SIG ROOFING IN FOCUS
Be safe, be clear and
avoid potential pitfalls
Janine Brady, marketing manager at SIG Roofing, offers RCI readers some tips on how to avoid the pitfalls
associated with roofing and the industry
Roofing is a great career,
especially today when
the construction industry
is grappling with a skills
shortage – it means you will always be
in demand. Coupled with the upturn of
the industry’s fortunes, roofers are in a
better position than ever as let’s face it all
buildings will need a roof.
However, as with any job, there are
potential pitfalls – from the practical,
safety when you work on the roof, to
the business side – such as issues when
quoting and drawing up contracts.
However, with proper planning these can
be avoided. Here are some tips on some of
the bigger issues roofers often face.
Safety on the roof – As you
will know all work on roofs is
dangerous. Almost one in five
deaths in construction involve
roof work and not all happen
when specialist roof work is
being completed, many are people
carrying out repairs or cleaning.
That’s why it is essential that only
properly trained and competent
employees should be on the roof. In fact,
the law states that you must organise
and plan all roof work so that it is
carried out safely.
The Health & Safety Executive lists the
main risks as safe access, roof edges and
openings, and fragile surfaces, and offers
sound advice in its Working on Roofs
leaflet – for example:
• For flat roofs, falls can be prevented
with a secure double guardrail and
toeboard around the edge
• While sloping roofs have the additional
issue of dropped materials, as well as
people, falling from the edge. Here,
scaffolding is required, along with
edge protection to the eaves
• When working on or near fragile roof
surfaces, use a combination of stagings,
guard rails, fall restraint, fall arrest and
safety nets
• Do not trust any sheeted roof, such
as corrugated, polycarbonate or steel
sheet, to bear a person’s weight
• Rooflights can be a particular hazard,
as they are difficult to see in certain
light conditions and sometimes hidden
by paint – always be extra careful
around these.
When getting onto the roof, you should
always plan which method will be the
best for the job. Is it a stair tower,
or a fixed or mobile scaffolding
tower, or an alternative? It might be
as simple as ladders. Whichever it is, be
sure to consider and plan carefully.
Accurate pricing – Each job will be
different. Make sure you get the quotation
right the first time. If you make a mistake
it looks unprofessional. If they can’t trust
you on price how can they trust your
workmanship?
Make it too low and you will have to
ask for more later on – you might not get
the difference and it will leave you out of
pocket. Make it too high and you won’t
get the job, also leaving you with the
reputation for being ‘expensive’.
Contract clarity – Whether it’s a
domestic or a commercial project, it’s
good practice to have a contract in place
before starting work.
The contract is there to benefit both
sides. It provides clarity on the service
to be delivered and when the job will be
completed. Should your customer require
additional work, the contractor is well
positioned to explain there will be an
additional cost.
Being prepared to sign a contract also
underlines the integrity of the roofer
and gives the customer assurance that
they are working with someone who is
professional in their approach.
It will also help you, as a business,
to plan your longer-term workload.
Having agreed on a timeframe will
mean you can manage your work
pipeline more effectively.
One issue that will be covered in
the contract is the repercussions if the
job goes over schedule. Hopefully, you
will avoid a delay, but any financial
implications should be set out in the
contract with the customer.
Working with others - If you’re working
with other trades, for example, as a subcontractor,
it will be important to establish
a strong relationship with your colleagues.
Their performance on the project could
impact on yours and vice versa.
But even before that, make sure you are
clear on your responsibilities to the main
contractor. Their contract may well differ
from yours, as will the penalties if targets
are not met.
Hopefully, it will be a positive
relationship. Keep it friendly but
professional, because if you do a good
job on this project, they are likely to come
back to you in the future or recommend
you to others.
It’s clear that the roofing industry is
providing a wealth of opportunities for both
employees and employers to secure work
and expand their business, but it is crucial to
take a little time at the start of a job to plan
and do these things properly, which will pay
dividends in the future. Unwanted hassle
will be avoided and you will be able to focus
on building your business.
w www.sigroofing.co.uk
Janine Brady,
marketing
manager at
SIG Roofing
14 www.rcimag.co.uk July 2018
/www.sigroofing.co.uk
/www.rcimag.co.uk
/www.sigroofing.co.uk
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