Do roofers need a licence in NZ?
Short answer
Roofers don't need a general licence to operate — but if they're doing Restricted Building Work on a residential roof (which most roofing on a house is, because it affects weathertightness), an LBP licensed in Roofing must do or supervise the work. So while there's no 'roofer register' as such, the LBP Roofing class is mandatory for the structural and weatherproof roofing layer. Always ask for the LBP number.
Source: Building (Definition of Restricted Building Work) Order 2011. Updated May 2026.
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Check a builderKey facts
- No general roofer licence in NZ
- LBP Roofing class is required for Restricted Building Work on residential roofs
- Verify at lbp.govt.nz — search by name or licence number
- Working-at-height qualifications (Site Safe Passport) often required by sites/insurers but not by law for residential
- Many roofers also offer spouting/gutter — that's not Restricted Building Work
When LBP Roofing is required
Re-roofing your house. Repairs to flashings or membranes that form part of the weatherproof envelope. Adding a roof to an extension. New build roofing.
Not required for: gutter cleaning, basic spouting replacement, small patch repairs that don't affect the primary weather-tightness, painting of an existing roof. Common sense applies.
What to ask
Show me the LBP Roofing licence (name and number). Insurance: certificate of currency for public liability. Manufacturer warranty: most roof material brands (Colorsteel, Gerard, Metalcraft) only honour their 30-year warranty if installed by an approved installer.
Roof failure is one of the most expensive types of building defect to fix. A few minutes verifying credentials is well spent.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring. Check any NZ builder against the public record: company status, licensing and insolvency notices, from the official NZ sources.
Related questions
Sources: Building (Definition of Restricted Building Work) Order 2011; Licensed Building Practitioners register. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice. Building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.