Intro

Hello folks My name is Brian..Just introducing and hope to meet other individuals from this field ( I never wanted as a career )for insight and on occasion advice. After 25yrs of roofing I've finally accepted that it IS my career. I know Tile,slate and of course shingle had the good fortune as well to learn Tpo,modified and good ole' hot tar.I take alot of pride in my work ,mostly in my metal work.Over the last 12yrs I learned something new about myself.I'm good at sales and enjoy them.I've been lurking around listening to the forums and such .Some real craftsmen here and it seem to be harder and harder to find them...As I have gotten older it's gotten harder to do the physical end of the work..So I"m lucky I'm good at the sales end of it!!!Sold alot of residential and commercial just tired of dealing with the whole crew thing..Lately been pushing and net-working in the effort to meet more ppl in the same position..Want to make the transition from contractor to Estimator or project planner..Wish me luck guy's not sure what I expec.Perhaps there are others of you who have reached the same stage in your lives..I'm 41 and have a GREAT family just want MORE for them..

I have read and re-read all of you guy's replies to my intro...My past feelings were out of frustration..Everyone of you guy's said the same thing and I'm going to listen to your advice..Gonna keep 2 casual guy's,gonna be more selective and discerning about what roofs and client I will take care of..I'm gonna back out of the larger commercial arena and run screaming to the hills if I get asked anymore to do the governmental work....Think gonna raise my prices and concentrate on investing more into modernizing my company and selling of bunch of the extras well as setting money back into money market and other avenue's for my long term..Thank you and God Bless

welcome Poppy,I basically feel the same as Mike--If you charge what you need to make,a one crew company can be very profitable,and have a great reputation,,Doesn`t seem like there`s too many that do both(great reputation+craftsmanship),,That said,I would only have guys running my crews that have survived the "gauntlet",and shined while doing so

---Hi, Brian. You have a lot of potential with your pretty broad experience. I have friends who are worth well over a million from roofing with a small crew and running the biz themselves over 20 years. ---I am 61 and still working on the roof. Tomorrow I will work on the tear off crew. I haven't slowed down when I roof but I just don't work as many days as I used to. I also turn down the 2 story 12/12 roofs I once did in my 20's. I like the freedom to come and go. ---We make a good profit because of a lower overhead and things move fast when I am on the roof. I can still tear off an entire 8 hour day but I won't do that 5 days in a row. I like physical work and I feel better when I am active. ---Estimators can do well in the right situation. ---Good luck. Lanny

Hi Brian, welcome. Right now probably isn't a good time to try to get into management of a larger roofing company. Most probably have people that they've laid off they'd hire before trying someone new. If you're in a position that you could hold out for a better market to return, I'd say wait.

My peak earning years were from 34 through 43. I've still had a couple of good years in my 50's, where I know I've made more than I ever would have working for someone else. After enough years in the business unique opportunities come up from time to time. You have still be out there to take advantage of them.

I say this as I'm rehabbing my back, I should know better than still be moving long ladders while they're extended.

I am 51 and couldn't keep up with Egg. I thought I was pretty good @ sales and running a business.....until I climbed down and started running a business. :(

Hi Brian, Welcome aboard. I get tired of the "whole crew thing" all the time but can't see a better path. Are you thinking of closing the business to sell for someone else? Or could you reorganize? Maybe hire a project manager to run the production end of the business. Best advise I can think of is to keep at it and weighing all of the options. At 41 you still have a lot ahead of you. Things have a way of working out well if you continue to work at it.

I'm sixty-three. It must be the genes. I can't imagine anything more unpleasant than hanging around roofs after hanging up the bags. The only way to make a proper point is to show them. Craftsmen have always been hard to find. Hang down your head and cry every time one of the rare ones gives it up. Middle managers are a dime a dozen and the tongue puts a person on a perpetual downward slide. This side of the grave, the greatest magic is producing something real. Don't give it up unless you can't do it anymore.