Roofing might seem like a straightforward trade. Put tiles on roofs, send the invoice, move to the next job. But if you’re running a roofing business in 2025, you know it’s anything but simple.
Margins are tighter. Customers are smarter. Regulations are thicker than ever.
So what makes running a roofing company so complex today? And what can business owners do to stay ahead?
Let’s break it down.
The Skilled Labour Shortage Is Real
Finding good roofers is harder than ever. Training them is even tougher.
- Aging workforce: The average roofer in the UK is now over 40. Young people aren’t rushing to replace them.
- Low entry, high skill: Roofing is often seen as a low-skill job, but the reality is different. It takes years to master torch-on felt, lead work, or complex pitch conversions.
- High turnover: It’s physical, risky work. Injuries and burnout are common.
Have you struggled to keep apprentices past their first year? Many roofing companies do.
According to the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), 22% of roofing firms reported major difficulties recruiting last year. That number is growing.
Regulatory Red Tape Keeps Expanding
Running a roofing business now means staying on top of dozens of compliance issues.
- Building regulations updates: In 2025, the UK introduced stricter energy efficiency rules. Roofs must meet tighter U-values, especially on re-roof jobs.
- Health & safety: Scaffolding, harnesses, RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statements) — all must be documented and followed.
- Insurance: Premiums for roofing firms have gone up 18% since 2022, especially for those doing flat roofs or asbestos removal.
One missed detail and your project could be shut down. Or worse, you could be sued.
Can your team confidently fill out a CDM 2015 compliance checklist without you? If not, you’re at risk.
Weather Is Less Predictable, More Destructive
2025 has already seen record rainfall in parts of the UK. Storm activity is increasing, especially in coastal areas.
What does this mean for roofers?
- Tighter schedules: Rain delays kill profit margins. If you’re not accounting for weather downtime, you’re bleeding money.
- Increased callouts: More emergency repairs. More weekend work. More pressure on your team.
- Material failures: Some cheaper membranes and tiles aren’t coping with extreme weather. You fix one leak, two more appear.
Smart businesses are investing in better forecasting tools and weather-resistant materials. But that comes with a cost.
Customer Expectations Have Shifted
Today’s homeowner isn’t just asking for a quote. They want drone footage, itemised estimates, and guarantees.
- Digital-savvy clients: People research everything. They’ll know your competitors’ pricing and reviews before they call.
- Speed matters: If you take two days to respond, they’ll move on. Instant quotes and online booking are becoming the norm.
- Price vs. quality debate: Everyone wants a “good deal,” but few understand the value of quality installation.
Have you lost jobs to firms charging half your rate? It’s likely they’re cutting corners. But explaining that to a customer — that’s the tricky part.
Material Costs Are Still Climbing
Although inflation has eased in some areas, construction materials remain volatile.
- Felt and bitumen: Prices up by 12% since last year.
- Timber battens: Affected by global supply chain issues, leading to 8–10 week lead times.
- Lead: Expensive, targeted by thieves, and now heavily regulated for environmental reasons.
Roofers such roofingwimbledon.co.uk as are stuck in the middle — between suppliers raising prices and customers resisting quotes.
Smart companies now:
- Bulk buy ahead of price hikes.
- Educate clients on market trends.
- Build clauses into contracts for material price fluctuations.
Digital Tools Help — But Only If You Use Them
There’s no shortage of software for trades. But many roofing firms still run on paper, texts, and memory.
- Job management tools: Platforms like Tradify, Jobber, or Fergus can streamline scheduling, invoicing, and CRM.
- Drones: Great for inspections, but you need proper licensing (CAA requirements apply).
- Digital marketing: A professional website and good local SEO can generate leads on autopilot.
Are you still quoting jobs with pen and paper? That could be costing you hundreds per week.
Embracing tech is no longer optional — it’s what separates growing businesses from those barely surviving.
The Insurance Minefield
Public liability, employers’ liability, tools insurance, contract works — the list goes on.
- Under-insurance: Many roofers don’t carry enough coverage for high-risk jobs, putting them at personal risk.
- Excessive premiums: One claim can make your premiums skyrocket. Some firms have been dropped entirely by insurers.
- Tool theft: Still rampant. Vans are being broken into daily. Some insurers now require secondary locks and trackers to even offer a policy.
Make sure you’re reviewing your cover annually. Better yet, work with a broker who understands roofing specifically.
Cash Flow Is a Constant Battle
You can be fully booked and still be broke.
- Late payments: Some builders and clients drag their feet. A 30-day invoice can stretch to 90 without warning.
- Upfront costs: Scaffolding, skips, materials — you often pay before the job even starts.
- Retentions: If you work on larger developments, 5% of your invoice might be held back for 6–12 months.
Do you have a cash buffer to survive slow months? Many businesses don’t.
Solutions include:
- Deposits before work begins.
- Staged payments on longer jobs.
- Automated invoicing with reminders.
Reputation Is Everything — and Easily Damaged
In a world of Google Reviews and Facebook community groups, one angry client can hurt your business.
- Negative reviews: Whether fair or not, they stay online.
- Word of mouth: Still powerful — but only if you consistently deliver.
- Online presence: No website? Old Facebook page? That looks suspicious.
Reputation management matters now more than ever.
Ways to protect it:
- Ask happy clients for reviews (send a link).
- Handle complaints professionally — and fast.
- Keep your branding sharp: logo, van signage, website.
So, What’s the Way Forward?
The roofing business in 2025 is not for the faint-hearted. But it’s also full of opportunity — for those who adapt.
Here’s how smart roofers are staying ahead:
- Invest in your people: Training, upskilling, and creating a reason for them to stay.
- Embrace technology: From quoting software to marketing tools.
- Diversify services: Solar installs, insulation, drone inspections — all growing markets.
- Streamline operations: Automate what you can. Systemise the rest.
- Know your numbers: Profit isn’t just revenue minus costs. Track every metric.
Ask yourself:
- Are you building a business or just staying busy?
- Could your company run for a week without you?
- What’s your plan for the next five years?
The roofers who thrive in 2025 will be the ones who think like business owners — not just tradespeople.
The job has changed. Has your mindset?
