Roofer

Roofers ensure that a house is water tight and work at all heights and in all weather conditions. There are various roles within roofing, including sheeting and cladding and slater/tilers. Roofing operatives work on the protective layers of a home, which separate the inside from the elements using a range of materials, methods and structures.

• Understanding drawings and specifications to know what materials to use

• Fixing underlay, insulation and roof coverings in place

• Making sure any new covering is weatherproof

• Understanding building regulations

• Hoisting and placing coverings

• Sealing the joints

• Installing insulation

• Fitting features such as roof lights

• Trained with experience roofers can earn in the region of £25,000 and up to £40,000. 

^*Pay rates
Earnings typically depend on location, employer, the stage of your training, your hours worked and the opportunity to work overtime. Please also note that the pay rate figures have come from a variety of reliable sources including:

• National Home Builders
• Home Builder's Sub-Contractors
• CITB
• The Home Builders Federation
• Construction Recruitment Agencies

 Apprenticeship in Roof Slating and Tiling which currently includes a Diploma and NVQ at Level 2 (Or Scottish Equivalent)

With experience, you can go on to specialise in a variety of areas and materials such as roof sheeting and cladding.

This involves making buildings waterproof by covering the roof (sheeting) and walls (cladding). The lightweight covering they use can be made from metal, plastic or fibre cement. The job involves:

• using drawings and specifications to decide the type and amount of materials needed
• knowing building regulations
• hoisting and placing coverings
• sealing the joints
• installing insulation
• fitting features such as roof lights

Many people get involved with heritage work after lots of experience and knowledge of the fundamental skills of modern roof slating and tiling. Others start their careers working with historic buildings and learn conservation aspects of roofing from the beginning.

The type of job role can differ depending on the employer and the activities involved. Some roles such as trade roles have the opportunity to be self-employed. Often employers offer a variety of employment status and flexibility. The jobs outlined in this website are common across the home building industry, but the job titles may differ from one organisation to another.

All our featured job roles offer different entry-points for school leavers, college leavers, and graduates to commence a career in the industry. There are opportunities to enrol on apprenticeships and other career progression routes.

For most jobs, depending on your qualifications and experience there are also openings for those looking to change career.