This time of year always brings about moments of useful — sometimes uncomfortable — self-reflection. It’s a time to give thanks for what we have, take stock in where our lives are, and start setting the agenda for who and what we want to become in the future. Hopefully, you can have it all wrapped up in time for the New Year to roll around.

It’s also that time of year when we start receiving results from our annual survey of roofing contractors, other roofing pros, and now homeowners to gauge the pulse of the industry. The feedback not only comprises RC’s annual State of the Industry Report — the latest version of which is set to be published in January. It also reminds me how rapidly things can change for an industry in such a short time period.

It's been a tough slog for many roofing contractors in 2025 who have been on the frontlines and feeling the impact of national immigration enforcement and costly tariffs. The uncertainty impacted the workforce, project timelines, backlogs, operational planning and overall growth. Yet, we’re reporting on roofing contractors exceeding expectations, generating record revenue and growing their teams, despite the challenges.

Far be it from me to say what roofing contractors in the field every day should be thankful for, but as I review the roofing landscape, there’s a lot to like. Here’s a short sample.

On Demand

With as much economic uncertainty as there is out there, roofing contractors should feel good about overall roofing demand. Roofing companies are staying busy in 2025 and are finding ways to diversify their offerings in the face of slower storm campaigns. Whether converting to more retail jobs, getting into specialties like coatings and metal, or adding services like gutters and windows, roofers are finding ways to generate revenue now that should hold into the near future.

PE Presence

For a while there during Q1-Q3, it seemed like something was wrong if we weren’t reporting on a merger or acquisition in the roofing space. Roofing contractors, distributors, and manufacturers were all making moves in an active market that seemed energized and fueled by private equity. Whether one thinks private equity funding is good or bad for the roofing industry — and there are stories to tell reflecting both — it’s still here, and having a big impact industrywide.

Why be thankful? Because disruptive forces like this are often needed to jumpstart new business opportunities when economic times are good or bad. The amount of dollars and interest flowing into the roofing industry is an engine that could drive serious results. Also, that interest and attention to roofing has brought a level of professionalism into the industry that was hardly uniform before.

Company owners are firming up their numbers, retooling their branding, and focusing on culture to become competitive in the M&A world. That’s only going to help the roofing industry improve.

Fortified Momentum

The resiliency movement in roofing is alive and well. For years, roofers, suppliers and manufacturers have talked about the need for more resilient products and practices to help reduce the industry’s overall environmental impact. Yet, unique partnerships, legislative moves, and new research demonstrated significant gains in 2025. Even coming off a slower storm season, expect that momentum to continue into next year.

Embracing Latino Contractors

Opportunities for Latino roofing contractors are growing across all segments of the industry. There are more associations, professional organizations and targeted programs designed to serve the fastest-growing segment of roofing workers than ever before. Major manufacturers, building product distributors and large roofing companies dedicated resources to training and educating Latino contractors over the past year, and more are scheduled in 2026.

The major roofing associations and conventions are also nurturing the momentum by tailoring events and educational sessions to the Latino contractor community by offering them in Spanish.

Emerging AI Tools

There’s a lot to benefit and fear in the quick emergence of artificial intelligence in the roofing trade. While some in media, marketing and sales may feel threatened by becoming obsolete compared to AI-driven counterparts, there’s no replacement for the work-hard, hands-dirty mentality all roofers channel to be successful. Be thankful that roofing contractors are operating in a field where hands, strength, balance and skill all matter, and cannot be easily replaced.

Roofers are also in a unique spot where you, as business operators, can still benefit from AI, but know there aren’t any alternatives to the men and women who do the hard work on the jobsite every day. For now, anyway.