Don't hold back.
The satisfaction of seeing the job at completion . . . and years later. Just drove by a barn roof I installed around 1990. Every one of the T-Lok shingles still in place. Still seeing house and barn roofs we installed 30 years ago. Good quality materials installed with good workmanship . . . goes the distance.
Paper pushing in an office (as the owner, I do that also) doesn't begin to approach the sense of accomplishment achieved seeing a 14 pitch Tudor tear off, re-deck and install.
All of that, and the fresh baked coffee cake or cinnamon rolls at break time from appreciative customers . . .
For myself, i think there is a great deal of job satisfaction in roofing, but let's get down to brass tacksss here, it's got to be pay day. ;)
It pays decent.
I love roofing but hate the roofing business. At least in North Texas, the business has been taken over by tin men, "insurance specialist" hucksters, adjusters, gypsies, opportunists, wheeler dealer profiteers and other ne'erdowells living off the backs of 3rd world refugees.
I got into residential roofing as a summer job back in the 70s and stayed with it because it was the antithesis of the corporatism taking over the world.
I love roofing because I love physical work, roofing is an art (under appreciated), it has a relatively short beginning to ending (not withstanding 10 man slap on crews one and doners), problem solving, its solitary nature, and freedom.
Knowing that I will always be able to provide for my family. There will always be roofs needing repair/replacement.
Satisfaction of providing a rock-solid product/service, for the best possible value, to our customer(s).
Always striving to be the most proficient amongst our "competitors".
natty....I agree
It payed the bills while I learned to be a better person dealing with HO's. Taught me loyalty, how to accept rejection. To be trustworthy in dealing with all my contacts in and out of the office. Character building business When something happens with someone's roof I know what it is over the phone. It is now teaching me how to give back. That's what I like about roofing B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day
I love being different than most others, and the satisfaction that comes when someone recognizes it, but the greatest satisfaction that I've gotten from this business is from the things it has allowed me to do outside of this business.
Great Question:
I got into roofing at the age of 14. My paper route wasn't giving me the money that I wanted to buy the motorcycle and 3-wheelers that I wanted. Since my parents never GAVE me anything and made me EARN my WANTS and not needs I needed a higher paying Job. My Dad is an electrician by trade but we didn't like to pay me the scale that I could get being a roofing labor. So, every summer and just about every Saturday I spent on roofs. Turned out I really enjoyed the work and the PAY. I did that until I could get into a legitimate roofing company at the age of 18. Around 24 I figured that I probably wouldn't be able to do this when I was 35 at the same speed without my body getting old to fast. I joined the military for 4 years. When I wasn't gone I was doing people's roofs on the side. Jackleg style, no registrations, lic., permits etc. I just needed the extra cash cause the military pays for crap... Once I got back I then had some business college under me but still went to the same company that I had left. They bought me a new truck, Crew and tools. I stayed with them till about two years before they officially went under. 27 years in business! 7 Million a year in Gross Sales. I have had my own company for the last 5 years and have worked hard in the uphill climb of a small 100% legitimate roofing company. So, my favorite part of being a roofer....... It has turned me into the man that I am today. It has allowed me to do other things in life with the blessings that has come to us through our industry. I love being apart of something that changes the landscapes of homes, to bring a smile to a homeowner's face when we are done with the project. Lately, I have enjoyed helping people through the storm chasing roofing companies that have flooded our market. I like being able to educate the homeowners to pick the right contractors for their needs. I love helping other Roofers do things right. My best phone call was from a roofing company that is now in their 2nd year, we discussed marketing, cashflow, lead generation and employee issues. Why would I help him? Because being a Roofer has enabled me to see the world from a different viewpoint.
The best part is that it has kept me in shape and not so old lookin...i've got friends that have office type jobs and they all look like there 20 or so yrs older then me.. :P ..they always ask how come i still look the same after all these yrs?..Roofin!! my friend.. ;) ..and quittin the addictions.. B)
The finished product and me being able to say I did that.
The short and sweet... That we did it and got PAID!
the sex.
The satisfaction of a job well done. Being self employed and the pay
The satisfaction of a job well done. Being self employed and the pay
i like being on a different job site everyday ,i like being the most important person around after a storm ,the phsyical labor ,being outside on top of the world the way it smells ,what the finish product looks like when your done (a sense of acomplishment on a regular basis )the moneys great ..and best of all roofers are always on top ,and they bang harder :P and i always have a great tan