Roofing News: July 2026

The first week of July brought news that bears on both the price of a roof and how you check the people who fit it. Concrete tile supply is still tight, the roofing trade’s own survey shows confidence slipping as materials cost more, and figures on card checks give homeowners a simple way to vet a contractor. Here is what changed and why it matters before you book a job.

Concrete roof tile supply is still restricted

The Construction Leadership Council’s materials group reported on 7 July that supplies of plain concrete roof tiles remain constrained, with higher energy costs, supply-chain disruption and precautionary buying all playing a part. Availability is good across most building products, but concrete tiles are a specific pinch point, and the group also flagged concern about the new steel quotas squeezing access to some steel products. For a homeowner this mostly shows up as longer lead times rather than empty shelves, so if your roof uses concrete tiles, ask your roofer to confirm the exact tile is in stock and to build the delivery time into the schedule rather than assuming next-day supply. Our guide to clay versus concrete roof tiles covers the trade-offs if a switch is worth considering, and our roof tile types guide explains matching an existing roof. The statement is covered at Roofing Today.

Roofing confidence falls as materials keep getting dearer

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors published its Winter State of the Industry report in early July, and it makes for cautious reading. Only 29 per cent of member firms reported more work in the first quarter of 2026, down from 37 per cent the previous quarter, and 93 per cent said materials costs had risen, up from 87 per cent. Tellingly, the share reporting higher tender prices actually dipped to 50 per cent, which suggests many contractors are absorbing higher costs into thinner margins to win jobs rather than passing them straight on. For a homeowner planning a job, that is a genuinely useful signal: with firms competing harder for work, it is a good moment to get three written quotes and compare them properly rather than accepting the first number. Our roof cost per square metre guide shows what a fair figure looks like. The report is covered at Total Contractor.

CSCS card checks pass 16.8 million, and you can run one yourself

CSCS reported on 9 July that its Smart Check app recorded 16.8 million card scans in the first half of 2026, of which more than 700,000 came back unsuccessful because the card was expired, revoked or fake. The scheme certifies that a worker has the training and qualifications for the job, and the free app verifies a card in real time. The homeowner takeaway is direct: a legitimate roofer should be happy to show a valid card, and the fact that hundreds of thousands of scans flagged bad cards is a reminder that not every card presented is genuine. Checking it is one more quick filter alongside written quotes, a real address and staged payments. Our roof replacement questions guide lists what else to ask before you sign anything. The figures are at Roofing Today.