Below is an inspection report compiled and published by Jeff B of Cert-A-Roof. Note the detail that was put into this report which provides homeowners with actionable insight into the health of their roof system.
Contact us at support@nrcia.org to set up training for you and your team.
RAES provides solutions exclusively for roofing and exterior contractors with custom management software and business consulting services that optimize your sales, production, and accounting operations.
While business owners and their administrative team might be adept at the professional skills customers expect, the reputation of a company can often be left vulnerable to the shortcomings of subcontractors and other associates. Whether a sales rep neglects to follow-up with a quote, your supplier loses track of your order, or your subcontractor no-call no-shows, as far as the customer is concerned, the buck stops with you and your company.
That is why Robert Budron founded RAES. His company’s driving idea is that, with the right tools, business owners in the roofing and exterior restoration industry can greatly reduce and even eliminate many of the common problems plaguing their reputation with customers. RAES focuses on developing personalized solutions for roofing and exterior contractors through a combination of technology and consultative business services.
We invite you to learn more about RAES and how they are helping owners take back control over their business, and in the process, RAES the industry standard.
Website: https://raes.io
Contact: sales@raes.solutions
By its very nature, the insurance business is somewhat of a gamble. There are, however, ways to keep your customers’ roof claims to a minimum. All it takes is an understanding of your top risks and a knowledge of the right strategies to protect your customers’ property. One of those strategies is to require a specific type of roof certification called a LeakFREE® Roof Certification.
A LeakFREE® Roof Certification is a unique type of certification that can only be offered by members of the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association (NRCIA). This certification is a guarantee on the roof that the guarantor will assume all liability for covered damages of the roof for the certification period, usually two years. The guarantor will either repair or pay for repairs for any covered damages during that time.
+ A thorough roof inspection with a detailed inspection report
+ An assessment of the roof’s current health and validation that it fortified against future damage
+ A warranty is guaranteed for a set length of time, putting the liability on the guarantor for all covered damages during that time
For homeowners, this inspection is a strong asset to have, as many insurance companies will offer discounts for those with a LeakFREE® Roof Certification. In fact, some insurers will only insure homes with LeakFREE® Roof Certifications.
One NRCIA inspector served an older client whose insurance provider would only insure her wood shake roof if she received a LeakFREE® Roof Certification. He inspected her roof and gave her a repair estimate, performed the repairs, and issued her a two-year LeakFREE® Roof Certification. Not only was he able to help her get the homeowner’s insurance she needed, but he continued to inspect and re-certify her roof every two years for the remainder of the roof’s life.
The obvious benefit of a LeakFREE® Roof Certification for homeowners is that they can ensure that they won’t need to pay for any repairs that fall into the certification’s coverage. However, insurance companies benefit as well by reducing the potential of a roof claim.
An insurer can mitigate risks because a roof with a LeakFREE® Roof Certification will not need repairs for any covered damages for the length of the certification. You can rest assured that claims for this period are highly unlikely.
Second, insurers will also benefit by knowing that the roof is getting proper maintenance and repairs during its certification period. This lowers the risk for claims even after the certification period ends because many roof claims are the result of shoddy prior repairs or a lack of past maintenance. Not only will this save you the expense of paying out claims for roof repairs, but it will save you in claims for internal home damage that occurs from a roof failure, such as interior water damage from leaks.
Mitigating your risks for a roof claim is more important now than ever and this need will likely continue to rise because roofing claims appear to be increasing. For example, one particular company reported a 25% increase in roof claims from 2019 to 2020. We are also seeing increases in some of the top causes of roofing damage, such as hail losses which cost up to $14 billion per year, and fire losses which cost an average of $28 billion per year.
As climate change continues, hailstorms and wildfires are expected to increase along with other causes of roof damage. In this time of increasing risks and losses, any steps you can take to lower your claims and losses will be critical to your bottom line.
If you want to reap the benefits of LeakFREE® Roof Certifications, it may be as easy as implementing a new policy for your customers. You may choose to require these specialized certifications in select circumstances or to offer a discount to any customer with a LeakFREE® Roof Certification.
In either case, the NRCIA is available to help you learn more about LeakFREE® Roof Certifications, how to entice your customers to receive them, and how to educate your customers about the benefits. Contact the NRCIA today to learn more.
The dawning of a new year puts everyone in the mindset of thinking ahead while reflecting on the past. We pause to realize how much has changed and wonder what lies before us in the year ahead. This isn’t just true when it comes to your personal life. It’s true in the roofing industry, specifically with the increased demand for quality roof inspections.
As your experts in roofing, we’ve seen clear trends emerging in recent years and months. Our decades in the industry give us insight into trends that will be shifting the industry in the coming year. To help you stay ahead, our specialists are sharing our top predictions for roof inspections and our tips for making 2022 a year of growth for your business.
The techniques, trends, and professional landscape of roof inspections are always changing, and keeping up with those shifts will help you to stay competitive and deliver the highest-quality service to your clients. Here’s a peek into what we expect to see in 2022.
California is a cornerstone of many industries, and it’s a uniquely important player in the nationwide roof inspection market, too. Homeowners and real estate professionals in California expect and require high quality from their roofing contractors as well as their roof inspectors, and this has made it a competitive market where only the best can win. However, we’re seeing more and more Californians leaving the state and moving elsewhere.
As homeowners leave California, they will take their expectations to their new locations throughout the country. As a result, inspectors and contractors across the US should use this opportunity to get accredited through the NRCIA or you will be playing catch up.
Speaking of the Golden State, California has long been a trendsetter in legislation and regulations. Oftentimes, California will make a new policy change or institute a new regulation first. Other states will watch how it goes, learn from any growing pains that appeared, and then implement a similar change with potential tweaks.
We expect this to continue to happen throughout 2022 and beyond. Roof inspectors nationwide should keep an eye on California’s regulations and start planning ways to adjust to those same regulations if and when their own states follow suit. If you do this, you’re less likely to find yourself scrambling to implement the changes when the law does take effect in your state.
When it comes to inspections, some markets are more informal than others. In a small rural town, it might be perfectly normal to have the local handyman inspect roofs because he happens to know a lot about construction.
This is likely to change, though. California homeowners, real estate professionals, and insurance professionals demand professional roof inspectors who are certified by the NRCIA. As current and former Californians continue to move throughout the country, the demand for official, specialized, certified roof inspectors will grow nationwide, so certification will become even more vital for your business. Due to the growing demand, certain municipalities are now requiring a roof to be certified during the real estate transaction
Our predictions for the years ahead in roof inspections generally carry one theme: increased expectations and demands for higher-quality roof inspectors. To make sure that this works for you instead of against you, follow these top tips.
No one is all-knowing in the roof inspections industry. There are always new techniques and improvements that arise, tricks and tools that appear on the scene, and so on. To provide your clients with the best information about their roofs, you need to continually update your knowledge.
There are plenty of ways to do this. NRCIA alone offers online training courses, ride-along opportunities, and more. There are also other online courses, blogs, and seminars you can participate in to hear new ideas and refine your strategies.
If you want to grow your business in a competitive market, one option is to expand your expertise and become certified in forensic roof inspection. Not only will the certification open the door for many new opportunities but while you study for your certification, you’re likely to learn more about roof systems. This can make you a better choice even for clients who only need a standard roof inspection.
No matter how long you’ve been in the business, you have plenty to learn from your fellow roof inspectors. That’s why it is so important to get involved in the roof inspection community and maintain connections with colleagues.
You can network with other inspectors online, attend industry events, interact in online discussion groups, and more. This will help you predict the trends and shifts in the industry much as we’ve done in this article. It’s also a strong business practice because your connections with other professionals often lead to new opportunities and referrals.
The constant changes in our world can make everything feel like moving targets, but there are positives to this state of constant change. We are constantly finding new ways to help clients and deliver more information and higher-quality details in roof inspections, and if you’re keeping up, you can stay at the top of your game and your local market.
To learn more, check out our guide to becoming an NRCIA.
The Roofer’s Helper is a media company that provides roofing resources for contractors and homeowners, and promotes roofing contractors and vendors on social media and the web.
Their roofing resources provide contractors with helpful information, tips, and news that are needed to build a successful roofing venture.
Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to stay up-to-date on the one of the biggest networks of roofers
A roof is one of the most important parts of the home. It is the first line of defense against the elements. Roof systems need to be properly maintained to remain fully functional over their lifespan. There are a lot of things that go into managing a roof properly and it all depends on what stage the roof is in.
Some homeowners choose to save money by skipping roof maintenance, but homeowners should not forget the level of stress and anxiety that comes from having a roof in disarray. The damage that a leaking roof can cause to the structure and safety of a home is immense. Moisture damage is one of the biggest fears of any homeowner as it weakens the home and can spur the growth of dangerous mold and bacteria.
There has also been an increase in roof repairs due to poor craftsmanship and roofing scams, which has led to an increased demand for roof warranties and certifications. That’s why it is important now more than ever for roof contractors and inspectors to be properly trained and certified. A certification backed by the NRCIA brings confidence to homeowners who request the services of these certified contractors.
The integrity and credibility of the roofing industry are at the heart of the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association’s mission. Roofing services can be complex enough, even when done properly and the NRCIA is there to ensure that there’s a high level of professionalism and standardization within the roofing industry.
A homeowner needs to understand all components of their home. Homeowners need to understand the age of their roof and the maintenance schedule it follows. This is the best measure they can take to keep a roof system healthy and functional. Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than reactive repairs.
Homeowners need to ensure that they partner up with the right roofing contractor. Preferably, a contractor that follows a standardized procedure to help clients maximize their roof system’s lifespan.
A roof’s lifespan depends on the roofing material used. Composite, asphalt or wood shingles/shake can last between 12 to 25 years with the proper maintenance, with asphalt shingles able to last up to 30 years. Copper or Slate roofs can last upwards of 50 years if properly maintained, meaning all the homeowner should be concerned about is keeping it waterproof and free of leaks. There are additional factors that determine a roof’s lifespan: the product used, the quality of the installation, and maintaining a proper maintenance schedule. That’s why it’s critical to work with a roofing contractor certified by NRCIA who can provide the LeakFREE® guarantee.
Additionally, more insurance companies are requesting these types of certifications and warranties before offering policies. Some insurance companies will even give homeowners a discount on their insurance premium if the homeowner’s roof has a LeakFREE® Roof Certification. Without certifications or warranties, loans and policies can be considered riskier which translates to higher premiums or higher mortgage rates.
NRCIA wants to help take out the guesswork of choosing a good roofing inspector and/or contractor. Instead of going with a recommendation from a friend or neighbor, trust a recommendation from the NRCIA whose sole purpose is to bring exceptional confidence and credibility to the roofing industry.
Homeowners can rest assured when they see the NRCIA Certified badge on their inspector’s shirt or business card. They will be working with roofing inspectors who know exactly what to look for when assessing the structure’s roof system.
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