Career Advice for Roofers

Article posted by: roofing companies in Denver

Found this great article addressed to roofers seeking a job in the roofing industry written by John C. Bishop.

A "roofer" is a general term applied to many of the jobs in roofing. But I'm referring to the workers who are actually tearing off, installing, repairing and/or maintaining various roof systems. That's how many of us in the trade got started.

Roofing is a tough, dirty job that is in the top ten list of most dangerous occupations. Statistically it is even more dangerous than being a police officer or firefighter. Many guys try it out and quickly find they want no part of this work.

But there is something about it that gets in your blood. Those who survive jobs in roofing for a few years often make a career out of it. It's extremely rewarding to tear off an old leaky roof, fix all the rotted wood and install a good-looking roof system that will provide decades of shelter.

Once you learn the basic skills and principles, this is a job that you can take just about anywhere. But there is a big difference in compensation and working conditions from one part of the country to another. Even companies that are cross-town rivals can vary greatly. Here are some of your options...

First off, if you're in a state that gets a lot of snow, you may find that jobs in roofing all but disappear in the winter. The snow and ice makes for miserable and treacherous working conditions. And the material freezes, making it difficult to work with.

Compare that to where I live in South Florida; We can roof year-around and winters are the best time to be on the roof. There are many days when I am overwhelmed with the shear ecstasy of working outside in the warm sun and cool breeze. Even the sweltering summers are tolerable, if you can arrange your schedule to be off the roof during the heat of the day.

Another factor for roofers to consider is the kind of work that a company does. Companies that do a lot of new construction often find themselves in a "feast or famine" situation. When there are lots of new homes and other buildings going up, there is a lot of work. But those jobs in roofing dry up quickly when the economy slows down. Roofers who work for companies that do mostly repairs and reroofing are more likely to have steady work, regardless of economic conditions.

Some companies specialize in just one type of roofing system. But at the start of your career I recommend working for a company that offers a variety of systems. That way, after ten years on the roof, you will have ten years experience, instead of one year of experience -- ten times. You will learn the pros and cons of different types of roofing. After that, if you want to specialize in a particular type, become the best roofer in town in that system.

The highest compensation for roofers is usually through piecework arrangements, rather than by hourly. Just keep your focus on quality over quantity and you will still have work when the "speed demons" are running around looking for a job. Those guys are a dime a dozen and I don't have much use for them. Strive to be fast AND good. Now THAT is impressive!

You should be your own toughest critic. Don't put yourself in the embarrassing position of having your work rejected by your boss, the customer or a building inspector.

Also, be aware that being paid by piecework doesn't automatically qualify you as an independent contractor. There are licensing and tax implications that you need to be aware of. You may get by for a while, but eventually the long arm of the government will catch up with you.

When that happens, the IRS can shut you down, file tax liens on your property and garnish your wages. States like Florida have made a felony out of contracting without a license and can assess heavy fines. You're better off staying on the legal side of the law, whether it's your job or your business.

Being a roofer is one of the jobs in roofing that is greatly affected by immigration. A huge percentage of roofers are either legal or illegal immigrants. Since the wage scale is so low where they come from, they readily work for wages that are half what they should be. Many shady roofing companies are happy to hire them, paying cash under the table and saving even more.

That situation can make it pretty tough on a young roofer trying to earn a decent living legitimately. My best advice is to learn your lessons quickly and be prepared for higher paying jobs in roofing. It's helpful to keep a notebook of what you learn. Talk to the old-timers. Most are happy to share their wisdom with you if you just show them a little courtesy and respect.

And if advancement opportunities don't pan out, you can always start your own company.

This is one article in a series about jobs in roofing. To shave a couple decades off your learning curve, check out "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop. It is full of tricks-of-the-trade that will make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes.

For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop

A Great Strategy for Selecting A Good Roofer

Selecting roofers can frequently feel aggravating. You do not know anything regarding the company or contractor prior to signing the contract, and you're investing a substantial amount of hard earned cash in them, assuming they'll do the job well. While you can do some investigation prior to employing them to try to receive the best possible company, there are numerous downsides.

The downsides will be there due to the nature of the work; however, you can do a lot to remove some of that concern. First, take time to get more specifics of the roofing business that is taking the job. Get a company card, learn where their exact offices are, and learn everything possible about their identity. It is usually best to employ a business with a solid track record near you. When you are doing your investigation, make certain the business has certification and insurance coverage as needed.

Research a contractor or roofing company before employing them. You may use the Better Business Bureau for businesses that are listed, or you can use critique or review internet websites that permit clients to rate and review their skilled tradesmen, including individuals who are roofers. Read as many reviews as possible; however remember that there will more often than not be somebody who was unsatisfied with a job completed.

Several customers are difficult to satisfy, while other folks might have had unexpected situations around the job, such as a weather event, that they unfairly held the roofers responsible. A good thing to do is take a look at all reviews when coming up with your decision.

Always go through the roofer agreement carefully prior to you signing it, and be sure you comprehend all of the terms it applies. Don't accept spoken claims or warranties. They should be in the contract prior to signing. It is easy to misunderstand anything that is spoken, but not something which is written down you could refer to later. Make sure you are given a copy of the contract once you sign it, and hang on to this for your records along the way.

Never fork out the full sum for the roofing job prior to it being finished. Having to pay around 1 / 3 when you sign the contract is traditional and generally safe; however, if you pay in full, you are at danger of being ripped off. The roofers might take off with your cash without finishing the job, or might perform a poor job.

Since you do not owe them anything, they have no reason to come back and fix the work, apart from protecting their popularity. Make certain you don't pay the full amount until you are totally pleased with the job they've done.

Using these strategies for selecting good roofers is possible with minimum pressure, and will also be assured you have found a good all round company or service provider who will perform the job properly. Spend some time well before you sign, and you will be delighted with the outcomes.
For more information about roofers Denver, check out more articles at our Roofing Blog.

Repairing Roof Tiles and Metal Shingles

One of the reasons home owners use masonry and metal roofing materials is the fact that they last a long time. Even though these roofing systems have a long life, small leaks, broken tiles and dented or damaged metal shingles can still happen. Usually the roof repairs to these materials require little work, however if you have a large leak or major damage from a storm, we recommend contacting a Denver roofers to help with your roof repair. It is better to leave the major problems to experienced roofers, especially for ceremic or concrete tiles.

Repairing Masonry Tiles
Small holes or cracks can be patched with roofing cement on masonry roofing systems. You can handle this type of roof repair on your own. If a tile is cracked (picture below), use a wire brush and clean out the crack before applying the roofing cement. If you have a crack that extends above the overlapping tile above it you should replace the entire tile. To do this, you should gently pry the tile that is above broken tile and remove. Apply roofing cement to area under new tile and slide the new tile into position. If the tile is nailed down, use a hammer to break apart old tile and remove. Remove the nails before applying roofing cement and new tile.



Repairing Metal Shingles
If you find small holes in your metal roofing system, you can patch these with a water resistant caulk. If you have larger repairs or panels that need to be replaced, I recommend calling a Denver roofing company to help you out.

Most metal shingles and panels use an interlocking system so it is important to understand how this works before you try and add or remove the metal pieces. Usually you will need to cut damaged shingles with a tin snips and then modify the way the new shingle will interlock. This can be tricky which is why you may want to leave it to a professional.

To replace a metal shingle cut the damaged one out and trace the old shape into the new shingle so you know it will fit prefectly. Place it into the mates and try and interlock to shingles that are on either side. Seal all edges (4) with silicone water-resistant caulking to ensure it will be water proof.

These roofing materials can be tricky to work with as they both involve an interlocking system. Repairs such as cracks or small holes are easy to fix but a broken or damaged tile can be much more complicated. These roof repairs will only get worse if not properly fixed the first time.

How to Prevent Falls off Your Roof

Here is a good video about roofing safety! It is always important to refresh yourself with safety techniques when working on any construction project. This video highlights importance of a safety harness, roof brackets, hardhat and much more.

Whether you are working on your own roof or you are hiring Highlands Ranch roofers for your project, it is important to know proper roofing techniques as well as how to properly move around your roof safely.

3 Popular Types of Roofing Materials

Roofing material costs and installation costs are a deciding factor for some home owners when it comes to choosing roofing materials. Roofing materials vary in price, installation difficulty and price, warranty and life length.

Asphalt Shingles:
Today, asphalt shingles cover more residential roofs than any other material. Every year, 100 million squares are installed in the United States. That's ore than 258 square miles, about the size of Lake Tahoe.

Asphalt shingles' popularity is due to several factors. They're fire resistant and have the most color and textures. They're relatively inexpensive both to purchase and install. An experience Denver roofer can install 15-20 squares a day.

Wood Shakes:
Nothing looks like a wood roof except the real thing (even though roofing manufacturer's have tried a variety of products). Although wood roofs are more expensive materials and to install, many people think they look better.

Wood roofs are composed of either shingles and shakes, there are basic differences that set them apart. Wood shakes are thicker at the butt than shingles. Wood roofs are not only expensive to purchase, they are also more labor intensive to install. Because wood shakes and shingles are nailed onto a roof one at a time, it takes a while to cover a roof with wood. A fast Denver roofer can put on 2-4 squares of wood shakes on in a day.

Metal Roofs:
Metal roofing systems are no longer used for barns and mountain homes. The popularity in using metal roofs has led to manufacturers creating many colors and textures in metal materials. Improvements in both metal-coating processes and in waterproof fasteners have made metal roofing suitable for residential use. The increase in metal roofs being installed in the US is higher than any other roofing materials.

Content information taken from Fine Homebuilding's book "Roofing: Flashing & Waterproofing"

3 Typical Ways to Shingle A Valley

A lot of of today's new homes have a roofing system with numerous gables and roof configurations. When two roof planes meet at an inside corner of a roof, a valley is created. Valleys are exposed to an incredible deal of water so it truly is vital to create them as watertight as possible.

Regardless the method utilized to shingle the valley, a profitable installation begins with correct preparation. Taking the correct steps prior to applying your shingles will be the best approach to prevent roof leaks. Here are three main types of valleys used on residential roofing systems in the United States.

Woven Valley Style

Woven valley sseem to have fallen out of favor in most regions of the country, mainly because they take longer to install. Unlike other valleys, woven is the most water-resistant and don't require sealing with messy roofing cement.

Advantages:

-Shingles don't need to be cut
-Shingles don't rely on asphalt roof cement to be sealed
-interlocking weave provides double coverage
-Most weather and wind resistant

Open Metal Valley Style

Open metal valleys are probably the most decorative style of valley. They're used traditionally with wood shingles, tile or slate roofing although they can also work with asphalt shingles. Open valleys are most durable when lined with copper or steel.

Advantages:

-Variety of metals can be used to give different look
-Most decorative valley
-Works well with laminated shingles
-Very durable valley

Closed-Cut Valley

The nice thing about a closed-cut valley is the rate at which they can be installed and the fact that both sides of the roof don't need to be shingled at the same time. When you install a closed-cut valley you can cut after or during the installation. This valley is usually used with laminated or asphalt shingles.

Advantages:

-The two roof planes don't need to be shingled at the same time
-Cut valleys are quicker to install than weaving
-Cut valleys provide crisp look

These three valleys offer advantages for both esthetics and installation. All three of these valleys can be installed throughout the US and offer a different look. If you are looking for someone to help you install your roofing system of choose the right valley for your home, contact Koehn Construction: Denver Roofing Company. They offer roof repair and roof replacement services throughout the Denver metro.

Content taken from FineHomebuilding's Roofing: Flashing & Waterproofing

Tips for Choosing A Roofing Contractor

Posted by: Kansas City Roofing Contractors

The importance of hiring the correct roofing organization sounds obvious but numerous people just choose up the phone and dial the very first firm they find. The house owners which are not cautious about who they hire generally end up producing repairs to their roofing program considerably sooner than an individual who takes their time hiring a roofing enterprise.

When creating a home, it's highly advisable to hire the services of skilled roofers. The sort of roof you get for your new residence ought to manage to last as long as is regular with the correct kind of maintenance. A fantastic roof can serve for more than ten years with out needing any kind of repairs. You ought to search for a roofing contractor who can give you this type of guarantee.

Nonetheless, it's also essential to note that the type of roofing material you pick for your house plays a main role in how soon the roof might need to have repairs. You will find supplies which are much more prone to becoming damaged as a result of the changing weather patterns, requiring repairs sooner than other people. A great company should not just provide services to put up a new roof but also to make any type of repairs the roof may well need to have.

It's critical to check on the expertise and reputation of the roofing firm you choose. You need to ask the roofing business any questions you could have and really should talk to references provided by the company to exercise due diligence and make sure the organization is reputable. It should also be in a position to advise you on the materials necessary for the repairs of the roof and the different benefits and disadvantages of the materials, generating it straightforward for you to pick.

The roofing organization ought to have a trained staff and be licensed to make sure which you will not regret your decision. It ought to also have an insurance policy for the staff coming to function on your roof given that accidents can occur throughout the function and you do not want to be liable if anything occurs.

One of several quite finest methods to choose on a roofing contractor is usually to speak with them over the telephone or meet with them and ask them some questions. To discover a roofing contractor to create contact with it's achievable to ask family and friends for referrals or do a Google search as you'll find many superb roofing directory websites which will present a brief list of roofers inside your location. Its also worthwhile to take a examine the contractor's own internet site too.

Undertaking just a bit digging may well seem time-consuming but what's even more time-consuming not to mention high-priced is usually to fix a botched roof job. So how ought to you choose on a roofing contractor? Guidelines for selecting a roofing contractor fall into three categories: the contractor's qualifications, the contractor's work, as well as the contractor's past. Read the suggestions beneath.

Qualifications

Very first, do not employ a roofing contractor who is not licensed. Nonetheless, just simply because a contractor is licensed doesn't necessarily imply the contractor is often a committed professional who will do exceptional operate. It truly is probable to tell far more about a contractor's commitment by seeing if the contractor is frequently a member of a trade association and if the contractor has taken any continuing education training. If the contractor says yes, call the trade association and ask to decide certificates of the continuing education.

Ensure they've a permanent company. When deciding on a contractor, you have to be confident that the contractor will likely be ready to comprehensive the function they promised to perform. On the list of finest approaches to have this self-confidence could be to choose a contractor who can financially commit to finishing your project. The contractor ought to have a permanent telephone number and address. Pay a check out to their organization to see if they've the gear and employees to comprehensive your project successfully.

Ask if they have insurance coverage coverage and just how much. Just due to the fact they have insurance coverage, it could not be actually a good deal coverage. Have the contractor show you a certificate of insurance coverage. Contractors can get a certificate of their insurance coverage that shows coverage dates and policy limits from their insurance coverage carrier. Also ask if they have workers' compensation coverage. Since property owners might be sued for accidents that happen on their property, it truly is truly important that all contractors have workers' compensation insurance.

The Contractor's Workmanship

All contractors also will have to have a safety strategy so ask your prospective contractor to present you with 1. Safety plans are essential for ensuring projects get completed and are needed by the Occupational Safety and Well becoming Administration (OSHA).
Locate out how long the contractor's warranty on perform performed is. A widespread time period is 1 year or longer. The length using the warranty does not matter so a great deal as regardless of whether or not the contractor plans to stand behind the warranty. Excellent contractors usually will work beyond a written contract. Preserve in thoughts that the manufacturer supplies product warranties and generally warranties are only valid if a contractor is "certified" to install the item. Make sure to speak for your contractor about following manufacturer specifications which are needed for item warranty.

The contractor truly really should thoroughly go over your property improvement project with you. Areas to talk about together with your contractor incorporate the color and selection of items you would like to use, how you'll be able to get a permit if required, what the every day clean-up procedure is, and how the function will almost certainly be paid for.

Past Efficiency and Customer Service

Locate out how extended the contractor has been in organization. Although a contractor in business for a year or two may well do exceptional work, it'll be considerably greater to decide on a contractor who has been in organization for at the quite least five years. Typically the longer a contractor has been in organization, the considerably much more expertise they've, which frequently signifies far much more choices and considerably much better workmanship for your roof.
Ask to see images of the contractor's function and for references from past clients. Get this information on the contractor's web website or by calling prior customers and asking what they thought.

Several using the greatest contractors have had to take care of complaints. Complaints generally are not necessarily poor, but the way a contractor has handled them may be. Ask the contractor how they've dealt with complaints within the past or call the Far better Company Bureau to locate out.

Additionally to the above advice, yet one more worthwhile tip for selecting a roofing contractor is generally to have 3 contractors you're taking into consideration submit three bids in writing. Acquiring three bids in writing is valuable to evaluate rates and merchandise the contractors will use to total the project. If a single bid is considerably higher or lower than the other folks, this may be a red flag. Again, roofing directory internet sites can aid streamline the method correct here, by placing you in make get in touch with with with three roofing firms by filling out just one estimate request form.

Keep in mind, what it all comes down to is what your instinct is telling you concerning the contractor. Even if the contractor manages to meet the above ideas but 1 factor is telling you not to employ the contractor, do not. With a property improvement job as essential as repairing or replacing a roof, you'll have to hire a roofing contractor whom you feel really very excellent concerning the function discovering completed.