Thinking about becoming a roofer? If you’ve ever wondered if roofing’s hard, you’re not alone.
Roofing has a reputation for being one of the toughest jobs in construction. And while it’s not for everyone, thousands of roofers across North America make a good living at it every year.
Truth is, roofing is incredibly physically demanding… and incredibly rewarding. It can test your endurance and push your skills to the limit. But it can also give you solid job security, valuable experience, and a career that’s always in demand.
So let’s break down the pros and cons of the roofing trade.
Is roofing a hard job? Hell yes. Is it worth it? That’s for you to decide. But we’ll help you make the call.
Is roofing hard?
The short answer is: absolutely. No sense tippy-toeing around that. It’s tough work.
How hard is roofing, exactly? Depends on how you handle demanding physical labor. Roofers put in long hours outdoors, usually in intense heat, and handle heavy materials while balancing on steep slopes. The job takes stamina, patience, and a willingness to learn.
Plus, you can’t just hide away while you work. You need to put in the effort, learn how to work with a crew, and get along with guys with big personalities.
But if all that sounds manageable to you, don’t let us scare you off. Roofing is far from impossible to learn. With proper training, smart safety practices, and good mentorship, plenty of folks pick it up quickly.
If you work hard and you’re willing to learn, you’ll grow into a skilled professional in no time.
The pros of being a roofer
Seasonal workflow
Roofers are busiest in spring and summer. That means plenty of work when the weather’s good, but often slower months in fall and winter. Many roofers appreciate this rhythm. It creates natural downtime for side work, other projects, or planning ahead.
Manageable schedules
In the off season, most roofers work close to 40 hours a week. Once you gain experience, you can finish jobs faster, giving you more flexibility.
Just keep in mind: depending on where you are, busy season can get a little intense. You’ll likely pick up extra hours on the roof in the summertime, so you’ll have less time to sit on a patio.
Fresh air
Instead of being stuck behind a desk, you’re outdoors, moving, and staying active.
It’s physically demanding, but it’ll keep you in shape. And it’s healthier than sitting all day!
Job security
Roofs always need replacing or repairing, and housing demand isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Roofing is one of those trades that will always have a steady need.
If you do good work, stay organized, build a local base of customers, and keep your reputation strong, you’ll stay in business.
Industry knowledge
Roofing gives you insight into the broader roofing and construction world. Many roofers go on to become estimators, project managers, general contractors, or business owners. It’s a great way to enter the industry.
The cons of being a roofer
Heavy physical demands
Roofing is tough on the body. You’ll carry heavy bundles, climb ladders over and over, and work in intense heat a lot.
If you’re not already in good shape, the job will wear you down fast. (Or force you into better shape, whether you planned it or not.)
Safety risks
Working at heights comes with real risks. Falls are one of the leading causes of construction and roofing accidents, so safety training and proper equipment are important to take seriously.
Problem is… even if every company values safety on paper, a lot of crews don’t respect it like they should. If you work with a group of guys who take unnecessary risks, you’ll feel pressured to put yourself in the same kind of danger. Just be aware, be smart, and look out for yourself.
Limited tech exposure
Traditional roofing, in the past, hasn’t involved much computer work. That can leave some roofers behind on digital skills. Especially if you work for someone that still uses a sticky note system, or who thinks Windows 95 is the new hotness.
But the industry has changed FAST in the last few years. CRM platforms like Roofr bring technology into roofing, making measurements, estimates, proposals, and job management all way, way, way easier.
So, is roofing hard to learn?
Roofing is definitely challenging, and it’s not for everyone. But after reading the pros and cons above, you should have a sense of whether you’re up for it.
As with any trade, you’ll start by learning the basics, doing a lot of grunt work, and building up your endurance. Over time, it gets easier. You’ll get more efficient and confident. If you’re hungry, you’ll move up the ranks fast and learn how to succeed.
Roofing is hard, yes. But it pays off in job security, solid income potential, and the satisfaction of building something tangible every day.
Any final tips?
To succeed, understand that you’ll need to pair hands-on skills with business knowledge, sales and marketing knowhow, and smart tech tools. Being a bit of a jack-of-all-trades will take you far.
Once you’ve got the foundations down, tools like Roofr will make the hard parts easier. From roof measurement reports to digital proposals, Roofr helps contractors save time, win more jobs, and run smoother businesses.
So, is roofing a hard job? Is roofing a good career? Yes to both. With the right mindset — and the right tools — it’s one of the most rewarding trades out there.