Storm chase credential scam

Was recently in a storm area and saw some disturbing hits on the industry. Basically sales companies selling roofs with Shingle Master credentials and not a person in the company (well maybe one or two out of lots!) that had even put a roof on a house!!! I've been roofing for 10+ yrs and am trying to start my own company with help from the shingle manufacturers and they want 4 full time workers to get this credential. I don't have enough work to hire 4 full time employees but could use the tools the credentials give. (advertising, lawn signs,etc..) So how can a company that really doesn't have roofers get this and myself needing this, can't achieve the status. I hope this makes sense, but it seems frustrating and marketing is very important at this part of start-up. Ugh!!! :angry:>>>

I heard that Illinois ? KY ? got hit pretty hard yesterday. I may be a little off here seeing as I live in a bubble when I'm on these events. That will mean a lot of stormers coming in and ruining a market that should be yours. Can you imagine a market where the stormier is saying the damn locals have taken all the work ? Wouldn'T'nt that be sweet ??>>>

Twill knows EXACTLY what's up.......I didn't read all the posts...Only the one that ended w/"slash & burn baby!"...How right you are Twill...How dead-on, right you are...........>>>

From the couch to the fridge and back again

Git'er done>>>

Wow twill, you seem to have hit the nail on the head here!

Now if you could just tell me where to find mr. adjuster, I will be in business>>>

Second wind " Impressive " I don't think at this point I have any juice . Later after a little rest "(NAP) " ;) ;)>>>

twill I guess it is like exercise. Fatigue sets in for those out of shape. On an ever changing landscape nothing is static for ever. Thinking in a abstract can be taxing on the brain. Take a break rest up you will come back stronger than when you left . Thanks for the input.>>>

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: I have to use spell check for alacrity . Send the cash to me . Small bills not necessary $100.00 's will do. Can of worms ?????? I need big words to explain this overused and overrated journalistic cliché, lends itself to mixed metaphors: then again maybe in the original " cans of worms " they were real cans with actual worms in them, collected as bait for fishing which of course doesn't make it a metaphor at all. I really wish you could be clearer in your speech I can't follow a damn thing you say most times . :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: What a hoot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo:>>>

Somehow being installers have skewed the mind . The reason installers have jobs is because of other sales either major manufactures or other sources some high some low. It is all connected ..... It has a business ring to it. Sales are what make the industry run. The more sales the more money the profit . The more profit the people are at work . Business capitalism 101 . Sales , Sales , Sales. Salesmen are the backbone.>>>

Yeah my favorite supply house Bradco is also a proud sponsor. Hailwatch you are getting sleepy Hailwatch Hailwatch . You will boycott Bradco. When I say Hailwatch you will think Bradco. Now I'm going to snap my fingers and you will wake up and when someone says Bradco you will vomit . What a crock .>>>

Hi TJB,

All of the above is spot on, "Approval" by many manufacturers is not an gained by way of an exam as the 4 man rule you appear to fail on before you start, of course you could telling the manufacturer that you will switch to another supplier if their approval means that much to your business.

As far as the customers are concerned if they ask why you are not approved keep any explanation you offer simple, many would not believe the truth about how approved status is achieved.

I would be like Ole Willie and let previous work tell the story for me, of course you could explain that as an independent contractor you only recommend the materials best suited to their roof.>>>

twill , I'm watching the Stanly Cup playoffs. It reminded me of the players that fuss and carry on as to the other players would have done should have done could have done. It has such a whinny sound to it. The skill players when they miss the opportunity look at it like this . I had the chance it didn't work out I'll take advantage of the next opportunity perhaps that will work out for me and my team . The difference is they " half full glass " guys don't should 'a could'a would'a all over themselves. Some really good advice here>>>

Good advice here. I fell in with the "associations" and sought after credentials when i started. Over time found the above guys to be exactly right. Nothing beats a referral list which can only be gotten with a lot of hard work and the simple marketing tools these guys are talking about. Good luck.>>>

As far as I know you don't actually have to install these systems to be certified Shingle Master . I'm not certain this is totally true . What I've read and you have experienced empirically points in this direction . As I understand it A Master Shingle Applicator has studied installation techniques for a complete shingle roof system, including the method for installing all CertainTeed shingles for best performance and appearance. It says nothing about installations experience . What , I think is going on is the Manufacture is selling a lot of Material to these guys and want to continue to do so>>>

OW is right. Market yourself too. I increased business 50% just by getting a website up and doing my own SEO. I don't do enough to keep a crew of 4 going, but I don't do shingles either. :cheer: I've been given those credentials too. Don't know or care where they are now. Not needed. Get your own signs and let folks know you service the area you live in.>>>

Hi! I've been roofing for 25 years with the last half of that owning my own business. I have much, much more credentials than they could ever offer. I don't need their so called credentials and neither do you. In the last 12 years i've had only 2 or 3 potential customers ask about that. Out of tens of thousands of potential customers. I simply told them the truth. Which was giving my "real" credentials from hard work and experience. Not from taking some test. And explained that they dont need the manufactures labor warranty as they will be getting a very good one from me and if anything were to go wrong i would be the one to come out and take care of it anyways. They understood and i got 1 or 2 of those jobs. In a storm area any idiot can sell a roof. They might have it but they dont need it either. lol Do your own advertising. Any sign company will by wayyyy more than willing to create you some yard signs. lol The only way you could possibly "need" that would be for your ego which doesn't pay anything! lol My advice is be very careful starting your own business and do as much of the work yourself as you possible can. Hundreds of sales people will come along and try to sell you all sorts of stuff that you don't "need". Don't buy any of this crap. Your success lies in the blood, sweat and tears. Not fancy gadgets and flashy paperwork. j.m.h.o. Best of luck to you. If you believe in luck! :)>>>