Author: Rich Prue

Here is a small list of some of what The Roofer’s Helper’s considers the best roofing tools: The Stortz Medium Duty Slate Ripper My Stortz slate ripper has lasted over twenty years.  It is a great tool not only for slate repair, but also for shingle repair and tile repair.  I can’t see any roofer effectively removing slate without one of these.  I have also used the heavy duty version, but I prefer the medium duty. The Stortz Slate Cutter This Stortz slate cutter is very well built and makes cutting slate a breeze.  It also has a built in…

St. Louis, MO – Daniel Madden, a 66 year-old veteran roofer, is clinging to life after slipping off the roof into a hot tar kettle.  The temperatures of the kettle were near 600 degrees.  More here.

Marco Island, FL. – A 20 year-old roofer died after his ladder touched a power line.  Another roofer was also injured in the accident.  The roofers were trying to get off the roof due to a coming thunderstorm.  More here.

New Small Business Loans in Texas While it is optimal to start a business debt-free, that is not always possible.  It is sometimes necessary to get a small business loan to help get a new company started.  There are a number of ways to get financing for a new business in Texas. Every loan opportunity has different requirements, so new business owners may have to try multiple organizations before finding the right loan options.  Below are links to a few out of many financing opportunities available in the state of Texas: Small Business Administration People Fund Texas Workforce Commission BCL…

Choosing The Best Construction Company Name  When starting a new construction business, it can be frustrating trying to come up with a name for your new company.  Here are a few points to consider to help you choose the best name for your new construction company. -Create a Business Plan for your new Construction Company:  Write down your short and long term goals.   A clear business plan detailing where you want your company to go in the future may help in deciding a business name. -Choose a Business Structure:  Sole-proprietorships and Partnerships often are not considered legal entities, and may have less…

Pricing Your Work A big question, usually coming from a roofing contractor just starting a new roofing business, or who wants to offer a new service is:  “What should I charge?” The answer to that question will depend on a number of factors.  A few major factors when trying to decide how to set prices for your roof work are: Regional economy, the type of roofing service you are offering, your competition, material costs, and profit margin. I have heard it said that if you sign up every job you give an estimate for, your prices are too low, if you are not signing…

Starting A Roof Cleaning Business Roof cleaning can be a great source of income, whether you are already a roofer, and are expanding your list of services, or someone looking to start a new roof cleaning business.  If you are already a roofer, your equipment purchases for a roof cleaning company will be much less. If you are starting from scratch, your startup costs will be much more. Need help choosing a roof cleaning business name?: Roof Cleaning Business Name Ideas Planning Before registering your company, it would be wise to plan your way to a successful business.  Some points to…

How to Register Your Roofing Business In Texas Here are some steps you may have to take (not necessarily in order) to start your roof cleaning company in the state of Texas.   Before you go further, have you written a business plan?  Also, make sure you market your new roof cleaning business effectively after you register. Getting Started- Here is a website that will help if you want to start a business in Texas: Start a Business In Texas 1. Select your business structure. Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.  Find out more here: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/businessstructure.shtml 2. Register your roof cleaning business name. Find out more about registering a fictitious…

The roofing equipment you will need for your new business will vary, depending on what type of roofing systems you will be installing, and what type of repairs you will be performing.  It is generally recommended to start with basic roofing tools, and then add specific equipment needed when new jobs require it.  I made the mistake early on in my business of buying a number of roofing related gadgets that I ended up never using.  It is much wiser to buy tools as you go, and let new jobs pay for them.  If you are sure of what type…

Drones have rapidly increased in popularity over past few years.  Recently, roofing companies have started to take advantage of this valuable technology.   A drone can provide valuable insights when estimating and inspecting roofs. With thermal imaging attached to the drone, possible leaks and insulation/air leak issues can also be assessed.  Some companies are starting to offer technology for drones that includes measurements, allowing you to get accurate roof measurements from the air. Before purchasing a drone and flying it over a customer’s house, be aware of the laws in your area, and the risks involved.  You may want to check with the…