Yes you can but you should not start a roofing company without experience. Running a functional roofing company requires deep set experience of the trade and management. Without that experience, the company is set up to fail from the first day.
Having no experience doesn't bode well in the roofing industry where most roofing companies don't survive till their 4th year. There are other hidden challenges as well that new business owners often forget. We'll discuss these and more in detail.
You could register a roofing business tomorrow with zero roofing experience in Illinois. Illinois doesn't have any specific apprenticeship requirements for the roofing license. On paper, you can become a roofing contractor with absolutely zero experience.
However, reality is often different from theory. And there are 4 good reasons to not start a roofing business without experience:
Illinois is a state where you must get a roofing license before starting your own roofing company. This means attending an in-person roofing exam and getting at least 70% of the answers correct.
The topics on the roofing exam test your core roofing terms and concepts. You'll have difficulty answering the questions if you have zero roofing experience. Since you're thinking of starting a business, you'll want the Unlimited Roofing License (Residential & Commercial).
Unfortunately, the Unlimited licensing exam is impossible to pass without experience or heavy studying routines. We can help you with the studies and you can get the license. You only have to sign up for the class and we'll prepare you for the exam.
Unfortunately, getting a license doesn't automatically mean a successful business. You'll have to:
Without experience, you have to trust your instincts and guess. It doesn't sound that bad until a sticky situation comes up that you don't know how to handle (lack of experience).
For example, you've probably never filed a W-7 Form or Business Registration Forms with the IRS. The only way to submit these forms successfully is if you've either experienced a similar a situation or have someone submitting the forms for you.
While we can help you submit the forms, you make executive decisions for the services and other data. Lacking the experience to make the right decisions could mean the downfall of an already fragile business.
Running a business is different from becoming a profitable business. For example, an inexperienced roofer will often under or over-quote a potential quote, losing crucial potential customers.
Roofing is a very fickle industry, where bad overheads can wipe out the margins from a relatively good job. Underquoting could wipe out your profit margins, causing a net zero, or sometimes, negative balance.
Although the demand for roofs is very real, demand has never once saved a business owner who did not understand the work he was selling. Plus the homeowner can tell within minutes whether the roofer on the ladder knows what he is doing.
Most roofing businesses fail by their 4th year because of different reasons. But do you know what they all have in common? The person at the helm doesn't know how to find a solution to the problem.
Mind you, most of these failed businesses are operated by experienced roofers. If they have difficulty operating a roofing business, you (without experience) have to go through hell to keep things afloat.
So what's the solution? Become a good roofer and a business owner. Learn the art of referrals, offer the right roofing services, gain the upper hand through inspections, and manage your finances with moderation. All in all, you need experience!
Still want to operate a roofing business without experience? There is one semi-successful model that you can operate.
Every new roofing company runs on one of two models. Your choice dictates:
You should choose a subcontractor model (leads) if you're looking to start a roofing company without experience. This is the perfect model for people who have low capital, enough sales experience, and a lot of marketing knowledge.
The subcontractor model means you sell the job, then pay an experienced roofing crew to do the actual work on the roof. You don't need a lot of experience because you won't be the one handling the work. You only need to learn how to score jobs and find trustworthy roofing contractors.
But how does this model compare to self-fulfilling models.
The subcontractor model has more risk and lower brand building. However, it also removes the limiting factor of experience. This model has certain advantages and disadvantages over the standard model.
A beginner with no roofing experience almost always wants the subcontractor model first, since it is the lower risk door into the trade. You lean on a seasoned crew for the work while you handle the sales, the permits, and the homeowner.
The downside to it is that you have zero control over the quality of work and customer satisfaction. Although the self fulfilling model takes more skill, it rewards the roofer who already knows the trade.
We collected responses from 3 different sources, Reddit, Roofing Talk, and Contractor Talk. Based on our data most roofing professionals are divided about the topic.
Reddit had the most encouraging answers, while Roofing Talk had more unsure affirmatives. Contractor Talk users were mostly against the idea because of initial problems and management hurdles.
Facebook users were entirely against the idea of starting a roofing business without experience. Around 90% of Facebook users were strongly against the idea.
One of the most profound answers on the topic was:
One the other end of the spectrum we have a positive answer from a Reddit:
A quick note, even Redditors were emphasizing the importance of some prior experience. This experience is crucial for job pricing, hiring, and making executive decisions.
Yes, Illinois requires a roofing license before you start your own roofing company. You must attend an in-person roofing exam and get at least 70% of the answers correct. Most people aim for the Unlimited Roofing License so they can take both residential and commercial work.
The Illinois roofing exam is hard to pass without experience. It tests your roofing concepts, and most people (even experienced roofers) fail their first time. Heavy studying or a prep class makes passing far more realistic.
Roofing company startup costs depend on your model. The subcontractor model is lean, often $2,175 to $10,000, while the self fulfilling model is heavy, often $15,000 to $50,000. Your tools and equipment and your vehicle drive most of that difference.
The subcontractor model means you sell the job, then pay an experienced roofing crew to do the actual work on the roof. You handle the sales, the permits, and the homeowner. You don't need a lot of experience because you won't be the one handling the work.
A beginner with no roofing experience almost always wants the subcontractor model first. It is the lower risk door into the trade and removes the limiting factor of experience. The downside is that you have zero control over the quality of work and customer satisfaction.
Becoming profitable without roofing industry experience is extremely hard. An inexperienced roofer will often under or over-quote a job, losing customers or wiping out profit margins. Demand alone has never once saved a business owner who did not understand the work he was selling.
You can start a roofing company with zero experience, but YOU SHOULDN'T. Managing a roofing company requires years of experience and significant capital investment. Attempting to operate a company without trade experience is inviting bankruptcy and troubles.
We recommend training and understanding the core concepts of roofing. Alternatively, you can go for the subcontractor model, which relies more on sales and marketing. In that case, you'll have to pass the Illinois roofing exam which is very hard.
At the Illinois Roofing Institute we prepare you for the exam, the career, and the business.
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