Roofer
Safety at height is the defining discipline of this trade. Roofing consistently appears in construction fatality and serious injury statistics. Falls from roofs, through fragile roof lights, and off ladders and scaffolding are a real and ongoing risk. Employers are legally required to provide appropriate fall protection, and roofers are professionally and personally responsible for using it correctly every single day. There are no shortcuts at height.
What is it?
A Roofer is a skilled tradesperson who installs, repairs, and maintains the roofs of buildings, ensuring they are weatherproof, structurally sound, and built to last. Roofers work across an enormous range of roof types and materials, from traditional clay tiles and natural slate on period properties to modern flat roofing systems, green roofs, and solar panel installations on contemporary buildings.
It is a trade that is physically demanding, technically varied, and genuinely essential. Every building has a roof. Every roof eventually needs maintenance, repair, or replacement. The demand for skilled roofers is constant, the work is visible and satisfying, and the self-employment opportunities are among the strongest of any trade in the construction industry.
It is also a trade where safety awareness is non-negotiable. Working at height every day, in all weathers, on surfaces that can be slippery and unpredictable, means that discipline around fall protection, equipment, and safe working practices is the foundation everything else is built on.
What would you actually do?
Depending on your specialism and employer, you could be:
Stripping off old or damaged roofing materials and preparing the roof structure for new work
Laying roofing felt, battens, and tiles or slates to manufacturer and BS specification
Installing lead, copper, and zinc flashings around chimneys, valleys, and abutments
Applying flat roofing systems, including felt, EPDM rubber, and GRP fibreglass
Installing guttering, fascias, soffits, and rainwater drainage systems
Repairing and re-pointing ridge tiles, verges, and chimney stacks
Working on new-build roofs from structural deck to finished covering
Carrying out emergency repairs to storm-damaged roofs
Installing Velux and roof windows into existing and new roof structures
Working on green roofs and living roof installations
Installing solar panels and photovoltaic systems as part of a roofing project
Erecting and working from scaffolding and edge protection systems
Advising clients on roofing materials, systems, and maintenance requirements
The flat roofing market has transformed in quality. A generation ago flat roofs had a poor reputation for leaking and short lifespan. Modern flat roofing systems, including EPDM rubber, warm roof construction, and liquid applied coatings, are genuinely excellent products when installed correctly. Roofers who are properly trained and accredited in these systems are working with products that perform and that clients trust.
Career Paths
Pitched roofing - the most common type, covering sloped roofs with tiles, slates, or shingles. Includes concrete tiles, clay plain tiles, natural slate, synthetic slate, and fibre cement products. The bread-and-butter specialism for most roofers.
Flat roofing - covering flat or low-pitched roofs with waterproof membrane systems including built-up felt, single-ply membranes, EPDM rubber, liquid applied coatings, and GRP fibreglass. A distinct and increasingly important specialism as flat roofing products have improved dramatically in quality and lifespan.
Heritage and slate roofing - working with natural slate and traditional roofing materials on period, listed, and heritage properties. A skilled and valued specialism requiring knowledge of traditional techniques and materials.
Lead work and sheet metal roofing - cutting, dressing, and installing lead, copper, and zinc for flashings, valleys, dormers, and specialist roof coverings. One of the most skilled aspects of roofing work.
Green roofs and living roofs - installing planted roof systems on commercial and residential buildings. A growing specialism driven by planning requirements and sustainability targets.
Solar and photovoltaic roofing - integrating solar panels and PV systems into roofing projects. An increasingly important specialism as demand for renewable energy installation grows.
Industrial and commercial roofing - working on large commercial and industrial buildings with profiled metal sheeting, composite panels, and single-ply systems. Often working at significant height on large roof areas.
Thatching - a completely distinct and ancient craft specialism, producing and maintaining thatched roofs using reed, straw, and other natural materials. A protected and valued traditional skill with its own dedicated training pathway.
Is it right for you?
You might suit roofing if you:
Are comfortable working at height and find it manageable rather than anxiety-inducing
Are physically fit and robust, comfortable with demanding outdoor work in all weathers
Take satisfaction in work that is visible, lasting, and genuinely protective
Enjoy variety, as different roof types, materials, and buildings present different challenges
Take safety seriously and are disciplined about working safely at height every day
Want a trade with strong self-employment potential and consistent demand
Are interested in the full range of the trade, from traditional slate to modern flat roof systems
It might not suit you if a genuine fear of heights is part of how you experience the world. Manageable caution at height is healthy and appropriate. A fear that affects your judgment or movement at height is a genuine safety risk in this trade and worth being honest with yourself about before committing.
Natural slate and heritage work is a valued and dwindling specialism. Skilled roofers who can work confidently with natural Welsh or Spanish slate, understand traditional roof construction, and carry out sympathetic repairs on period properties are in genuinely short supply. This specialism commands premium rates and tends to attract discerning clients who value quality and are willing to pay for it.
Skills you will build
Setting out roof battens to correct gauge for different tile and slate types
Laying tiles and slates accurately, neatly, and to specification
Cutting and dressing lead flashings around chimneys, valleys, and abutments
Applying flat roofing systems correctly, including detailing at edges and upstands
Installing fascias, soffits, guttering, and rainwater systems
Working safely at height, including erecting edge protection and using harness systems
Reading roofing specifications and working drawings
Diagnosing roof faults and defects and identifying appropriate repairs
Understanding the Building Regulations relevant to roofing work
Estimating materials and managing waste efficiently
Client communication and advising on material choices and maintenance
How do you get in?
Apprenticeship - a Roofer apprenticeship at Level 2 is available and widely offered by roofing contractors, construction companies, and specialist roofing businesses. Takes around two years and combines on-site work with college attendance. A solid and practical route that gets you working on real roofs from the start.
College course - a Level 2 Diploma in Roofing Occupations provides the core skills across pitched and flat roofing, lead work, and health and safety. A good foundation before moving into employment or a site-based role.
T Level in Construction - a broader construction qualification with a substantial industry placement component, relevant for those considering roofing alongside other construction trade pathways.
Direct entry - roofing is a trade where direct entry as a labourer or roofer's mate is a common and well-trodden route. Carrying materials, stripping old roofs, and working alongside experienced roofers teaches the trade from the ground up and many successful roofers began this way.
The solar integration opportunity is growing. As more homeowners invest in solar panels and heat pump systems, the demand for roofers who understand how to integrate PV systems correctly into a roof, maintain weathertightness, and work alongside electrical and heating installers is increasing. Adding this knowledge and capability is a sensible business development move for forward-thinking roofers.
Qualifications to know about
Level 2 Diploma in Roofing Occupations - the core entry qualification covering pitched roofing, flat roofing, and health and safety at height
Level 3 Diploma in Roofing - for those progressing to specialist work, lead work, and supervisory roles
NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Roofing - competence qualifications often completed as part of an apprenticeship to demonstrate on-the-job ability
CSCS Card - essential for working on most construction and commercial sites
NPORS or PASMA qualification - required for erecting and using mobile tower scaffolds and access equipment
IPAF qualification - required for operating MEWPs and powered access platforms
FASET membership and safety net installer qualification - relevant for those working with safety nets and fall arrest systems on larger roofing contracts
Lead Sheet Association (LSA) qualifications - specialist training and certification for lead work, widely respected by contractors and clients
GRP fibreglass roofing qualifications - specialist product training offered by manufacturers for flat roofing installers
NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) membership -- the industry's main trade body; working for or becoming an NFRC member is a recognised mark of quality and professionalism
What can you earn?
Apprentice: Around £8,000 to £14,000 per year
Newly qualified roofer: Around £24,000 to £32,000 per year
Experienced roofer: £32,000 to £45,000 per year
Specialist, lead worker, or flat roofing specialist: £40,000 to £55,000+ per year
Self-employed: Highly variable, from £35,000 to well over £65,000 depending on specialism, location, and reputation
Roofing is consistently one of the better-paying trades at the experienced and self-employed level. Emergency repair work commands premium rates, particularly after storms and in winter when demand spikes and supply of available roofers tightens.
Lead workers and flat roofing specialists with accredited product training earn above the general roofing average. Self-employed roofers who build a strong local reputation and invest in accreditations that insurers and surveyors recognise can build very profitable businesses.
What could it lead to?
Self-employed roofer running your own domestic and commercial business
Lead work specialist carrying out heritage and high-end flashings and coverings
Flat roofing specialist with manufacturer accreditation in EPDM, GRP, or single-ply systems
Green roof installer working on commercial and residential living roof projects
Solar and PV roofing specialist integrating renewable energy systems into roofing work
Roofing contracts manager overseeing large commercial roofing projects
Site supervisor or project manager with a larger roofing contractor
Thatching specialist following a distinct and ancient craft pathway
Roofing lecturer or assessor in further education
Your own roofing contracting business with a team of roofers
Safety at height is the defining discipline of this trade. Roofing consistently appears in construction fatality and serious injury statistics. Falls from roofs, through fragile roof lights, and off ladders and scaffolding are a real and ongoing risk. Employers are legally required to provide appropriate fall protection, and roofers are professionally and personally responsible for using it correctly every single day. There are no shortcuts at height.