How to Get More Roofing Customers in 2026

Roofing is one of those trades where work can be feast or famine. After a storm, the phone doesn't stop ringing. Then it goes quiet for weeks. The roofers who stay busy year-round aren't necessarily better at their trade — they're better at being found when customers need them.

Here's how to build a steady pipeline of roofing work in 2026.

1. Set Up Your Google Business Profile

When a homeowner searches "roofer near me" or "roof repair in Leeds," Google shows a map with three businesses. That's the Google Business Profile map pack, and being in it is the most valuable free advertising you can get.

To optimise yours:

• Complete every section — services, areas covered, opening hours, description, photos
• Set your primary category to "Roofing contractor" and add secondary categories like "Roof repair service" and "Gutter cleaning service"
• Post updates regularly — completed jobs, storm damage repairs, seasonal maintenance tips. Google favours active profiles
• Upload photos constantly — finished roofs, repair work, before-and-after shots. Aerial and drone shots are particularly effective for roofing

Your Google Business Profile is the first thing most customers see. Make it count.

2. Collect Reviews Consistently

Roofing customers are cautious. A new roof or major repair is a significant investment, and horror stories about cowboy roofers are everywhere. Reviews are how you prove you're the real deal.

How to build your review base:

• Ask every customer — send a text with a direct Google review link after the job is finished
• Ask while you're on site — "If you're happy with the work, a Google review would really help me get more business"
• Respond to every review — good or bad. Professional responses show future customers you take your reputation seriously
• Don't ignore negative reviews — address them calmly and factually. How you handle criticism often impresses potential customers more than the five-star reviews

Aim for volume. A roofer with 80+ genuine reviews dominates local search results.

3. Build a Professional Website

A Google Business Profile gets you noticed. A website gets you hired. It's where customers go to check you out properly before committing to a job that could cost thousands.

A proper roofer website needs:

• Dedicated service pages — roof repairs, flat roofing, re-roofing, chimney work, guttering, fascias and soffits, emergency roof repairs. Each page targets its own search terms
• Before-and-after project photos — show the problem and the solution. Customers love seeing transformations
• Your accreditations prominently displayed — NFRC membership, manufacturer warranties, insurance details
• Clear contact details on every page — phone number, click-to-call on mobile, contact form

A hand-coded website built for SEO will load faster and rank better than any template builder. For roofers competing in a crowded market, that technical advantage matters.

4. Display Your NFRC Accreditation

If you're a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, make sure every customer knows it. NFRC membership is a major trust signal — it tells homeowners you've been vetted, you meet industry standards, and your work is backed by proper guarantees.

Display the NFRC logo on:

• Your website (header or footer so it's visible on every page)
• Your Google Business Profile
• Your Checkatrade profile
• Your social media profiles
• Your van and business cards

Accreditation separates you from the "man with a ladder" roofers who give the trade a bad name. Use it.

5. Optimise Your Checkatrade Profile

Roofing is one of the most competitive categories on Checkatrade, so your profile needs to work hard:

• Link to your website — it gives customers somewhere to see more of your work and makes your listing more credible
• Upload plenty of photos — especially aerial shots of completed roofs and before-and-after repairs
• List specific services — "Flat roof replacement," "Storm damage repair," "Full re-roofing," "Lead work," "Guttering and fascias" are better than just "Roofing"
• Respond to every review — shows you're active and professional
• Keep your profile updated with new project photos regularly

The more specific and active your profile, the more it stands out from roofers who created their profile and forgot about it.

6. Dominate Local SEO

Local SEO for roofers is about showing up for every relevant search in your area. Here's what to focus on:

• Service pages on your website — "Roof repairs in Sheffield," "Emergency roofer in Rotherham," "Flat roofing in Doncaster," "Re-roofing in Barnsley"
• Location pages for every area you cover — each one targets local search terms
• Directory listings — Yell, Thomson Local, FreeIndex, Bark. Keep your name, address, and phone number consistent across all of them
• Blog content targeting real searches — "How much does a new roof cost in 2026?" "How to tell if your roof needs replacing," "Flat roof vs pitched roof: pros and cons"

Every page on your website is another opportunity to rank for a search term. The more pages targeting specific services and locations, the wider your net.

7. Use Social Media — Especially Drone Footage

Roofers have a unique advantage on social media: drone footage. An overhead shot of a beautifully completed roof is incredibly satisfying to watch, and this content gets shared and remembered.

What works on social media for roofers:

• Drone footage of completed roofs — time-lapses of re-roofing jobs are particularly popular
• Before-and-after shots — storm damage repairs, flat roof replacements, chimney rebuilds
• Storm damage content — after bad weather, post about what to look for and how to get emergency repairs. This is timely and gets shared
• Join local community groups on Facebook — when someone posts about a leak or missing tiles, be the first roofer to respond helpfully

Drone footage doesn't require expensive equipment. A basic drone for a few hundred pounds pays for itself in marketing value.

8. Target Emergency Searches With Google Ads

Roofing has a unique advantage in Google Ads: emergency searches. When a storm blows tiles off someone's roof, they're not browsing Checkatrade and comparing quotes. They're Googling "emergency roofer near me" and calling the first result.

Tips for roofing Google Ads:

• Bid on emergency keywords — "emergency roofer," "storm damage roof repair," "roof leak emergency." These searches have urgent intent
• Geo-target tightly — only pay for clicks in areas you can actually reach quickly
• Send traffic to your roofer website — a professional page with a click-to-call button converts emergency searchers fast
• Run ads after storms — increase your budget during bad weather when search volume spikes

Emergency roofing work often leads to bigger jobs. The customer who calls you for an emergency tarp might hire you for a full re-roof. Getting there first is everything.

9. Build a Referral Network

For roofers, referrals can come from unexpected places:

• Estate agents — they deal with property issues constantly and need reliable roofers
• Insurance companies — storm damage claims need roofer assessments
• Other tradesmen — builders, plasterers, and decorators often get asked "do you know a good roofer?"
• Previous customers — leave a card after every job and follow up a few weeks later

A referral incentive of even £25 per recommendation can generate a steady stream of work.

The Bottom Line

Getting more roofing customers comes down to being visible when people need you. That means a strong Google Business Profile, consistent reviews, a professional roofer website that showcases your work, and smart use of social media and ads.

The roofers who build this system stay busy in every season — not just when the storms hit. Start with the foundation: a proper website and Google Business Profile. Everything else builds on top.

Axel

Full-stack developer specializing in Shopify and Django. Building automated e-commerce solutions.