Roofer
Install, repair, and maintain pitched and flat roofing systems on residential and commercial buildings, working at height with a wide range of materials.
High
Low
2–3 years via apprenticeship; college routes available for most roofing specialisms
Level 2 NVQ in Roofing Occupations
common
What you do
Roofers work on the outer envelope of buildings, installing and maintaining roofing systems using slates, tiles, flat felt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass, and increasingly solar PV integrated systems. You strip old roofing material, repair fascias and gutters, re-lay or slate new roofs to correct pitch and overlap, lead-flash chimneys and abutments, and ensure weathertightness. Some roofers specialise in heritage or listed-building work using traditional materials and methods.
Why this career is resilient
Roofing is entirely site-specific, physically demanding, and weather-dependent — it cannot be performed remotely or automated. The UK's 30 million housing units all have roofs requiring maintenance over time. Extreme weather events (increasingly common) drive reactive demand. The solar PV boom is creating additional demand for roofers able to integrate panels.
A typical day
A typical day involves loading materials and checking weather conditions, working a domestic re-roof — stripping tiles, installing new felt and battens, laying tiles to ridge, and finishing lead flashings around chimney stacks.
Routes in
Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn: work with an employer and study part-time, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Typically funded by the government and your employer.
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Employed roofers earn £27,000–£40,000. Self-employed roofers commonly earn £35,000–£55,000. Commercial and flat-roof specialists earn higher rates.
Training costs: Apprenticeship: no upfront cost. College: £1,000–£2,500. CSCS card required (£50 test + card). PPE and basic tools: £300–£800.