Which professional associations do you recommend?

I'm trying to figure out if I should join a builder's association or roofer's association. Years ago, I was a member of the builders association. My primary reason for joining was to get a group health plan for my employees and myself.

Any suggestions?

Another reason to join for those of you that advertise on the internet would be to have a link to your website from the associations website. The more reputable sites that link back to yours helps to rank your site higher during web searches. But that is just a business decision. Maybe the additional cost is justified if it generates more web traffic. If your company is well established and receive jobs mainly off of word of mouth then I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Some homeowners get a better feeling about association memberships and manufacture certifications.

Possibly a builders association so you could meet more contractors and discuss bidding there work.

I don't have any use for assoc's any longer....Did join the NRCA years & years ago when I first started.....Did receive some valuable info....I would recommend it to the newbiie....then, decide on your own....

Ditto the above comments....In my HBA's, BBB's, local trade assoc.'s/HBA's are only helpful if you work at it and need the possible contacts....I tried to stay with the local trade assoc, but just couldn't stand the cess-pool....The old saying justa keeps comming to mind....Ya know..."If ya swim in chit long enough, some's bound to rub off on ya"....

absolutely true,You wouldn`t want to network with people in your trade area,who would likely be bidding against you, Basic object of networking is to have one of each trade,that can pass off to the others without worry of over competitiveness in the group

This was posted by someone, wiser about the roofing business than me.

TW- in another thread you asked about joining an association

just my opinion- but I don't think you really want to associate with roofers- you want to associate with potential customers-many social organizations would be great for that- but in my opinion- the HBA or a roofers association would be virtually worthless.

you mentioned joining one back home for medical benefits for employees at one time?- don't laugh-but a city boy like has got a good deal through our local Farm Bureau for workers comp. etc.- my accountant/payroll service set up a deal so I am in a group with a bunch of aggie typesetc.- much lower premiums than a group made up of roofers( see what I mean- you don't wanna really assosiate with roofers.)

Thanks Stephen

That makes total sense Raven. Thanks.

I would start with your local or regional roofing association. It is good for networking and getting update/s on what going on with OSHA, Worker's Comp, Legislation, Etc. You can write it off on your taxes and your insurance provider will normally give you a discount on your rates if you are a member.

NRCA seems like the logical choice. I've never been a member. As a small residential contractor I just don't see myself getting much out of it. But like MikeH always says- You won't get out anything if you don't put anything into it. or something to that effect. I joined the MRCA for a safety policy. But dropped it after that. Joined the local Home Builders group for a couple of years for some of the educational programs and because I was doing work for the President of the Remodelers part, but they seem to have gone to hell with the economy.