Is Roofing Hard? The Pros & Cons of Being a Roofer

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In a recent poll, CraftJack asked contractors and consumers to rank 32 categories of contractor work, from the most physically demanding to the most difficult to master. A whopping 13% of contractors said that roofing was the most physically demanding work they’ve ever done. Moreover, a third of respondents said they’d worked in the construction industry, followed by carpentry, drywall and insulation, and cleaning. 

Consumers who took the poll expressed remarkably consistent views. For example, 20% of respondents answered that roofing was the most challenging task, while 15% said demolition was the second most difficult one. However, the list then diverges, with drywall and insulation placed third (8%) by contractor answers, followed by excavation (8%) and landscaping (7%).

In this article, we’ll delve more into the pros and cons of being a roofer, and how Roofr can make the job of a contractor much easier.

Is roofing hard?

The short answer? Yes, it is. In the roofing industry, you can expect to exert a significant amount of physical effort. When a roofer does their job, they’re tasked with ensuring that the structure of a building is safe for its occupants with minimal property damage. This doesn’t come without its difficulties, but there are also significant advantages to this line of work.

The pros of being a roofer

Roofers work seasonally

The roofing industry isn’t exactly buzzing all months of the year. Most of the work comes in during the spring and summer, with roofers having a lot on their plate at this time. The effort is, however, worth it, seeing as most roofers have a bit more downtime during the slower fall and winter seasons.

Roofers have an ease to their schedules   

Most of the time, a roofer isn't required to work extended hours. Although the work can be strenuous, they only work 40 hours a week, or even less.

Additionally, experienced roofing contractors can complete their given tasks in less time and may be allowed to take breaks or end their work early. This convenience presents a viable alternative for those who want a solid salary and a reasonable amount of time off.

Roofers get a lot of fresh air

Today, indoor air pollution is a major threat. Unlike most workers, roofers spend more time outdoors, where they are up and running. 

Roofers get more fresh air than most people, and as a result, the lungs of roofers are in better shape. Plus they're more active, which provides mental health benefits.

Roofers also escape the back pain and disc problems associated with other laborious jobs.

Roofers have a reasonable level of job security

The need for homes continues to increase as the population grows. Urbanization has resulted in a lack of housing and has required most development projects to be finished quickly. Because roofers are essential to the construction of new homes, they’re in high demand and will likely always be in demand.

Roofers benefit from job stability, so when thinking about the question ‘Is roofing a hard job?’, the answer is: certainly, but it pays!

Roofers gain vast knowledge about the construction industry

Those who work as roofers obtain valuable skills and experience that they can apply to a wide range of career paths in the construction business. Additionally, you'll come into contact with people from other fields while working as a roofing contractor. 

If you're looking to specialize in a particular field, you can always aim for certification. Roofing also offers other long-term employment options. For example, the skills you learn as a roofer can help you land a job as a construction manager, estimator, or general contractor.

The cons of being a roofer

It requires a lot of physical effort

The physical demands of working as a roofer are a drawback, so if you’re thinking about getting into roofing, it’s crucial that you’re already physically fit.

The day's tasks also often include lifting and moving large tiles. As a result, roofers often arrive home exhausted after work.

Roofers are prone to accidents

The roofs of homes, apartments, villas, and even multi-story buildings are the most common places roofers work—all high places.

The roof is not a particularly safe place to work, as it’s not uncommon for roofers to miss a step on a ladder or lose their balance and end up suffering a fall every now and then. Some of these falls can result in problems like broken bones and dislocated joints, and obviously, there’s the worst case scenario: death. 

Therefore, being a roofer requires caution and extreme safety precautions.

Roofers are not exposed to digital skills

Working as a roofer means very little or no use of computers or digital tools. And this may affect their future employment prospects elsewhere.

Although one can pick up a lot of helpful information regarding other fields like construction throughout the course of their job, they may find themselves unable to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change in the workplace.

But this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case, and may not be as time goes by. The emergence of innovative technologies is changing the roofing space, and roofing contractors turning to software like Roofr have seen massive improvements in their day-to-day operations.

Roofr is an all-in-one sales platform for roofers wanting to grow their businesses, stay ahead of the competition, or streamline their sales process. Our platform simplifies the roofing sales process, from roof measurement reports to project-winning proposals.

So, is roofing hard?

When asking the question ‘How hard is roofing?’, the answer can vary. While you have to be extremely cautious with tools and terrain, it’s a lucrative and exciting job, and those who enjoy their jobs are likely to see the downsides as worth the effort.

Roofing becomes much easier when streamlining the sales process with software like Roofr. Register for Roofr today to win more jobs for your business!

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