Roofing is a fast-growing field with several entry points and opportunities. You can start your own roofing company or simply specialize in contracting services. Roofers earn a median yearly wage of $6,375 per year, and the demand for their services is constantly growing as the years go by. If you’re considering launching a roofing business, this article will help you get started.
Nowadays, technology has made it much easier to work on a roof. Here is estimating software that allows roofers and contractors to perform their functions seamlessly. You can get instant roof estimates in seconds and streamline your sales process.
Some platforms also let you generate a predetermined price list and create quotes using measurement reports, as well as run automatic material calculations. Technology has progressed to even let you make your own roof report using drones, satellites, and blueprints.Â
Automation cuts down on time-consuming work, letting you focus on developing other elements of your business.
Regardless, here are some tips to help you start a roofing business.
Create a business plan
Starting a roofing business is similar to starting any other business. It’s important to write down what you want your business to achieve, how you plan to achieve it, and how much money you think you’ll need to start the business.
In addition to outlining your business goals, your business plan will help you determine how much money you’ll need to get started and how you’ll pay back any loans. It’s also a useful tool for communicating your ideas to potential investors, partners, and customers.
Hiring employees
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when starting a roofing business is whether to hire employees. If you choose to hire employees, you’ll need to ensure you have the capital to pay them. You’ll clearly need a budget for monthly payroll.Â
Your employees must be paid based on their responsibilities and capabilities. Once you have your roofing business up and running, you may want to hire more roofers to handle the extra workload.Â
No matter your company size, you’ll need to follow your state’s employment laws to make sure you stay compliant. Your roofing business may require insurance, permits, and other local requirements, depending on your state.
Estimate your roofing business costs
There are several expenses that you’ll want to make sure you have taken care of before you start your business. One such is the start-up cost. These costs may vary based on your business type, but they’ll likely include things like buying/renting a commercial space, getting your contractor’s license and purchasing basic equipment.Â
These start-up costs will vary depending on the type of roofing business you plan on starting. For example, if you plan on specializing in commercial roofing, you’ll need to make sure you have the equipment and space to handle large jobs.Â
After you have basic business expenses covered, you’ll need to make sure your business has enough cash flow to stay afloat. This means accounting for things like marketing, payroll, and paying off loans.
Marketing for roofers
There are several ways to market your business. You can run ads on social media, buy ads on Google, and network with other business owners.
Your website should have information about your company, a section for customer reviews, and contact information. You may also want to consider investing in SEO services to ensure your website shows up in the top search results for roofing-related keywords.Â
You can also join organizations, attend conferences, and attend networking events to meet people and expand your network. Additionally, you can use services like LinkedIn to build a social network online.
Get the right licensing and insurance
Roofers are expected to have a roofing contractor license and carry contractors’ insurance. The specific requirements vary depending on your state, but this is an important licensing and insurance requirement for roofers.Â
To obtain your contractor license and contractor’s insurance, you’ll likely need to take a contractor exam. You may also need to pay a fee to get licensed in your state. You may also want to consider other types of insurance, such as workers’ compensation, general liability, and car insurance.
Build your marketing toolkit
You’ll need to set up a marketing toolkit, which includes setting up a marketing calendar, deciding on your target audience, and acquiring advertising space. In this section, we’ll look at some tips to help you build your marketing toolkit as a roofer.Â
- Decide on your marketing budget: You should have a marketing budget in place before you start marketing your business. Marketing can be an expensive proposition, but it’s important for any roofing business to have a marketing budget in place.Â
- Set up a social media page: Social media is one of the best ways to market your business. Make sure you have a professional-looking social media page, complete with a profile picture, business name, and description.Â
- Create content: You don’t have to just use social media as a place to advertise your services. Create blog posts, videos, and other content to attract potential customers and keep them engaged with your business.
Acquire advertising space
Once you’ve set up your marketing plan, it’s time to acquire advertising space. You can use several different types of advertising to promote your roofing business, including local newspapers, billboards, and radio and TV ads.
Depending on your budget, you may want to target certain publications, websites, and television stations to advertise your business.Â
The bottom line
Starting a roofing business is a great way to make money as a contractor. You can either start your own company or specialize in a certain type of roofing. Before you jump into starting your own business, make sure you have the licensing and insurance required, as well as a marketing plan to help attract customers.
