State of The Roofing Industry Report: Roofers report continued recruitment difficulties

The latest State of the Roofing Industry survey report from NFRC and Glenigan shows positivity about the coming months despite continued issues around recruitment and skills, work pipelines and price increases.

The latest State of the Roofing Industry survey report from NFRC and Glenigan indicates that direct employment levels plateaued in the second quarter of 2023 among roofing contractors, with use of sub-contracted labour only rising very slightly. Key findings of the survey include: Firms reported increased difficulty in finding workers with the necessary skillset. 46 per cent of firms experienced greater difficulty recruiting suitable labour during the second quarter compared to the previous quarter Roof slaters and tilers were in shortest supply (32 per cent reporting a shortage), followed by built-up felt roofers. The survey found a slight fall in enquiry rates for UK roofing contractors in the second quarter of 2023. Enquiries fell for residential new build work. However commercial repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) work stood out as the strongest sector in terms of the future pipeline. Material price inflation persisted—45 per cent of firms saw overall increases in the prices they paid while only 8 per cent reporting paying less. Late payment and cash retentions continue to be a problem. Despite positivity in the near term, more firms expect their workloads to fall over the next twelve months than expect an increase. James Talman, NFRC CEO, said:

“Ultimately, the results of the survey reflect current uncertainties around pipelines of work in specific sectors, and the number of opportunities that do materialise will reflect government priorities in the coming months. We will continue to advocate for the needs of roofing and cladding contractors to government, and welcome Members' input on our advocacy priorities. NFRC will also, as ever, offer practical support to Members facing challenges, from HR helplines to technical guidance to recruitment support.”

Read our latest press release for more information or download the full report.

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