Before you get started, you need to decide on the scope of your business. Do you want commercial work, residential, or a mix? Will you specialize in asphalt shingles, metal roofs, slate, or some other type? Will you focus on repairs, new installation, or both? Will you offer other services such as chimney work, gutters, siding, windows, or other? Do you want to be independent, or join a union? Do you want to stay small, or grow into a large company? How will you structure your business tax-wise: Sole-Proprietor, LLC, Corporation, etc.? Not all of these questions need to be answered right away, but when forming your business plan, it would be helpful to have a short and long term vision of what you want your business to be. This doesn’t set anything in stone, but it will help you get organized and plan accordingly.
How you envision your business in the short and long term will affect the equipment will initially need to purchase, the legal aspects you will need to address, the employees you will potentially need to hire, and how you will advertise.
Before diving in to any business, you should develop a business plan. A plan will help organize your goals and priorities and help you make wise decisions.
- Set short and long-term goals
- Decide what services you will offer
- Find a niche/specialty
- Choose a business name
- Roofing Company Name Ideas
- Business Loans
- What Should I Charge?
Get Organized
As you get started, you will need some sort of organizational structure so you can keep your customer communications and roofing-related paperwork in order. You won’t necessarily need a full office when starting out. An office desk dedicated to your business would be helpful.
- Set up an office
- Business phone
- Estimate forms
- Bill Forms
Equipment
Equipment will probably account for the largest portion of your startup costs. Starting out, you don’t necessarily need all brand-new equipment. You will save thousands of dollars in startup costs by purchasing a used truck, and other equipment.
