Why 2025 is a pivotal year for the roofing industry

By Dani Sheehan.

From shifting insurance policies to economic pressures and evolving customer expectations, staying ahead means staying informed.

The roofing industry is at a crossroads in 2025, with economic pressures, regulatory changes and shifting consumer expectations reshaping the landscape. At the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2025, the live Coffee Conversations, sponsored by SRS Distribution, on day two brought together industry experts to discuss the biggest trends shaping our future. With a panel featuring Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese, Eric Miller of Westlake Royal Building Products and Piers Dormeyer of EagleView, they tackled the most pressing issues contractors, manufacturers and distributors will face in the coming year.

Labor, immigration and tariffs

One of the most immediate concerns facing contractors now is the continued uncertainty around immigration policies and tariffs. Trent shared, “Those are the two biggest questions we’re facing right now – what that means for contractors, what that looks like for manufacturers and distributors and figuring out what’s noise and what’s reality. Then we need to look at how to address contracts and work with your labor force to deal with those issues.”

With an already strained workforce, these regulatory changes could have a significant impact on hiring, pricing and project timelines. Staying informed and proactive is one of the best ways to mitigate risks amid the uncertainty.

The insurance dilemma

The intersection between roofing and insurance continues to evolve, with increasing costs and changing policies posing new challenges across the country. “I think from where we sit, insurance is a huge area of uncertainty,” Piers explained. “We’re seeing this migration away from replacement cost value policies to actual cash value policies, so homeowners just don’t have the cash to actually engage in those repairs.”

He also highlighted how rising deductibles and loss ratios are squeezing both insurers and homeowners, creating a market dynamic that we as an industry must navigate carefully. At the same time, he pointed out a silver lining in this: “I think that Venn diagram between the roofing industry and insurance has changed a lot in the couple of decades I’ve been around. And I think it’s changed for the better. There’s a lot more collaboration between the insurance companies and roofing contractors, and there’s been a lot of fraud that’s been removed through technology and other tools, which is really good for everybody.”

Durability, sustainability and consumer expectations

Another major shift is happening in consumer awareness. Homeowners and building owners are becoming more engaged in product selection and sustainability, which means contractors must be ready to educate and adapt. Eric pointed out, “You look at the average consumer, and they’re taking a much more active role in understanding the different products available. Historically, they may have relied on contractors to make all the decisions, but now they’re asking more about sustainability, total cost of ownership and product durability.”

The increasing impact of extreme weather events makes these roofing choices even more crucial. Eric continued, “With more frequent and severe storms, homeowners are looking for materials that can withstand harsh conditions. Durability is becoming a critical factor in decision-making, and that’s changing the life cycle of roofing products.” This shift places additional pressure for contractors to work with their manufacturers and distributors to stay ahead of product innovations and educate their customer base in a changing marketplace.

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about what’s ahead and prepare your business for continued success.