roofers roof tilers and slaters
Job holders in this unit group cover roofs and exterior walls with felting, sheeting, slates, tiles and thatch to provide a waterproof surface.
Roofer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
Working on construction sites and commercial and residential buildings, roofers are highly skilled tradespeople who are able to build, repair and maintain roofs. Often working at a height, being a roofer requires steadiness, patience and an understanding of safe construction practices.
Roofer duties and responsibilities
Roofers repair, maintain and construct roofing for commercial and residential buildings. This usually requires knowledge of different materials, including slate, concrete and different kinds of tiling. They are able to choose the right materials for the job and can deliver a job on time. Roofers use equipment and material safely while working at a height. Roofer duties and responsibilities might include:
- Repairing or maintenance work;
- Thatching or specialist repairing of old materials;
- Filling in leaks with cement or other appropriate materials;
- Installing solar panels and insulation systems;
- Working out a project timeframe and budget to propose to a customer;
- Following health and safety rules, particularly regarding working at height;
- Checking for weather damage;
- Restocking materials.
What does a roofer do?
A roofer uses scaffolds and hand tools to alter or construct roofing. They can work as an apprentice to a contractor, a contractor themselves or as part of a construction company. They might work on a project basis or be hired out by a construction company to work regularly on roofing projects. Good roofer candidates are able to work with machinery and hand tools and safely install or dismantle scaffolding.
Roofers are often able to multitask with ease, understanding the logistics of a product and how to implement the designs and requirements of the client. On the whole, however, a roofer’s responsibilities will depend on the scope of the projects you are hiring them for.
Roofer skills and qualifications
When looking for roofer candidates, you can consider the following skills and qualifications in your search:
- A well-established reputation in their community as a roofer and/or construction worker
- Time management and budgeting skills
- An ability to maintain, repair and build different types of roof and roofing systems
- Good customer service and communication skills
- An ability to move heavy objects
- Experience in using hand tools and other roofing equipment
Roofer experience requirements
An experienced roofer often has a good eye for spotting leaks or potential faults in roofing. They might be able to spot where roofing has been poorly built and know how to fill in any gaps or repair faults. They will often be confident using scaffolding and do not have a fear of heights. They should ideally be familiar with roofing tools like saws and iron benches for slating and cutting equipment.
While many roofers will be able to deal with working on different types of roofs, it is worth thinking about whether you need a roofer with specialised experience. Some residential houses or period buildings in the UK have traditional thatching that will need a specialist thatcher to service them. When working on period building projects, you might look at hiring a Heritage Roofer. These types of specialists can be found via databases online as they require a much higher level of experience than most roofers.
When looking to hire an experienced roofer, it is worth considering whether they have worked previously for another construction company or have been self-employed. Ideally, they should have a good reputation within their local community, with good references that they can draw upon for support.
Roofer education and training requirements
Roofers do not necessarily need a formal qualification for roofing; however, you might look to hire a roofer who has undergone an apprenticeship, college course or has on-the-job experience. That way, you are more likely to hire someone who is confident in providing a good service within a given timeframe.
Examples of roofer education training include the NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations. This involves learning about health and safety, slating, installing weathering flashings, roofs, tiles and correctly handling resources.