Roofers Columbus GA work in construction and use ladders to access rooftops. They often collaborate with other construction professionals, such as carpenters and electricians, to ensure accurate work sequencing and compliance with all applicable safety protocols.
Service roofers are small companies that focus on repairing and replacing existing roofs. They can handle both insurance and non-insurance jobs and may offer competitive prices and long-term warranties. They also have the flexibility to provide a range of materials.
Residential roofers work on homes and multi-family housing complexes. They must be able to navigate residential neighborhoods, access rooftops using ladders or scaffolding, and be mindful of neighbors’ property while performing installation or repair services.
Roofing materials vary in style, durability, weight, and cost. A skilled roofer can help you choose a material that meets your needs while respecting your home’s or neighborhood’s architectural integrity.
Retail sales roofers offer a full range of roofing services and usually have a customer service department that handles questions and concerns until your project is complete. They also typically provide zero-interest financing.
Commercial
Commercial roofers work on larger, more complex buildings than residential ones. They typically use various materials and systems that may not be available to homeowners. Because of this, commercial roofing contractors need to have the backing of top manufacturers. Not doing so could void warranties and lead to more expenses.
When it comes to working with clients, Skujins suggests that commercial roofers focus on developing strong relationships. For example, he might tell his point of contact that he’ll handle all the communication with the engineers and project managers. This makes it easier for him to get answers and to stay on track with his bids.
For new commercial roofers, Skujins recommends starting out by bidding on smaller jobs. It’s much easier to financially handle a mistake on a small job than on a bigger one with tens of millions at stake. He also advises changing your contracts to include a contingency clause for material price increases. This way, if you end up taking a loss on a project, the client can cover your costs.
Insurance Claims
Many homeowners choose to work with roofers who have general liability insurance because this type of small business insurance can cover the cost of damage caused during construction. It also helps pay for injuries sustained by customers or third parties while working on the job site. Without this type of coverage, a homeowner may have to sue the roofer or pay out-of-pocket for those costs.
Builders risk insurance is another important policy for roofers to consider. This coverage protects a contractor’s materials, tools, and equipment from theft, fire, and other covered perils while in storage or on the jobsite. It is often combined with other insurance policies, including general liability, to provide a complete coverage package for contractors.
Roofing is dangerous work, and employees may sustain injuries while on the job. Workers’ compensation is typically required by law in most states and covers medical expenses and lost wages. A reputable insurance agency can help craft a customized workers’ comp policy for a roofing company.
Even experienced roofers make mistakes, and it is not uncommon for a home owner to claim that a roofing job was completed incorrectly or has faulty workmanship. In addition to legal fees and settlements, this type of claim can also lead to decreased business for the roofer in the future. Completed operations and products liability coverage helps protect a roofer’s reputation by covering legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments related to advertising injury.
If your business uses vehicles, you may need commercial auto insurance. This type of small business insurance typically includes property damage liability, bodily injury liability, and collision insurance. It is a necessary part of any roofing contractors’ insurance program.
Many contractors have had the experience of being called to a job for storm damage inspection only to find that their estimate is less than the homeowner’s insurance deductible. In this scenario, the homeowner often calls their insurance to file a claim and hires another roofer to complete the repairs.
This is a common scenario that shows why it is so important for roofers to understand the insurance process. A roofer’s insurance agent can explain the process, help review a homeowner’s policy to determine coverage details and deductibles, and assist with negotiations with the insurance carrier.
Storm Chasers
Storm chasers are opportunistic roofers who travel to areas impacted by severe weather and offer their roofing services to homeowners. They typically offer a lower price than local roofers and promise quick labor. Unfortunately, these shady contractors often do shoddy work that leads to future problems for the homeowner.
Homeowners may fall victim to this type of scam because they are in a vulnerable position after a disaster. For example, a hurricane or tornado might leave a homeowner with a check from their insurance company to pay for repairs. This gives the storm chaser an opportunity to take advantage of the situation by inflating the cost of the work or completing unnecessary repairs. In some cases, these rogue contractors will even promise to waive the homeowners’ insurance deductibles. This practice is illegal in many states and can put the homeowner in a financial bind.
Another issue with storm chasers is their lack of local knowledge. This can lead to poor repair or installation work, as they aren’t familiar with the local climate, building codes and other roofing issues specific to the area. Local roofers, on the other hand, know these issues well and are more likely to provide quality repairs that will withstand future severe weather.
Finally, storm chasers often use high-pressure sales tactics to get homeowners to sign their contracts. They may also make claims about their experience and expertise in dealing with insurance companies. Local roofers are much less likely to engage in these types of tactics and will be more honest with their customers.
While some individuals have legitimate reasons for pursuing extreme weather, most people who engage in storm chasing do so for recreational reasons. Some of these reasons include the joy of driving on open roads, the beauty of watching a storm move across the landscape and the intangible experience of feeling one with a larger natural world.
If you are approached by someone who says they are a roofer and wants to assess your home for damage, decline their offer. Instead, call your insurance company and a local roofer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection.
Tools
There are a number of tools and equipment that are specific to roofing. Roofers need to have access to specialized cutting tools, such as a shingle cutter, which can quickly and accurately cut shingles to size, thus saving time and money on a project.
They also need access to a cordless metal cutter shear, which is a useful hand tool for slicing up pieces of sheet metal. This can help them cut flashing or any fittings they need to attach to drip edges and gutters. Another important hand tool for cutting metal is tin snips, which can easily and quickly cut small straight or curved lines in metal. Nails are also an essential tool for roofing, as they are used to fasten shingles to the roof. Most Denver roofing crews use nail guns to speed up the process of fastening shingles, as opposed to manually swinging a hammer. Lastly, roofers need a magnetic sweeper to catch and recover nails and other debris that may fall off the roof during construction.
A general tool kit is also necessary for roofers, and should include a variety of hand tools, such as a shovel, a utility knife, a broom, an air compressor, a nail gun, a power saw and a roofing tarp. Other specialized tools that should be included are a core-cutter attachment for a drill, a roof sample box and baggies, and a roofing hoist to assist in raising and lowering equipment on the roof.
Finally, a mobile phone is often an essential tool for roofers because they can use it to communicate with clients, check job sites and receive payments from customers on the go. In addition, a smartphone can act as an all-in-one business management tool by providing the ability to accept credit card payments, track payroll and create spreadsheets. There are many free and paid apps available that can make running a roofing company on the go even easier. This can increase productivity and help roofing contractors save money in the long run. For more information about the best tools and equipment for roofing, contact a local professional roofer.