Roofer: common questions
By The Busy Busy Index team · Updated 10 November 2026
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
How much do roofers earn?
The National Careers Service gives an average of £26,000 a year for starters, rising to £42,000 with experience. Self-employed earnings vary widely and aren't covered by this figure.
Source: National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)
How do I become a roofer?
Common routes are a college course, an apprenticeship (for example Roofer (Level 2, about 2 years)), or starting as an assistant and training on the job, according to the National Careers Service. Adult career-changers often take private courses; see our guide for published prices.
Source: National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)