Running a roofing company is hard work, but it pays off.
The roofing industry is something almost anyone can break into. The work is hard, but the business itself is relatively easy to start. Between residential and commercial buildings, there is a constant stream of roofs that need repaired or replaced. No matter what the state of the local or national economy, a leaking roof is an issue that is usually addressed immediately to avoid further damage, making a roofing company a fairly stable business to start.
The actual paperwork required to start one is fairly simple. A basic business license is all that is required. Little start-up capital is needed since most advertising is inexpensive and materials can be purchased using money from deposit checks.
Instructions
1. Head to your courthouse and apply for a business license. These are inexpensive to obtain, only requiring a small application fee to be paid. Once you have your business license, you are free to begin work. After you have decided on a name, it's a good idea to register it as a DBA (doing business as) name, also known as a fictitious name, with your state.
2. Consider purchasing business insurance. Visit your local agencies to get a couple of quotes. This will provide coverage against accidents where you might cause harm to a customer's property (such as accidentally damaging a vehicle), or in scenarios where you might get injured on the job. Customers are more likely to hire you if you advertise that you are insured.
3. Purchase advertising to promote your new business. Mediums that have been proven to work for roofing companies are phone book ads, newspaper ads, radio commercials and classified ads. If you are starting your business on a budget, don't overlook the low-cost marketing techniques such as Craigslist and handing out fliers door to door. Even if this isn't your ideal marketing method, it can help bring in some initial income to fund larger advertisements.
4. Develop a portfolio of previous work that you can show clients. This should consist of photographs of previous roof installations and repairs. It is also a good idea to keep a list of references that potential clients can contact. Make sure these references have agreed ahead of time to provide a positive review of your services.
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