By trade5 min read

How to get more roofing jobs

Roofing demand spikes after storms and never fully levels out — the roofers with full diaries have systems for capturing emergency work and converting it into planned projects. Here's how the best in the trade do it.

Step-by-step

Emergency response capacity is your unfair advantage

After a storm, homeowners with damaged roofs are calling every local roofer simultaneously. The first one to answer the phone and arrive within 24 hours wins the job — and very often the follow-on full re-roof too. Set up emergency call diversion to your mobile, have a 'storm damage' page on your website ready to rank fast when bad weather hits, and keep a tarp-and-temporary-fix kit in the van. The premium you can charge for emergency callouts is substantial, and grateful homeowners convert into your most loyal repeat customers.

Free survey offer is the single most effective lead magnet

Homeowners can't tell if their roof is fine or about to fail. A 'free no-obligation roof survey' offer converts at multiples of any other lead magnet — it removes their risk and gives you a foot in the door of every house in your area. Use a drone for surveys (£500–£1,500 for a basic CAA-compliant setup), produce a one-page PDF report with photos of what you found, and quote for the work in person. Even surveys that don't lead to an immediate sale build a list of homeowners who know who to call when the roof starts leaking.

Insurance work is the steadiest, highest-margin pipeline

Insurance-claim roofing — storm damage, fire damage, hail, fallen trees — pays well and consistently. Building relationships with two or three local loss adjusters or insurance brokers gets you on their preferred-contractor lists, and the work comes in throughout the year. Insurance jobs require strong paperwork (photographic evidence, detailed itemised quotes, schedule of works) but pay reliably and rarely haggle on price. Many established roofing companies build their entire business model around insurance work plus a smaller pipeline of premium private jobs.

Drone photography upgrades every quote you send

A roofing quote with high-resolution drone photos of the actual roof — showing exactly the damaged ridge tile, the failed flashing, the worn felt — closes far more often than a text-only quote. Homeowners see the problem with their own eyes and stop wondering whether you're inventing work. Drone surveys also let you quote larger jobs without committing scaffolding time, and the same photos make your social media content far better than ground-level shots ever could.

Google search, Checkatrade, and a credibility-led website close the loop

Homeowners researching a roofer check three things: Google reviews, Checkatrade rating, and the company website. A complete Google Business Profile with 50+ reviews, a Checkatrade profile with photographic job histories, and a website that displays your insurance, warranties (typically 10–20 years on a full re-roof), manufacturer accreditations (GAF, IKO, Marley) and finished-job photos turns researching homeowners into signed contracts. Skip any of the three and you'll be visibly less credible than competitors who haven't.

Tips & best practices

▸Build a relationship with a local scaffolding firm and a chimney specialist — both are bottlenecks on roofing jobs and the firms that prioritise you will keep your schedule moving. Reciprocate with referrals where you can.
▸Get manufacturer accreditation for at least one major tile or membrane brand (IKO, GAF, Marley). The accreditation typically lets you offer an extended manufacturer warranty (15–25 years) that competitors can't, and many homeowners pay specifically for that warranty.
▸Don't compete on the cheapest re-roof in the area. The price-driven customer is your worst customer — they query every line, find issues to negotiate, and never refer. Lead with workmanship, warranty, and clean job sites; the right clients pay for it.

Common questions

How much does a typical re-roof cost in 2026?

UK 2026 prices for a standard 3-bed terrace re-roof typically range £6,000–£12,000 depending on materials, complexity, and region. Slate is at the top end, concrete tile in the middle, felt-and-fibreglass flat sections cheaper per square metre. Always quote per-square-metre rates alongside the lump sum so homeowners can compare quotes fairly.

Should I work directly with insurance companies or via loss adjusters?

Loss adjusters are usually your best entry into insurance work — they handle the paperwork and pay reliably. Direct relationships with insurers are harder to establish but cut out the middleman fee. Most growing roofing firms start with adjusters and add direct relationships as their volume justifies it.

Do I need a drone licence for roof surveys?

In the UK, commercial drone use requires CAA registration (Operator ID and Flyer ID), and for many commercial jobs an A2 Certificate of Competency. The combined training and certifications cost £250–£600 and are worth it within a handful of jobs. Don't use unlicensed drones — insurance won't cover damage and the fines are substantial.