Roofers are responsible for building and fixing roofs to protect a home or business. They are knowledgeable about several roofing materials and skilled at executing complex jobs.
The Zippia Research Team has analyzed job listings and other data to rank the best jobs for people who want to be roofers. Read on to learn more about this career!
If a roofer doesn’t have the right policies in place, they can face major issues that could hurt their business. For example, if a worker sustains an injury while on the job, their insurance may not cover the costs. This is why roofers must make sure to get workers’ compensation insurance.
A good roofer will also carry professional liability insurance. This is a type of insurance that covers damages that result from providing faulty advice or making a mistake in the course of a job. It can be expensive to defend a lawsuit brought against a roofing contractor, so this insurance is vital.
Manufacturers typically offer warranties for the products that roofers use in their work. However, these are not always comprehensive enough to protect customers. For instance, a standard manufacturer warranty will only cover factory defects, so if there were mistakes during the installation process that led to shingles falling off, the warranty wouldn’t be able to cover these problems. That’s why roofers should also offer a workmanship warranty to their customers. This will typically cover any installation errors for a specified period of time.
Other important policies that roofing contractors need include general liability insurance and tools & equipment coverage. These policies will cover any damage or theft that happens to a roofer’s tools and equipment while it is in their care. This includes any damage to property owned by the client or any other people on the work site. The policies can also cover the cost of repairing or replacing any tools and equipment that are lost or stolen. This is a must-have for any contractor, as it can significantly reduce the risk of financial losses.
A Focus on Service
Whether you’re installing a new roof or repairing an existing one, it’s critical that the job is done correctly. A faulty roof can lead to structural damage, water leaks and compromised energy efficiency. That’s why it’s important to find a roofer who takes customer service seriously and has the skills necessary to answer any questions you may have about roofing materials, techniques or maintenance.
While it’s not always possible to work with a local roofing company, many large residential and commercial roofing companies have branch offices in different cities. They often employ a network of roofing contractors to meet the needs of clients in their area, which gives them the ability to offer competitive prices and long-term warranties. These larger roofing companies also have the resources to hire a team of dedicated customer support representatives to assist with any issues you might encounter during your project.
Residential roofers must be able to navigate through residential neighborhoods while working on roofing projects, and they are typically responsible for coordinating with other construction professionals such as general contractors, carpenters and electricians to complete the work in a timely manner. This requires a dependable personality and good communication skills to ensure client satisfaction. It’s also essential for a residential roofer to be detail-oriented when repairing an existing roof, as even the smallest mistakes can lead to major problems down the line.
Some roofers specialize in specific types of roofing materials, such as shingle roofs. These roofers are known as “shinglers.” They have specialized knowledge of the intricacies of shingles, including how to align and attach them properly, creating a durable and watertight roof.
Some roofers have a strong focus on insurance work, and they are known as “storm chasers.” These companies typically come into an area after heavy rain or hail damage, giving them a high probability of landing an insurance claim. They’re often willing to help you through the insurance process and can even provide financing for your repair or replacement. They typically have a sales presentation and a dedicated point person for each job site, which makes it easy to get answers to any questions you might have about your policy or the project.
A Great Customer Experience
Providing great customer service is not only important to the reputation of your business, but it’s also a critical component in building trust with your clients. In 2020, 40% of customers stopped doing business with a company due to poor customer service. Whether it’s communicating with your clients throughout the project, scheduling work around their schedule, or ensuring that they are informed of any setbacks or challenges, roofers should prioritize their client’s experience.
Storm chasers are another type of roofer that may be able to offer better prices than the retail sales roofers because they have access to a wider range of materials. However, they often have lower warranties and a long sales process that can be frustrating for homeowners.
Local search engine optimization is crucial for roofers, as it can help them to appear in searches when potential customers are looking for services in their area. This can be done by ensuring that directory listings are updated with accurate information, optimizing keywords to increase the visibility of your business in local searches, and focusing on creating relevant content for your target audience on your website.
The best roofers will follow up with their clients after the job is completed. This helps them to understand if the customer is satisfied with their work, if there are any issues that need to be addressed, and how they can improve their service in the future.
A CRM system is a powerful tool that helps roofers to provide exceptional customer service. When they have a centralized database of all customer information, this allows them to make personalized recommendations for each individual client. Using a CRM with tracking capabilities, they can also see when a homeowner has viewed their proposal and even create templates to streamline the workflow of their business. These systems can also be integrated with material ordering, making the entire process more efficient for the business. This level of customization can help roofers to provide a top-notch customer experience that will bring in more new clients. This will also ensure that their current clients are spreading the word about their fantastic experience with their roofing company, leading to more water-cooler conversations and more referrals.