Specify that
you want a Certified Roofing Contractor for the Job
What
every architect, consultant, superintendent, and
consumer should know about hiring a roofing contractor.
Whether you are drawing plans for new
roofs, fixing an old roof, maintaining the roof of a commercial
facility, or responsible for construction of all the new
buildings for the local school district, you want a roofing
contractor who will do the job right the first time.
You will want to require that a
contractor has the experience and knowledge to provide only
quality workmanship. You want your contractor to be responsible
and reliable - someone who will still be around after the job is
done. You want a contractor who offers business savvy - someone
who has complete knowledge of all related safety and regulatory
laws - someone who understands your concerns.
You want a roofing contractor who has
expert knowledge of his trade and can bring the latest technology
and most effective roofing techniques to bear for your job. You
need to specify that you want a CERTIFIED ROOFING CONTRACTOR
for the job.
The Roofing Contractors Association of
Texas requires that roofing contractors go through a rigorous
screening process before they can become certified. RCAT takes
the pressure off of you and takes on the responsibility of
declaring that a contractor has met the standards of a true
professional contractor. Both commercial and residential roofing
contractors, those with large or small businesses, can become
certified. Their company managers and estimators can also become
certified. The principal goal of this voluntary certification
process is to increase professionalism and consumer confidence in
the roofing industry, as well as to assure owners, architects, consultants, developers and general contractors that
a Certified Roofing Contractor is experienced, reliable and
knowledgeable.
For a listing of Certified Roofing
Contractors in your area, see the membership list,
or call the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas today at (800)
997-6631 or (512)
251-7690...
... and be sure to look for the Certified
seal of quality.
It's the smart,
professional way to go!
The Roofing Contractors Association of
Texas developed the Certification Program to increase consumer
protection and secure public confidence in the roofing industry
by elevating the roofing contractor's knowledge, skills and
professionalism through voluntary self-regulation.
To become a Certified Roofing Contractor
in Texas, the applicant must:
- Be a principal in a roofing company
that has been domiciled in the state of Texas for at
least three continuous years.
- Submit credit references.
- Submit business references.
- Submit proof of financial
responsibility, including insurance or bonding, workers
compensation and a completed applicant statement.
After a thorough background check, the
individual must past a basic business and safety knowledge exam
plus a residential and/or commercial roofing exam.
The certification is valid for two years
and is renewable at that time by showing proof of having earned
continuing education credits and by showing evidence of
consistent adherence to the original guidelines required for
certification.
Certification is available for both
residential and commercial roofing contractors and is open to all
roofing contractors in Texas who meet the qualifications. Company
managers employed by certified contractors also have a Certified
Company Manager program, with similar requirements.
If you have further questions about the
roofing contractors certification program or would like to verify
the certification of a particular roofing contractor, please call
(512) 251-7690.
Q. What is the difference between
certified roofing contractors and those not certified?
A. Certified roofing contractors simply
prove, by voluntarily completing the application process and
passing the certification exam, that they have the technical and
business knowledge to provide top quality service.
Q. How does the certification program
help prevent customers from getting taken by
"fly-by-night" operations?
A. All certified roofing contractors are
required to provide proof that they have been doing business in
Texas for at least three years. These are usually established,
qualified contractors who plan to be around for a long time.
After all, a warranty is only as good as the company that offers
it.
Q. Why isn't the lowest bid always the
best deal?
A. There are many factors in addition to
cost to consider. A roof needs to be done right the first time.
Otherwise you may face high repair cost--or even have to have the
roof entirely redone.
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