Want to learn more about the roofing biddin process can any one help me .

What kind of training classes can I get have experience doing all kinds of roofs but now I want to learn more about this

The only thing the suppliers here push is cheap labor....

Really?????

I would talk to a supply company they will be more than willing to help you bid jobs and will teach you a little. ABC Supply company was a big help when we started our business and needed help starting out.

OLE Willie Said:

Just a little over 40 bucks a square huh?

The only way to survive on this little is to get so fast that workmanship and care is ignored. Tragically, the average homeowner would not know a quality roof if it slapped them in the face.

Juan salas Said: What kind of training classes can I get have experience doing all kinds of roofs but now I want to learn more about this

You need to know a little geometry to figure the area of the roof and you need to know 4th grade math so you can add up your costs and how much you want to earn. Now if you want to succeed in business, get an MBA or suffer through the school of hard knocks.

There are two kinds of people. Those who have character and those who are characters. The former can not be taught.

Simply know your costs.....i.e., Direct labor burden in California is currently around 100%, whereas in Colorado, it's half that.....

To get back to Juans' original request.

If you have the work experience to know how long a roof takes to inctall, then you have a starting basis. Figure how much you think you will need for labor. Add at least 10 to 20% to that. Price out your costs for materials and add at least 20% to that. Now you're left with figuring out roof area. Until you are confident of your abilities to measure area, use a satelite measuring company (Eagleview) to double check your figures. Good luck.

More advice;

Twill gave the best advice.....But if you just can't help yourself.....

Locale'; Do you plan to do busuness in a state with or w/o contractor licensing?

Most western states, west of the continental divide, have fairly legit state licensing, IMHO, your odds for success, are much more favorable, if you run an ethical operation.

States w/o state licensing; You must make a decision;

A)Residential.....A definite "racket"....Mostly insurance game for re-roofing, and illegal "pseudo-subs", as employee base for labor in new construction, as well as re-roofing....Not for the timid.

or 'B') Commercial/industrial/Government.....This seems to be fairly legit, on the employee side of things....Very "clicky" thoughout the industry, (both material manufactures, as well as the relevent, limited client base), can be a struggle, for the otherwise deserving, budding, entrepreneur. You'll need sales skills.

JMHO

So called sub-contractor rate here is $40 per square for a 1-layer tear off, felt and shingle back. Thats for a walkable roof. The "alleged" sub has to pay for all tools, landfill, gas, workers comp, etc. etc. ( If he were running his business legally, he would also be matching payroll taxes, etc. )

Try hiring 5 or 6 employees, paying them 20-30 dollars per hour, matching their payroll taxes, retirement plans, covering them all with workers compensation insurance and the company with GL insurance, furnishing all the trucks, tools, equipment, gas, landfill, all auto insurance. etc. etc. and tell me how much all that comes up to?

Just a little over 40 bucks a square huh?

From what I can gather, this trade has always been about beating up your labor. The SOB's waded into a well established tradition.

Nowadays, with the Ivy Leaguers passing themselves off as legit contractors and the roofers jumping for joy over the 1995 rates, it is getting worse, We are far from hitting bottom.

The smart money is on getting out of this trade and not getting into it.

For the original poster, most folks are looking at what is on the paper (FREE!) as opposed to what is on the roof. There is no money in the going rate, (Ins Pricing) for equipment, insurance or retirement......let alone taxes and rent. So good luck with being #7 on the list of 10 estimates the owner is getting.

Good Friggin' luck ....or however you say that in the language of your choice. Hopefully your wife has a swell job.....

Guess my comments came across wrong. No intention of ridiculing Mr. Salas, nor would I assume, he's here illegal.

BTW; I was born & grew up in California: Roofing & General Contractor, from 1983-1992.

I have no beef with the illegal aliens.....I would imagine, most of us, in similar situations, would do the very same thing.....My beef is with our government, that perpetuates the employment of illegals....Which, as we all know, results in the low wages and further alienation of our own workforce.

Here's some advice for Mr. Salas; - Know your costs & add your desired profit. Thats all there really is to it.

OK, now you made the boss mad.

So we pride ourselves here in the Forum as being a support system to each other. A person comes in asking for advice to become a better roofer and we ridicule him.

We are making assumptions that he is not legally here. You don't know that. Don't get me wrong, I live in California where all our billboards are in Spanish and there are truckloads of 'illegal aliens' at every Home Depot. I believe that English should be the official language of California. Don't be mad at the illegals stealing your work, be mad at the guys hiring them. If you don't put out birdseed you won't get birds.

Some idiot was on my Facebook the other day bragging about how he 'works his Mexicans'. They are not slaves they are just looking for a better life than the bullet riddled country they come from. I am not advocating open borders or hiring illegals. But I have lived in California my entire life, I have been over the border and I have a birds eye view of this entire situation. Our 90 Roofing Supply locations in my 100 mile radius have to have Spanish speaking counter people or they can't help their customers. You don't know how refreshing it is that someone is trying to communicate in English!

In Summary, a guy tries to speak English and ask for help and 'learn English' is the answer you give him?

Now do me a favor and give this guy some advice - IF he ever comes back!

First, I would like to apologize for my "one-dimensional" approach.....

If you have to ask.....Maybe your not ready.

Yes.....Learn to communicate in english well, it is the earths' international business language.

BTWS; Why do so many, refer to illegals', as "hispanics"?

Just a thought......The new word for liberal is "progressive".....The old carraige horses with blinders on, could be used as an appropriate analogy.....Progressive/moving forward, intentionally, or not so intentionally, oblivious to periphereal activities, which could potentially cause harm, or, on the other hand; Shield view(s) of possible opportunities.....But that's simply a "one-dimensional" approach.....

Je parle francais, und ich kann Deutsch sprechen. Learning english will help him to make professional bids.

Two most important factors will be accurate measuring/preparedness and ability to talk/negotiate with the homeowners. If you struggle with any of this the homeowner will detect it right away and your chances of landing the job will be minimal!