The Roofing Industry Needs A Publicist

The people with leaky roofs find my ads that read "Roofing Repair Specialist since 1985."

They aren't looking for labor. They already had that and this is why the roof is leaking. Now they want someone with experience who knows what they are doing. A professional is in order. Any labor involved is just a necessary evil.

On the smaller jobs, I often tell the client that I will do the actual work on the roof for free but to help cover my cost to stay in business, making the trip to and from the site in metro traffic, detective work of finding out what the issue is, the problem solving involved with coming up with the proper solution, rounding up the proper quality materials and giving a guarantee that the problem will be solved for good will be $ xxxx Amount. ;)

That's odd you should say that Vickie, because my brother and I, both roofers, make fun of everybody that doesn't do manual labor. all the time. but then everybody knows we own an MMA gym too. so they just sit there and take it.

Its fun at Becky's get work togethers or parties, I get to make fun of all the guys...that have women jobs !!

My generation was constantly preached at by everybody saying that without a college education, you were basically worthless in the world. I think it's horse crap. The people that didn't go to college instantly felt like they were going to be at Taco Bell forever unless they could go to college on the side. They've been taught the only way to make a decent living is by going to college.

I think that all kids shouldn't be pushed to go to college. Mainly it's a waste of mommy & daddy's money, the kids time, and a waste of our government resources. More kids should come out of high school with the yearn to get a job PUSHING A WHEELBARROW for a year or two and then moving up in the organization to actually learn a craft. Some kids will never benefit from college, and those that get a degree but still don't know sh*t only lessen the value of the degree of those who did well.

Don't get me wrong, college helps a lot of kids but a lot of that schoolin' should be completed in high school.

Whoops, end rant before I really get going.

Good points, Vickie.

As for my dad, it's self-induced. When he is try to be self-deprecating, he is fond of saying: Those who can't dig ditches, roof. He doesn't think that, he just likes saying it.

My dad is really smart and had a lot of career options. He was a claims manager then owned his own adjusting office before becoming a roofer. My son has a Texas Tech business education, then became a fireman for 6 years, then wanted to be a roofer. He had tons of choices, he chose roofing.

Maybe part of our image problem is intentional - always selling the other guy on why he shouldn't enter the roofing business (and become competition).