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2024 Commercial Roofing Trends opening title

Roofing Contractor commissioned myCLEARopinion Insights Hub to conduct the annual Commercial Roofing Report research study. This online research initiative focused on capturing the industry perspective on 2024 successes and challenges, while keeping an eye on the year to come.

The geographic breakdown leaders were tied at 31% (Midwest & South); followed by the West (20%); and the Northeast (19%). Roughly 36% identified themselves as corporate/executive management, and 36% identified themselves as general managers. [ n=59 ]

WHO PARTICIPATED?

bright orange graphic of southern states

31%

light orange graphic of midwest states

31%

light purple  graphic of western states

20%

light blue graphic of northeastern states

19%

graphic modern skyscraper with green living roof
bright green bubbly graphic trees

SALES OUTLOOK

grey skyline with giant purple numbers 202 in foreground
crane arm lowering giant purple number 5

%

reported growth in total sales volume from 2023-2024

64 percent donut graph

0

%

anticipate growth in total sales volume in 2025

68 percent donut graph

0

%

anticipate growth in total sales volume through 2027

83 percent donut graph

0

For Commercial Contractors:

[ n=59 ]

FOCUS ON COATINGS

41% of commercial sales of coatings have increased from 2023 to 2024 among product users. [ n=32 ]

41 percent donut graph

0

%

industrial coatings bucket graphic

Commercial sales for coatings are expected to increase by 48% in 2025. [ n=52 ]

worker applying roof coating with long handled roller and bucket

Solar

Single-Ply Roofing

53% Commercial Sales Increased from 2023-2024. [ n=15 ]

72% Commercial Sales Expected to Increase in 2025. [ n=57]

solar panel icon
single ply roofing material icon

2025 CHALLENGES

The top perceived challenges for businesses in 2025 are:

61 percent donut graph
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0

%

Lack of Qualified Workers

49 percent donut graph
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0

%

Current Economy/Inflation

42 percent donut graph
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0

%

Increased Building Material Costs

[ n=59 ]

graphic image of a row of modern skyscrapers
wispy cloud shape
wispy cloud shape
wispy cloud shape

Workforce Woes

Nearly three-quarters of respondents report an increase in labor costs since January of 2024, with an average increase of 14%

white silhouette of a roofer with hammer on roof
white silhouette of a roofer with hammer on roof
half orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof
orange silhouette of roofer with hammer on roof

Lack of qualified workers, current economy/inflation, and increased building material costs are among some issues rising this year, followed by 39% of respondents showing concern for lowball pricing/bidding wars. [ n=59 ]

two workers in hard hats carrying a wooden dollar sign
engineer in hard hat with tablet gesturing
talk bubble with a dollar sign exclamation

On average, the workforce is constructed of:

Man in hard hat and vest giving thumbs up
worker in overalls and hard hat carrying stack of lumber
three construction workers standing next to each other

0

%

0

%

0

%

Full-Time Employees

Subcontractors

Part-Time Employees

[ n=59 ]

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Communication on the Job

37% of crew members and 15% of senior management members speak a language other than English in order to perform daily job responsibilities. Respondents report that Spanish is the most commonly spoken language, followed by English.

37% of crew speak non-English languages

15% of senior management speak non-English languages

construction engineer, and two workers standing next to each other
light purple talk bubble

Salut!

light teal talk bubble

Hello!

orange talk bubble

Hola!

Languages commonly spoken:

73 percent donut graph

0

%

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Spanish

42 percent donut graph

0

%

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English

5 percent donut graph

0

%

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French

[ n=59 ]

METHODS TO RECRUIT TALENT & EMPLOYEE RETENTION

The majority of respondents’ companies use employee referrals to identify and recruit talent in the roofing market. In order to retain employees, respondents report that their companies are increasing employees’ pay/awarding bonuses, ensuring enough work, and/or ensuring a safe work environment.

Methods to Retain Commercial Employees

Employee Referrals – 80%

Online Job Postings – 75%

Family/Friends – 58%

Social Media – 56%

Trade School Affiliation – 42%

Ensuring a Safe Work Environment – 86%

Providing Benefits – 81%

Paying Well/Giving Bonuses – 78%

Providing Training – 76%

Ensuring Enough Work – 73%

Methods to Recruit Talent

construction worker head with hard hat
construction worker head with hard hat
construction worker head with hard hat
construction worker head with hard hat
two construction workers using roofing tools

[ n=59 ]

TRAINING METHODS

Training is largely provided in-house while on the job, followed by in-house formal training programs, manufacturer provided training, and association training.

construction site building silhouette
silhouette of a road roller vehicle
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construction working wearing hardhat and vest while pointing
83 percent donut graph

In-House Training (On the Job Training)

0

%

69 percent donut graph

0

In-House Training (Formal Training Program)

%

61 percent donut graph

0

Manufacturer Training

%

49 percent donut graph

0

Association Training

%

[ n=59 ]

Estimating software and enterprise/accounting software are the most commonly used types of software/products/technologies currently. [ n=59 ]

SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY

0

%

0

%

0

%

0

%

Estimating Software

Enterprise/Accounting Software

Drones

Artificial
Intelligence/
Predictive Data Analysis

hands holding tablet displaying analytics
desktop monitor displaying analytics software
drone graphic
predictive data symbol above robot head icon
silhouette of building construction frame with prominent crane

As we transition into 2025, technology upgrades and a demand for roofing innovation continues to be a high priority for commercial roofing contractors who want to make a difference with their customer base and maximize efficiency in production.

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