Becoming a Roofer – Is This Job Right for You?

If you are considering potential future careers and are looking into roofing, there are many important considerations to make. Becoming a roofer requires some training and also a bit of knowledge about how this industry works.

There are many benefits of knowing how to install roofs. Not only will you have job security, as homes are always in need of new roofs or roof repair, but you will also be paid well for what you do. Your job will also give you many opportunities to stay physically active, so you may not need that gym membership anymore.

Before you decide that a career as a roofer is right for you, you should know that it is a very physically demanding career. You will be working long hours doing physical labor, often in the hot sun. You will have to trust your ability to stay on your feet while climbing steep, slanted surfaces. You will also need to be comfortable working at a decent height.

A roofer must be committed to his work and be willing to work hard. You must be reliable, because once the roof is off of a customer’s home, you have a limited window of time in which to get the new one applied. You must be able to concentrate, because your work will require precision and an attention to detail.

Another consideration to make when considering your career in this field is whether or not it will be a seasonal job. Because you must do your roofing work outdoors, you will have to work when it is not icy or snowy. Being on a roof in the ice or snow is simply not safe. This can mean that you are working in extreme heat, but it also may mean that you do not have work in the winter months if you live in an area with the traditional four seasons.

If you still feel that becoming a roofer is the right career goal for you, then you will need to get your high school diploma, and you should consider taking a few math and computer courses to help hone the skills you will need in your job. Trade or shop classes are also a good option. Once you are done with high school, consider enrolling in an apprenticeship program through a local roofing company. These programs offer on-the-job training as well as some academics, so you will learn as you go and also earn money and benefits while you are learning a valuable trade.

As you are looking into programs, look for those who will enable you to become certified when you are done. This will allow you to branch out on your own once your training is complete, should you wish to do so. It will also ensure that you get all of the training your state requires for a roofer. With the right certification in hand, you could go on to start your own roofing business and build your own future using your newly learned skill.