Pro Netting Solutions

In this article, we discuss what a roofer is, what they do and how you can become a roofer in the UK. We look at : how do you become a fully qualified roofer? 

How to become a roofing operative

There are several ways someone can become a roofer, and not every route into being a roofing operative has formal qualifications required by potential employers. Some of the most common pathways into the profession are through vocational college courses, working apprenticeships or through on-the-job training while you work on the skills and knowledge needed to be a good roofer.

Ultimately, the career path you choose depends on which you think will be the best way for you to learn the trade. Regardless of your route into being a roofing operative, you'll want to gain a full understanding of what the job includes and learn the skills that will make you a competent roofer. Some will find this easiest by learning through structured courses with a college or training provider, while others learn better through practical work.

While some roofing work will require you to have specific qualifications, such as a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card for working on construction sites, However, a roofing company, employer or industry bodies will be more impressed by someone who is enthusiastic about their work. It is also a good idea to show you are willing to learn new things and improve your skills while simultaneously following instructions from roofers more experienced than yourself.

What is a roofer?

In general terms, a roofer is a tradesperson who installs, maintains and repairs various types of roof structures on different properties or commercial and residential buildings. Since there are many types of building out there, there are naturally many types of roofs that these professionals must be familiar with, from residential family homes to large commercial offices or industrial complexes.

In some cases, a roofer will specialise in one particular type of roofing, such as flat roofs or EPDM rubber roofs. Depending on the type of roof you specialise in, you will work with different materials, from slate and terracotta tiles, shingles, lead flashing, asphalt, felt and other chemical compounds. Given that each material will require different skills to install, maintain and repair, you can see why many roofers choose to specialise in just one type of roofing.  

Additionally, roofers are required to work in all weather in often precarious locations. Whether this means working in the blistering sun during the middle of summer or spring rains, this is a demanding job. Therefore, before embarking on your route into the profession, ensure you are comfortable working in a physically demanding industry and can handle working at height to complete your roofing projects.

What does a roofer do?

Again, as the name suggests, roofers work on the tops of buildings to install, renovate or make repairs to roofing systems. Depending on your expertise or interest, you might specialise in a certain type of roofing, whether you want to be a slate roofer, flat roofer, thatcher or roofing surveyor, so long as you receive the right training and experience.  

PRECAUTIONS WHEN WORKING FROM HEIGHT

On a typical day, a professional roofer job description would include one or more of the following:

• Installing a roofing system onto an existing structure, such as a home, commercial premises or smaller buildings like garages.
• Carrying out an inspection of a roof to determine what repairs or maintenance is required to enable it to continue protecting the property from the weather.
• Renovating old roofs that have become damaged by removing the old roofing material and laying down a new roof.
• Measuring an existing structure and the roofing elements to determine how much material will be needed to cover it.
• Weatherproofing an existing roof by ensuring all the seals are closed so that no rain, snow or other forms of precipitation can enter the property.
• Estimating costs for materials and labour required to complete the job for clients and customers.
• Completing warranty paperwork and reviewing your completed work with your clients and customers.
• Ensuring they adhere to safety standards by wearing appropriate safety equipment to remain protected while working at height.
• Performing maintenance work on roofs on a contracted basis.
• Scheduling and working alongside other labourers, such as joiners, to complete your work for customers and clients.
• Once you've gained some experience, you may be asked to supervise other roofers to ensure safety standards are met.
• Sourcing and purchasing the most appropriate roofing materials for the job at hand.
• Occasionally, you may be asked to work overtime to complete a project on schedule.
• Ensuring the roof area you are working in is clear and safe to enter for anyone coming onto the work site.
• Cutting and laying felt onto flat roofs and ensuring they are waterproof.
• Working on sloped roofs, removing broken tiles and replacing them with new roof tiles.
• Installing underlays and battens.
• Render and seal roof joints.
• Installing skylights and Velux windows.
• Working on loft conversion projects alongside other roofing labourers.
• Inspecting the interior of a roof to ensure the fitting insulation and roof timbers are in good condition.

How much does a roofer earn?

Qualifications and training

Again, there are no entry requirements for someone wanting to enter into the roofing industry. Of course, you probably won't need a university degree unless your roofing specialism calls for one. To reiterate, three of the most common paths towards being a roofing operative are through structured college courses, beginner and intermediate apprenticeships or growing your skills through on-the-job training.

City and Guilds offer fantastic vocational courses and roofing qualifications for those looking to become a roofer. These include:

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations
• Level 2 in Roof Slating and Tiling

While these are general courses meant to give you a basic understanding of what roofing involves, you can further specialise with advanced training courses in thatching or leadwork, depending on what you want to specialise in.

With increased pressures from climate change, the roofing industry is also looking at ways to reduce its impact on our environment. This is another area that modern roofers are increasingly moving into. Therefore, if this sounds like something you'd like to learn, you can train in eco roofing, where you can learn how to install, maintain and repair green roofs and solar panels.

However, many professional roofers start their journeys as apprentices. This is mainly because they allow you to gain formal training whilst being paid for the work you do. On average, a roofing apprenticeship will take two years to complete. Suppose you feel like a roofing apprenticeship would be your preferred way into the trade. In that case, you can check the UK government website, which lists all the apprenticeships currently available in England alongside industry contacts. 

Health and safety advice

Before leaping to action and signing yourself on as an apprentice, you should know that roofing is a high-risk job. Naturally, one of the main risks of being a professional roofer is working at height, with an increased potential for harm due to falls. Alongside this, roofers encounter many hazards, which you'll need to know how to mitigate while working.

These hazards include things like using heavy machinery, excessive dust and potential exposure to asbestos.  Of course, if you are working as a self-employed roofing contractor, it is your employer's responsibility to ensure your safety while on site. Therefore, many employers and most companies will provide appropriate PPE for you to wear whilst working to keep you safe.

However, please don't rely on anyone else to ensure your safety; it's up to you to ensure your working environment is safe to be in. Therefore, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with HSE Health and Safety Guidelines for those working in the construction industry.