Roofer: how busy are roofers?
Quieter NFRC: only 29% of roofers saw workloads rise in Q1 2026, down from 37% in Q4 2025 and 48% a year before, though 58% still say labour shortages cap what they can take on.
Median wait of 6 weeks to start (TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026).
The figures
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Roofers | 550 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Roofers | 1.4% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Roofers who find it easy to attract recruits | 2% | Q1 2026 | NFRC, 28 Jul 2026 |
| UK | Roofers expecting more work next 12 months Down from 40% in Q4 2025 | 28% | Next 12 months, asked Q1 2026 | NFRC via Construction News, 9 Jul 2026 |
| UK | Roofers finding recruiting harder than a year ago | 47% | Q1 2026 | NFRC, 28 Jul 2026 |
| UK | Roofers reporting more enquiries Down from 34% in Q4 2025 | 26% | Q1 2026 | NFRC via Construction News, 9 Jul 2026 |
| UK | Roofers reporting higher workloads Down from 37% in Q4 2025 and 48% in Q4 2024 | 29% | Q1 2026 | NFRC via Construction News, 9 Jul 2026 |
| UK | Roofers saying labour shortages limit work Down from 70% in Q4 2025 (lower workloads, per NFRC) | 58% | Q1 2026 | NFRC, 28 Jul 2026 |
| UK | Median wait to start (weeks) Capacity status per TradeMatch: Moderate | 6 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Slowest 10% wait (weeks) 90th-percentile wait | 11 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Roofers | 40,190 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Roofers | 41,330 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| Midlands (NFRC region) | Roofers reporting higher workloads Up from 32% previous quarter (NFRC 'Midlands' region) | 42% | Q1 2026 | NFRC via Construction News, 9 Jul 2026 |
| South West | Roofers reporting higher workloads Down from 56% in autumn 2025 | 29% | Q1 2026 | NFRC via Construction News, 9 Jul 2026 |
| England | Experienced salary | £42,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
| England | Starter salary | £26,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
Industry backdrop
Across construction, most demand signals point quieter: PMI 43.6 in October 2026 and builders' enquiries at -10 in H1 2026. See all demand signals.
Getting into the trade
- Apprenticeship: Roofer (Level 2, about 2 years)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
We haven't yet verified published course prices for this trade. Course providers can get in touch.
Common questions
How long is the wait for roofers?
TradeMatch's 2026 Wait-Time Index put the median wait for roofer (re-roof) at 6 weeks from accepting a quote to work starting, with the slowest 10% waiting 11 weeks (jobs from Q3 2025 to Q1 2026).
Source: TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026
Are roofers getting busier or quieter?
Quieter. NFRC: only 29% of roofers saw workloads rise in Q1 2026, down from 37% in Q4 2025 and 48% a year before, though 58% still say labour shortages cap what they can take on. Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: NFRC via Construction News, 9 Jul 2026; NFRC, 28 Jul 2026; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of roofers?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 550 extra roofers a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.4% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026