My life as a non-roof climbing roofer

Hello gentlemen and ladies of the forum,

I have been on and off the forum for 3 years or so, and it's such a valuable source of input. I am in a career pickle, so to say, and I would like some feedback.

I am a 27 year old female who inadvertently fell in love with residential roofing a few years ago. The sales and estimating process is very interesting to me, and I want to make a healthy impact on the industry with all the ideas I have. I see how the storm guys operate, and I strive to be better: evaluating and improving ventilation, marketing hail-resistant shingles, etc. I get a true joy out of a job well done. I just have one small problem...

I am terrified of getting on the roof. People have attempted to help me adjust, and it just hasn't gotten better. I have always had a ladder assistant to do measurements for me. Then I do my presentation and close.

Lately, this is getting harder and harder. There is a shortage of great estimators. The ones who DO exist want to sell themselves, or are too busy to help out a damsel in distress. I am almost tempted to hang this up, but I have yet to find anything that I enjoy as much. I am just sort of at a crossroads as to what to do.

An adjusting career is now something I'm considering. In school I'd learn to measure from the ground, and I assume the work would be heavy enough during storms to hire a ladder assist full-time if I needed a damage inspection. I'm bilingual so I feel like that would help me get called out sooner.

But would I even make it through adjuster training? One look at my wobbly knees as I try to step off the ladder and I may become the laughing stock of the South.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, this Lady loves roofin'

Storm chasing is easy because all you have to do is wheel and deal. I don't see how anyone can attain any technical or problem solving expertise without hands on experience. So much of my work is fixing what the other "roofers" screwed up.

LadyLovesRoofin Said: Gentlemen I appreciate the feedback.

Im in the Dallas-Carrollton area at present. The vultures are everywhere and competition is stiff! :)

I had never thought of going to a playground. Not a bad idea. I also like the idea of embracing the fall. There is definitely fear associated with it.. I wonder if Ill be one of the unlucky ones to break their necks on the first tumble down. But like Zig Ziglar says.. Thats just stinkin thinkin.

Lately Ive been thinking of starting an organization to promote more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly roofing practices. Somehow Ill find a way to stay in the industry, God willing! @Rockydog - Eagle view is a good option; youre right. Its just not practical for every bid. My boss would not want to shell out that amount on mere prospects. However lately we have worked out a system where someone goes ahead of me and measures the roof, then I come back and take ground notes, then make my presentation. Hopefully this will work out until I can get my ass up the ladder! Where are you looking for reps? I would love to have someone to teach the commercial side... Flat and beautiful! ;)[/quote

Cha cha, you mean Georgia right, not Texass.

You seem articulate which indicates a good mind and with that simple thought perched as it were on the top rung of this thread I have to ask what it is about roofing that is so compelling?

I feel I have a right to ask because forty years ago I got asked.

I had a lot of reasons I could pony up back then but most of them were often met with more or less suspicion.

Taking the physicality completely out of the equation, I can't see the passion. Could you explain?

Gentlemen I appreciate the feedback.

I'm in the Dallas-Carrollton area at present. The vultures are everywhere and competition is stiff! :)

I had never thought of going to a playground. Not a bad idea. I also like the idea of embracing the fall. There is definitely fear associated with it.. I wonder if I'll be one of the unlucky ones to break their necks on the first tumble down. But like Zig Ziglar says.. That's just stinkin' thinkin'.

Lately I've been thinking of starting an organization to promote more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly roofing practices. Somehow I'll find a way to stay in the industry, God willing!

@Rockydog - Eagle view is a good option; you're right. It's just not practical for every bid. My boss would not want to shell out that amount on mere prospects. However lately we have worked out a system where someone goes ahead of me and measures the roof, then I come back and take ground notes, then make my presentation. Hopefully this will work out until I can get my ass up the ladder! Where are you looking for reps? I would love to have someone to teach the commercial side... Flat and beautiful! ;)

If it's a fear of heights, it can be overcome. I was scared to death of heights. I got a roofing job and got over it eventually. If it's a fear of falling, that can be overcome too. I was really scared of falling myself. Now, 40+ years later, with many falls to my credit, I can assure that falling has never hurt me in any way shape or form. So, you can relax your fears there too. On the other hand, though getting on a roof and falling has never ever hurt me or caused any injury, there is the matter of landing which must be addressed. Landing has caused me some injuries and painful inconveniences. The one thing I did learn is to relax. Just plan beforehand to be relaxed if you fall! Look at all the drunk drivers that walk away from bad wrecks. The relevance is significant. They were relaxed and it didn't hurt! Just loosen up and enjoy the fall. Don't tense up!

Hi Cha Cha, I have a dear friend and her name is Cha Cha also, but she dosent have anything to do with roofing. As far as the ladder thing, Ppractice with a 2 or 3 step ladder. Actually it should be 3' higher than your step off point. Practice with that until you gain confidence, then extend your range until you are able to go to roof height. There are too many variables, that you absolutely need to see on the roof, to make a determination on how you are going to pitch your product at the table. As far as measurements you can always order Eagleview. They are pretty accurate for measurements. they cost 30 70 per house unless you sign a contract for some many views. They give you everything you'll need to order product, and they guarantee it. You can sell it this way with contingencies added for extras. Keep us posted on how you're doing. I am looking for 3-4 salespeople between commericial and residentialsystems.