Let’s say you’re a skilled roofer with years of experience and are ready to take your passion to the next career level by starting your own business. Well, despite your drive and determination, you’re unsure of where to begin.
This uncertainty is something that has made lots of skilled roofers reconsider their dreams of entrepreneurship. But don’t let the stress and concerns stop you from following your dream. By taking measurable and simple steps towards your goal, you can quickly be on your way to opening your own business.
Below are 6 easy steps for starting your own successful roofing business:
1, Create a Business Plan
Before you can start gaining clients and purchasing equipment for any business, you need to create a business plan. A business plan provides a step-by-step blueprint of everything you need to do to launch your business. It will assist you in thinking through important decisions to ensure you are on the right track.
What are your goals?
To truly succeed and grow your business, you must establish goals. Potentially, this could be based on the number of clients you obtain, the number of roofs you complete, or how much you’re able to expand your business through staffing and projects.
Whatever your goals are make sure to determine them at the beginning of the process, so you can remain focused.
How do you plan to fund your business?
Generally, small businesses are funded through a combination of personal savings and business loans. Evaluate your start-up costs and labor to gain a clear understanding of how much money you will need. Once you have a concrete number, supplement your money with a loan to start your business with the necessary funds.
What will you charge for your services?
By determining the price of labor and materials for a roofing project, you can get a better idea of how much you should charge your clients. In addition, research other roofing businesses in your area to see what they charge and compare your potential prices.
2, Consider Your Tax, Legal, and Insurance Obligations
Starting a business requires understanding important rules and requirements related to taxes, legal matters, and insurance policies. Roofing is a dangerous business, so you must ensure that your business and your employees are covered.
For your employees, you may also want to consider proper training for your construction business. According to OSHA, falls are the number one cause of death in construction. That’s the biggest reason why OSHA created its Fall Prevention Campaign in an effort to prevent falls.
Consult accountants, lawyers, and insurance agents to fully grasp the type and amount of safeguards you need in place to protect your roofing business.
3, Obtain the Proper Licenses and Permits
Before your business can accept and begin any roofing projects, your company must have the proper licenses and permits. To obtain these important certifications, research what is required for the area where your business is located. Consider consulting professionals or other roofers if you need further assistance.
4, Purchase Necessary Equipment
Purchasing equipment is an expensive investment that must be made before you can open your roofing business. Tools you will need include:
- Roofing hammer
- Roofing knife
- Tape measure
- Hammer stapler
In addition to these tools, you will also need transportation for you and your team. Trucks are an excellent form of transportation because they provide ample storage space for your roofing equipment. However, purchasing a truck can be expensive, so contemplate how renting a truck could be a better financial solution for you to help you meet your project needs.
5, Build Relationships in Your Community
Cultivating relationships with potential clients and suppliers could prove beneficial for you in the long run. The more people you know in the community and the roofing business, the easier it will be for your business to gain real traction.
Reach out and work with individuals to build mutually beneficial relationships for you and your business.
6, Market Your Business
Once you have a plan, protection, equipment, and connections, you can launch your roofing business. However, if you want to ensure that your roofing business succeeds, don’t neglect to create a marketing strategy. If people are unaware of your business, services, and quality, you will not gain enough clients to stay in business.
Research methods for marketing your business and letting the community know who you are. This could be accomplished through building a website, being active on social media, and becoming an integral member of the community. If you need assistance in creating a marketing plan, consider consulting a professional.
Opening a roofing business can be overwhelming. There are so many steps and factors to consider before you can even begin working on roofs. By following these simple steps, you can create a strategy that will guarantee success and relieve stress when you decide to take the leap and start your own business.
Additional resources:
- Starting a business? Connect with Cerity to learn how to further protect your enterprise