Roofing contractor training is always a good idea. We know you already are experts in your field and that you can deliver a good service. But formal training or accreditations will help your business. Particularly with new systems or products.
Here are just some of the reasons how roofing contractor training, accreditations and qualifications could help you in your career.
Increase your workload
One of the most difficult tasks most self-employed people face is drumming up enough business to keep them busy.
If you do a good job, you may well be asked back. But as roofs require repairing or replacing so rarely, repeat business is not something which is going to keep your business ticking over. You’ll need to rely on recommendations.
Another way to find new customers is to be able to provide credentials which individuals will know and trust. You can be certain that many of your competitors will be qualified and accredited. This could put you at a distinct disadvantage.
By taking the extra time to gain roofing conractor training, you are demonstrating to your customers that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to get the job done.
Keeping up with developments
You may well have learnt the trade from an experienced professional but like every industry, things can change very fast.
New technologies are being developed all the time. New methods of application, and regulation. If you aren’t in the loop you could find your skills becoming dated. Leaving you losing business and potential customers.
By getting accredited and qualified you stay up to date with industry changes.
Networking
Having contacts in the industry can come in useful on all kinds of occasions including when you need to call in a favour, or get another roofer to give you a hand.
You might even want to find a new supplier or try an alternative source but if you aren’t hooked up to the local network of fellow professionals, you are going to find it hard to get the information you need.
Attending training and getting to know your peers can help you build up good working relationships with your peers and other professionals in related trades, and this could prove to be invaluable knowledge in the longer term.
Securing a contract
In some cases, major building material suppliers may offer training to contractors; this has the potential to be a very lucrative opportunity and not something you should consider passing up.
Although you will have to pay for the training yourself, this will probably be a tax deductible expense. Consider it an investment into your business.
By undergoing training with a company, not only will you get up to date information about the products they sell, you might also get an opportunity to become one of their approved contractors.
Any individual who takes their professional development seriously enough to attend specific product training is putting themselves forward for recognition. Building firms often like to work with contractors they know have been trained to meet their exacting standards, so this can be an excellent foot in the door, and a means to attracting new customers with the minimum of effort.
Roofing Contractor Training
Customers look for reassurance when they are appointing a professional. They like to have the means to check credential. Having a way of verifying your skills is a great advantage. A roofing repair or replacement is a big investment so it’s hardly surprising that most people would prefer to have some objective means of assessing which contractor to choose.
And of course, you will benefit too as the chances are that your business will flourish and grow, and you may even be fortunate enough to be accepted as an approved contractor for a buildings supplier. Undergoing further training, or becoming qualified or accredited can only be a good thing for your future career.
Image credits: Thetimchannel and Karen Roe