Contractor License Requirements

commercial roof foamingBuilding upon our “How to Become a Licensed Contractor“ blog post, today we examine more of the details behind prerequisites for obtaining a contractor license.

Contractor License Requirements and Their Influence in the Construction Industry

Contractor license requirements differ from state to state. However, there are a few prequalification requirements that, generally speaking, are consistent across state boundaries. Consistent standards include age requirements, the level of education required, certification of U.S. citizenship or foreign residency, company registration, documentation of other occupational licensing an applicant holds, and documentation that proves one’s identity.

Generally speaking, contractor licenses have to be renewed every two years, but this also varies from state to state. Regardless of someone’s experience in the construction industry, these contractor license requirements typically apply to four groups of applicants:

  • Applicants who are new to the construction industry and looking to become more active in it
  • Applicants who have experience in some sectors of the construction industry (e.g., roofing) and are looking for certification for taking on work in other sectors
  • Highly experienced construction professionals who are renewing their licensing or certification because their expiration date has passed
  • Construction professionals or companies that will be performing work in a state that is outside their state of business registration

For companies that are looking to do work outside their state of registration, it is important to register ahead of time so that deadlines for bids or work initiation do not creep up and cause timing issues. Having deadlines such as these overlap with the time in which a building company is getting its license can create logistical, business-related, and ethical issues.

Qualifications for Becoming a Contractor

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    Now, how do the basic requirements, or pre-qualifications, for becoming a contractor play out? Consider each of these factors below.

    • Age requirements- Many states require that an applicant be at least 18 years of age upon application. At the federal level, according to the Department of Labor the Fair Labor Standards Act, 14 is the minimum age for most non-farm work. However, some state laws are “tighter” in their restrictions and set the bar at 16 years of age or higher. The reason why age requirements for getting a contractor license are higher than minimum age labor standards is because of the degree of responsibility involved with contractor certification. Many applicants for contractor licensing are people who have grown up in the construction industry and are looking now to branch out on their own. Licensing therefore becomes not just a matter of allowing contractors to be employed, but also to start and run their own businesses.
    • High school-level education or equivalent- When applying for a license, an applicant typically takes a written exam or two at some point. Many states have over 40 classifications of different contractor licenses available. The examinations for each of these licenses can be quite broad, and measure an applicant’s competency in finances, licensing and bonding, and other knowledge-intensive areas. A dedicated contractor can learn the ins-and-outs of these areas with hard work and focus. But education is a key resource in making sure that an applicant is able to understand and handle these details with competence. That is why many state laws spell out having a high school education or GED certification as one of their minimal qualifying standards.
    • Evidence of legal residency or citizenship in the United States- This is a requirement that is in line with state and federal laws for employment. It is also a measure that helps cut down on legal complications when cases of liability or other workplace issues arise. A valid ID or proof of residency will therefore be required for meeting this standard.
    • Documentation of other occupational licensing- This standard helps state agencies keep track of the construction sectors a building company is involved in. Documentation of other occupational licensing also helps to further solidify an applicant’s credibility. For some states, having an occupational license in another state can help speed up an applicant’s approval process. For instance, the state of California gives contractors who are licensed in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah the option of “reciprocity”, or being able to obtain a California contractor’s license without taking an exam. Reciprocity or similar options, though, may apply to only specific contractor classifications.
    • Company registration with the Secretary of State office or equivalent- Business registration is another key factor of obtaining approval. Aside from the marketing benefits of having a name for one’s construction business, having the company registered with the state ensures legal compliance. It also strengthens a construction business’ credibility. There are multiple options for how a company can be structured, with different financial and legal benefits and drawbacks attached to each company structure. Check with your Secretary of State office, or the agency that handles company registration, for more information and the pros and cons of each company structuring.
    • State-specific basic requirements- On top of these requirements, many states require proof of prior construction experience, a threshold for prior experience in the trade an applicant is applying for or a similar trade, bonding and criminal background checks, and reference letters from previous employers, among other things. With these requirements in place, you may have to prove that you have the financial means necessary for running a construction business, document that you do have on-the-job experience in a given trade, and show that you have personal credibility for offering services in that trade to begin with. Liability insurance, worker compensation, and other risk management plans and measures may also be required depending on the state’s laws. In some states, property insurance and other specialized insurance coverage may also be required.

    After the Basic Requirements for Contractor Licensing

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    Should you meet these basic requirements, you will have to undergo an exam or even a few to prove competency. Training courses and other related classes or proof of competency may be required as well.

    Because the contractor licensing application process can be so detailed, it may help to get assistance. If you are interested in commercial roofing, give us a call at 800-670-5583. Be sure to ask how we assist our members and how they benefit from our exclusive platform of benefits and support.

    Be sure to check out our e-book about making it big in commercial roofing, too.

    Commercial Roof Replacement or Roof Coating?

    roof coatingToday we briefly examine a couple of common pros and cons of commercial roof replacement and roof coatings.

    All types of commercial roofs have their strengths and weaknesses. Commercial metal roofing is affordable, generally easy-to-install, and built to last. EPDM rubber roofs remain flexible in extreme temperatures and more resistant to thermal shock than other commercial roof systems. But metal roofing can experience rusting or end up with exposed seams where water can seep in. And EPDM rubber roofs can crack or break down due to the sun’s harmful UV rays, despite their sun energy-resisting properties. Inevitably, all commercial roof systems have problems and eventually require attention.

    When a commercial roof system does have problems, building owners may think it best to replace their entire roof. In some cases that may prove to be necessary— a commercial roof may have undergone so much damage that it is better to start over. However, in many cases roof replacement can not only be unnecessary, but unwise. After all, re-roofing projects on roofs of any size are time-consuming, and they are expensive.

    So, when should a building owner opt for one option for the other? We take a look at some of the factors to consider below.

    Should I Go with Commercial Roof Replacement or Roof Coating?

    To begin, it is important to consider the cost intensity of roof replacement. When you have a commercial roof of any size replaced, you will be shelling a lot of money out in job costs. For instance, a commercial replacement job includes:

    • Old roof tear-off costs
    • Old roofing material disposal costs
    • Landfill usage cost
    • Heavier labor input costs
    • Costs of large volume of new roofing materials
    • Sunk costs arising from disrupted building or business operations

    There is another factor to consider as well. The new roof is not guaranteed to have the same problems that the old roof experienced. Over time, it may require heavy repairs due to aging and weathering, or even require another roof replacement before the product warranty runs out.

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    Our professional commercial roof contractors provide:

    • Roof maintenance & repair
    • Inspections & leak detection
    • Energy efficient roof systems
    • Complete roof replacement
    • Roof life-extending solutions
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    With a commercial roof restoration, however, you save on all of the costs above and do not have the same disruption to your hours of operations. Many roof restoration products are coating-based systems and can be applied with ease during business hours, meaning that your roofing needs will be handled in a more time-sensitive fashion than they would in a roof replacement job.

    Where roof coatings do not become valuable, however, is when a commercial roof has been extremely badly damaged. Say a 20,000-square-foot EPDM rubber roof has experienced deterioration due to prolonged thermal shock, and that a large portion of the roof in one corner has been peeled up from a strong windstorm. If the roof is extremely old, a simple patch-up job or a simple restoration job will not be in the customer’s best interest. With a roof coating or simple repair job done, over time the roof could fail or become more prone to roof leaks, roof cracking, or more roof peeling. In the end, the customer would likely not get the lasting protection that he or she needs and deserves.

    Roof Replacement – The Bottom Line

    In short, because it is so cost-intensive, a roof replacement should be treated as a last resort. But there are times where damage becomes so extensive or a roof is so old that re-roofing is the better option. It is important to keep in mind that when replacing an old roof with a new roof of the same type, one could see the new roof have the same problems as its counterpart. Therefore, roof enhancements such as the application of high-performance, highly reflective elastomeric roof coatings may be ideal. Roof coatings will cover newly installed roof’s vulnerable areas and exposed seams, leave a seamless surface over the new roof, and strengthen the new roof’s life expectancy for decades.

    Conklin Systems for Roof Replacement or Restoration

    Add Decades of New Life
    Cut A/C Costs up to 50%
    Free On-Site Inspections
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    Warrantied Up to 20 Years

    Regardless of what your needs may be, Conklin’s line of commercial roof products offer solutions for roof restoration and replacement. Conklin roof coatings are backed by contractor-provided, non-prorated warranties that cover labor and material costs. These roof coatings reflect up to 85% of the sun’s energy and can generate up to 30% cost savings on annual energy expenses. They have been a leading choice for commercial roofing for over 40+ years and are ideal for application on existing or new roofs.

    For new roof or re-roofing projects, Conklin also offers a highly durable, rolled-out modified PVC sheet product, Flexion. With this material, old roofing materials are torn off and disposed of, ISO board is installed over the underlying exposed layer, and the Flexion is applied across the ISO board components. Flexion is manufactured with DuPont Elvaloy for extensive chemical and fire resistance and extremely pronounced tensile strength. Flexion has been shown to perform well in all climates and can be installed at any time of year. It is also backed by a non-prorated warranty of 20 years.

    Choice Roof Contractor Group’s Unique Value Proposition

    roof restoredOur nationwide contractor network exclusively uses Conklin roof products for commercial jobs. Conklin roof systems have been applied on billions of square feet of roofing and feature non-prorated warranties of their coverage period. Each contractor has been vetted before being admitted, and they go through Conklin’s warranty certification program so they can apply Conklin systems with precision.

    Every Choice Roof Contractor also abides by the highest quality standards. Because of our members’ ongoing commitment to excellence, building owners can be sure their needs are getting the best service with the best products available on today’s roofing market.

    Should you be interested in a Choice Roof Contractor for your needs, call us today at 800-670-5583 for a free local roof estimate.

    Commercial Roofing Spray Foam Equipment

    Today’s blog post covers spray foam roofing equipment and its use in commercial roofing. We have previously looked at market opportunities for spray foam roofing, spray foam roofing myths and problems, and evidence that spray foam roofing actually works.

    Spray Foam Equipment and Commercial Roofing Today

    spray foam equipment

    Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing has been around for 50 years. But even with its track record, an SPF roof is not exactly one of the most common commercial roof systems out there. Many buildings that have been around for that long have old, beaten-up built-up roofing systems on them—often made of tar and gravel. These roof systems last for long periods of time, but they are unable to escape the effects of the sun. Over time, they break down and fail.

    Because they want a lasting roof, building owners have been turning to commercial spray foam roof systems as alternatives. A well-applied, thick spray foam roof offers the same long lifespan as the BUR systems, plus huge savings on heating and cooling costs. Just the energy savings alone are a big draw, but there are other benefits too such as much less weight on the roof.

    To apply spray foam roofing, commercial roof contractors need spray foam equipment. A “typical” line of spray foam equipment includes spray foam rigs, reactors and generators, hoses, spray foam guns, and other spray foam application equipment. Spray foam equipment is to be used for interior applications of spray foam insulation systems as well for insulation and top-layer applications on top of a building.

    Some spray foam equipment providers offer complete spray foam equipment packages. For instance, our partner, Intech Equipment & Supply with 6 full-service locations across the U.S. offers complete, turnkey packages so that work can be done as soon as a contractor arrives at the jobsite. Quality spray foam equipment will give the contractor tremendous benefits including:

    • Features for easy, fast troubleshooting such as QR codes
    • High-performance spray foam applications with lesser fuel consumption
    • Equipment that is easy-to-move and transfer from jobsites
    • Better control over spray foam application and overall process
    • Better spraying performance
    • Easy and convenient applications with automated, instant foam system recipe recall
    • Greater hold on cost management and forecasting

    These benefits and more allow contractors to apply foam systems with precision and ease.

    Why Spray Foam Roofing?

    foam roofingDespite all of the myths out there, spray foam roofing remains a top choice for reliable, lasting roof protection. Roof contractors and building owners each benefit from it.

    For roofing contractors, spray foam roofing offers many advantages:

    • Spray foam roofing is installed with ease
    • Spray foam product is pumped up to the roof, which cuts back on chances for personal injuries arising from hoisting heavy roofing materials
    • Liability costs are more contained than with other commercial roof systems
    • Spray foam roofing can give much bigger profit margins per square foot
    • Spray foam roofing has few repair and upkeep needs
    • Spray foam roofs are easily repairable and maintenanced
    • A spray foam roof lasts for a long time, and strengthens a contractor’s reputation when applied correctly

    Building owners benefit in multiple ways as well:

    • Commercial spray foam roofing can save tens of thousands of dollars in energy costs
    • A spray foam roof system reduces sound transmission in a building
    • Spray foam roofing keeps heat inside a building and makes a building use less cooling
    • It prevents air infiltration, the number-one culprit for skyrocketing energy costs
    • It is completely seamless and therefore strongly resistant to leaks, big or small
    • A spray foam roof greatly strengthens a building’s structural support
    • Spray foam roofing is designed to last for decades without trouble

    With all these benefits, a commercial property remains in good condition and well-protected, and the building owner stays satisfied. As is common knowledge in the commercial roofing industry, happy customers mean good referrals and ongoing, highly profitable business opportunities.

    Where can I get Spray Foam Equipment?

    Contractors join our group to receive:

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    Choice Roof Contractor Group offers commercial roof contractors a great opportunity for building up spray foam roofing installation as a key cornerstone of their business. We are partnered with Intech Equipment & Supply, a leading provider of spray foam equipment and parts in the entire United States. Intech offers a wide range of spray foam equipment, inclusive of top-grade spray foam rigs, carefully engineered spray foam application systems, spray guns, spray foam hoses, and an extensive inventory of parts should replacements be quickly needed. Should spray foam contractors be interested in breaking into the $5.3 billion commercial roofing industry, we offer a perfect platform for that as well.

    Our group members exclusively benefit from lead sharing, lifetime mentorship and sales coaching from top roofing experts, discounted product pricing, proven marketing strategies from others, and more. They also benefit from the active involvement of our trusted partners and suppliers. Choice Roof Contractors are able to apply Conklin spray polyurethane foam systems, spray foam systems backed by a non-prorated warranty of up to 18 years. On the whole, Conklin roof systems have been used for over 40+ years and can pay for themselves in just 4-7 years with their energy savings.

    Call us today at 800-670-5583 to learn how you can get high-quality spray foam equipment from Intech Equipment & Supply at reduced rates. We will be happy to show how we can help you build your growing success story, as we will be behind you 100%.

    How to Get a Roofing Contractor’s License

    commercial roof foamingToday, we provide a general overview of how to get a contractor’s license and to start building a roofing or construction business.

    There are many great opportunities to build a strong, profitable company in the building industry. In just the commercial roofing industry, there are billions of dollars spent every year. But there is an essential first step toward building any successful building company: getting a contractor’s license. Contractor license requirements differ from state to state, and the process of becoming a licensed contractor may be unclear because of these differences alone.

    However, getting a contractor license can ultimately be reduced to four basic steps: determining your scope of services, requesting and filling out an application, completing required testing, and submitting the licensing application for certification. Here are a few details to keep in mind while doing each step.

    Contractor License Requirements

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      1.      Determine the field of work you want to be licensed for. In their laws, states distinguish between different types of contracting work and may offer different licensing for those separate fields of contracting work. For instance, the state of Arkansas has different commercial contracting work classifications called “Heavy Construction”, which includes construction work on mining surfaces and underground facilities, oilfields, tunnels and dams, and more, and “Building Contracting”, which is a comprehensive list of more general construction services, including roofing projects and commercial building remodeling and renovations. In other cases, some states will distinguish between residential and commercial contracting work and then require separate builder licenses for each. Because these classifications – and their licensing requirements—can be extensive, it is best to identify beforehand the scope of the services you will offer. That will help you effectively manage your time.
       
      2.      Request an application and fill it out. Naturally, filling out all of the necessary paperwork is a big step in obtaining licensed certification. An important thing to note— almost all 50 states have basic requirements for applicants. These requirements are the same, if not very much so, across nearly all state laws. Although this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the requirements:

      • Being at least 18 years of age
      • Evidence of high school education completion or equivalent
      • Evidence of legal residency or citizenship within the United States
      • Documentation of other occupational licenses held within a given state
      • Passport-sized photo documentation of applicant (usually 2 photos required)
      • Company registration with your Secretary of State office
      • Some states require surety bonds and criminal background checks, including fingerprint scanning

      Contractor licensing applications are typically provided by your Secretary of State’s office. Many Secretaries of State have made these applications available for download and/or electronic submittal. Check with your Secretary of State office for more information about the proper state authorities to contact if their office does not handle state licensing.

       
      3.      Complete and pass all required testing. Written examinations are required by many states for tradecraft licensing. For state projects, questionnaires will be required for job bidding. You will be required to pay fees for the written examination, along with other fees required for the roofing contractor license in your state. Written examination fees are typically nonrefundable and can range from $50-100, sometimes more. States also differ in whether or not they allow open-book testing. Some important to details to keep in mind about the written examinations for state licensing are the following:

      • The numbers of the question on the tests vary from state to state. Many states have written exams with 50-150 questions, many if not all are multiple choice or short answering in different formats.
      • Content will be focused on the particular trade you are seeking licensing for. For construction, this can include contract and project management; trade-specific content; financials and tax law information; licensing, estimating, and building; and more.
      • Many states require previous experience specific to the trade you are applying for licensing in, or previous experience in the general classification your trade falls into. An example includes 4 years of construction experience for taking a construction exam. Some states require training courses as well.
      • States differ in how much time they give for testing. Many states offer 3-4 hours to complete the entire test.

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      4.      Submit your application. Once you have finished all of the steps above, it is time to submit your application for review. Make sure that you have filled out all of the sections on your application. Ensuring that all applicable fees have been paid for is essential as well. Fees can include application processing fees, filing fees, testing fees, training course fees, licensing fees, and criminal background fees; they will differ from state to state. Many roofing contractor licenses are good for two years before they expire. If your company has already been licensed in your state of business residence and is looking to perform contracting work in another state, be sure to give yourself plenty of time for your license to be approved. Some construction companies do not allot themselves enough time between when they apply for licensing, complete the requirements, and receive the license before they begin bidding. Always make sure to get your license beforehand so that you cut down on any timing complications or ethical issues.

       

      Need Help Determining Your State’s Contracting License Requirements?

      Choice Roof Contractor Group represents a great opportunity for breaking into commercial roofing. You can call us at 800-670-5583 for help and we’ll connect you to one of the contractors.

      Our members enjoy many exclusive benefits. These benefits include: lead sharing, advanced commercial roof systems training, lifetime mentorship from highly successful roofing contractors, proven marketing strategies from others, and more. Members of Choice Roof Contractors offer building owners unbeatable advantages over the competition.

      Once you come on board with our network, we are 100% behind you. Be sure to ask how we can help you build your roofing business or division, or take it to the next level.

       

      4 Critical Social Media Platforms for Roofing Companies

      Today, we briefly examine why social media is important for local roofing companies and 3 social media platforms that roof contractors should be active on.

      Why is Social Media so Important?

      With the Internet, people now have tons of new ways to communicate. Social media platforms have emerged as leading ways for people to interact with each other without the barriers of time or distance. There have never been greater opportunities for engaging prospects and converting them into customers.

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      • Network-backed Guarantees
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      For roofing contractors, this can be great for acquiring new customers. However, social media may seem like a waste of time. Timing and a contractor’s comfort level with social media could also be other factors. Roofing contractors may feel more comfortable sticking to marketing strategies with which they are familiar. Or they may feel chasing down leads or building up sales is more demanding of their attention. The statistics behind social media usage tell a different story, though. Just consider the following:

      • Approximately 1 out of every 4 minutes spent online is spent on social media.
      • Almost one-half of all Facebook users, which nowadays totals over 1 billion users, log into their Facebook accounts on a daily basis.
      • 56% of Americans have a social media profile.
      • 22% of Americans use social media daily.
      • 64% of Americans say social media affects their purchasing decisions.
      • 47% of Americans say that Facebook is the most influential social media platform on their purchasing decisions.

      Any business that is not engaging these active users is simply missing out on generating free leads. This does not mean that social media should take up lots of time; just that some time and attention can pay off in the long run.

      4 Social Media Platforms for Roofing Contractors

      Now, let us take a look at which social media platforms are great opportunities for roof contractors.

      1. Facebook

      Facebook is perhaps the most important social media platform because of its number of users and how well the pages show up in Google searches. Many contractors who are new to Facebook also find it easier to use than other social media platforms. It is not a bad idea to begin posting content on a weekly basis—start off slow and post content such as pictures or blog posts that explain a part of the roofing industry in clear, plain terms. Gear your content toward your audience—consider how you would see the content if you were in their shoes. Build up your online community on Facebook, and your content will appear with greater frequency in Facebook users’ social feeds. Then you can more fully benefit from your efforts and be more successful in generating leads. Be sure to ask satisfied customers for positive reviews on your Facebook page, too. If you need posting ideas, feel free to reach out as we have a bunch of them!

      2. LinkedIn

      LinkedIn represents a prime opportunity for commercial roof contractors. Because it is a professional social network, interactions on this social media platform will mostly be business-oriented or professionally-oriented. LinkedIn also offers in-depth options for searching for users based on heavily broken down demographics. Among other things, you can search for users based on certain keywords within their profile, users’ job titles, number of employees at a company or place of employment, people located within certain distances of a specific zip code or location, and so much more. Other ways that you can leverage LinkedIn include building a referral network or connecting with other experts in your area. Established, lasting relationships can lead to great future business opportunities, and LinkedIn is prime territory for breaking the ice with key decision-makers and influencers.

      3. Twitter

      Like Facebook, Twitter is the one of the most mainstream social media platforms today. You don’t have as much room for composing messages, or “tweets”, but the opportunities for building relationships with major brands or valuable contacts on this platform can be numerous. Because it is much more “in-the-moment” with its content-sharing than other platforms, Twitter can be a great place for your to share engaging content and have that content be quickly shared by others with their online audiences. Should you be looking to establish key business relationships, Twitter can represent a good opportunity for building a foundation as well. Locate key decision-makers at an organization that could benefit from your roofing services and then build credibility through interactions with them.

      3. YouTube

      Most people don’t think of YouTube as a social media platform, but it certainly deserves a spot on this list. The social side comes from the ability of leaving comments on videos, but the main reason to post on YouTube is for the visibility you can gain from search engines. In addition to the video possibly showing up in a general Google search along with other websites, it’s been proven that having links within a YouTube video back to your own website will help build its favor with the algorithms. Also, it’s important to remember that millions of people use the YouTube search engine when wanting to learn about new things. If a building owner in your area wants to better understand coatings, will you be there on YouTube to show up?

      Interested in learning more about effective social media strategies or great marketing strategies in general? Give us a call today at 800-670-5583, and one of the contractors will be happy to discuss ways our group can give you a whole new level of marketing support and ideas.

      Commercial Roofing Spray Foam Opportunities

      commercial roof foamingToday, we take a look at the growing demand for “green” construction and how spray foam roofing can greatly help curb American energy costs. We then examine the market opportunities that this opens up for commercial roof contractors, and how commercial roofers can benefit from our network’s partnership with the premier spray foam equipment provider Intech Equipment & Supply.

      The Need for Spray Foam Roof Insulation Today

      According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, American energy usage is expected to increase 40 percent by 2025. That increase in consumption corresponds with a rise in demand for “green” nonresidential construction, as commercial and industrial buildings take up a good portion of the United States’ total energy usage.

      The Freedonia Group, a market research firm, projects that demand for U.S. green building materials will increase 11 percent annually and will reach $86.6 billion in 2017. Moreover, the ENERGY STAR® program reports that construction of green buildings has also reached a new high. As EnergyStar.gov relates, “in the United States, the green share of the U.S. nonresidential construction market grew from two percent in 2005 to 44 percent in 2012.”

      Spray foam roofing offers one of the most immediate ways to help building owners cut down on energy costs. It can applied on virtually any type of commercial roof system, and with its high insulation value, a spray foam roof system is among the greatest energy-saving and cost-cutting commercial roof systems out there.

      Why Spray Foam Roofing?

      foam roofingWe covered the extensive benefits of spray foam roofing and took a look at roof spray foam problems in previous blog posts. In reality, spray foam roofing has been a highly trusted commercial roofing solution for around 50 years. Its energy-saving benefits, long life expectancy, and high-performance ability are a handful of many attractive features. A person only needs to take a quick look at the slew of advantages associated with spray foam roofing, particularly a spray polyurethane foam roof, to realize its appeal for commercial roofing applications:

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      • Keeps heat “trapped” inside a building, cutting down on heating costs
      • Eliminates air infiltration, the leading cause of lost energy and spiked energy costs
      • Usually costs 15-50 percent less to install and maintain over 40+ years than other roof membrane systems
      • Works well in all types of weather and climates
      • Capable of being applied to virtually all existing roof surfaces
      • Muffles transmitted sound
      • Complete resistance against hurricane-force winds
      • Cuts off drainage problems
      • Strengthens a building’s structural support
      • Hardly any maintenance demands
      • With a white roof coating on top of the spray polyurethane foam application, you can see energy savings of up to 30-50 percent
      • Spray foam roofing cost is minimal over the long run

      In fact, our Conklin spray polyurethane foam roofing system, made up of spray polyurethane foam and a top layer of a white elastomeric roof coating, can pay for itself in 4-7 years with the energy savings it gives. Because of this system’s performance record in all kinds of weather conditions, spray foam contractors have a tremendous market opportunity, especially in regions with colder weather spells. The Conklin spray foam system is also backed by a non-prorated warranty on labor and materials for up to 18 years.

      Access to Spray Foam Equipment at Discounted Rates

      spray foam equipmentAs the spray foam industry continues to grow rapidly, commercial roof contractors who jump into the fray now and establish their reputations as spray foam contractors will prosper in the long run. Whether a roof contractor is new to commercial roofing or is experienced, Choice Roof Contractor Group offers an unbeatable opportunity for entering this growing marketplace through our partnership with Intech Equipment & Supply.

      Based out of the Phoenix with 6 full service locations throughout the U.S., Intech Equipment and Supply is a top national provider of everything that is needed for spray foam applications, inclusive of spray foam insulation systems and spray foam roofing. This great provider offers mobile spray rigs, spray foam insulation products, do-it-yourself insulation kits, spray foam equipment, and more. Because energy-efficient building is on the rise, Intech is fully committed to helping make the United States more “energy-frugal”, and providing affordable solutions for contractors to become involved. Intech’s team is a certified distributor of Graco spray foam equipment, and has been recognized as a top “High-Performance Coatings and Foam” Distributor for Graco due to its contributions to the spray foam industry.

      Other Great Advantages for Spray Foam Contractors

      Intech also offers free, live technical support should a spray foam applicator have any issues or questions. The company has an extensive inventory of supplies and parts available for immediate shipping should the need arise. To talk to Intech, call our favorite technician Dennis Alter at 706-474-1657.

      Choice Roof Contractors benefit from discounted spray foam equipment from our partner (in addition to free lead generation, mentorship, marketing support, and more). Please call 800-670-5583 for special pricing and more information on our nationwide commercial roofing network.

      The Dynamics of Marketing Commercial Roofing Services

      Today, we go over the dynamics of the marketing world for the roofing industry.

      commercial roof marketingMarketing. It is one of those words that roof contractors come across all the time. Despite all of the innovations that have come forward in marketing and advertising, nothing beats the power of word-of-mouth referrals. A stellar reputation for honesty, quality workmanship, and great customer service still goes a long way in any part of the building industry— especially commercial roofing.

      With the timely arrival of new methods of communication, though, interacting with prospects, leads, and customers has become far less difficult. With communication avenues such as social media and texting, the barriers of time and space no longer hold as much sway in whether or not a roofing marketing campaign is effective.

      Consumer surveys now show the power of the Internet in customers’ decision-making process: 98% of Americans say that they look for local businesses online using a search engine. There are 1+ billion active users on Facebook alone in any given month, and every 20 minutes users share 1 million links on Facebook, make 2 million friend requests, and send 3 million messages.

      It is clear that people are interacting on these platforms. With so much “buzz” going on, it makes sense for roofing contractors to be there as well. Otherwise, these missed interaction opportunities mean lost business.

      Roofing Marketing and Opportunities on the Web

      Because so many people are finding these social media platforms and other digital methods of communication so appealing, roofing contractors can take advantage of this hubbub of social activity as well. The foundational principle that stands behind effective marketing strategies with these platforms is no secret, either—to be successful, a roof contractor must simply demonstrate that he is reputable. As is the case with word-of-mouth advertising, reputation is king.

      For solid marketing strategies for roofing contractors, it is optimal to consider the following tips and ideas.

      Three Marketing Tips and Ideas for Roofing Contractors

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        1. Do not ignore the power of having a professional-looking website. Your own website could be your number one source for generating quality leads. Do not be swayed by the promises of “effective” roofing lead generation companies that promise the world but then do not deliver or fall back on their commitments. The best way to attract leads is to show them what you have to offer. A professional-looking website offers that opportunity.

        Make sure that your website is crisp and professional. It should have plenty of quality images that show “before”, “during”, and “after” pictures of your roofing jobs. Make sure that you and your workers are professionally dressed and at work when a photo is taken of your roofing job. Every word on your website should be directed toward informing consumers and enticing them to use your services—elsewise, the wording is not needed. Do not neglect the power of “roofing SEO” either—SEO refers to search engine optimization, or how you get a website at the top of search engines like Google or Yahoo. A well-ranked website can generate lots of free leads who need service immediately.

        2.  Get active on social media like Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. With so many people active on social media, it makes sense for roof contractors to be there as well. It is especially important to become active on Google+. Among many other benefits, being active on Google+ has a direct bearing on how you appear in search rankings on Google, easily the world’s most popular search engine. Google+ social media interactions—and the data behind them—are open to Google’s search ranking algorithms, or the ways Google determines the search rankings of websites. Other social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter do not make their data as accessible, and therefore do not have as direct an impact.

        Becoming active on social media may seem time-consuming. But it does not take much to start out. Post pictures of roofing jobs weekly. Keep your “followers” engaged by issuing personalized messages during key parts of the year, such as the holidays. We offer more tips for navigating social media and making good use of it in a prior blog post, too. Above all, keep in mind two fundamental principles: demonstrate your work quality and examples of quality service, and engage your followers. Do not post updates about your roofing company alone, but also content that will be educational for your followers. You will build up your credibility more that way and won’t get ignored.

        3.  Learn the ins-and-outs of LinkedIn, and leverage it for full advantage. Yes, LinkedIn is another social media platform. Why does this platform deserve mention by itself? Because it is a gold mine for quality leads. At present, there are over 259 million LinkedIn users from over 200 countries across the globe. Many of those users are in the United States, and LinkedIn is the premier social networking platform for professionals. That means that people who are decision-makers or potential referral partners are on there—and likely actively using it.

        Learn how to use this amazing resource for full benefit. Just consider this tip and the potential it can hold for your marketing alone: check out LinkedIn Groups. There are groups or online communities on LinkedIn that are wholly devoted to particular areas or professional focuses. Find the groups or associations that your customer profile demographics fall into, and join them and engage them with quality, educational content. Take time to build “online relationships”, and you may see more leads coming your way than ever before.

        Roofing Contractor Marketing Support and Our Platform

        Contractors join our group for:

        • Network-backed Guarantees
        • Support from Fellow Roofers
        • Group Discount Purchasing
        • Shared Marketing Strategies
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        Should you want professional marketing support behind your roofing company, you can benefit from our partnership with Top Roof Marketing, the only nationwide marketing firm focused exclusively on commercial roofing contractor marketing. Among other things, their team does SEO, roofing websites, social media, direct mail, and more.

        For other effective roofing marketing ideas, give us a call at 800-670-5583. We will be happy to help you with your needs and show how we support our members with our full-service platform.

        We also offer a free commercial roofing e-book filled with information on how to build and maintain a strong, profitable roofing business.

        The Benefits of a Cool Roof

        cool roof benefit exampleToday we build on prior blog posts about energy-efficient buildings and the ENERGY STAR program and its role in qualifying cool roof systems. At present, Americans spend about $40 billion in annual building cooling costs— one-sixth of the electricity generated in the United States each year. One option that has emerged as a way of containing energy costs is the “cool roof system”—which provides great reflectivity for lower A/C costs. But how exactly does the cool roof system provide benefits?

        Below, we take a quick look at how a cool roof can benefit building owners and human populations as a whole.

        The Cool Roof and Its Consumer Benefits

        • Cool roofs have high reflectance and emittance values. Emittance values and reflectance values are formal terms for how much heat a roof is able to release, and how much of the sun’s energy a roof is able to reflect as light back into the sky. The Cool Roof Rating Council, a leading non-profit, third party organization that measures and certifies energy-efficient roofing, says that “cool roofing” is able to reflect and emit a substantial amount of the sun’s energy. Because of its great emittance and reflective properties, a cool roof therefore keeps heat from transferring to a building below, where it will be taxing on an air conditioning system. As a result, building owners enjoy a comfortable interior space during the hot summer months and can recoup 10-30% in cooling savings.
        • Cool roofs reduce buildings’ carbon footprint on the environment. Since cool roofs conserve electricity, they play a direct role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the air. When buildings use less electricity for their cooling, power plants generate less electricity and release fewer carbon emissions into the air. Cool roofs’ reflective properties also have a substantial impact on lessening global warming and its effects: instead of transferring the sun’s energy to the building below, a cool roof bounces the heat back into the atmosphere as light. This reflectivity also increases the roof’s lifespan, making it less susceptible to deterioration caused by the sun.
        • Cool roofs raise public standards for environmental well-being and public health. The Cool Roof Ratings Council reports that growing public awareness of the benefits of ‘eco-friendly’ roofing has led to improved building codes and more active “green building” programs across the United States. As these building codes incorporate minimal requirements for roofing products that meet minimal energy-efficiency standards, new buildings are constructed with cool roof systems, and more solar radiation is reflected back into the sky and more absorbed heat released during the day. The end result is improved air quality, which helps cut down on health issues arising from the influence of smog or lasting periods of heat (e.g., heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, or asthma).
        • A cool roof can give a building owner sharp energy savings at electricity demand peaks. A cool roof reduces electricity usage at the hottest periods of the day. As a result, the energy grid does not perform as heavily, and building owners who pay for electricity according to times of usage can see substantial energy savings at peak times of demand for electricity.

        It is clear that a cool roof system can offer a building owner great value: a more comfortable building, less environmentally taxing energy consumption, substantial energy savings, and more. Many roofing product brands build on top of these benefits, though, offering building owners much in the areas of protection and long-term durability.

        cr2

        Conklin Cool Roof Systems and Their Additional Benefits

        roof coating fabricOne such brand is Conklin. Conklin has been a leader in the energy-efficient roofing market since it created the first acrylic roof coating for the commercial roofing industry- an innovation that played a part in propelling energy efficiency as a consumer concern in the nonresidential construction industry. Since its creation of this cool roof coating, Conklin has been a leader in high-performance, energy-efficient roof coating systems for 40+ years. Over 2 billion square feet of roofing have Conklin products applied on them.

        When applied, a Conklin cool roof system is characterized by a seamless impenetrable membrane that lies on top of an existing commercial roof. Because it is seamless, the roof does not have trouble with leaks and even stands up to powerful outdoor extremes such as hurricane-grade winds or hailstorms. The building’s structural support is reinforced, and the old roof has its life extended for decades without the heavy expenses of roof replacement.

        Conklin cool roofs reflect up to 85% of the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, generating heavy energy savings for building owners. A Conklin cool roof system can pay for itself in just five to seven years with these tremendous savings. Plus, all Conklin roof systems are backed by non-prorated warranties covering materials and labor.

        Should you be interested in learning how a Conklin roof system can be of use to your commercial roof and save you money, give us a call at 800-670-5583. We will be happy to schedule a free roof estimate with a roof contractor in the group.

        The Place of ENERGY STAR® in Determining Cool Roofs

        cool roofToday we build on top of our blog post about “The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Buildings”.

        Cost reduction is a top priority for any business owner or facility manager. With the appearance of energy-efficient building materials in the construction industry, consumer interest has increased in what energy-efficient roofing (or “cool roofs”), among other materials, can do for cutting costs.

        The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) ENERGY STAR® program has been of particular benefit in labeling roof systems that are energy-efficient. But what exactly is the ENERGY STAR® program? And why has it become so relevant in the construction industry? We take a look at some answers below.

        What is ENERGY STAR®?

        According to EnergyStar.gov, ENERGY STAR® is an EPA-established “voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.”

        In its legislation in 2005, the Energy Policy Act, Congress declared ENERGY STAR® to be a “voluntary program to identify and promote energy–efficient products and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary labeling of or other forms of communication about products and buildings that meet the highest energy efficiency standards.” Since then, thousands of ENERGY STAR® products and services have been brought to market.

        American consumers and investors have also adopted stronger consumer commitments to energy-efficient products and services. The public’s knowledge of ENERGY STAR® is shown by the fact that approximately 85 percent of the American public today recognizes the program’s blue label.

        “ENERGY STAR Roofs”- Earning Qualification

        energy starFor a product or building to be qualified for the ENERGY STAR® logo, it must meet EPA-implement third party testing and certification. The ENERGY STAR® program makes use of testing, third party review, and compliance screening for strengthening consumer trust of qualified products and buildings meeting high energy-saving requirements. Generally speaking, the program breaks down products and buildings into four categories, with products having its own “Products” category and buildings being broken down into “New Homes”, “Commercial Buildings”, and “Industrial Plants” categories. Over 4.5 billion qualified products have been sold in the program’s 20 years of existence, and at present over 1.4 million new homes and over 20,000 facilities have the program’s blue logo.

        These categories are where the program becomes relevant to the construction industry. Industrial plants must be certified and approved by a professional engineer to meet energy performance score of 75 or higher. They must also pass an EPA compliance screen test. For qualification, commercial buildings must achieve an energy performance score of 75 or higher on Portfolio Manager, an online tool for measuring building energy efficiency, and be verified by a qualified licensed professional.

        According to the program, around 40 percent of commercial building space is benchmarked for energy efficiency by the program’s Portfolio Manager tool.

        Cool Roofs and Energy-Efficient Buildings

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        • Roof maintenance & repair
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        Since it is the building part closest to the sun, the roof plays a big role in the determination of whether a building is energy-efficient. Roofs that have dark colors absorb the sun’s heat and then transfer the heat to the building below. That means that more air conditioning has to be used to keep the building cool. Americans spend almost $40 billion a year cooling their buildings, according to the program.

        For ENERGY STAR® qualification, roofing products must meet “initial and aged solar reflectance values”, or certain rates of reflectivity at different portions of their lifecycle. Another concern the ENERGY STAR® program maintains is a roofing product’s “emittance”, or its “ability to release absorbed heat.” Values between 0% and 100% are used to measure emittance and reflectivity. Roofing products do not have to meet emittance requirements for qualification, but the EPA is looking at adding it as a requirement block for ENERGY STAR® qualification. Most roofing products have emittance values above 85%, with the exception of metal surfaces.

        Cool roofs certified by ENERGY STAR® are said to reflect a greater portion of the sun’s rays than less energy-efficient products. Because of this, they can lower rooftop temperatures by up to 100° and reduce maximum-point cooling demand by 10-15%. Many roofing brands meet these qualifications, but some stand out for other benefits.

        The Conklin Company and High-Performance Cool Roofs

        Conklin’s cool roof systems have been found to recoup energy savings that are so great, building owners find their cool roof systems can pay for themselves in just 5-7 years. These cool roofs reflect up to 85% of the sun’s heat and harmful UV rays.

        In addition to great energy efficiency, Conklin cool roofs are known for providing a seamless membrane across an old roof. The end result is that the old roof is protected from the sun’s deteriorating effects, harsh weather conditions, small and large leaks, and the other roofing issues that arise. In fact, Conklin has been the leading innovator in the cool roof systems market since it created the first acrylic roof coating back in the mid-1970s.

        The Conklin Advantage for Your Needs

        Conklin_RSShould you be interested in learning how a Conklin roof system can benefit your needs, give us a call. Be sure to ask about the commercial roofing industry’s only non-prorated warranties of up to 20 years backing our Conklin roof systems. These warranties cover all materials and labor for their coverage periods.

        When to Inspect a Commercial Roof

        roof-rusting2Over time, all roofs experience wear-and-tear or aging. Prolonged exposure to the sun, inclement weather such as heavy rainstorms, leaks forming from water infiltration between seams—these are just a few of the many factors that take their toll on a roof. When problems with a roof arise—even small ones—they demand a prompt response.

        But the roof is often the last thing on a building owner’s mind. It’s also common for the person in charge of the building to try going without servicing the roof for as long as possible in order to save money. However, if it is to last for its service life or beyond, the roof needs regular inspection and frequent maintenance.

        How often then should a roof be inspected? Below are listed some good steps for action.

        When Should a Roof Be Inspected?

        • A visual inspection of the roof should be done at least twice a year. Roofing studies have documented that a roof will last for only one-half of its life if it is not regularly inspected and maintained. A visual inspection will identify existing roof problems, help determine of any subtle issues are at play, and provide a baseline for a roof’s lifespan. A roofing professional who is well-trained in effective roof inspection practices, diagnostics, and repairs is best-suited for making a good visual inspection. The inspector will also need to be highly familiar with the layout, installation and repair, and types of failure particular to the roof system to be examined. More information about the steps involved in a roof inspection can be found in our prior blog post about roof inspections.
        • In general, roof inspections should be timed before and after seasons of severe weather. Depending on the climate of your area, you should have your roof inspections done once before the period with the most severe weather, and then afterward as well. In northern parts of the United States, it is optimal to schedule inspections before and after the wintertime. In these areas, roofs typically experience the most damage from winter storms and the weight of gathering precipitation. In warmer parts of the United States, it is best to schedule roof inspections before and after the summertime. In hotter weather, a roof expands in response to thermal shock. For gauging the effect of thermal energy on your roof, it is optimal to have roof inspections done before and after the peak heating season.
        • Non-visual inspections such as infrared scans should be completed according to the roof’s unique requirements. Non-visual inspections should never replace visual inspections. However, they can be highly complementary to the visual scan, as they can identify subtle issues such as hard-to-detect leaks, note the presence of moisture below a roof surface, and provide a greater, in-depth look at a roof’s status. These inspections should be timed in coordination with visual inspections so that the building owner and staff have good knowledge of their roof’s condition year-round. However, it is recommended that the roof’s condition and age, as well as factors such as how much foot traffic goes on the roof, be taken into consideration when scheduling non-visual inspections.
        • A roof “housekeeping” schedule will vary depending on the roof system used, but can be as often as a quarterly-to-monthly basis. Some roof systems are engineered for fewer maintenance and upkeep requirements than others available on the market. Conklin roof systems are such an example. However, other roofs require more attention, and the more a roof is maintained, the longer it will last for the long term. In general, experts recommend that a building staff account for a roof’s condition, the presence of any debris, any potential trouble, and other points of consideration on a monthly-to-quarterly basis. Consulting with a qualified, experienced roofing professional about your roof needs is best for determining how often your roof should be minimally examined. Also, be aware that some roof warranties come with inspections in their coverage period. Never settle for relying upon your warranty as an alternative to having your roof regularly inspected and maintained; neglecting to do so may even negate your roof’s warranty coverage.

         

        Call us today at 800-670-5583 to get a free roof estimate. While doing so, do not forget to ask about the non-prorated warranties that cover materials and labor for Conklin roof systems.