The latest NFRC State of the UK Roofing Industry survey, covering the first quarter of 2024, provides welcome positive news for the roofing sector. The results show overall roofing contractors’ workloads and enquiries continuing to increase in the first three months of the year, with further rises expected over the next twelve months.
However, it also reveals that some long-term challenges persist with regards to late payment, recruitment and material costs.
Work and enquiries continue to improve
One of the key findings of the latest survey is the continued growth in the demand for roofing services. Overall, a balance of 25 per cent of respondents to the survey reported improved workloads in the first quarter marking a significant rise from the previous survey. Increased levels of enquiries for new work were reported by a similar proportion of respondents.
The RM&I sector of the industry had the greatest increases in work, with public, commercial and domestic RM&I all showing strongly positive balance figures of 34 per cent, 32 per cent and 29 per cent respectively. The Members’ outlook was also generally positive for the next twelve months, with 72 per cent foreseeing an increase in work over that period.
The Yorkshire and North East region showed the strongest growth in workload, with 43 per cent overall reporting an increase. This was followed by the North West and Scotland regions with balance figures of 34 per cent and 33 per cent reporting increases respectively. However, the survey also highlighted areas of the UK with less positive market conditions. For example, among those in Wales, 50 per cent said they had experienced a decrease in workload with no respondents reporting an increase.
Challenges remain for the new build sector
The results of this latest survey highlight the continued low levels of activity in residential new build. Among the survey respondents that operate in this sector, 29 per cent reported that their workload had reduced from the
previous quarter with just 17 per cent saying it had increased. This negative balance figure of -12 per cent, compared with -10 per cent in the previous quarter, indicates a worsening picture for this area of the industry. While performing slightly better, the public non-residential new build and commercial new build sectors showed only marginal increases in workload (three per cent and two per cent on balance respectively) in the first quarter.
Skills shortages persist
While employment levels remain stable, a further finding of the survey was the reported problems in recruiting the required skilled people. In fact, 53 per cent of firms experienced greater difficulty employing in the first quarter. This is a sizeable increase from the 44 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023. Roof Slaters and Tilers were found to be the most challenging roles to fill, with 40 per cent of businesses experiencing issues
Late payment and rising costs
One of the biggest issues for NFRC Members remains the late payment of invoices. While improvements have been made, only 37 per cent of respondents that have 30-day payment terms with their clients were, on average, paid within that period. Similarly, of those with payment terms of 46 days or more, only 25 per cent reported this was the average time in which they received payment.
While Members indicated continued improvements in the availability of materials, many are experiencing significant material price inflation, with 58 per cent reporting increased prices in the first quarter of the year. A similar proportion (57 per cent) stated they had seen labour costs rise since the start of 2024.
Commenting on the results of the latest State of the UK Roofing Industry survey, James Talman, NFRC CEO said:
“At NFRC, we are pleased to see the green shoots of recovery and growing demand in our industry. While some challenges remain, and not every sector is seeing the same boost in workload and enquiries, the continually improving market conditions in recent months shown by the survey findings is a cause for real optimism.
“These findings also highlight the priorities for any future government wishing to support the vital work of the construction industry. This includes long term commitment to the public sector pipeline, expansion of the RM&I sector in tackling energy efficiency, as well as working closely with the industry to reinvigorate the residential new build sector alongside tighter legislation on prompt payment, which is so vital to SME and sole trader businesses.”
