How to Set Your Day Rate as a Roofer in the UK

Roofing is one of the more challenging trades to price. The work is weather-dependent, physically demanding, carries height-related risk, and the cost of scaffolding — whether you provide it or your customer arranges it — is a major variable. Getting your rate wrong in either direction costs you.

Here's how to work it out properly.

Start from your required take-home

What do you need net each month to cover your personal costs comfortably? Let's say £2,800 per month — £33,600 per year take-home.

To take home £33,600 as a sole trader, you need gross profits (before tax and NI) of approximately £42,000–£45,000 depending on your allowable expenses.

Calculate your annual business costs

Roofers have some specific costs that other trades don't:

Van — insurance, tax, fuel, maintenance: £5,000–£9,000 Tools and equipment — slate rippers, nail guns, cutting equipment, safety equipment: £2,000–£4,000 Harnesses and fall arrest equipment — mandatory and needs regular inspection: £300–£800 per year Scaffolding — if you arrange and charge separately, calculate your own erection costs; if you absorb it, factor it per job Insurance — public liability for working at height is a higher risk category and costs more: £1,500–£3,500 Vehicle — if you carry ladders and materials, wear and tear is higher than average PPE: £400–£700 Phone and accountant: £1,000–£2,000

Total annual costs for a sole trader roofer: £11,000–£20,000. Use £14,000.

Billable days — the weather problem

This is the roofer's specific challenge. You can't work in heavy rain, strong winds, ice or snow. In the UK, that typically means 10-20 weather-lost days per year depending on your region — more in Scotland and the North West, fewer in the South East.

From 260 working days: 28 days holiday 8 bank holidays 5-8 sick days 15 weather-affected days (conservative) 10-15 non-billable days — quoting, materials runs, callbacks 5 days of gaps

That leaves approximately 180-190 billable days. Use 180 — be pessimistic on billable days because roofing has more uncontrollable variables than most trades.

Working out your rate

£44,000 target gross + £14,000 costs = £58,000 minimum turnover Divided by 180 days = £322 per day minimum

With a 20% margin built in: £385 per day as your working rate. Round to £400.

What roofers are actually charging in 2026

London and South East: £350–£550/day Midlands: £280–£420/day North and North West: £260–£400/day Scotland: £250–£380/day

Specialist roofing commands higher rates — lead work, slate, heritage buildings, green roofing, solar panel integration. If you've got a specialism, your rate should reflect it.

Scaffolding — how to handle it on quotes

Never absorb scaffolding into your labour rate. Quote it separately as either: a) A pass-through cost that your customer arranges (preferred for larger jobs) b) An itemised line on your quote at the actual cost plus a coordination margin

Scaffolding costs vary enormously by job — a simple lean-to repair is a few hundred pounds, a full house scaffolding is several thousand. Customers who see a high day rate and don't understand that scaffolding is on top will get confused. Make it explicit.

Weather and contract terms

For larger roofing jobs, include a weather clause in your quote — something that makes clear that weather delays extend the programme and may affect cost if your day rate applies to extended duration. Customers who've agreed to this upfront are much easier to deal with when it rains for a week.

Reviewing your rates

Roof every year. The physical demands of roofing mean your body has a finite number of working years — your rate should account for that. Physio, aches and the general wear of the job are real costs that don't appear on a spreadsheet but absolutely affect your quality of life.