Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Should Texas Require Roofers to have a License?

Many states do not have licensing requirements for home service companies such as roofers. Texas is one of these states. On a recent Caller.com article, Lyndell Haigood of Wichita Falls questions where Texas should require licensing for roofers. The article states:

Before a barber can charge $20 for a haircut, he or she must have taken 1,500 hours of course work during a minimum of nine months training. They will be required to take a final examination and then pay $60 to obtain their license. To place a $10,000 roof on someone's home requires no experience, no training and no license. We hope that is about to change.
While the write ragrees that no one is recommending 1,500 hours of training, she does argue that roofing contractors should secure liability insurance to protect homeowners from damages, whether accidental or intentional. Fair disclosure, Lyndell is the president of the Association of Fire and Casualty Companies in Texas.

Some of this is common sense and sometimes common sense lies with the homeowner.

First, comparing a roofer to a barber is silly. Whether you think barber should have 1,500 hours of course work and pay a government fee to be in business is up to you. Personally, I don't know many people that tip their roofer after a job (though I'm guessing the average roofer and his crew wouldn't mind the gesture).

Second, this has already been solved by the private sector. Roofing manufacturers given certifications to roofing companies. Again, this puts the burden on the homeowner, but does more to protect than a 8.5" x 11" piece of paper that a license does. Roofing manufacturers require course time, tests and have created their own quality standards within the roofing industry. Companies can display these credentials on roofing websites and discuss it during sales proposals.

Third, licensing only creates protective barriers to keep other out competition. When this happens homeowners pay more because the market isn't allowed to compete. Take the below John Stossel video as an example. In this video John Stossel discusses florist licenses in Louisiana.


Want another angle against licensing? Look to Hurricane Sandy. Electric workers from Alabama were turned away to help. State requirements, including being union members, were caveats that the Alabama crew were unwilling to cope with. These volunteers were planning on helping those in need, but despite being capable professionals were able to help. Hundreds of thousands of homes still didn't have power two weeks later because of the fact the electrical industry has such controls and the current workforce could not handle the overflow of work.

GAF to be Featured on TV Show American Chopper

GAF will be featured on the December 3, 2012 episode of "American Chopper." The popular 10 year-old TV show will air at 9pm on the Discovery Channel. GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. The company was founded in 1886.

This is a great opportunity for GAF and is sure to be a great episode to watch. If you get the chance, try to watch it live or record it. Click the link below to read the full press release.

Link: MarketWatch.com 
During the episode, the crew at Orange County Choppers, custom motorcycle manufacturer, designs and builds a custom bike that embodies GAF's core principles of quality and innovation, as well as focusing on the fact that GAF is an American-owned company with 26 plants in the U.S. employing thousands of Americans. Representatives from GAF and Paul Teutul Sr., owner of Orange County Choppers, unveil the GAF Chopper during an event held at the OCC shop in Newburgh, NY. 
American Chopper Episode 6




Monday, November 26, 2012

Hurricane Sandy to Bring Roofing Scams?

Press release came out the other week about roofing scams in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. It is estimated that thousands of homeowners will be solicited for potential contractor scams. Knowing the signs of a potential scam is important. While many contractors from out of state that are trying to help will have good intentions, some will not. The elderly are often candidates singled out.

KTM Roofing Warns of Potential Hurricane Sandy Scams
- Click here to read.

Laws vary state to state, KTM suggests that homeowners do their research on any potential contractor. A reputable roofer should be able to provide certain documentation including a business card, contact information and when applicable, business license number. A roofer looking to solicit business should also be able to provide proof of insurance and local references of recent and older roofing projects. Roofing contractors should be able to put an agreement in writing of services to be performed. Ideally you will be able to see their roofing reviews on Kudzu or learn more about them through the Better Business Bureau.
If you see suspicious activity, please contact the local authorities. Try to record whatever information you can, but be careful confronting any companies. Be cautious before signing any agreements, especially if a deposit is required (be even more cautious if a deposit is required in only cash).

Twitter: #HurricaneSandy




Sunday, November 25, 2012

Roofers Fight On Top of a Jail?

This is just an odd story from the StarTribune. Earlier this week a many was arrested after allegedly assaulting another roofing crew member. What makes the story so odd is that it happened on top of the roof of the Stearns County jail. This jail is localed in St. Cloud, MN.

The story reports that the men began arguing and then fighting. It escalated with one many allegedly hitting the other with a rake intended to be used to spread rocks. A 43 year-old man from St. Cloud was booked for second-degree assault. The victim, 23 years-old, had a three inch cut to his forehead and told investigators that a tooth was knocked out.

The men were hired as temporary workers for a jail roofing project.