Roofing contractors are notorious for their entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take risks. Each and every day they bet on the rain and many other risk factors. Taking on new types of work might be tempting, but diversity may not equate to more profits and success.
Let’s face it - few things are the way they used to be. In the current economy with millions of people searching for work, you’d think finding qualified candidates would be a snap.
Because we will never truly get away from the
roofing industry’s hands-on practices in product application and service
doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to handcuff ourselves and our companies
to the same sales, production and accounting ways of the past.
Customer complaints are an inevitable part of business. A few simple policies and skills can help control the situation. Start by understanding that the goal of good customer service is to keep normal people from becoming more angry or difficult, not to make crazy people sane.
The downturn in the economy has been a challenge for most contractors, with many looking for business help. As we work to turn around failing roofing contractors, patterns begin to emerge.
For many employers, properly calculating overtime can feel like an unending process. Factoring in meal and break times can be complicated since meal times are generally unpaid and breaks are paid time.
Liquidated damages are a fact of life in modern construction contracting. However, even if your contract contains a liquidated damages provision and the owner has assessed liquidated damages, that does not mean the assessment is valid or enforceable.
During the past few months, I have been zooming around the country teaching seminars and speaking at roofing conventions. On several occasions, I was speaking one-on-one with roofing contractors who commented about their strong administrative help.
I know I have written about this topic in the past, but recent overwhelming interest in this topic tells me it is time to talk about it again. I was lucky enough to speak on this topic at the 2011 International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas and the interest was undeniable. There I was at 7:45 a.m. in Las Vegas and the room was full of contractors who were eager to discuss the topic.
At one time or another most people, businesses and government entities need roofing services. Where do they turn for help? You might say the phone directory, but savvy roofers have discovered that it’s easier to capture those customers with a toll-free phone name that avoids the directory entirely.
