In this fast-growing modern world, every homeowner wants to build their house with a sustainable roof. Likewise, every building requires a roof, every roof requires a skilled roofing contractor.
That is why a roofing contractor is basically an important asset in this contemporary society. And indeed it has become one of the most lucrative professions in recent times.
Especially, because the methods of construction are ameliorating day by day, repairing and the replacement of roofs have become more popular these days. So, you may desire to become a roofing contractor, but at the same time, you may wonder how to become a roofing contractor?
Well, here we are going to walk you through every detail of becoming a roofing contractor. So, before digging deep, let us give you a brief on the tasks that a roofing contractor usually does.
What Does A Roofing Contractor Exactly Do?
Basically, the main task for a roofing contractor is to repair, replace or install a new roof. A roofing contractor is usually a self-employed person who loves doing his own work with passion. But sometimes the builders hire contractors for installing the roofs, especially on newly constructed projects. Roofing contractors stay busy throughout the year regardless of the weather.
Homeowners call the roofing contractors to inspect their existing roofs, especially after any extreme weather. Whether the roof is okay or not in terms of functions, they observe it vigilantly. After inspecting the conditions of the roof, they can suggest the homeowners either repair or replace it.
Then after the inspection, they provide an estimation to the homeowner so that it can be repairable or replaceable within a low budget with maximum efficiency. After getting the bid, they purchase all the materials from the market required to repair or replace the roof. Usually, they work on metal or tiles roof.
Major Tasks That A Roofing Contractor Do:
- Safety
- Repairing
- Installing new roof
- Improving the efficiency of a roof
- Restoring
- Working with special materials (tiles, metal)
Sometimes, builders become roof contractors due to their adequate knowledge pertinent to this particular field. They accumulate thorough knowledge practically which they gain from their experience of home construction. While a person without having any prior knowledge can become a skilled roofing contractor by following the below-mentioned effective steps.
How To Become A Roofing Contractor: Step By Step Guidelines
So, now if you really want to be a roofing contractor, but don’t know how and where to start. Well, you are in the right place to kick off your new career as a professional contractor from the scratch simply by following these instructions-
Step 1: Education
Before kicking off your career as a professional roofing contractor, the first thing that you need to take into account is education. You can get the necessary education for roofing in two ways.
The first way is to obtain either a diploma degree or a bachelor’s degree by taking classes for a specific period of time. And another way is getting experience through practical work which may take a longer period of time. But the best method to become a skilled roofing contractor is gathering both theoretical and practical knowledge to hone the technical skills required for roofing.
However, it is not necessary to have a formal education in order to become a roofing contractor, but having an ample amount of knowledge in the areas of construction, carpentry, and blueprint design may provide you with an edge to build a long term career in this prospect. Simply you may start by getting hands-on experience with preparation and cleaning up the pieces of stuff for any roofing company as an amateur.
Step 2: Training
First and foremost, it is always recommended to get the training related to roofing. Such effective training will certainly help you in various ways to hand on experience in this sector. For example, you will be able to get to know all the materials and types of equipment needed for roofing. Afterward, you can hone the necessary technical skills in order to be skilled.
Safety requirements are another vital task here to achieve which you would receive from your training. Sometimes, many community colleges offer this sort of essential training which you can avail yourself to ace your career in this particular industry. Through this sort of apprenticeship, you may familiarize yourself with all sorts of equipment and materials which you will be working on daily.
Step 3: Personal characteristics
Along with technical skills, a roofing contractor needs to have some soft skills as well. For example, communication skills, trustworthiness, leadership, creative designing, and physical fitness as well. In terms of communicating with either clients or companies, you need to have strong communication skills to provide detailed information related to roofing as a contractor.
Secondly, the homeowners will provide your task on their own property, so at least you should respect hir privacy and have some integrity towards your clients.
Thirdly, you need to have the leadership skill to complete your roofing task within the deadline by maintaining all the criteria regardless of any excuses. And regarding the creative design, sometimes the traditional method may not work as all the cases will not be the same, so you need to figure out the best solution for your client to resolve the problem.
Finally, you must be a healthy person as a roofing contractor. You may be required to work in extreme weather or do any task which requires physical strength, so in that cases, you need to do all the work for completing the task efficiently.
Step 4: License
Getting a license is obviously a key point for a roofing contractor. Although it depends on which state you are residing in or thinking of starting your career as a contractor. Some ask for a license while others do not ask for it.
So before getting a license, you should take the correct information from both state and local areas. In terms of commercial work of roofing, you may need both state and local licensing. And for residential roofing, you only may require a state license.
You can get all the resources to take the exams beforehand or you may enroll yourself to take regular classes so that you pass the exam with flying colors. You can take classes online as well from your comfort zone.
All the questions that you would get in the exam are quite similar to your classes and resources, so it can boost up your confidence if you really practice all the resources with paying full of attention.
The method of getting a license depends on the individual state. In simple words, every state has different criteria to provide you with a license which means it varies state-wise. Some states may ask you to provide the license, while others may ask you to show a number of years’ experience.
Here are a few kinds of stuff you need as proof to get a license:
- Unemployment insurance
- Compensation of workers
- Certificate of your exam
- Insurance of your property and liability
As the construction is highly regulated, it is always recommended to get a license in order to avoid any damage.
Career As A Roofing Contractor: Pros And Cons
Choosing a career as a professional roofing contractor is one of the best choices you can make. The growing construction works made it a more lucrative business. So if you do your job properly as a roofing contractor, your chance of becoming successful is extremely high.
However, there are many advantages ad disadvantages as well of becoming a roofing contractor which we would like to point out here for your betterment before selecting it as your career.
Pros:
- Fresh air: You would get a lot of fresh air while working on the roof. Compared with those people who would work indoors, you would breathe fresh air which is beneficial both for the brain and lungs as well.
- Work-life balance: A roofing contractor usually doesn’t need to work at nighttime. You will not have to spend lots of hours as a roofing contractor. Moreover, you would get a stressed free life which means a standard life. You can spend ample time with your near and dear ones as well.
- Promising career: The demand for a roofing contractor is becoming high day by day as it is one of the highly paid jobs. Apart from it, you can start your own business as well with your experience as a contractor. Especially, if you reside in a big city and choose a career as a roofing contractor, then you are lucky because the housing demand is growing tremendously. So you would have a great fortune if you can some skills in this demanded field.
Cons:
- Physically demanding: A roofing contractor’s job is a physically demanding job as you have to maintain lots of tasks on the field. So it requires some arduous tasks as well.
- Accidents: Without maintaining the safety rules and regulations on the site, you may get into danger. Therefore, this job requires safety all the time in order to avoid any sort of accident.
Final thoughts:
Undoubtedly, a career as a roofing contractor is obviously an amazing choice. If you can hone the required skills and get the license over time, there is a high chance of becoming successful.
“How to become a roofing contractor” was a question of yours and I hope your question has been responded to thoroughly in this article. So, what are waiting for? It’s never too late and you may start your career as a roofing contractor simply by following those above-mentioned guidelines.
Best wishes to you.
