How to start a roofing business UK

Roofing is one of the most in-demand trades in the UK. The country's ageing housing stock, frequent rainfall, and lack of qualified roofers in many areas mean that good roofing contractors are rarely short of work. If you have solid roofing experience and are ready to work for yourself, this guide covers everything you need to set up and grow a roofing business in the UK in 2026.

Do you need a licence to be a roofer in the UK?

There is no single mandatory licence to operate as a roofer in the UK, but a number of certifications and registrations are strongly recommended and, in some cases, expected by customers and insurers.

NVQ in roofing

The standard route into the roofing trade is an apprenticeship leading to a Level 2 or Level 3 NVQ in Roof Slating and Tiling, Flat Roofing, or Roof Sheeting and Cladding. These are available through the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and various training providers. If you have extensive on-site experience but no formal qualification, you may be able to gain an NVQ through accredited prior experience assessment.

CSCS card

A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is required to work on most commercial sites and is increasingly expected on domestic jobs by main contractors. The appropriate card for a qualified roofer is the Blue Skilled Worker card. You will need a relevant NVQ qualification to obtain it.

Working at height

All roofers must comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. A PASMA (tower scaffolding) or IPAF (MEWP/cherry picker) ticket is required for these specific equipment types. General working at height risk assessment training is available through providers such as CITB and SSSTS. These are not optional for a responsible roofing business.

NFRC membership

Joining the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a member provides access to trade insurance schemes, training, contract templates, and the ability to use the NFRC logo, which reassures residential customers. Annual membership fees vary by turnover, starting at around £300 to £500 for small businesses.

Registering your roofing business

Most roofers starting out register as sole traders with HMRC. The process is simple: register online via GOV.UK Self Assessment and complete a Self Assessment tax return each year by 31 January.

A limited company structure offers liability protection and can be more tax-efficient above approximately £50,000 annual profit. Incorporation through Companies House costs £12 online and takes a few hours. However, the additional accountancy costs and administrative burden usually outweigh the benefits in the first year or two of trading.

Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)

Roofing is squarely within the scope of the Construction Industry Scheme. If you work as a subcontractor to builders or main contractors, you must register for CIS. Under the scheme, 20% is deducted from your payments (30% if you are not registered) and paid to HMRC as advance tax. You reclaim this through your Self Assessment return at year end. If you are taking on subcontractors yourself, you must also register as a contractor and make CIS deductions from their payments.

Essential insurance for a roofing business

Roofing carries significant liability risks. A tile falling from a roof can injure a pedestrian or damage a neighbouring property, and insurance is your protection against claims that could otherwise bankrupt a small business.

Public liability insurance

Public liability cover of at least £2 million is standard for roofing. Many commercial customers and local authorities require £5 million or £10 million cover. Annual premiums for a sole trader roofer typically run from £500 to £1,500 depending on turnover and the nature of the work (residential vs commercial, flat roofing vs pitched).

Employer's liability

Legally required if you employ anyone. The minimum cover is £5 million. Premiums typically start at £500 to £1,000 per year for a small roofing team.

Contract works insurance

This covers damage to the works themselves (for example, if a job is part-completed and a storm causes damage). It is standard practice for roofing contractors to carry this cover on jobs of any significant value.

Professional indemnity

If you survey, specify, and design roofing systems (rather than simply installing them to a specification), professional indemnity insurance covers claims arising from advice that turns out to be incorrect.

Tools, equipment, and vehicles

Starting a roofing business requires a meaningful investment in tools and a suitable vehicle.

Core tools for a pitched roofing operation include: slate rippers, nail guns, rivet guns, lead tools (bossing mallets, dressers), roofing hammers, chalk lines, tape measures, and lead knife sets. A well-equipped roofer's tool kit costs £1,500 to £4,000 to assemble.

For flat roofing, additional specialist equipment is needed for torch-on felt, EPDM or GRP systems. GRP roofing equipment (rollers, mixing equipment, laminates) can add £500 to £1,500 to your initial outlay.

A van or pickup capable of carrying roofing materials, ladders, and tools is essential. A long-wheelbase panel van or crew cab pickup is typical. Budget £10,000 to £20,000 for a reliable used vehicle. Long ladders require a roof rack, which adds £200 to £600 to the van cost.

Scaffolding and working at height

Scaffolding is required for most roofing jobs under the Work at Height Regulations. As a small roofing business, you will typically hire scaffolding from a scaffolding contractor at £300 to £800 per week depending on the size of the scaffold and your location. Include scaffolding costs explicitly in your quotes: it is a significant cost and should not be absorbed into your labour rate.

Some roofers invest in their own tube and fitting scaffold or HAKI system for smaller domestic jobs, but this requires PASMA training, storage space, and significant capital investment (£5,000 to £15,000 for a basic system). Most small operations hire rather than own in the first few years.

Pricing your roofing work

Roofing pricing varies by specialism, region, and whether you are working on domestic or commercial projects. In 2026, typical labour-only day rates are:

• Pitched roof slating and tiling: £200 to £350 per day
• Flat roofing (torch-on, EPDM, GRP): £250 to £400 per day
• Lead work (valleys, flashings, dormers): £250 to £450 per day
• Fascias, soffits, and guttering: £150 to £280 per day

Use the day rate calculator to establish your minimum viable day rate, factoring in van costs, insurance, tools, and the proportion of days you expect to be on paid work vs admin, quoting, and downtime.

Always issue a written quote before starting work. The quote generator helps you produce clear, professional documents that protect you legally and give the customer confidence. Itemise scaffolding, materials, and labour separately. — try our free roofing materials calculator

Getting your first roofing customers

Building a customer base takes time, but there are several reliable routes for new roofing businesses.

Google Business Profile and reviews

A Google Business Profile is free and puts you in front of local customers searching for roofers. Ask every satisfied customer for a review. Even 15 to 20 genuine reviews will put you ahead of many competitors in local search results.

Checkatrade and similar platforms

Lead generation platforms such as Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder are widely used by homeowners looking for roofers. Checkatrade membership costs approximately £1,000 to £1,500 per year for a roofing contractor. The value depends on your response rate and review quality.

Subcontracting to larger roofing firms

Many new roofing businesses start by subcontracting to established firms, which provides a steady income while you build your direct customer base. This also provides cash flow stability in the early months when direct enquiries may be slow.

Insurance work

Registering with insurance claims management platforms and loss adjusters can provide a significant volume of roofing work, particularly storm damage repairs. This route involves longer payment cycles but can generate consistent volume.

Invoicing and financial management

Getting paid promptly is critical for cash flow in a roofing business where material costs can be substantial. Use the invoice generator to raise professional invoices promptly after each job. For larger jobs, agree a payment schedule in advance: typically 25-30% deposit, 50% at mid-point, and the balance on completion.

Set aside at least 25 to 30% of all income for tax (Income Tax and National Insurance if you are a sole trader, Corporation Tax if you are a limited company). Opening a separate savings account for your tax reserve prevents the unpleasant surprise of a large Self Assessment bill.

Health and safety for roofing businesses

Roofing is one of the highest-risk construction activities in terms of serious injury and fatality rates. The HSE falls from height guidance is mandatory reading for any roofing business owner. Key obligations include:

• Written risk assessments for all work at height activities
• Method statements for complex or high-risk operations
• Regular inspection and maintenance of ladders, scaffolding, and safety equipment
• Provision of PPE (hard hats, safety footwear, harnesses where required)
• Ensuring any employees have received appropriate working at height training

If you employ staff, you must display the HSE health and safety law poster and register with the Employment Medical Advisory Service.