How to Become a Roofer in the UK: Skills, Start-Up Costs, & Tools You’ll Need
🏠 Want to Become a Roofer in the UK? Here's Everything You Need to Know
If you're looking for a solid trade with strong demand, great earning potential, and the chance to be your own boss—roofing is one of the smartest paths you can take in the UK.
Whether you're starting fresh or switching trades, this guide will give you everything you need to know about becoming a roofer—from tools and training to earnings and growth.
✅ Benefits of Becoming a Roofer
High Demand: Roofers are always needed—new builds, repairs, storm damage, and maintenance.
Great Pay: Experienced roofers can earn upwards of £40k–£60k+ per year, often more if self-employed.
Be Your Own Boss: Many roofers go self-employed or start their own business within a couple of years.
Varied Work: From small tile jobs to full re-roofs, no two days are the same.
Long-Term Career: Roofing isn’t going away. There’s strong demand across the UK, especially after storms or in property development hot spots.
📚 Qualifications You’ll Need
You don’t legally need a formal qualification to be a roofer, but training and certification help massively when it comes to getting hired or winning trust as a sole trader.
Recommended training:
NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Roofing Occupations
Apprenticeships (usually 2 years)
CSCS Card (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) — a must for working on sites
Working at Heights and Manual Handling training
Experience is key, so starting out labouring or assisting an experienced roofer is a great way to build hands-on skills.
🧰 Tools & Equipment Needed to Start Roofing
Here’s a basic kit to get going as a roofer:
Roofing hammer, utility knife, chalk line
Ladder, roof brackets, harness and fall arrest gear
Cordless drill and impact driver
Tape measure, trowel, and sealants
Van or truck for transport
PPE (gloves, boots, hi-vis, helmet)
For bigger setups, you’ll eventually want to invest in scaffolding access, hoists, or even a drone for roof inspections.
💷 Startup Costs
To go solo, expect to spend around £2,000–£5,000 for tools, safety gear, and van branding.
If you’re launching with marketing, insurance, and a professional website, budget closer to £5,000–£8,000 for a solid start.
📈 How Much Can You Earn?
Entry-level (employed): £18k–£25k/year
Experienced roofer: £30k–£45k/year
Self-employed roofer: £150–£300+ per day
Business owner (with a small team): £60k–£100k+/year depending on workload and area
Rates vary by region, service type (e.g. flat roofing vs tile), and whether you serve residential or commercial clients.
💻 Want to Grow Faster? You’ll Need a Proper Website
Most roofing customers in the UK start with a Google search. If you don’t show up — or your website looks dated — you’re missing out on easy money.
That’s where SMB Booster comes in.
We help new roofing businesses (and established ones) get online properly with:
✅ A mobile-optimised, lead-generating website (see sample roofing website)
✅ SEO-targeted service & location pages
✅ Tap-to-call buttons & quote forms
✅ Chat widgets for instant enquiries
✅ Google review integrations
✅ "Leave a Review" button to build trust
✅ All built and managed for a simple monthly fee
We’ve helped landscapers, locksmiths, and tradesmen across the UK grow their business — and we’d love to help you too.
