Career profile · live from the Careermash careers engine
Careermash
Physical making / fixingPhysical making / fixing
Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters n.e.c.
Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters play a crucial role in constructing and maintaining the roofs that protect our homes and buildings. They ensure safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal, contributing significantly to the overall integrity of structures across the UK.
No degree needed for many routesApprenticeship route
AI impact: low££ payApprenticeship route
3
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Robin · your guide
Curious about being a roofers, roof tilers and slaters n.e.c.? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.
What you'd actually do
Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters are essential craftsmen in the construction industry, charged with the responsibility of ensuring that roofs are not only functional but also visually appealing. This role is vital for the protection of buildings against the elements, making it a cornerstone of both residential and commercial construction projects. The work is physically demanding and requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and a strong understanding of building materials.
Every day presents unique challenges, from assessing the specific needs of a structure to selecting the right materials that will withstand the UK's diverse weather conditions. Roofers must be adept at interpreting architectural plans and collaborating with other tradespeople to deliver a cohesive final product. The ability to work at heights and maintain safety standards is paramount, as the job often involves navigating scaffolding and using specialized tools.
- Assessment and Planning: Start each project by thoroughly inspecting the existing roof and discussing requirements with clients or contractors to determine the best approach.
- Material Selection: Choose the right roofing materials, including tiles, slates, or shingles, tailored to the specific needs of the project and the local climate.
- Installation and Repair: Utilize various techniques to install, repair, or replace roofs, ensuring all work complies with local building codes and regulations.
- Maintenance: Conduct routine maintenance checks, such as cleaning gutters and inspecting for leaks, to ensure roofs remain in optimal condition.
- Collaboration: Work closely with builders, architects, and other construction professionals to ensure that roofing integrates seamlessly with the overall project.
- Safety Practices: Employ scaffolding and safety equipment effectively while adhering to strict safety protocols to protect oneself and coworkers.
- Documentation: Keep meticulous records of all work completed, including materials used and any issues encountered, to maintain transparency and accountability.
- Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing training and skill development to stay abreast of the latest roofing technologies and techniques, ensuring high-quality workmanship.
In this rewarding career, successful roofers not only take pride in their craftsmanship but also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that their work directly contributes to the safety and aesthetics of the built environment. With the right skills and dedication, roofers can build a fulfilling career with opportunities for advancement, specialization, and even entrepreneurship.
1Assess roofing needs by inspecting buildings and discussing requirements with clients or contractors.
2Select appropriate materials, including tiles, slates, or shingles, based on the type of roof and weather conditions.
3Install, repair, and replace roofs using various techniques and tools, ensuring adherence to building codes and safety regulations.
4Perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning gutters and checking for leaks to prolong the lifespan of roofs.
5Collaborate with other construction professionals, including builders and architects, to ensure seamless integration with the overall project.
6Utilise scaffolding and safety equipment to work at heights while adhering to strict safety protocols.
7Keep detailed records of work completed, materials used, and any issues encountered on the job.
8Engage in ongoing training and skill development to stay updated with the latest roofing technologies and techniques.
Career progression & pay
01
Getting in
Junior Roofer
£20,000 - £25,000
Basic construction skills, health and safety training.
As a Junior Roofer, you will assist experienced roofers in various tasks, learning the trade while gaining hands-on experience. This role is ideal for those starting their career in construction.
02
Building up
Mid-Level Roofer
£28,000 - £35,000
NVQ Level 2 in Roofing or equivalent experience.
In this role, you will take on more responsibility, managing small projects and training junior staff. Your skills in roofing techniques and materials will be crucial for success.
03
At the top
Senior Roofer or Roofing Supervisor
£40,000+
NVQ Level 3 in Roofing, supervisory experience.
As a Senior Roofer, you will oversee roofing projects, ensuring quality and safety standards are met. You will also mentor junior roofers and may specialise in areas such as green roofing or solar installations.
Degrees that lead here via Construction & Trades
Degree options are mapped from subjects - explore the buckets to find related courses.
Apprenticeships that lead here
Who hires - top UK employers
BAM Construct UK
A leading construction and project management company, BAM Construct UK offers a range of services including roofing.
Mace Group
Mace is an international consultancy and construction company, known for its innovative approach to building.
Willmott Dixon
An award-winning construction and property services company, Willmott Dixon is committed to sustainability and quality.
AI & the future of this job
Roofing is one of the most AI-resistant trades in existence. Every roof is a unique physical puzzle shaped by the building's age, material condition, local weather patterns, and the quirks of whoever installed it last. Diagnosing a leak, cutting a complex hip junction, or bedding slate on a Victorian terrace requires hands, eyes, and hard-won judgement that no algorithm can replicate. AI tools might help with quoting software or material ordering, but the core craft remains entirely human.
Within 5 Years
Negligible change
Over the next five years, AI touches roofing almost exclusively at the administrative edges. Drone surveys and AI-assisted imaging may help with large commercial roof inspections, but the actual installation and repair work remains entirely manual. Demand for roofers is rising, not falling, driven by the UK's ageing housing stock and the push to retrofit insulation and solar panels. Your tools and your judgment remain your greatest assets.
Within 10 Years
Minor peripheral tools
By the mid-2030s, AI-powered estimating and project management tools will be commonplace across construction, and roofers who use them efficiently will quote faster and win more work. Drone thermal imaging may become standard for diagnosing heat loss and moisture ingress on commercial buildings, making surveys quicker. None of this displaces the roofer on the roof with a nail gun and a slate ripper. If anything, better diagnostics create more identified repair work, sustaining demand.
Within 20 Years
Stable, tools-assisted
Even two decades out, robotic roofing at scale remains implausible for the varied, complex geometry of UK housing. Robotics excels in flat, repetitive, controlled environments, which is almost the opposite of a pitched roof on a 1930s semi in the rain. The roofers who thrive long-term will combine traditional craft skills with fluency in energy-efficiency retrofitting and solar integration, both of which are growth areas driven by climate policy. This career has a longer horizon than most people realise.
How to stay ahead
Pursue a quality apprenticeship
A CITB-approved apprenticeship with a reputable firm gives you structured training, an NVQ qualification, and paid experience from the start. Look for employers who work across different roof types including flat, pitched, and heritage, since breadth of experience makes you far more employable and self-sufficient as a sole trader later.
Specialise in heritage and conservation roofing
Skills in Welsh slate, clay tile, and lead work are genuinely scarce and command premium rates. Historic England and local conservation officers frequently need approved contractors for listed buildings, and this niche is almost entirely insulated from any future disruption. A SPAB or heritage craft qualification alongside your core NVQ sets you apart significantly.
Add solar and retrofit competencies
The UK government's net zero commitments mean millions of roofs will need solar panel installation and improved insulation interfaces over the coming decades. Getting MCS accreditation for solar roof mounting opens a substantial and growing revenue stream. Roofers who understand the intersection of weatherproofing and energy systems will be exceptionally well placed.
Build toward self-employment early
Most experienced roofers eventually go self-employed or set up small firms, which is where earning potential increases sharply. Focus from the start on understanding pricing, client communication, and basic business administration. Tradespeople who can quote clearly, turn up reliably, and explain their work confidently build reputation faster than almost any marketing spend.
How to get in - your routes
Careermash · your kind of work, the careers in it, and every route in - all in one place.