Port Charlotte Roofers are licensed contractors who specialize in roof installation, repair, and maintenance. They also perform other exterior work such as soffit and fascia, gutters, and chimney stacks.
Service roofers are large companies that do insurance and non-insurance jobs. They require a long sales presentation with all decision makers present before scheduling work can start.
Roofers that specialize in residential work typically install or repair single-family homes and multi-unit housing complexes. They must navigate through residential neighborhoods, accessing rooftops with ladders or scaffolding while being mindful of the surrounding property. Residential roofers also interact directly with homeowners, explaining project details and answering questions. Some residential roofers are storm chasers, traveling to areas affected by major weather events to offer roofing services. These roofers often work with insurance companies and may be able to expedite the process. They might also offer zero-interest financing. These types of roofers usually have large crews and a customer service department to handle the extra volume.
Commercial
Commercial roofers work on larger-scale buildings, such as high rises. These structures often require specialized materials that aren’t available to homeowners. Commercial roofers also typically work with more demanding clients, including engineering firms, consultants and property managers who demand roofs of a certain type and within a set specification and warranty.
These clients may hire multiple commercial roofers to provide quotes before they make a decision. But if you’ve established a strong relationship with them, they will often give you the job, even if your bid is higher than the other two.
A career as a commercial roofer requires you to be physically fit and comfortable working at heights. Moreover, this is a highly service-oriented profession that involves inspecting properties to determine the best roofing material for them. Therefore, you should be dedicated to your work and should have good communication skills to achieve customer satisfaction. Additionally, you should be able to handle pressure and a fast-paced working environment. Lastly, you should be a team player since most of your time is spent on the field with your crew members.
Storm Chaser
When most people think of storm chasers, they imagine people who follow tornadoes or extreme weather for thrills. However, in the roofing industry, this term refers to contractors who follow large storms to areas where they can make money. While not all storm chasers are scammers, many have bad reputations and can cause more damage than good to your roof.
These companies target homeowners after severe storms hit, offering free inspections and claiming to work directly with insurance companies. They often advertise a lifetime workmanship warranty and low prices that are far below the market rate for your area. Unfortunately, they also tend to use subpar materials and rushed installation techniques. When problems arise later, the company may not be around to fix them or offer a warranty.
While a roof repair can be a stressful time, it’s important to take your time and find a qualified local contractor. When choosing a contractor, check that they have proper licensing, references from past jobs and local business cards and literature. Ask for a written estimate and a copy of the insurance claim before agreeing to any work.
VIS Exterior knows that roof damage can be devastating, especially after a major storm hits. It’s natural to want to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible, but this can be dangerous if you choose a storm chaser. It’s best to avoid these types of contractors and choose a local roofing company that is held accountable for their work by other customers.
The first clue to spot a storm chaser is that they come door to door uninvited. This is a red flag, as professional roofers will not do this unless they have prior contact with the homeowner. Additionally, if they are not working with an established roofing company, they will likely be using a local roofing contractor’s name (and receive a kickback in return). These fake companies can leave you with shoddy construction that will need to be repaired within a short amount of time. Then, when the issues become obvious, you will have to pay out of pocket to correct the mistakes.
Sales
Roofers who focus on sales and have a strong understanding of their company’s products and services are well-positioned to meet and exceed their sales goals. They are able to conduct sales presentations and inspections, provide accurate estimates and proposals and work closely with the installation and customer service teams.
A good salesperson should be able to help customers understand the value of a new roof, and they can do this by explaining the benefits, including energy savings, increased home value and reduced maintenance costs. They can also offer financing to ease the cost over time, which helps customers make a more informed decision.
In order to build a trusting relationship with customers, sales roofers should be genuine and use natural, conversational language. They should avoid canned questions and use their instincts to know when to transition from discussing the weather to talking about the roof. These individuals are able to explain how their roofing solutions can help the customer achieve their dreams and goals.
To get hired as a roofing salesperson, applicants should have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. They can find job listings online or work with a recruiter to connect with potential employers. Many roofing companies keep their employees on during the offseason to prepare them for the upcoming season, and they may provide training and support to assist with this process.
Some roofers specialize in insurance claims and roof repair, or they can do both. They are known as storm chasers, and they will often offer a free roof inspection for homeowners and take care of the entire insurance process for them. This makes it easier for homeowners to buy a new roof, as they can use the funds from their insurance settlement to pay for the entire project.
Typically, these roofers are larger and have several crews available, which gives them flexibility when it comes to pricing. They can handle both large and small jobs, and they can also provide a variety of different roofing materials. They can even offer zero-percent financing to help customers afford a new roof.