Knowledge Centre

Should Roofing Be Regulated Like Gas or Electrical Work?

This week, we’ve had to inspect two roofs that were recently installed — and both of them need repair. Not because of bad weather, not because of age, but because the installations were substandard. In one case, a flat roof wasn't installed correctly, leading to pooling and early signs of water ingress. In the other, Spanish slate was fitted poorly by someone the customer now can’t even get hold of — a classic cowboy job. No paperwork, no warranty, and no accountability.

It’s frustrating for us to see, and even more frustrating for the homeowners who now have to pay again to fix a job that should have been done right the first time. These aren’t rare cases either. We see it all the time.

So here’s the question:
Why isn’t roofing regulated like gas or electrical work?

The Standard for Other Trades

Let’s look at how other skilled trades are treated. If someone wants to work with gas lines or electrical systems, they’re required to go through proper training, get certified or licensed, and follow a strict code. There are inspections. There are penalties for cutting corners. There’s an expectation that lives are at stake — because they are.

Gas and electrical mistakes can cause fires, explosions, or fatalities. That's why the law doesn’t leave room for unqualified workers. It protects consumers from dangerous, incompetent work.

Now think about roofing.

A roof isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It’s the first line of defines against rain, wind, snow, sun, and extreme temperature changes. If it fails, water gets in. That can mean mold, rot, structural damage, and expensive repairs both external and internal (carpet, furniture, painting and decorating works). And just like with faulty wiring, a bad roof can be dangerous — a weakened structure increases the risk of collapse or fire spread.

But roofing doesn’t have the same legal guardrails. In many places, anyone can call themselves a roofer. They don’t need to pass a test. They don’t need to prove they’ve been trained. They don’t even need to prove they’ve done a roof before.

The Cost of Bad Roofing Work

Let’s be blunt: roofing mistakes cost people money — a lot of money.

Here are just a few of the things we’ve seen recently:

• Flashing installed over slates/tiles instead of under them, causing leaks along the chimney.
• Improper ventilation that led to extreme attic moisture and mold.
• Slates/tiles nailed too high or too low, risking blow-offs in the first windstorm.
• Roofs installed on top of wet or rotten decking.
• Warranty-voiding shortcuts, like skipping underlayment.

In many of these cases, the homeowner assumed the contractor knew what they were doing. Why wouldn’t they? Roofing is specialised work. But when there’s no license required and no third-party checks, customers are relying on trust — and sometimes, they get burned.

It’s no different from hiring an unlicensed electrician. You might save a few quid, but you’re taking a big gamble.

Why Roofing Gets Overlooked

So why isn’t roofing regulated the same way?

One reason is perception. People tend to underestimate the technical skill roofing requires. To the untrained eye, it looks like “just putting slates/tiles on.” But there’s a right way to do it and about a hundred wrong ways to mess it up. Roofing requires knowledge of materials, water flow, ventilation, load bearing, fasteners, underlays, flashing, slope calculations — and how all of it changes depending on the house and the region, exposure, wind lift calculations.

Another reason is fragmentation. Unlike plumbing or electrical, which are often handled by licensed tradespeople working under building codes, roofing is frequently subcontracted or handled separately from general construction inspections. It slips through the cracks — even on new builds.

Finally, there’s a lack of advocacy. Gas and electrical trades have strong unions and industry groups pushing for regulations and enforcement. Roofing has fewer organised voices calling for change, and many in the industry are used to the current system.

But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s right.

The Case for Regulation

We believe it's time to talk seriously about bringing roofing up to the same regulatory level as other trades. That could mean:

• State or national licensing requirements for roofers, including testing and education.
• Mandatory continuing education to stay up to date with codes, materials, and best practices.
• Inspections on major roofing jobs, just like plumbing and electrical work.
• Enforcement mechanisms for poor workmanship and consumer complaints.

Would this increase costs a little? Possibly — at first. But it would also raise the standard, reduce failures, and protect homeowners from massive repair bills. In the long run, it’s cheaper and safer for everyone involved.

And for good contractors, it’s not a threat — it’s a level playing field. The ones doing quality work already have the training and the experience. Regulation would just help weed out the fly-by-nights and the cut-corners types who give the whole trade a bad name.

What Homeowners Can Do Right Now

Homeowners need to do their own vetting, here’s what we recommend anyone do before hiring a roofer:

• Ask about experience and training. How long have they been in business? Are they manufacturer-certified?
• Check references and reviews. Look beyond the star rating. Read the bad reviews too, they often tell more. Remember some people pay for reviews to.
• Make sure they’re insured. Liability, both Public and Employers are a must.
• Ask about warranties — both labour and material. Reputable roofers stand by their work.
• Get everything in writing. The contract should spell out exactly what’s being done, with what materials, and when.

And finally — trust your gut. If something feels off, or the price seems too good to be true, walk away. A cheap roof now can mean an expensive mess later.

Final Thoughts

We’re not writing this because we want more work. In fact, we’d prefer not to get called in to fix other people’s mistakes. But when we see homeowners having to spend thousands of pounds fixing brand-new roofs, it’s a sign something is broken in the system.

The truth is, roofing matters just as much as plumbing or electricity — maybe more. It protects everything underneath it. It deserves the same level of scrutiny, training, and accountability.

So yes, we believe roofing should be regulated like gas or electrical work. It’s time to raise the bar.

That said, we’re not starting from scratch. Organisations like the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC) — which we at MF Roofing are proud members of — the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) and The Association of Master Roofers (AMR) are already doing a lot of the work. They set high standards, promote best practices, and hold their members to account. The problem is, not everyone chooses to join. And without broader regulation, too many unqualified installers still slip through the cracks.

Until proper regulation is in place, homeowners can protect themselves by choosing roofing companies that are members of these professional bodies. It’s a mark of quality — and a sign that the company takes its craft seriously.

Let’s make that the industry standard, not the exception.