Interview Questions to Ask a Roofer Candidate
Questions that surface real evidence of safe, weather-tight installation work backed by real completed jobs — plus what to actually listen for in the answer, not just whether they say the right buzzwords.
1. What do you check before climbing onto a pitched roof and starting work?
What to listen for: Mentions fall protection, ladder and scaffold checks, weather, roof condition, fragile surfaces and having a plan for rescue or emergency.
2. While stripping old tiles you find the underlay rotten and part of the decking damaged. What do you do?
What to listen for: Stops, photographs the damage, informs the customer or supervisor, gives a clear cost and time estimate, and does not cover up the problem.
3. Why is flashing around chimneys and valleys so important, and how do you make sure it is done properly?
What to listen for: Understands water paths, correct overlaps and sealing, material choice, and checking the work for leaks before finishing.
4. Rain is forecast for the afternoon and the roof is half open. How do you decide what to do?
What to listen for: Checks forecast, makes the roof watertight with temporary covers, prioritises safety over schedule, and speaks to the customer about delays.
5. What would you do in your first 30 days in this roofer role?
What to listen for: Whether their plan is grounded in the role's actual must-haves (roofing installation/repair and material estimation) or generic ("get to know the team"). Specificity here signals real understanding of the job, not just interview prep.
6. Why are you leaving your current role, and why this one specifically?
What to listen for: Forward-looking motivation tied to something concrete about this role, versus badmouthing a past employer or vague dissatisfaction. Watch for whether their reasons actually match what this role offers.
A warning sign in this interview
The candidate dismisses fall protection as slowing the job down, or would hide hidden damage rather than tell the customer and agree the extra work.
What to look for on the CV before the interview
Roof types, safety record and crew experience.
Confirm before you make an offer
Working-at-height safety training and any trade qualification.
People who may apply under another title
This job is also called Roofing Technician, Roof Installer, Slater, Flat Roofer. A candidate with one of those titles can be a strong match, so ask the same questions and judge the answers, not the title.
Frequently asked questions
How many of these questions should I ask in one interview?
3-4 is realistic for a 30-45 minute interview once you leave room for follow-ups and the candidate's own questions. Divide competencies across panel members rather than every interviewer asking all of them — see the Interview Scorecard tool for a structured version of this.
How is this different from the Interview Scorecard tool?
This page is a generic starting point for the roofer role. The tool generates a full panel-ready kit — competency-grouped questions, a 1-5 rating rubric, and strong/weak answer examples — tailored to your actual job description and competencies.
What is a red flag when interviewing a roofer?
The candidate dismisses fall protection as slowing the job down, or would hide hidden damage rather than tell the customer and agree the extra work.
What should I confirm before offering a roofer the job?
Working-at-height safety training and any trade qualification.
Hiring a roofer? The rest of the toolkit
- How to write the job description →
Titles, must-haves, credentials and a starting posting.
- Search strings to find candidates →
Five searches from broad to narrow, with exclusions.
- Run the whole hire in one place →
Jobs, CV review, interviews, offers and checks together.