Head Judge of the UK Roofing Awards explains how to submit a good entry

Bob Richardson, NFRC Head of Technical and Training, and also Head Judge at the UK Roofing Awards, discusses the entry process and requirements, and explains how companies can really benefit from submitting their projects to the annual awards event.

The UK Roofing Awards 2024 is on the horizon, and entries are now open at nfrc.awardsplatform.com. Projects can be submitted until 17 January for the judges’ consideration.

We encourage firms of all sizes and in all roofing and cladding disciplines to enter the Awards. It only takes a short amount of time and there is no entry fee. The judges reward quality workmanship, problem solving, health and safety, and great supply chain management – all of which can be achieved by any firm with a commitment to excellence.

Is there an award for projects in my discipline?

Entries are welcome in 16 project categories:

• Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing
• Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing
• Fully Supported Metal
• Green Roofing
• Heritage Roofing
• Leadwork
• Mastic Asphalt
• Multi-discipline Project over £250k
• Rainscreen Facades
• Reinforced Bitumen Membranes
• Roof Slating
• Roof Tiling
• Sheeting and Cladding
• Single Ply Roofing
• Small Scale Project (Under £25k)
• Solar PV.

One entry will also take the Industry Choice Award, voted for online by everyone across the UK roofing and cladding industry. Finally, the project deemed by the judges as best across all categories will gain the prestigious title of Project of the Year 2025.

Can I nominate a great individual for an award?

The awards also recognise individuals' talents and contributions in the following categories:  

• Young Roofer of the Year 
• Health and Safety Individual of the Year
• Local Hero award 
• Environmental Champion - New category for 2025 

Are we eligible to enter?
It’s not only NFRC Member companies who can enter. Individuals being nominated must be employed by, or the roofing project must have been completed by a roofing contractor with membership of at least one of the following trade associations/organisations:

FTMRC; GRO; LRWA; MAC; MCRMA; NFRC; NFRC Competent Person Scheme (formerly known as CompetentRoofer); SPRA.

We worked on the project but weren’t the roofing contractor – can we enter?
Manufacturers, architects and specifiers are very welcome to submit projects but must ensure that the roofing contractor is a member of one of the above listed trade associations/bodies. The award always goes to the roofing contractor – but where the entry was submitted by a supplier, they will be mentioned if the project gets shortlisted.

Is our work impressive enough to win a UK Roofing Award?
Winning, and being shortlisted, is about more than just a flashy project. Aesthetics are of course important, but as we all know, ‘the devil is in the detail’ so attention to detail on a small project is just as important as on a big build. The judges will look at your evidence of good project management and problem solving, the interfaces with other trades, any apprentices taken on or training that was required, in conjunction with exceptional craftsmanship, as well as rewarding firms who have gone above and beyond on health and safety.

It is important to paint a picture with the information provided with your submission including photos of before, during and after the project, so the judges can evaluate the whole process including any innovation so they can understand the due care and attention paid to critical elements of the project.

The shortlisting panel and team of judges look at these five key elements when scoring entries: 

• Complexity
• Challenge
• Workmanship
• Safety
• Project Management 

Don’t forget PPE and good health and safety in all submitted photographs.