This 2nd edition of the Roofing Contractors Market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the sector in terms of size, structure and leading players. The market’s recent performance is assessed, while analysis of material usage and key end use sectors are also reviewed.
Factors including construction levels, in particular the key end-use sectors for roofing contractors, are reviewed, together with a forecast of market prospects up to 2016.
The health of the roofing contractors market is directly related to the performance of the UK building and construction sectors, primarily influenced by new-build. Following steady growth to 2007, the impact of the economic crisis had a dramatic effect on the market, declining from its peak in 2007 of £3bn to an estimated £2.19bn in 2011. In 2008 the UK economy entered a period of more difficult trading due to the effects of the credit crunch causing the roofing contractors market to decline to around £2.8bn due to the decline in housebuilding. The economic recession in 2009 caused further deterioration of the market due to the contraction of the core end-use sectors including commercial and industrial sectors. In 2009 it is estimated that the roofing contractors market was worth around £2.3bn at installed prices. Market decline continued to 2010 before stabilising in 2011, with similar prospects forecast for 2012.
The roofing contractors market is highly fragmented comprising mainly of small companies (with less than 10 employees) and only a few companies operating nationally. Many companies reacted to the economic downturn and adopted appropriate strategies such as job losses, improve efficiencies and competitive pricing, with some operating around or just above cost price. Although there have been signs of improvement with margins beginning to increase, albeit it very slowly, in 2012.
Future prospects are more optimistic, with margins expected to gradually improve and companies taking on more staff as the volume of works increases. Essentially those roofing contractors that work in the private sectors are better placed than those focusing on other public sectors, with key sectors being office, industrial and housing sectors.
The non-domestic sector provides the majority of opportunities for roofing contractors installing a range of products including membranes & felts, metal roofing systems and roof glazing. Roofing tiling systems are predominately installed in domestic applications, with the domestic sector accounting for around 40-45% of the roofing contractors market. Changes to the housebuilding mix affect different sectors of the roofing contractors market. The recent switch back in favour of the construction of houses has benefited the roof tiling contractors, but the shortage of land favours the construction of flats and apartments that will benefit the metal roofing contractors.
Direct supply is the main source of roofing materials for roofing contractors, accounting for around 60% of the market. Roofing merchants, dominated by SIG, are also a key source for roofing materials.
There are concerns in the market regarding the loss of roofers, in particular skilled roofers, from the market in recent years and the possibility of labour shortages (again particularly for skilled workers) when the market begins to grow and expand.