Research by Chandlers Roofing Supplies has found that a whopping 95 per cent of roofers in the UK feel they are the least appreciated among all tradespeople.
A third of respondents felt that electricians were the most appreciated trade, followed by carpenters in second place and then plumbers in third. Brickies and roofers were felt to be the least appreciated trades, despite the fact that almost half (46 per cent) of roofers report working a seven-day week at least once a month, with 20 per cent working a seven-day week ‘more often than not.’
The nationwide survey of roofers also revealed that ‘weeding out’ rogue roofers is the most pressing issue for those working in the roofing trade, with almost three quarters, 73 per cent, saying they had been called upon to rectify shoddy roofing work by a rogue roofer on at least one occasion in the last 12 months.
Despite the feelings of being ambushed by rogue roofers and generally under-appreciated by customers, half of all roofers say they ‘always enjoy’ their job, with only 2 percent saying they don’t enjoy being a roofer.
Sue McKinney, of Chandlers Roofing Supplies, said: “It’s not surprising that customers are somewhat unappreciative when subjected to the services of rogue roofers. Nevertheless, it needs to be highlighted that the vast majority of roofers work exceptionally hard and to a very high standard completing excellent projects for customers.”
Asked how they became roofers, 35 per cent of respondents said they fell into the trade, while a quarter said that the roofing trade has been in the family. Only 1 in 10 had been down the roofing apprenticeship route.
Working at a height is reported as the biggest occupational risk according to 53 per cent of roofers followed by 37 per cent saying that inclement weather is a high risk. However, the development of new materials and tools was identified by half of respondents as the key factor that has made the roofer’s job easier and safer. A further quarter of respondents say that training in health and safety has benefited the trade.
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