How to Become a Roofer in the UK
Roofers fit, repair and replace roofs on houses, commercial buildings and industrial units. Depending on your specialism you might lay tiles and slates on pitched roofs, install felt, single-ply or liquid membranes on flat roofs, dress lead flashings, or fix metal sheeting and cladding. The work is outdoors and at height, and it is physical in every season.
Most roofers learn through an apprenticeship or by starting as a labourer with a roofing firm. You need a CSCS card for most construction sites, plus safety training for working at height.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £30,000
- Mid-career salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £70,000
- Work environment
- On rooftops, outdoors, often at height
- Time to entry
- 2 - 4 years (apprenticeship)
- Degree required
- Not required - apprenticeship route
- Category
- Skilled Trades
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: No-degree careers, Career change.
What a Roofer does
Install and repair pitched and flat roofs - tiles, slate, felt, lead and modern membranes.
- Pitched Tiling and Slating - Traditional pitched roofing.
- Flat Roofing - Single-ply, felt and EPDM systems.
- Lead Work - Heritage and complex lead roofing.
- Industrial / Sheeting - Profile metal sheeting on industrial buildings.
How to become a roofer in the UK
The main route is the Level 2 Roofer apprenticeship, usually two to three years with a roofing contractor and day release at college, covering pitched or flat roofing. You can also take a college course in roofing, or start as a roofer's labourer and work towards an NVQ Level 2 in roofing occupations through on-site assessment. Experienced roofers without qualifications can be assessed through an experienced worker route to gain their NVQ and CSCS card. The NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) is the main trade body, and CITB supports much of the industry's training.
- Look for a roofing apprenticeship through the government apprenticeship service, local colleges, or by contacting roofing contractors directly.
- If no apprenticeship is available, start as a roofer's labourer to learn materials, tools and safe working at height on real jobs.
- Pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test and apply for the right CSCS card so you can work on construction sites.
- Complete working-at-height and ladder training, and learn how scaffolding, edge protection and harnesses are used safely on roofs.
- Work towards an NVQ Level 2 in roofing occupations, then a Level 3 if you want to supervise or run jobs.
- Choose a specialism, such as slating and tiling, flat roofing membranes, leadwork or industrial cladding, and get manufacturer training for the systems you install.
- If you go self-employed, register with HMRC, get public liability insurance and consider joining a trade body to win customers' trust.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Roofer apprenticeship | 2-3 years | Paid by the employer | School leavers and new starters |
| Labourer, then NVQ on site | 2-4 years | Varies, often employer-funded | Earning from day one |
| College roofing course | 1-2 years | Often free for 16-18s | Learning basics before finding an employer |
| Experienced worker assessment | Weeks to months | Varies by provider | Roofers with experience but no NVQ |
How long it takes
Expect two to four years to become a fully qualified roofer through an apprenticeship or on-site NVQ. You can start earning as a labourer or apprentice straight away.
Roofer salary in the UK
Roofers usually start on around £24,000 to £30,000 once out of their apprenticeship. Experienced roofers typically earn £32,000 to £45,000, and senior roofers, supervisors or self-employed specialists can earn £50,000 to £70,000. Specialist trades within roofing, such as leadwork, heritage slating and industrial cladding, often pay more than general repairs. Self-employed roofers charge by the job or day, so earnings depend on steady work, the weather and how well you price jobs. London and the South East usually pay the most.
Key skills
- Working at height
- Slating/tiling
- Lead work
- Health & safety
- Physical fitness
Will roofers be replaced by AI?
Low exposure. No. Roofing is skilled physical work at height on buildings that are all different, and it sits at the very bottom of the UK's AI exposure rankings.
The DfE study placed roofers, roof tilers and slaters among the occupations least exposed to AI of all UK jobs.
What AI already does in this job
- Measuring and quoting from drone or satellite images
- Scheduling and materials ordering
What stays with a person
- Working safely at height
- Judging the condition of an existing roof
- Craft skills with traditional materials
Specialist skills (heritage roofing, solar integration, flat-roof systems) add value to an already secure trade.
Related careers that are also hard to automate
- Solar Panel Installer - roof work on low-carbon systems
- Scaffolder - physical, at-height construction work
- Stonemason - heritage craft that is hard to automate
More on AI and work: check another job, jobs AI will replace, AI-proof jobs.
Our rating judges how much of the role's everyday work current AI tools can already do or draft; it measures exposure, not job losses. Occupation findings are from the Department for Education, The impact of AI on UK jobs and training (November 2023).
Roofer FAQs
How do I become a roofer in the UK?
The most common route is a Level 2 Roofer apprenticeship with a roofing contractor. You can also start as a labourer and work towards an NVQ Level 2 on site. You'll need a CSCS card and working-at-height training for most jobs.
Do you need qualifications to be a roofer?
There is no legal requirement, but most contractors and construction sites expect a CSCS card, and a skilled worker card needs an NVQ Level 2 or completed apprenticeship. Working-at-height training and manufacturer training for flat roofing systems are also common.
How much does a roofer earn?
Roofers start on about £24,000 to £30,000 after training, earn £32,000 to £45,000 with experience, and £50,000 to £70,000 as senior or self-employed specialists. Pay depends on specialism, region, the weather and how steady your work is.
Is roofing a dangerous job?
Falls from height are one of the main causes of serious and fatal injuries in construction, so roofing carries real risk. Proper scaffolding, edge protection, harnesses and training reduce it a lot, and reputable firms will not ask you to work without them.
Is Roofer right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Roofer actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Comparing roofer with other careers? A career quiz gives you a type; a proper assessment gives you reasons, routes and trade-offs.