State of the UK Roofing Industry: The results are in!

By Megan Poole, National Federation of Roofing Contractors. 

Learn about the data from NFRC’s Q4 roofing survey and five key takeaways from it! 

The numbers have been crunched and we have the results from the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and Glenigan’s latest State of the UK Roofing Industry member survey of 2023! This fourth quarter report has some interesting statistics and takeaways that we can glean from the data. This includes everything from late payment trends to the lack of clarity in the recent Spring budget that may have a ripple effect across the sector. The report also shows that the public non-residential RM&I sector is expected to grow fast, with 33% of firms anticipating an increase in workload. Check out five of the highlights below! 

1 - Call to end ‘late payment’ 

Overdue payment continues to feature highly as a key concern. In fact, less than a third of respondents are paid within thirty-day terms with the figures only slightly better for those on longer terms. This has proven a consistent trend ever since the survey started. 

NFRC Chief Executive James Talman comments: “We are supportive of the Government’s statutory reporting duty on Business Payment Practices and its impending update, along with the associated league tables published by Build UK. However, these measures are not improving the fortunes of the majority of our members, who also face ongoing higher labor costs. The knock-on impact for SMEs, micro-businesses and the self-employed is too often ignored in favor of others who are a strategic risk if not paid within terms.” 

2 - Continuity of public pipeline 

A rise in workload and demand for labor signals a continuing optimistic outlook, bucking the trend of many other sectors in the current economic climate. 

The survey’s positive outlook hinges on the ‘refurbishment of non-domestic public works’ as a key marker. Although to enable members to invest in skills and innovation for the longer term, this pipeline must extend beyond 2025 with full government commitment. The Spring Budget’s lack of additional public sector funding for construction-related areas is likely to disappoint industry stakeholders. 

3 - Stimulus to the private sector 

Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s economic director, commented: “Roofing contractors’ workload continued to improve during the final quarter of 2023, with commercial and domestic RM&I particular bright spots.” 

Despite signs of a slight improvement in the commercial sector’s prospects, albeit from a low base, new house building is a major cause for concern for the substantial number of members serving this sector. However, there is reported optimism that economic indicators 

will start to improve the outlook, a sentiment anticipated to manifest in the next survey. Calls are being made for measures in the Spring budget to get sites moving again. 

4 - Employment opportunities 

There is also positive news with regard to continuing employment opportunities across both pitched and flat roofing. Efforts to enhance the sector’s image are evident in the professionalism demonstrated by members. This work is crucial not only to ensure retirees are replaced but also for the additional skills required in areas such as solar PV, rainwater management and living (green) roofs. 

5 - Sustainability in procurement 

When asked how sustainability is featured in procurement considerations, the survey highlighted a disparity between rhetoric and reality. There seems to be a lack of a cohesive approach amongst members’ clients concerning common needs. NFRC aims to help drive consensus on what is practical and beneficial to all parties. 

Concluding the survey’s findings, James Talman said: “I trust the conclusions from this latest survey will add to the overall understanding of this vital sector to the UK construction market and help form collective opinion. Thank you to all our members who participated and the NFRC team and those at Glenigan for pulling it all together.” 

The full report results can be viewed and you can also read the summary report. 

Original article source: NFRC