Roofer
Careers Explorer:
You’ll need a head for heights as a roofer as you’ll be spending your working day on top of a building.
Overview
Roofers specialise in all things to do with roofs. From felting, sheeting, slates, tiles and thatch, you’ll work with a range of materials to ensure the inside of a building is protected from the elements.
You’ll use your skills to erect, clad and waterproof roof structures and install rainwater goods and flashing.
You could work across a range of roof types, including sloped roofs, which usually require slating and tiling using roof tiles. Flat roofs are covered by spreading a waterproof bitumen layer or by fitting felt sheets, or you could even specialise in more unusual roofing techniques such as thatching or leadwork often found on historic or listed buildings.
A large part of your role will be repairing roofs, by removing and replacing broken tiles; measuring, cutting and fitting roofing materials, and finishing off joints to make them watertight. You’ll also need to check to make sure that roofs are structurally sound.
Top 5 Tasks
- Install and repair all the waterproof coverings
- Apply slates or tiles to a designed framework, such as the roof of a house
- Understand drawings and specifications to know what materials to use
- Fix underlay, insulation and roof coverings in place
- Repair old or faulty roofing.
Salary
Newly trained Roofers can earn around £17,000+.
Trained with experience Roofers can earn around £17,000 – £25,000, where Senior/master crafts Eoofers can reach up to a salary of around £25,000 – £35,000.
Salaries typically depend on location, employer and level of responsibility.
Am I Suited?
- Head for heights
- Physical
- Happy to work outside
- Team player
- Technically minded
Many Construction Managers and other construction professionals started their careers as apprentices.
Qualifications
There are no formal entry requirements for this career but it helps to have GCSEs or equivalent.
The Roofing Industry Alliance has a RIA Roof Training Prospectus with further guidance on qualification routes and training requirements.
Employers such as construction companies and construction agencies often look for people with some onsite experience. If you haven’t worked in construction before, you can start off as a roofing labourer. Your employer might then train you in roofing techniques.
Many roofing operatives start out as apprentices with a roofing or building firm. Alternatively, you can do a college course to learn roofing skills, though employers will still want to see you’ve had experience on a site.
