What it Takes to be a Roofer
Published on Monday December 10, 2018
If you’re interested in a hands-on, rewarding career, becoming a roofing professional might be the job for you. Whether you re-shingle residential homes or install flat roofs on commercial buildings, working as a roofer can be a challenging, yet dynamic job.
The good news is that the roofing business is here to stay. As long as people continue buying homes, the demand for safe, sturdy roofs will only grow.
Wondering what it takes to be a roofer? In addition to some on-the-job training and coursework, there are a few characteristics that are important to consider before you take the plunge.
What Does it Take to be a Roofer?
To become a roofer, you often don’t need formal training, but instead your training is done on the job through an apprenticeship. You also need to be able to meet the physical requirements of the job such as the strength and balance it requires to replace or repair a roof.
Education & Training
Oftentimes, roofers begin their training on the job. However, paid apprenticeships and coursework are also common — and recommended — for individuals looking to get into the roofing business. During training, you’ll learn safety precautions, equipment and tools, roofing materials, and other components of the whole roof system.
While there are no specific licenses or certifications required to become a roofer, other courses that can give you an edge in the industry include mechanical drawing, building and construction, mathematics, and blueprint drawing and reading.
These courses can be taken at a variety of technical and online schools. Most roofers learn the trick of the trade between one month and one year. That timeline can vary, however, based on the complexity of each roof and job site.
According to a survey conducted by Owl Guru, the top five skills and knowledge areas that are most important for roofers include: Building and construction, design, mathematics, education and training, and customer and personal service.
The more you can demonstrate your expertise in those areas, the better chance you have at securing a solid roofing position.
Personal Traits & Characteristics
Whether you work as a general contractor or for a specific roofing company, there are particular personality traits that bode well for this type of career.
According to another survey conducted by Owl Guru, the top five most in-demand characteristics for successful roofers are: Dependability, attention to detail, integrity, concern for others, and self control.
It’s your job as a roofer to protect homeowners, their property, and your fellow roofers. This requires having a dependable, detail-oriented personality. You must be willing to answer any and all homeowner questions, and ensure that you leave their property exactly (if not better) than you found it.
Additionally, it’s no secret that roofing work requires a certain level of physical fitness. Roofers are often tied onto roofs with ropes and harnesses, meaning strength and balance are extremely important if you want to avoid accidents.
Doing roofing work also means that you’re constantly exposed to weather elements including rain, ice, snow, and heat. This requires a certain level of adaptability, and not to mention, courage. Let’s just say that if you have an aversion to heights, roofing may not be the job for you.
Interested in the Roofing Industry? Talk to the Team at Long Roofing.
If roofing sounds like the industry for you, visit our careers page and explore open positions. If you’re interested in finding a roofing contractor for your roof replacement, contact Long Roofing online to request an estimate. We build trust and peace of mind into every Long roof.
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