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On average, how often does a house get reroofed? If the answer is twenty years, for example, and there are 20,000 homes in the area, then that means that, on average, 1000 homes get re-roofed every year. So how often does the average home get a new roof? And is that average going up with the new heavier architectural shingles??
Rich Beckman
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i ...there are 20,000 homes in the area, then that means that, on average, 1000 homes get re-roofed every year.
How many roofers?
100 roofers, averaging 2 roofs a week for 50 weeks, will roof those homes in two years. No reroofing jobs for the next 18 years.
*Where are you going with this? Are you considering a start up venture into exterior improvements?Twenty years may be a reasonable number to use as a reference point. Arguably, the roof system's the most important aspect of any home and as such would get priority in the maintenance dept. Most folks don't get thrilled about it though. I know from experience that its one of the best money making aspects of this industry. You earn every nickel too!Shingles wear out according to different factorsrelative to climate, construction and orientation.The thicker and heavier arch. shingles should simply last longer. And that's how they're touted. I'll be long gone by then! Some three tab jobs I've done in the early seventies aint lookin' too bad though, (amazingly). Mostly thesteeper capes. longer.
*Depends on how good the shingles are, too. And how long the homeowner is willing to stretch out the roof after it really needs replaced. And how well the shingles are put on: ie 3 layers, no plywood underneath, etc. And the weather is a big factor. There was a big hailstorm in my hometown in 1989. Suddenly everyone who owned a pickup truck was a roofing contractor. Probably 1/3 of the roofs in town were replaced in the next 6 months. Then almost none for years afterwards.
*Think seriously about metal roof installations as well. Added to shingle roofing, it will expand your new venture. New metal roofs do not need a worn out shingle roof as an excuse to install them. They only need the desire of the homeowner to have a metal roof installed. In my area, there are many roofing companies. A handful stay busy all year long, and the rest just suck. They get a job every once in a while. I would think weather would have a lot to do with how many roofs a year you can do. Mild weather like mine lets a roofing company work virtually all year long. Hard winters would limit work time up north.James DuHamel
*Rich,If you are leading up to the idea of getting into roofing, I think it's a good way to make money. It's tough work as I'm sure you know, but good profit, and it's not that hard to teach to unskilled workers. Talk to Stephen Hazlett for good info--he's in the same climate as you.You don't need a lot of expensive equipment either, and you could probably get side work repairing soffit, fascia, other related stuff as you do it. Workers comp is high if you need employees. Roofing is considered one of the most dangerous occupations.I like to do a roof or two a year, in addition to the ones on whatever I'm building for people, if a good job comes along and I'm not too busy otherwise. I charge a lot, because I can get it, and it's somewhat dangerous. I avoid steep high roofs, always bid them too high for someone to accept. End up doing enough of that just building custom houses.Don't take the big step,MD
*> Don't take the big step,???Rich Beckman
*rich.. old roofing joke....
*Ok. I thought it maybe meant that. The big step to the big sleep.Rich Beckman
*Rich,Roofers around here affectionately refer to a former roofmate, "Yah, you know, Dem Peterson boys was a real piece of work. One took a slide, the other took the big step. Another fell off a ladder, busted his hipbone but after a couple of Coonyaks he wasn't much worse for wear. He didn't know what was worse, the pain or getting thrown out by his old lady for not being able to work. A real piece of work, dem Petersons."Drywallers are a lot funnier but don't drink anything nicer. Just a house full of Millers and Buds. Bud Miller?
*RichPlease tell me you're not thinking about competing with me in the illustrious roofing profession. What's motivating this move?My opinion:No profession has enough guality craftsmen. Pick a profession you enjoy, do better work with better customer service than anyone expects and enjoy life. Even if the money isn't all you dreamed you'll stand tall.You'll make a great roofer! Let me be the first to welcome you to the business.If you decide to try slate please feel free to ask me anything.Terry