How is everyones 2 Quarters Numbers?

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Ridgeline, I am a believer in licensing but there are some problems with it too. I hope your area doesn't make the same mistakes my area makes, and should instead choose to model FL in terms of its' enforcement.

My personality is primarily that of a libertarian. I want less government in my life overall. Having said that, one would think that I would be against licensing, but I am all for it and want to make it as tough as possible (not impossible). The reason for this is primarily because I know has happened and would happen again without it and words need not be said, just look at Davids' photo above. There is no way that guy is a roofer who installed that roof... just some handy man who thought he could do it. I call them home improvement whores, you know, the kind of gy that will do/try anything to make a buck.

Roofing is a specialty, and I used to say anyone can shingle a roof, but obviously I was wrong after looking at that picture. However I still think anyone of average intelligence and a desire to do it right can follow the directions on the package and do a decent job if they take their time. Where the specialty lies is in the flashings and details. Notice I did not say low slope roofing was something anyone can do, since it's much easier to have a leak with a low slope roofer it definetly takes alot more know-how. That's where licensing needs to come into play, as a protection not only for the consumer but for the honest business as well.

The problem with licensing around here is that it is seldom enforced. What's the enforcement? The permit process. So I can not get a permit if I do not have a license. Well the unlicensed guys send in the property owner to get the permit. Loop hole. Or nobody gets a permit. Loop Hole. Or the handy man is doing the roof job on Saturday when the inspectors don't work. Loop hole. There is further enforcement too, you can't sue someone for non-payment of a roof you installed if you don't have a roofing license since technically you are breaking the law. But that's not much of an enforcement since maybe only 1% of 1% of all jobs done end up in court. Heck some villages around here don't even require permits, you should see some of the prices in these areas.

There's just too many loop holes around here when it comes to the licensing. Therefore it becomes a hinderance on the honest business. More paper work, more over head, more stress involved with operating your business. All this paper work, overhead and stress adds to your cost, theefore you must raise your price. Well if the unlicensed hack is operating with minimal discomfort he is enjoying less paper work, less over head and less stress... who do you think is charging less? Human nature being what it is, people wanting a low price, the licensed contractor will lose jobs to the unlicensed who is cheaper yet achieving the same profit. It's disgusting!

I really do wish IL would model FL in terms of their licensing. In FL if you are roofing without a license, I hear it is a felony with jail time attached. Now that's some enforcement I can get behind!!! Infact one thing I would jump on the bandwagon to promote would be continuing education credits. Nurses, architects, engineers all require continuing education credits in order to keep their license active. I see no reason why roofers should be any different. Heck all you have to do is go to one or two trade shows a year and catch the free seminars.

Oh well, we've pulled this thread far enough off topic already. sorry David.

Originally Posted by daviddeschaine

Yes, Many new roofers have come out of the woodwork ...Check Out This Work: Why is the price LOWER?

Originally Posted by GeorgianRoofing

Hey let me know what roofing crew is this! Cause they suck! I wonder how the homeowner is going to get in touch with those people to fix that.

http://www.GeorgianRoofing.com