One of the biggest problems in the roofing business today, according to industry expert Danny Ahlers, is the lack of regulations or certifications that can help protect consumers from poor performing contractors. “We are in a market that’s not regulated,” he explains, “so that means roofers don’t have to go get a license by the State Department of Insurance or anything like that. So, in a huge metroplex with a lot of really talented sales people that come up through established roofing companies, they do fantastic jobs, and at some point, after they’ve made a couple of big commission checks, they think ‘Hey I can be a roofing contractor and have my own business.’” Unfortunately these neophyte sales contractors often have little training and business experience, a combination which can have lasting negative effects on their customers and the industry.

As Danny continues, “These contractors get out there and they do a couple of jobs, or we have a big storm and they do lots of jobs, and then all of a sudden the market goes the other direction, work dries up a little bit, and they don’t have work coming in for a long time. Most guys don’t know how to handle those swings in business.” That means that these contractors will come and go, usually lasting only a year or two before closing up shop and leaving the market. These low experience/high turnover companies create a lot of problems for the industry. According to Danny, “They create unrealistic expectations on the customer side, because a customer may say, ‘Hey we love this guy, he’s tremendous. He’s coming to our house and he’s sold us this fantastic new roof!’ But, he hasn’t taken the time to find the right subcontractors, to find the right employees, so the job doesn’t go very well. At our company, we end up with a lot of customers that have had bad experiences and have had to hire us to go back and fix all these problems that were created by those guys.”

Unfortunately, there isn’t a current clear solution to this problem. Open and unregulated markets like the Texas roofing industry allow for a lot of breathing room for new businesses, which can be helpful in fostering growth in the industry. Danny believes that licensing and regulating the industry may not be enough to fix the problem. He says, “I don’t know if licensing here in the state of Texas and regulating all of us is going to cure that or remedy some of it, but I think that’s the biggest threat to our industry right now.”

Danny cares a great deal for peoples’ homes and families, and wants to help homeowners avoid the costly mistakes that come with inexperienced roofers. He says the best things you can do to avoid any issues are to search for a reputable roofer, get estimates from more than one, and ask the right questions.

Remember, your home is where you and your family should feel the most safe and secure. That means making sure all your maintenance and construction or remodeling work is done by qualified professionals who take pride in a job well done. If you have any questions about work for your home or roof, give Danny and his folks a call and make sure that your home, your family, and your wallet are all protected.