Key advocacy efforts advance for the roofing industry

By Dani Sheehan. 

New legislation and tax reforms supported by NRCA aim to ease workforce shortages and make reroofing projects more affordable. 

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) consistently advocates for legislative solutions that strengthen the roofing industry’s future, from addressing workforce shortages to improving pro-growth tax policies that allow employers to increase investments in their employees, businesses and communities. Two major government developments highlight progress in these ongoing efforts: enhanced Section 179 expensing for reroofing projects and bipartisan legislation to establish a market-drive workforce program. 

Making reroofing projects more affordable 

Thanks to updates in federal tax policy, commercial property owners can now take advantage of expanded Section 179 expensing. The expensing cap has increased from $1 million to $2.5 million for qualified nonresidential real property, including roofing. 

This means that for purchases made after December 31, 2024, building owners can immediately deduct the full cost of any improvements to nonresidential roofs – up to $2.5 million per project. For roofing contractors, this is an opportunity to help clients realize the full value of reroofing investments and move forward with long-deferred projects. 

To help you communicate this benefit to building owners, NRCA has created a Section 179 FAQ sheet and a marketing template letter you can share with customers to explain how the expensing works and how it can impact their bottom line. These resources provide talking points that can help position reroofing as a smart, timely business decision. 

Addressing workforce shortages  

A chronic shortage of qualified workers remains one of the most significant challenges facing our industry today – limiting growth and delaying projects across the country. The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 5494), recently introduced in Congress, aims to provide a practical solution. 

Supported by NRCA, this bipartisan legislation establishes a pilot program with a new H-2C visa for occupations that perform year-round work, including roofing. The program would allow employers to hire temporary foreign workers through a streamlined, market-driven system that responds to economic conditions. Employers would also be required to use E-Verify to ensure that only legal workers are hired. 

By balancing the need for workforce relief with strong security measures, the bill provides a pathway for contractors to meet demand and grow their businesses responsibly. 

What you can do 

Contractors can support these efforts by: 

• Using NRCA’s Section 179 marketing letter to educate clients about new expensing opportunities. 
• Staying informed about legislative progress and sharing NRCA updates with team members and customers. 
• Contacting lawmakers to express support for the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act and the roofing industry’s workforce needs. 

Both initiatives underscore NRCA’s commitment to creating a stronger business environment for roofing professionals – helping contractors expand opportunities, improve profitability and continue delivering essential services to communities across the U.S.