Montana Roofers install, repair, and replace roofing systems. They often work on residential homes but can also find jobs at commercial buildings and construction sites.
Personality traits for roofers include being independent, stable, persistent, genuine, and practical. They enjoy tactile, physical, or athletic tasks and like to follow rules and procedures.
Residential roofers work on single-family homes and multi-unit housing complexes. They must safely navigate through residential neighborhoods while accessing rooftops using ladders and scaffolding. Residential roofers are also knowledgeable about home structural issues and roofing materials, so they can accurately install or repair a roof. They often interact directly with homeowners, discussing project details and answering questions. Some retail sales roofers offer zero-interest financing to help customers manage their budgets.
Storm chasers target neighborhoods that have recently experienced a severe weather event and offer to handle the insurance claims process for new roof installations. They may also provide a point of contact for customer service and offer various financing options.
Commercial
Unlike residential roofers, commercial roofing contractors work on larger buildings and may be required to lift objects that are greater in weight or be confined to awkward positions for long periods of time. They also use different materials than homeowners, which must withstand a more varied set of environmental conditions. The job outlook for this field is healthy, with projected growth of 11% through 2026. When hiring a company, it is best to stick with experienced professionals like Heidler Roofing to ensure that your commercial property remains safe and secure.
Storm Chaser
Storm chasers—also called hail chasers—prey upon homeowners who have just experienced severe weather and have a roof in need of repair. These opportunistic contractors travel to areas where heavy hail storms have occurred, scattering flyers and pamphlets around neighborhoods and knocking on doors. They offer free roof inspections and then pitch their services, which they subcontract out to a local roofing crew. They may even claim to be FEMA-endorsed, but if your community has been hit by bad weather and your roof is in need of work, you should always choose a quality local roofer instead of a storm chaser.
One of the most common warning signs of a storm chaser is that they ask you to sign a contract before they perform an inspection. This can put you at risk of losing any insurance money that might be available to you, and it could also include stipulations that you give them your entire insurance settlement check right away.
In addition, they often charge lower prices than reputable local roofers, and they don’t usually provide a warranty for their work. This can leave you with a poor-quality roof that will not hold up over time, and you might find yourself paying for the work out of pocket.
Another issue is that they will often claim to have extensive experience working with your specific insurance company. This is a red flag to watch for, as it means that they are likely trying to mislead you into hiring them by using an insurance scam that involves taking advantage of your vulnerable state after the damage has been caused by the storm.
Lastly, some storm chasers will even create their own roof damage by hitting the shingles with golf balls or hammers to make the problem appear more serious than it actually is. This can cause further problems down the road, and you should never let someone you don’t know climb on your roof to inspect it.
In the aftermath of bad weather, it is natural for homeowners to feel nervous and rushed, especially when it comes to repairing their roofs. However, you should always take your time when choosing a roofer, and avoid letting any contractors who come to your door convince you to hire them before doing some research.
Sales
The most effective roofing salespeople are skilled communicators and adroit at understanding their target audience. They use value selling strategies to help homeowners understand the utility of their roofing services. This allows them to build rapport and trust with homeowners. It also helps them close more deals.
The sales process has changed a lot over the years. People connect with businesses in new ways, and homeowners often research contractors to extensive lengths before contacting them. This makes it even more important that roofers have a clear, modern approach to sales presentations.
Using sales software to track leads and provide accurate estimates is an excellent way to streamline the process. It can also help roofers create a database of referral networks that can lead to more work.
A good roofing salesperson understands the importance of building relationships and connecting with other industry professionals. They will often reach out to roofing manufacturers and insurance companies to learn about new products and services. They will then share this information with their customers to increase their credibility.
When hiring a roofing salesperson, it is important to be clear about the job responsibilities and payment structure. A clear job description can help reduce the number of applicants who are not a good fit for the role. It is also a good idea to clearly state the sales goals that you expect the person to achieve.
One of the best ways to attract salespeople is to offer competitive pay. The amount of commission should be based on the gross margin of the job. This is the total amount of money charged to the homeowner minus all costs associated with the job, such as purchasing materials and paying the roofers. This metric is particularly useful for salespeople because it aligns their own interests with those of the company.
Maintenance
The roof of a building is its main barrier against rain, snow, sunlight, wind, and extreme temperatures. As such, it needs to be regularly inspected and maintained.
Whether it’s missing shingles, worn out seals around vents, or water damage inside the home, identifying these problems early on can make all the difference in preventing serious issues later. A regular schedule of visual inspections (every two to three months is recommended) can help ensure that small, easily repairable problems don’t escalate into major ones.
These inspections should include:
Clearing Debris: Check for accumulated dirt, leaves, and branches to prevent clogging and verify that proper drainage is occurring.
Flashing: The flashing is the material installed around chimneys and where roofing planes meet to prevent water leaks; re-caulking can be an effective and inexpensive fix for leaky areas.
Roofing materials can vary in maintenance needs; an expert will be able to advise on the best course of action for each unique situation. Additionally, the owner may need to review their warranty documentation to determine what specific requirements are imposed upon them. A roof is a significant investment, and it’s essential to protect it against damage by regularly maintaining it. The good news is, by doing so, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your roof.
Repairs
As a home improvement project, roof repairs can be less expensive than replacing the entire roofing system. However, this option comes with its own set of issues. Since re-roofing only covers up the existing damage, it doesn’t offer as much protection from the elements. Plus, without removing the old shingles, there’s no way to know what other damage may be present underneath. Re-roofing can also void or shorten the warranty on new shingles.
Flashing, or the metal sheets that cover roof seams and pitch transitions, can be damaged by severe weather or even by debris from fallen trees or animals. Patching flashing is a quick and easy repair for most roofing systems, but it’s only considered a temporary solution. If the flashing is leaking or showing signs of deterioration, it should be replaced along with the roofing system.
Most roofing repairs only take a few hours to complete. However, larger issues like sagging roofs, leaking roofs, and poor ventilation can be complicated and require several days to complete. Depending on the structural changes needed to address these issues, you may need a permit. Permits are typically required for full tear-offs and major structural changes, especially in Landmark Districts or on historic buildings.