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Roofer

Alternative titles for this job include Slater, flat roofer, roofing operative

Roofers slate and tile roofs, fit skylight windows and replace lead sheeting, guttering and cladding. They also repair damaged slates and tiles.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 45

You could work

between 8am and 6pm Mon to Fri

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You can take a college course which will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee position with a roofing company.

Courses include:

  • roof slating and tiling
  • roofing occupations
  • built-up felt roofing
  • construction skills

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship with a roofing company, such as a Roofer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take around 2 years to complete and has options to specialise in:

  • slating and tiling
  • installing waterproof membranes
  • sheeting and cladding

If you want to work as a thatcher, you could apply for the Thatcher Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, with a thatching company.

The National Society of Master Thatchers (NSMT) also offers an apprenticeship and mentoring scheme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You can start work as a roofing labourer or roofer's 'mate' and take further training while you work to get your roofing qualifications.

In thatching, you can apply to thatching companies to be taken on as a trainee. Employers will want to see enthusiasm for the craft and good practical skills.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for roofing jobs. You'll need some GCSEs and relevant practical experience, for example gained from working in other areas of construction.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

Roofers are required in all areas of the country. If you're looking for a career in thatching, you may need to relocate to an area where thatching skills are in demand.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a roofer from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

You can learn more about a career in thatching from the National Society of Master Thatchers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of maths
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be able to cope with working at height

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a roofer, you could:

  • remove or repair broken tiles or slates
  • check the condition of roof timbers and seal roof joints
  • measure the roof area to work out how many slates and tiles are needed
  • fit loft insulation
  • cover roofs with slates, tiles, sheeting or cladding
  • apply waterproof materials to flat roofs
  • fit plastic or lead 'flashings' around chimneys, windows and adjoining walls

As a thatcher, you could:

  • put up scaffolding or secure ladders to buildings
  • identify thatched areas for repair or replacement
  • strip off old thatch
  • check roof timbers for damage or rot
  • prepare bundles of straw or reeds
  • secure bundles of thatch to roof timbers
  • remove moss and lichen growth from roofs
  • grow and harvest your own thatching materials

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a roofer to be a green job, you could:

  • recycle old roof materials to be reused in construction
  • fit roof insulation to make properties more energy efficient
  • use rechargeable tools and equipment to save energy

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work on a construction site, at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be at height, dirty and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could become a roofing surveyor, estimating costs, dealing with contracts and working with architects. You could also be a site manager, move into equipment sales or work on heritage buildings.

With extra training, you could install solar panels on roofs ready for a qualified electrician to connect the panels' cabling to the building's electrical network.

With a lot of experience, you could train apprentices or set up your own business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a roofer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a roofer?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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Skills assessment

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  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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