition and records the findings on the spot. Photos back up the findings, so whoever reads the report sees the evidence instead of taking a description on trust. Your insurer can assess the report as it stands, without you having to rewrite or add to it.

Metal Roofs Only

IM Metal Roofing writes reports for metal roofs only, including Colorbond, Zincalume and corrugated iron. Metal is what the team installs and repairs every week, so metal is what they report on.

What’s in the Report

Every IM Metal Roof Report includes photos, measurements, the key details of the home, a conclusion and a quote. Here is what each part covers.

Photos, Time Stamps and Measurements

Each photo carries a time stamp, which shows when the damage was recorded. The report also measures the roof area in square metres, the figure a roofing quote is built on.

Single or Double Storey, Leaf Guard and Current Condition

The report notes whether the home is single or double storey and whether leaf guard is fitted, because both change how the work is done and what it costs. It then describes the roof as it stands, from hail dents and rust to lifted sheets and damaged flashings.

A Conclusion on What IM Metal Roofing Thinks Should Happen Next

The report ends with a conclusion on what should happen next, whether that means leaving the roof alone, repairing it or replacing it. Where there is hail damage, the conclusion says how far it extends and what it will take to fix.

A Quote Attached

The quote for the recommended work comes with the report, so an insurer or a buyer sees the cost alongside the evidence. You do not have to wait for a separate quote.

Delivered Through the Dashpivot App, Ready to Send Straight to an Insurer

The report is built in Dashpivot, a field reporting app used across the construction industry, and sent to you as a full written report. It arrives as one document you can forward or file with your property records.

Roof Report vs Roof Inspection: What’s the Difference?

A roofer inspects your roof on the visit, then writes up what they found. That write-up is the roof report, and it is yours to keep, forward and come back to.

The Inspection Is the Visit, the Report Is the Record You Keep

Once the roofer climbs down, an inspection on its own leaves you with whatever you were told on the day. A report leaves you with dated photos, measurements and a written conclusion, which matters when a decision rests on it, such as an insurance claim or a property purchase. You may also see it called a roof inspection report or a roof condition report.

Who Gets a Roof Report, and Why

Most IM Metal Roof Reports are written for insurance claims. Buyers, sellers and owners who want a straight answer about their roof can order one too.

Insurance Claims After Hail or Storm Damage

After hail or a big storm, a roof report gives your insurer a roofer’s evidence of the damage, not only your description of it. Hail is one of the most common reasons people call IM Metal Roofing. If you are booking a roof inspection for an insurance claim, the report records the damage while it is fresh. Our guide to storm damage repairs and insurance claims covers what to do in the first few days.

Buying a Home: A Building and Pest Inspection Covers the Whole Property, a Roof Report Goes Deeper on the Roof Alone

A pre-purchase roof inspection gives you a roofer’s view of the roof before you sign. A standard building inspection checks the roof exterior where the inspector can safely reach it, lists any areas that could not be inspected, and does not usually estimate repair costs, as the NSW Government’s guide to pre-purchase inspection reports explains. The IM Metal Roof Report fills those gaps for a metal roof, with the whole roof checked, its condition recorded and the recommended work priced. That gives you a figure to take into negotiations, or a reason to walk away.

Selling a Home: Showing Buyers the Roof Is Sound

Sellers can order an IM Metal Roof Report before listing, so buyers see the roof’s condition in writing from the first inspection. If the roof is in good shape, dated photos and measurements back that up. If it needs work, you find out before a buyer’s inspector does, and you can decide whether to repair it or factor it into the price. Buyers may still get their own inspection, as the NSW Government notes for vendor reports, but the roof is one less unknown when they make an offer.

Peace of Mind From Someone Who Works on Roofs Every Day

Some owners want to know where their roof stands before something goes wrong. An older roof, a recent storm or a slow leak can leave you wondering whether you need a repair now or a full replacement soon. A report answers that with evidence, and if the roof is in good shape, it tells you so.

How the Report Supports an Insurance Claim

The IM Metal Roof Report gives you a roofer’s evidence to put beside your insurer’s own assessment. If the two disagree, you have dated photos and measurements to back your side, and a quote that shows what the full repair costs.

A Roof Specialist’s Assessment Alongside the Insurer’s Assessor

Your insurer will usually send its own assessor to look at the damage. The report does not replace that visit. It sits beside it, written by people who install and repair metal roofs for a living. You can also ask your insurer for a copy of any expert report and other information it is using to decide your claim, as Financial Rights Legal Centre sets out. Reading the two side by side shows exactly where they differ.

When the Report Finds More Damage Than First Assessed

If the IM Metal Roof Report finds more damage than the insurer’s assessor recorded, send it to your insurer and ask for the claim to be reviewed. IM Metal Roofing sees this regularly on hail claims, where an assessor records no damage or approves only half the roof for replacement. Cal Allsop, IM Metal Roofing’s director, has never replaced half a roof on a claim like this. In those cases, his report showed the whole roof was damaged, it went to the insurer, and the claim went through as a full re-roof. That is where the report earns its place: your roof is judged on evidence you hold, not on one visit alone.

Cash Settlement and Choosing Your Own Roofer

A cash settlement lets you choose your own roofer, because the insurer pays you an agreed amount and you manage the work yourself. ASIC’s review of claims after Cyclone Jasper found 52% of cash settlement offers were based on a single quote, and Moneysmart recommends getting your own repair quotes to check the offer is realistic. The IM Metal Roof Report gives you that check: a scope and a quote from a licensed roofer, which you can send your insurer if the offer falls short. Our guide on how to choose a roofer covers what to look for before you commit to a re-roof or roof repairs.

Working through a hail claim right now? Book an IM Metal Roof Report before you accept a settlement.

Book an IM Metal Roof Report

If your roof is part of a claim, a purchase or a worry, the IM Metal Roof Report puts its condition in writing, with photos, measurements and a quote attached. IM Metal Roofing writes them for metal roofs across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast.

Get in touch or call Aaren on 0432 175 102.

Sources

• NSW Government: Pre-purchase inspection reports for buyers
• Financial Rights Legal Centre: Insurance claim delay
• Moneysmart: How home insurance cash settlements work
• ASIC: Beyond the payout, the home insurance cash settlement review

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, and it’s not a decision you get to make every day. Choosing who works on it is worth getting right the first time. A quality roofer means a job done properly, safely and built to last. The wrong choice can mean leaks, poor workmanship and headaches down the track, especially once our coastal climate gets involved.

With a few options around, how do you pick the right one? Here is a straightforward guide to choosing among roofers coffs harbour homeowners can rely on, and the things worth checking before you commit.

The short answer: Look for a roofer who holds a current NSW licence, carries proper insurance and offers a clear workmanship warranty, backed by genuine local experience and reviews. Ask for a detailed written quote before you commit, and be wary of anyone reluctant to put things in writing.

Why choosing the right roofer matters

Roofing is skilled, licensed work, and the quality of the job shows over time, for better or worse. Choose well, and you get a roof that performs and lasts. Choose poorly, and you’re often the one paying to fix avoidable problems down the track.

Quality, safety and a roof that lasts

A roof installed well by the right team protects your home for decades and holds up to whatever the coast throws at it. Because roofing is done at height and involves keeping your home watertight, experience and proper qualifications genuinely matter; this isn’t a job for enthusiastic amateurs with a ladder and good intentions. Getting the choice right upfront is the best way to protect your investment and avoid paying twice.

The key things to check

A little homework helps you sort the professionals from the rest. At a glance, look for:

• A current NSW roofing or roof plumbing licence
• Appropriate insurance cover
• A clear workmanship warranty
• Genuine local experience and reviews
• Quality materials, such as Australian-made Colorbond

Licensing, insurance and warranty

Start with the essentials. Make sure the business holds a current licence, as roofing and roof plumbing are licensed work in New South Wales. A licensed roofer is trained to do the job to code. Check that they carry appropriate insurance, and ask about the warranty they offer on their workmanship. IM Metal Roofing, for example, is led by a licensed roof plumber, holds licence number 289474C, is a licensed Gutter Guard installer, and backs its installations with a 7-year workmanship warranty. Our guide on what a roof plumber does explains why licensing makes such a difference.

Experience, reputation and quality materials

Look at experience and reputation too. A team with a solid track record and genuine reviews from past customers is a good sign. IM Metal Roofing brings over 30 years of combined experience and has served more than a thousand happy customers across the region. It is also worth asking what materials they use. Quality roofers work with proven products, such as 100% Australian-made Colorbond, rather than cutting corners on materials.

Why local experience counts

There is real value in choosing a roofer who knows the area. A local team understands exactly what Coffs Harbour homes are up against, and makes more informed calls on materials and detailing than an out-of-town crew might.

Understanding Coffs Harbour’s coastal conditions

A local roofer understands what homes here have to deal with, from salt air and strong coastal winds to storm season downpours. Salt air doesn’t discriminate. It will happily get to work on the wrong fixings or the wrong-grade materials just as fast as it does on your car. That local knowledge shapes the right material choices, grades and detailing for a roof that lasts in our conditions. Choosing a business that specialises in metal roofing coffs harbour homeowners trust means working with people who genuinely know the local climate. A local team is also easier to reach and more accountable, and IM Metal Roofing proudly serves the wider Mid North Coast, including Sawtell, Woolgoolga, Bellingen, Nambucca Heads and beyond.

Questions to ask before you commit

Before you sign anything, a few simple questions and checks can save you a lot of hassle later. A good roofer won’t mind answering them; if anything, they’ll expect you to ask.

Getting a quote and doing your final checks

Ask for a clear, detailed written quote that spells out the scope of work, materials and timeline, so there are no surprises later. It is also worth asking to see recent local work or references, checking the team uses proper safety setup like scaffolding or harnesses, and confirming who handles the clean-up and rubbish removal once the job is done. Be a little cautious of cash-only jobs, large upfront deposits, or anyone reluctant to put things in writing, and treat “sign today or the price goes up” as a red flag rather than a bargain. A good roofer will communicate clearly, answer your questions honestly, and take a no-pressure approach. That transparency is a strong sign you are dealing with quality roofing coffs harbour professionals. If you are also weighing up cost, our pricing guide is a useful read.

Talk to a Trusted Local Roofing Team

Looking for reliable, licensed roofers in Coffs Harbour? The team at IM Metal Roofing would be happy to talk through your project, answer your questions and give you a clear, no-pressure quote for work right across the Mid North Coast.

Get in touch for a quote or call Aaren on 0432 175 102.

FAQs

Q: How many roofing quotes should I get?

A: Getting two or three quotes is a good rule of thumb. It gives you a feel for a fair price and lets you compare how each roofer approaches the job, without dragging the process out. Just make sure you are comparing like for like on scope and materials.

Q: Are cheap roofing quotes a red flag?

A: Not always, but a quote that’s well below the others is worth questioning. It can point to thinner-gauge materials, shortcuts on flashing and detailing, uninsured labour, or a round of unexpected extra costs once the job is underway. Ask exactly what’s included, what materials and gauge they’re quoting for, and why the price differs before you decide.

Q: Do roofers usually offer free quotes?

A: Many local roofers, including IM Metal Roofing, provide a free, no-obligation quote after assessing your roof. It is a good chance to ask questions, see how they communicate, and get everything in writing before you commit.

Q: How can I tell if a roofer is a scam?

A: Be cautious of anyone who turns up unannounced with a “special deal,” pressures you to decide on the spot, or asks for a large cash payment upfront before any work starts. NSW Fair Trading warns these are common tactics used by travelling conmen posing as tradespeople. Before you commit, you can check a licence on the verify.licence NSW website and confirm a business’s ABN on the Australian Business Register. If something feels off, you can report it to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

Sources

• NSW Government: Roof plumbing work
• NSW Fair Trading: Beware charming conmen offering deals too good to be true


When it comes to your roof, the person doing the work matters just as much as the materials on it. You may have seen the term “roof plumber” and wondered how it differs from a general roofer. It is a fair question, and the answer has a real impact on the quality, safety and longevity of your roof.

It is worth understanding before you hire. Here is a clear explanation of what is a roof plumber, and why choosing a licensed roof plumber gives you real peace of mind.

The short answer: A roof plumber is a licensed tradesperson who installs and repairs the whole system that manages water on your roof, metal roofing, guttering and downpipes, flashings, rainwater systems and roof drainage. In NSW this is licensed work, so a licensed roof plumber is trained to meet Australian standards, which protects you from leaks, poor drainage and premature corrosion. Before you hire, check for a current licence, insurance, a warranty and local experience.

What does a roof plumber do?

It is a more specialised role than many people realise.

Roofing, guttering, flashing and roof drainage

Roof plumbing covers far more than laying roof sheets. A roof plumber installs and repairs metal roofing, guttering and downpipes, flashings, rainwater systems and roof drainage. Their job is to make sure water is properly directed off and away from the building, keeping it watertight and protecting the structure underneath. That includes the detailed work that is easy to overlook, such as flashing and sealing around chimneys, pipes, skylights and vents, where many leaks begin. In short, what a roof plumber does is manage the whole system that keeps your home dry.

Roof plumber vs general roofer

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is an important distinction.

Why licensing matters for quality and compliance

Roof plumbing is licensed work in New South Wales, which means a licensed roof plumber has completed the required training and holds the qualifications to do the job to code. When you compare roofer vs roof plumber, the key difference is accountability. A licensed professional is trained to meet Australian standards and local requirements, so the work is done correctly and safely. That protects you from the risks of substandard work, such as leaks, poor drainage and premature corrosion, which are especially costly in a coastal climate.

Peace of mind and properly warranted work

Using a licensed roof plumber also means your work is more likely to be properly documented and warranted. At IM Metal Roofing, installations are backed by a 7-year workmanship warranty, and the business is led by Aaren, a licensed roof plumber. That combination of licensing and warranty gives you confidence the job has been done to a high standard.

Choosing a licensed roofing team

A little due diligence upfront saves a lot of hassle later.

What to check before you hire

Before you commit, it is worth asking a few simple questions. Check that the business holds a current licence, carries appropriate insurance, and offers a warranty on its work. Ask about experience with local conditions, since roofs on the Mid North Coast face salt air, strong winds and storm season. Look for clear communication and a detailed written quote. A quality roofer will happily walk you through all of this. If you want a deeper checklist, our guide on choosing a roofer covers what to look for.

Work With a Licensed Roof Plumber You Can Trust

When your roof is on the line, experience and licensing matter. IM Metal Roofing is led by a licensed roof plumber and brings over 30 years of combined roofing experience to homes and businesses across Coffs Harbour, with every installation backed by a 7-year warranty.

Get in touch for a quote or call Aaren on 0432 175 102.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between a roofer and a roof plumber?

A: A roof plumber is a licensed tradesperson qualified to install and repair metal roofing, guttering, flashings and roof drainage to code. “Roofer” is a broader, more general term. For metal roofing and rainwater systems in NSW, you want a licensed roof plumber.

Q: Is roof plumbing licensed work?

A: Yes. In New South Wales, roof plumbing is licensed work, which means the tradesperson must hold the right qualifications. Always check that whoever works on your roof is appropriately licensed and insured.

Q: Is IM Metal Roofing licensed?

A: Yes. IM Metal Roofing is led by Aaren, a licensed roof plumber, and holds licence number 289474C. The team is also a Gutter Guard licensed installer, and all installations come with a 7-year workmanship warranty.

Sources

• NSW Government – Roof plumbing work