So, you have worked in the roofing business for a number of years under a licensed roofer and now you want to strike it out on your own. Perhaps you are moving to a new area where there is a shortage of roofing companies or maybe you just want to be your own boss. If you are serious about starting your own business, in Indiana for instance, there are several things you should know before making final plans and starting your own business in Indiana. You might want to consider this a checklist of sorts to see if you have what it takes to launch a successful roofing business.

Dealing with Government Regulations

You may have heard your boss grumble from time to time that an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) inspection didn’t go so well and that the company was slapped with a huge fine. What you may not be privy to is that each violation can come with a monetary penalty to the tune of $12,934 each and then willful or repeated violations can run a company up to $129,336 per violation. That is a sum which can put literally any roofer out of business. If you want to avoid those hefty fines, read about the Top OSHA Violations and How You Can Avoid Them.

Expertise Isn’t Always Enough

Just because you have become a master roofer and are a member of the United Union of Roofers doesn’t always mean that you have what it takes to start your own company. Do you have:

• The mindset of an entrepreneur?
• Enough financial backing to get at least the basic equipment?
• Marketing know-how or money to advertise your new company?

• The required licenses and permits (which can range from federal, state, city and industry levels) to do business as…?

• Insurance you will need by law?

Don’t forget that there are several kinds of insurance such as liability which you must carry if you are going to operate as a business. This is something you may not be aware of since your boss probably didn’t discuss this aspect of the business with employees.

The General Public Knows More Than You Give Them Credit For

Homeowners and businesses alike are getting savvier by the day. Most people know how easy it is to see if your company is compliant with safety codes and when it comes to roofing, and this is extremely important. Once you have been found to be in violation of an OSHA guideline, your company is in danger of being listed on the OSHA website, and any subsequent violations will be listed as well. Not only will this discourage new business, but it can land you in a world of trouble financially, as mentioned above.

If you feel that you meet all the qualifications and have the financial backing to launch your own company, the one thing you want to always remember is that safety is paramount for success. Few contractors will face the dangers that roofers will and so if you want to run an ongoing lucrative business, you must keep safety as a top priority. Income is important, but without following the utmost in safety precautions, all that income can be eaten up and you could be forced to close your doors. Safety as a contractor runs deeper than what you learned as a craftsman, so focus on this and everything else should fall nicely into place.