How Much Do Roofing Contractors Make A Year

What Are The Top 10 Highest Paying States For Roofer Jobs

As you can see from the hourly and yearly salary averages listed above, average roofer pay amounts can vary quite a bit from state to state. From a higher cost of living to a larger demand for roofing professionals, here are the 10 highest paying states for roofing professionals.

Industries That Require Roofers

Back in 2011, about 92% of the US roofers worked for foundation, building exterior, and structure contractors that make about $18.44 every hour or $38,350 every year. But, the highest roofers salary was in wholesalers of lumber and some construction materials with average salary of $28.11 every hour or $58,470 every year. The work suffers from one of the highest rates of illness and injury of any occupation. Roofers could fall or get burned by some hot roofing products.

Wood Or Cedar Shake Roof Cost

The national average for wood or cedar shake roofing is between $12,000 and $16,000, or $800 per square. The anticipated life span for most wood shake roof installations is between 30 and 40 years.

Wood shake is available in a range of thicknesses, which will affect the price as well as the protection they offer. Additional treatments are available for a class C fire rating at $0.85 per square foot, and a wood shake roof will require maintenance to clean off debris before the rainy season starts to prevent mold and moss accumulating. While they are most commonly made from cedar, followed by spruce and treated pine, you can also get synthetic cedar shake like Brava Cedar Shake from Brava which have a 50-year lifespan and requires no maintenance.

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Interview With A Roofer

Read as Matt Glass talks about his career as a Roofer. Find him at www.jandjroofing.com and on his Twitter feed in the sidebar of this interview.

What do you do for a living?

I am a licensed contractor, in the roofing trade.

How would you describe what you do?

My job is running an entire business, in every sense of the word. We have all the pitfalls and concerns of any major business. We have around 25 crew with about 10 admin staff so while we are not large, were big enough to sort of have it all.

Whats a typical work week like?

I used to work long hours, 6 days, all that nonsense, but really, its not advisable and youll burn the candle at both ends and burn out if you do that. I usually get in the office at 9am and leave by 4pm. As a contractor, I spend 90% of my time at a desk. In a big city like this and when you have 5 crews running, its impractical to run around and be at all these jobs so you just make sure you have good foreman and a good overall supervisor and I play coach from the desk, fielding any major issues but mostly, I am trying to sell more jobs. It takes a lot of fuel to feed an engine with 25 crew.

How did you get started?

I was lucky, my father was roofing and had a very small business going with a partner when I jumped in so, family biz.

What do you like about what you do?

I like the idea that I provide good jobs for hard working Americans. Thats a good feeling.

What do you dislike?

How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

Record Number Of Apprentices But Demand Still Strong

The number of apprentice roofers has grown steadily but there are still not enough qualified roofers to meet demand. Around 80% of roofing apprenticeships are offered by members of the Roofing Association of New Zealand.

You can increase your chances of getting a roofing apprenticeship if you have:

• a good attitude to work, good time management skills, and are willing to learn
• completed a Gateway or pre-trade programme
• the ability to use hand and power tools
• building or other trades experience
• a tertiary qualification but want to retrain in roofing.

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How Much Does Home Depot Roofing Cost Per Square

A recent quote from Home Depot for replacing a 2,000 square foot roof with a new asphalt roof was $21,481 which is $1,074 per square, or $10.74 per square foot. Another quote from Lowes for a 1,650 square foot home was $16,800, which is $1,018 per square or $10.18 per square foot. Both houses had a pitch in the region of 5/12.

How To Avoid Roofing Scams

All too often, a homeowner does not know if the quotes he is getting from local pros are fair. As a result, some roofers take advantage of this lack of information, and charge unreasonably high pricesand some homeowners end up paying:(

Here is a telling example from my business:

I was doing an estimate the other day, and the client showed me a quote he got from another contractor. Besides a ridiculously high price , what struck me the most was the difference in price between 3-tab and architectural lifetime shingles .

For 3-tabs , the price was $14790 , and for lifetime architectural shingles, it was $16500 . So what gives?

Why is there a $1710 difference between the two quotes?

Do architectural products cost $77 more per square?

The truth is, the roofer was taking the homeowner for a ride, trying to sell a premium package for an unjustified up-charge.

While Im not judging the other contractor its their business I want to inform homeowners of the real price difference between the two. So when you are getting roof replacement quotes, you will know how much premium upgrades really cost.

As you will see below, the $77 / square up-charge was completely unjustified. The cost difference between 3-tab and laminated shingles is only $10 per square, while ALL other components of the system, as well as the installation costs are the SAME.

Thus, the difference should be maybe $300-500 not $1700!

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Work Environment For Roofers

Roofers hold about 153,700 jobs. The largest employers of roofers are as follows:

Roofing work is physically demanding because it involves climbing, bending, kneeling, and heavy lifting. Roofers work outdoors in extreme temperatures, but they usually do not work during inclement weather.

Although some roofers work alone, many work as part of a crew.

Roofing Labor Cost Per Square

With a few different variables at play, roofing labor is generally between $1.50 and $3.00 per square foot. If your roofing professional is using Per Square in the bid , their prices for labor will reflect this multiplied out by 100 to show between $150 and $300 per square. According to the United States Census, the average roof is 17 squares or about 1,700 square feet.

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Why Is There Such A Wide Pricing Range For Asphalt Shingles

On the low-end, you may have some roofers underbidding their jobs because they are either desperate for work or they happen to work strictly on volume with razor-thin margins.

For example, a contractor that is just starting out may be more willing to complete a roofing job for less than a more established company would. There are also many smaller companies with no real office and little overhead, hence they can afford to charge less for a job and still be profitable.

Note: A low bid for a roofing job, such as a bid that is significantly less than $3.50 per sq. ft. or $350 per square of shingles, can also come from a so-called weekend warrior or storm chaser who works without any liability insurance and with no workers comp, which could be a liability for the homeowner.

On the high-end of the price range, you may have bids for fully warrantied jobs from larger, highly reputable exterior remodeling companies that only install high-end products from premium brands such as CertainTeed Landmark PRO or premium shingles from Malarkey and have top certifications from their respective manufacturers.

There are many smaller roofing contractors that offer good quality products and quality workmanship at more affordable prices. If you are looking for value and quality, look for certified installers from manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning, and smaller brands like Atlas, Tamko or IKO.

Are There Any Viable Alternatives to Composition Shingles?

Step : Obtain Necessary Permits And Licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a roofing business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBAs reference to state licenses and permits.

For information about local licenses and permits:

• Check with your town, city or county clerks office
• Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

For information about local licenses and permits:

• Check with your town, city or county clerks office
• Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.

Service Agreement

Roofing businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.

Certificate of Occupancy

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Where Do Roofers Make The Most Money

Across the United States, the states with the highest average pay rates for roofing professionals are California, Massachusetts, and New York. These highest averages can be attributed to the fact that the general cost of living in these states and the demand for roofers is much higher than in other state locations across the U.S, like Montana, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

However, the roofers who make the most money also have the most individual industry experience and education levels, which are factored in when constructing a pay average for the employee. For example, a novice roofing professional with just a high school diploma is expected to be paid much less on the next job than an industry veteran who has numerous certifications.

Asphalt Shingles Materials And Installation Costs

Many professional roofing contractors employ a 40% materials / 60% labor as their costs-breakdown formula. Of course, this pricing structure is just a guideline not set in stone. Some contractors include their overhead in the cost of labor, while others calculate it separately.

Below is the breakdown of typical costs you can expect for materials and professional installation:

3. Premium Shingles

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Resources To Help Women In Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. Weve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

• Funding
• Guides
• Support

If youre a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

Windows: From $55 Per Square Foot

The cost of replacing your windows depends on the type of material you choose but its one of the exterior upgrades that can save you money. Aluminum windows will set you back from around $55 per square foot, wood or vinyl windows can be from around $75 per square foot and aluminum storm windows can cost between $150 and $250 each. If you want to use the existing frames but install fixed thermal glass, youre looking at around $20 per square foot. Whatever type of window you choose, if youre looking for a rough budget for labour, the average price to install, trim and flash a new five-by-seven-foot window is about $1,000.

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Estimation Software Is Currently Used By 57% Of Roofing Professionals With 43% Utilizing Aerial Measurement

If youre not using some sort of estimation software right now, your roofing company is definitely in the minority. Nearly 60% of roofing professionals currently use estimation software, with another 43% utilizing a tool for aerial measurement. So, while the roofing industry may not be as innovative as other industries, there is still plenty of opportunity for upgrading the tech and solutions roofers use.

Step : Plan Your Business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What are the costs involved in opening a roofing company?

Though a roofing business can be launched from one’s home, additional space will eventually be necessary as the business grows. Storage space must be available to house roofing materials. Additional expenses range from trucks for the transportation of materials to an leasing/purchasing an administrative office, paying for high-speed Internet, utilities and labor costs. Liability and workers’ compensation insurance premiums must also be paid.

What are the ongoing expenses for a roofing company?

Who is the target market?

Roofers tend to favor clients who own property with a flat roof. Roofs with steep angles are much more difficult to work on. Most roofers prefer to do business with individuals who own numerous properties. Establish a business relationship with such an individual and it will likely mean additional projects in the future.

How does a roofing company make money?

How much can you charge customers?

How much profit can a roofing company make?

How can you make your business more profitable?

What will you name your business?

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

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Roofer Salary By Industry

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofers held 160,600 jobs in the United States in 2018, most of them being employed by roofing contractors.

About 20% of roofers were self-employed and 3 percent worked for building constructors.

The average annual wage reported by roofers who worked for foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors was $42,720.

Roofers who worked in the industry of residential building construction earned, on average, $36,790 per year while those who were employed in the field of nonresidential building construction were paid, on average, with $52,440.

The average annual wage was $37,900 for roofers who worked in the field of employment services and $42,170 for those employed by building finishing contractors.

The highest average annual wage was reported by roofers who worked for local governments and by those employed by the federal executive branch.

Local governments paid roofers, on average, with $64,160 per year while the federal executive branch offered a mean average wage of $58,520 per year for this profession.

Salaries also vary depending on other factors, including the roofers experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the starting pay for apprentices is usually 50 percent of what journey workers make.

Your pay as an apprentice will also increase as you advance in your training.

Some roofers, especially entry-level employees, are paid an hourly rate.

* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Roof Replacements Are Perhaps The Most Important Part Of The Roofing Industry Making Up Over 90% Of The Market In Terms Of Both Volume And Value

Roofing replacements make up 94% of the total volume in North American roofing projects, as well as 91% of the value. So why is this? Well, roof replacement is becoming more and more necessary as buildings that were constructed 25-50 years ago lose their integrityparticularly on the roof. Many homes were built during that time period, so it was only a matter of time before they started needing roofing replacements. Of course, homes are continuously being built throughout each decade. For this reason, the roof replacement portion of the roofing industry will continue to dominate in terms of both value and volume.

If youre a roofer that focuses on just storm damage repairs or new roof builds for new homes, then it might be time to consider getting in the roof replacement game. There are plenty of opportunities out there, as well as plenty of money to make.

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What Is A Profit Margin

In simple terms, a profit margin is the amount by which a companys revenue is more than the costs associated with running the business. Therefore, its important to know the exact costs of running your business so that you can make a high profit margin.

To understand profit margin and costs of running your business, lets look at its key determinantsoverhead costs and project costs.

Cenvar Roofing Services Richmond Va

Cenvar Roofing is a Richmond-based roofing contractor. We have 9 years of experience in the roofing industry, and we are proud to serve the Richmond community and surrounding areas. We have completed over 7,000 roof replacements in those 9 years,and that number continues to grow every day. We are proud to say that we have a 4.94 average customer approval rating across all 8 of our branches, 850+ customer reviews on Google, and we maintain an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau! Cenvar Roofing is widely regarded as a premier roofing contractor in the Richmond area, and we are happy to talk with you about how we can best serve your Richmond area home or business roofing needs.

A leaky roof or damaged shingles is a stressful situation, but you dont need to stress about finding the best roofing company to carry out a repair or roof replacement. Cenvar Roofing is here to take care of you. We start by providing FREE roof inspections and quotes. Your roof may be showing signs of larger issues beneath the surface that could turn into huge problems next time a heavy rainstorm comes. Dont wait until you have a disaster call the best local roofers in Richmond! Cenvar Roofing is trusted by families and businesses not just in the Richmond, VA area but all across Virginia. Our goal is to treat each customer as if they were our ONLY customer, and provide an excellent customer experience every time.

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