As long as people need roofs above their heads, roofing as a job will always be in demand. Roofers help people by fulfilling one of the basic needs of humanity, a shelter.
There are a number of reasons why you should consider roofing as a career and this post will discuss just that. It serves a variety of purposes for both yourself and the community and it sure is a fulfilling one knowing that you are offering a helping hand as a huge part of your business.
You can also check out my other article Top 15 Reasons Why Roofing Is Not A Good Job
Why Consider Roofing for a Job?
- You’re doing something significant. Not that there are jobs that don’t matter but there are those that are more significant than the others. By working on roofs, you get to work on something that surely serves a need of a household while at the same time being ensured that you have a market for your service.
- It’s work that’s not exactly repetitive. Roofing is no clerical or administrative work where you go to the same office doing the same paperwork daily. The job required for a roofer depends on a variety of household needs. This would also mean that you get to work on different sites from time to time. From my personal experience the sites we have worked on varied from new construction to a roof replacement on a cabin in the mountains. It is fun to work at a variety of locations. Not to mention, you’ll also be working with a variety of roofing materials which will definitely mix things up and give you room to keep improving your skills.
- It’s a technical skill anyone can learn. Because it is a technical job, you will get to improve more and more skills along the way as it is learnable. You will get to work with different tools, calculate different measurements, and familiarize yourself with different materials. You will also learn more communication and negotiation skills along the way when communicating with clients and working with other professionals. You can enroll in roofing classes that will teach you how to work with some materials. This could be good if you are wanting to specialize in specific materials like TPO, Solar Roofs, Spray-On Roofs, or other unique roofing materials. Most companies though will give you on-the-job training and let you start from the bottom and work your way up.
- It’s a growing industry. Unless every household learns to do their own roofing work, this industry is here to stay and is ever-growing. It is unlikely that this will get replaced by automation, unlike other jobs. It is also predicted that the industry will grow by over 10% in the next decade. Which is a good outlook for job security.
- You’ll make decent pay. Say goodbye to minimum wage because the median income for roofing contractors is around $46,240. Although the rate would be dependent on where you live, it is possible to get a degree-equivalent pay in the roofing industry. It can also increase depending on your skills and experience. If you start your own small successful roofing company, your pay can exceed that of those who got a degree.
- You’re always out of the office. If you’re someone who hates to sit in front of the desk all day just working indoors, then this job could be suitable for you. Since you’ll be working on different roofings, doing different inspections, and construction, you’re sure to always be out and about. It can serve as a good exercise and will provide changes in scenery. Plus it is nice to get some fresh air.
- You can choose to work seasonally. You will want to work in good weather. Extreme weathers make it extra dangerous and so you have the option to work seasonally. Spring and summer and fall are usually the busy and ideal seasons while winter is usually the slower one. You will be able to free up some time for your other interests during the slower time. Or you can extend your roofing company to offer other services in the winter. You can check out my other article to see my suggestions for things that could be done during the winter seasons.
- You don’t have to work a fixed number of hours. Unlike a traditional 9-5 job, your working hours could vary. You can work for shorter or longer hours depending on what is needed. You also don’t have to work extra hours because the moment a job is done, there’s no more “overtime”. This sounds more ideal if you prefer a flexible schedule. The schedule can be unpredictable, but it can also be freeing. This also makes roofing an excellent job for college students who need flexibility between classes.
- You see physical results every time. Some careers take a long while before they allow you to see the fruits of your labor. This would mean the rewarding feeling is prolonged or delayed. With a roofing career, you will get to see your hard work results instantly. At the end of the day, you can turn around and look up at the roof knowing you worked hard and “got crap done”. You will also grow your experience quickly as you get to work on different roofs faster compared to working on other projects.
- Start your own business or work for someone else. You have the option to start your own roofing career or be a laborer to someone else. You will get to be working on the same things and will likely have similar experiences, only the difference is the gravity and the range of the scope. You can also choose to build up experience first before you start your own. I would recommend this because you can learn the ins and outs of the industry first before you jump in and try to conquer it yourself.
- It’s got a career path you can work your way up with. With the amount of scope you can encounter as a roofer, you’re sure to have career growth along the way. You can choose to be an apprentice, then learn more and more skills to expand the work you can perform. You’ll be able to open more work opportunities or gigs or offer more and more services as a roofer the more you grow your skillset.
- You get to work with a team. Unlike other jobs where you can choose to go solo, you will likely be working with a team in the roofing industry. Each member can have his or her own specialty in terms of skill which provides an opportunity for a dream team. You will also work with other professionals in the industry, and you can have the opportunity to build some brotherhood along the way.
- You learn about the innovations in roofing technology. Roofing technology is also evolving, similar to other industries. One example of this is Solar Powered Shingles. In this career path, the more updated your tools and skills are, the more you can provide an updated and efficient service. You will want to keep up with this because, in this way, you can attract more clients and provide them with faster and better work. With these ever-growing innovations, you’re also ensured that your roofing career will stand and can provide a long-term position.
- There are different career paths to choose from. There are different roofer jobs or specialties you can take on. Some of these include being a laborer, a roofer, or a roof repair technician. You can also choose to specialize in specific materials such as being a composition roofer, a TPO roofer, a residential roofer, a sheet metal roofer, or a commercial roofer among others.
- You’ll get a workout done. Because roofing is heavy-duty outdoor work, you are sure to get a workout done, just like other construction-related jobs. You will always be on the go, on the outside, using heavy materials and dealing with possibly heavy equipment. You will also be climbing up and down ladders and slopes. It will help keep you healthy and stay in shape. It’s a great career if you choose to be in one with such physical activity.
What Are The Requirements to Become a Roofer?
Being a roofer does not have a lot of formal requirements, unlike other careers. As long as you have the minimum, you can work your way up to develop skill sets as you go. Each company and state will likely have different requirements but generally, below are the things you need to become a roofer:
- Be over the age of 18
- A high school diploma or something similar
- Sufficient Experience
- A license to practice
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employees who are working on a roof must be at least 18 years old.
Most employers will ask for at least a high school diploma. It’s better to have learned the most fundamental skills in school. Although some companies may not require this. Nonetheless, this will likely benefit you whether or not you choose to become a roofer.
Experience, however, is more likely to be a desirable factor more than formal education. Some of the ways you can gain this experience are through going to a trade school or apprenticeship. Trade schools can help you complete further education that can help you with roofing such as construction management or something related, while apprenticeship programs are on-the-job training that will help you expand your knowledge as you experience the industry.
Some hiring managers may prefer those with completed training. While others may only care that you show up on time and work hard to fulfill the requirements of a project. It is your past experiences that can attest to this.
Getting a license, on the other hand, depends on the state you are in. Each state has different requirements as to how to get a license and if you need a license. But typically, you will be required a certain number of hours of training to pass an exam. Some employers may not require a license but this can help you ensure a position in the field.
Skills to Develop as a Roofer
Part of the benefits of being a roofer is getting to develop a variety of skills. This can help in your career growth or can contribute should you decide to switch trades. Before you become a roofer, you have to be knowledgable or be able to do the following:
- Can be flexible with the schedule
- Can focus and have attention to detail
- Are cautious
- Good at communication
You have to know how to work around your schedule because being a roofer does not follow a traditional work schedule. Having attention to detail, on the other hand, means you can follow safety standards, purchase the right materials, and supervise the other roofers. Cautiousness matters because the nature of it is a dangerous job. Lastly, being communicative means you can effectively communicate with clients and other members of your team and you can resolve conflicts quickly and peacefully with your co-workers.
Are There Any Cons to This?
The 15 listed advantages of roofing as a job are a good amount of reasons to enter the field but each career has its own pros and cons. It is good to take into consideration these precautions as these will always be part of the job. With the given pros, here are some of the cons you could encounter:
- It can be physically demanding. You already know that the work is a workout, so needless to say, it’s physically demanding. Your mind could get heavily involved with all the decision-making and problem-solving but so will your body, with all of the moving and carrying. Being out in the sun can also take a toll if you don’t wear the proper sun protection and hydrate. You can click here to check out my recommended gear.
- Accidents happen. Roofing is dangerous work. Accidents do happen and so safety precautions need to be considered. There are certain roofing tools that help ensure safety and specific clothing you could wear to also protect yourself. This includes things like a safety harness, special roofing shoes, and roofing jacks.
- Work happens even during extreme conditions. Roofing contractors work all year round despite having slow seasons. Roofing defects and needed inspections can’t always be foreseen and therefore the need for your services can’t always be scheduled at a later date. This may include things like doing a leak repair in the middle of the winter season. With this in mind, there are certain precautions you can take but it doesn’t mean that the work would stop.
Being a roofing contractor or a roofer is a fulfilling job. You get to be a part of a strong and growing industry while the potential for your own growth is limitless. Innovations will arise from time to time and so you will never run out of things to learn. With this in mind, you should not ignore the hard part of the work. If you are up for the challenge, then roofing could be the one for you.
Related Questions
Is roofing a good career? Roofing offers you a long-term career. It’s a growing industry which means there will always be a demand for the job. It also pays well, more than minimum wage. As you progress through your career, more opportunities could turn up as you develop more skills. It can also help you move between other trades easily.
What’s it like being a roofer? It’s not an easy profession but it can be a rewarding one. You will be needing the stamina to stand, climb, and walk under all weather conditions. You have to ensure that your construction work is structurally sound and safe to be used which means there’s a huge responsibility. Your services will likely always be needed. It can get busy, but it can definitely be fulfilling.
How much do roofers make? The range of a roofer’s salary normally lies between $33,733 and $41,854, although this would depend on a variety of factors. Factors could include education, certifications, skills, years of experience, and whether or not you own the roofing company. The more you have, the more you could earn.