How to Find Employees for Your Roofing Business
Roofing mistakes can be costly to amend because, by the time you notice the leak, the structural damage will have already occurred. Leaking roofs make up more than 70% of construction litigation in the United States. While architects take extra caution while designing the outer envelope of your house, mistakes that happen during installation can lead to huge losses and inconveniences.
The expertise of your roofing contractor can spell the difference between a roof that will serve you for decades or one that leaks and pours.
How Do You Recruit A Roofer?
The process of hiring a roofer begins with developing a detailed job description. With home construction projects on the rise and lots of roofing crews wanted, the key is to highlight what you are looking for in detail.
Different roofs have different requirements and some pose more difficulties than others. Flat roofs might be easy to construct but might cause migraines when it comes to drainage. The types of roofs include:
- Saltbox (loved for the visual appeal)
- Mansard that comes with four slopes
- Hip roofs
- Pyramid roofs
- Cross gabled roofs
- Flat roofs
Identifying the type of roof is the key to hiring a contractor that has worked on similar projects in the past. Remember that roofs also vary in terms of pitch, and a hip roof with a 45 percent slope is more difficult to construct than the 23-degree roof.
Once you have identified the type of your roof, you can begin the recruiting process that entails the following:
1. Getting The Proper Roofing Details
Many homeowners struggle with their projects since they don’t know how to find roofing employees that can undertake the job professionally. Before you think of hiring a roofer, ensure that your architect has provided the requisite drawings. All too often, architects turn inadequate roofing drawings over to the contractors, who have to figure them out on site.
In such a scenario, the roofers looking for jobs face many challenges that they cannot handle. The typical solution is to patch everything together with caulk and roofing cement. Since some of these materials do not last, it’s only a matter of time before the weaknesses begin to show.
2. Developing A Job Description
While developing the job description, postulate the specialty you are looking for with regards to the material and nature of the roof. Besides meeting your tastes and preferences, you want to construct a roof that’s up to the building codes.
With so many roofing crews needed to handle residential and commercial projects, it is vital to understand the minimum requirements. The successful candidate must meet the following qualifications:
- At a minimum, a roofer must have a high school diploma
- Ability to work long hours of physical labor
- Ability to climb and work on steep slopes
- Strength to carry heavy materials like shingles
- Experience in similar projects
- Possession of requisite licenses
- Workers compensation insurance
3. Evaluating Their Past Projects
If you are wondering how to find roofing employees, you need to use the right strategies to avoid frustration. The best thing about hiring a roofer is that the job speaks for itself.
Evaluate past projects in terms of aesthetics and craftsmanship. Most importantly, inspect such projects during the rainy season and check for leaks.
Considering that architecture is about providing shelter from the elements, the most important part of a building is the roof. However, many roofers looking for jobs have a difficult time putting this theory into practice.
What Does A Roofing Job Consist Of?
The roofing job starts with the construction of trusses. The architect provides drawings that specify the trussing material, say aluminum, steel, or wood.
Trusses are constructed at an angle (roof pitch). A roofer must be able to interpret these drawings since mistakes in the trussing will show in the roof. After erecting the contractor will follow these steps:
- Roll out the underlayment and nail it to protect the roof against windblown rain and ice dams.
- Install a second underlayment to prevent water from seeping through the nail holes.
- Overlap felt paper over the ridge (the ridge is the main culprit when it comes to leaks).
- Waterproof the valleys (install 2 sets of underlayment below the metal flashing.
- Install the shingles from the bottom up.
Install the first row of starter shingles over the drip edge starting from the bottom. Position them such that the adhesive strip is facing up. Overlap (2 inches) them to allow and for nailing.
Overlapping the shingles prevents water from seeping between the spaces. Strengthen the bond with adhesive to create a tight seal and prevent wind damage.
Install the fascia as specified in the drawings. Fascia is the ornamental finish to the edge of your roof.
Gutters are attached to the fascia in most homes. The roofing crew looking for work must be able to install the flashing and protect your house from the elements.
What Skills Does A Roofer Need?
Besides getting a few bids from interested candidates, remember to evaluate the contractor you choose. One of the main reasons for roof leaks is poor craftsmanship. As such, an experienced roofer must have the following competencies:
- Professional installation of gables and hips
- Artistry in the valleys and ridges
- Proper choice of fasteners
- Dexterity in the installation of fascia boards and gutters
- Proper choice of flashing material
- Ability to treat the expansion joints (weaknesses emerge where the expansion joint ends)
How to Find Roofing Employees
Since you understand how sensitive the project is, you want to hire an experienced roofing contractor. Even with so many roofing crews wanted in the construction industry, the truth is that skilled people are hard to find, and you don’t want to find out when it’s too late. You can find skilled employees by:
Referrals
Get referrals from reputable contractors that have handled a myriad of sensitive projects and ask for contacts of the best roofers. With an array of roofing crews needed to complete home construction projects, homeowners are narrowing their search by contacting the former employers. Once you get the referrals, ask for the opportunity to inspect their projects.
Identify The Roofer’s Specialty
A roofing crew looking for work might be experienced when working with clay tiles, but poor when it comes to shingles. Different materials have varied requirements when it comes to installation. Besides, the weights vary, meaning that you must choose the appropriate trussing material.
Cover Your Bases
Ensure that the roofing contractor has a license. Having the proper licenses can prevent legal problems down the road. Before you begin the project:
- Ask the contractor to provide copies of all the necessary permits
- Make sure all employees are insured (workers compensation)
- Get the required approvals from the local council
- Get homeowners insurance to protect yourself in case unforeseen problems arise
Preempt Roof Damage
The main threat to the integrity of your roof is not Mother Nature, but the construction workers that do not have what it takes to turn your dream into reality. Roof leaks are caused by improper installation and poor joinery of roof membranes, ridges, valleys, chimneys, vents, and flashing. Whether you are installing a new roof or repairing an old one, you need an experienced roofing contractor to finish the job with excellent artistry.
Do you want to complete your roofing job on time, in adherence to code, and without mistakes? Contact us today so that we can assign you our best roofers.
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