According to the NFRC’s Spring 2025 report, only 36% of contractors saw workloads increase, down from 48% in the previous quarter. New enquiries also dipped, with just a third of firms reporting growth. While some regions such as the Midlands remain relatively resilient, the broader picture is one of uncertainty.
Periods of reduced demand highlight how fragile cash flow can become. Roofing is a labour and material intensive trade where costs are front-loaded. When payments are delayed even by a few weeks, it can leave contractors squeezed between suppliers expecting prompt settlement and clients taking longer to pay. For smaller firms, that gap can quickly become a serious risk to stability.
Contractors have been finding ways to adapt. Some are diversifying into new services or targeting markets where public sector infrastructure projects continue to drive activity. Others are tightening up internal processes, with quicker invoicing cycles and clearer payment terms. These steps all help but unfortunately, they don’t completely shield businesses from the impact of overdue invoices.
One Midlands-based firm told us stricter credit control has become as important as winning new work. “We’ve got plenty of jobs on but when customers are slow to pay it’s like treading water.” Their experience reflects what many in the sector are finding, late payment has always been part of construction but in slower markets its effects are magnified.
The firms that stay resilient are usually the ones that act early on overdue accounts. That’s where we’ve been able to give roofing contractors some breathing room.
Our Roofing page brings these issues together, showing where support makes the difference in keeping businesses stable.
