When it comes to installing something as complicated as roofing systems, no company gets the job done all by itself. Roofing contractors rely on material manufacturers, distributors, salespeople, subcontractors, bankers, lawyers, accountants and a host of others to help them succeed. The difference between a smooth job and a headache - and a profit or a loss - can rest not only with your employees, but those of another company. That's why Roofing Contractor decided to put the spotlight on the industry's Most Valuable Partners - those individuals outside of contracting firms that make an extra effort to help contractors satisfy the needs of their customers.
There's been a lot of water over the roof since 1981, when The Roofer Magazine (as it was then called) premiered. With artistic covers, human interest stories, the latest news and expanded coverage of new innovations, the magazine helped usher in a new era for the roofing industry. Emerging at about the same time as a membrane known as single ply, the advent of The Roofer was another indication that the image, marketing and selling of roofing was about to change forever.
Roofing contractors find out early that the job doesn't end with installing the shingles. If there's a leak at the chimney, a skylight, or some other roof penetration -even if it's installed long after the roof system is completed - invariably the homeowner will be on the phone with the roofing company. One company that's earned an excellent reputation when it comes to customer service by providing a quality installation and handling callbacks promptly when they occur is the Jorve Corporation. Early on, its president and founder, Ted Jorve, decided that the only way to ensure a weatherproof installation was for his company to handle all the areas tied into the roof - including gutters, chimneys, dormers, siding, and skylights - and to provide a warranty for all of its workmanship for as long as the customer owns the home.
OSHA defines a "steep roof" as any roof with a rise/run ratio over 4:12 (18.43 degrees). While most standard-pitched residential roofs seldom exceed a 12:12 pitch (45 degrees), the landscape is occasionally marked by a design which harkens back to earlier times, when much greater roof pitches were more common. Architecturally described as a "dramatic pitch," the extremely steep roof (ESR) is considered to have a pitch in excess of 12:12, up to a plumb vertical plane.
Ramón didn't understand. He said he did, but he didn't. He said he did because he wanted to make his supervisor happy. Making his supervisor happy cost him his life. Making his supervisor happy cost his family their husband, their father, their provider.
All successful roof projects require that the installers adhere to proper application methods. Improper workmanship contributes to a decrease in the roof systems service life. All types of roof systems - both steep-slope and low-slope applications - are prone to potential workmanship errors. In the case of steep-slope shingle applications, there are a number of common mistakes that should be avoided to ensure a long service life. A successful roofing project and satisfied client can be achieved if these common mistakes can be avoided in the field.
It has been awhile since I broached the subject of per square pricing and the perils it presents for roofing contractors. It is such an important topic that I would like to revisit it and once again caution roofers as to why per square pricing does not work. We will start this discussion with a tale of two roofs being bid by the same contractor who uses per square pricing methods.
This issue of Roofing Contractor officially marks our 25th anniversary. While we are thrilled to reach this new height, we recognize that we have a job to do. No matter our age or past accomplishments, we are only as good as our most recent publication, Web posting, webinar or conference.
"It looks like you have a sound, productive sales system. When you follow the system, you provide better service to your customers and create more and bigger sales. So, what's the challenge?" I asked.
Year after year, company after company, industry after industry, I keep hearing business owners tell me the biggest problem they have is finding good employees. I don't have any magical solutions to offer, but a little common sense might clarify some rules of the game.
The new LH2000 platform hoist from TranzSporter Roofing Products has a steel-reinforced aluminum base that weighs 50 pounds less than full steel models.
The new S series rough terrain forklifts from Sellick Equipment Ltd. were designed to improve operator safety, visibility, ergonomics and accessibility.
The new CH-200 material hoist from Safety Hoist Co. has a 200-pound lift capacity. It features a steel base with grease-fitted bearings mounted on the outside of the unit for easy maintenance and longer bearing life.
The Versalift 600 material handling system from Garlock Equipment Co. can be set up in as little as 15 minutes without CDL crane drivers, special conveyor transit permits or hydraulic hoists.
Bil-Jax Inc.'s new Summit Series™ 4527A trailer-mounted boom lift has an articulated aerial work platform, a 51-foot working height and a 27-foot outreach.
Palfinger's versatile PW310 material handling crane operates by dual circuit manual control with a joystick and foot pedal, or an optional high-flow single-circuit radio remote control.
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - CertainTeed Corp. has released its new Flintglas® Mineral Surfaced Cap Sheet with CoolStar™ energy-saving reflective surface. Rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), the product is compliant with California Title 24, Part 6, and meets initial Energy Star requirements as a cap sheet for use over inorganic and organic built-up roofing systems.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - BASF was the recipient of a New Jersey Clean Energy Leadership Awards for the company's "Better Home, Better Planet Initiative: Near-Zero Energy Home" in Paterson, N.J. The company built the prototype home with more than 150 strategic partners to demonstrate an affordable, sustainable, energy-efficient and disaster-resistant home to homeowners, builders and architects.
PHOENIX - A record number of roofing industry professionals attended the third annual Best of Success Conference, held Sept. 21-22. Hosted by Roofing Contractor magazine, the event drew more than 240 attendees to the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix.
CORONA, Calif. - DECRA Roofing Systems Inc. announced the upcoming 50th anniversary of DECRA Stone Coated Steel Roofing. "Decra's employees have exhibited a strong desire for our company's success," stated President and CEO Bo Hudson.
DALLAS - Online registration is now open for the 2007 International Roofing Expo (IRE), which will be held March 6-8, 2007, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees who register before Jan. 22 will receive early-bird pricing rates. Online registration is available 24 hours a day at www.theroofingexpo.com.
DALLAS - ElkCorp's subsidiary, Elk Slate Products Inc., announced it has completed the acquisition of SlateDirect L.P., the manufacturer of the TruSlate™ patented slate roofing system. The company stated it will add the slate to its product line.
PROVO, Spain - Interstate Roofing Supply sponsored its first annual coil nail gun roofing contest. Over 300 contractors attended, with 41 competing for the fastest installation of three bundles of CertainTeed Landmark 30 shingles on a 6:12 slope mock roof deck. The application required a pipe flashing and sidewall step flashing, and had to adhere to high wind application requirements.
FAIRLAWN, Ohio - Firestone Building Products Company, a division of BFS Diversified Products LLC, purchased GenFlex Building Products, a division of chemicals maker Omnova Solutions Inc. GenFlex was comprised of 100 employees and had been in operation since 1980. Firestone will acquire a manufacturing plant in Tuscumbia/Muscle Shoals, Ala., a warehouse in Columbus, Ohio, and the GenFlex headquarters office in Maumee, Ohio.
