You contact a roofing company after spotting leaks in your garage ceiling. A roofing contractor comes to your home and gives you an outrageous quote. You sense that the contractor is ripping you off. You turn him away.
You begin to wonder if you can fix the roof yourself. You remember your days of working with a roofing company years back. Then, you contemplate starting a roofing business. But you have no clue where to start.
What do you do?
If you want to know how to start a roofing company, the process is no different than starting any other business. It involves starting a business plan, registering the company name, and obtaining the necessary licenses. Additionally, the most vital part of a roofing business is marketing. This article will show you the basics of starting a roofing company. Read further if you wish to know more.
Start a Plan
Before you learn how to start a roofing business, draft a plan that outlines your goals. Also, determine how you plan to maintain the business. First, start with an executive summary. An executive summary is a summation of your business and the objectives behind it. After, ask yourself if you need business financing or business credit.
Then, research where you intend to conduct business. Learn about the competition in your area. Research their marketing methods and pricing models.
Learning about competing companies helps you establish your own pricing plan. Then, asses how to structure the business. When it comes to business structure, ask yourself these important questions.
- Who will manage your business?
- What type of employees are you looking for?
After establishing a viable outline, begin the registration process.
Create Your Business
Start by creating your business name. To register your business, refer to your local Secretary of State office to create an LLC. An LLC comes with a number of tax advantages. And, it’s easier to maintain than other entity registrations. As you register the company, don’t miss these vital steps:
- File an Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State office
- Open a business bank account. (Keep your business accounts and personal accounts separate at all times.)
- Get permits and licenses
- Hire an accountant (Recommended)
To establish a roofing business, you need a state contractor license from your local licensing office. Further, refer to your local county for more information on zoning and safety standards. Each state has different standards for permits and licenses. After the registration process, start spreading awareness about your business.
Create a Marketing Plan
You can start the advertising process through online lead generation. You’ll find online companies that will provide leads on your behalf. If you don’t know where to start, this one is good.
When it comes to advertising campaigns, think of something that separates your business from the rest. Make your brand visually appealing. For example, a cartoon dog could be your mascot.
Online advertising is one of the most important advertising methods. Create a website to start your online presence. Learn search engine optimization (SEO) to rank your website as high as possible in search engine listings. Or, you can hire SEO professionals to raise your website ranking.
For print advertising, you can place ads in coupon books to reach more people. Or, you can buy space on billboards. Regardless of the medium, create an advertising budget that’s separate from your other business expenses.
Learn How to Start a Roofing Company with Minimal Setbacks
There is no secret recipe for starting a business without bumps in the road. However, you can increase your chances of success by establishing a plan. And, learn all of the appropriate regulations and license requirements of your state. Failure to do so can result in fines and closure of your business.
Going forward, learn your target audience to cater to their needs. If you want to know how to start a roofing company, learn the techniques of larger roofing companies. Most importantly, maintain a digital footprint online to generate more leads.