How Contractors Can Train New Installation Crews for Metal Roofs and Walls

MCS Influencer John Kenney says that manufacturers and industry associations can help provide your crew with quality training.

By John Kenney.

Metal systems for roofing and wall panels are great opportunities for contractors to expand their business and gain additional profitability. It is not for every contractor because it requires greater attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship. Training and manufacturer certifications for quality installs are essential.

There are many avenues you can pursue the training. These include manufacturers and industry associations. I highly recommend adding an in-house training program for your installers to promote ongoing quality assurance.

Finding experienced, skilled labor for metal is even more difficult than for other systems in roofing. Training is essential, but so is the selection of employees to build your crews. Remember, metal roofing and wall panels require a particular skill set, unlike any other conventional roof systems we are used to as contractors. It helps to think outside the box. Throughout my career, I have found that potential employees with an understanding of carpentry make great candidates for installers of metal systems. They have a knowledge of cutting and fitting angles and the importance of providing a high-quality finished product. Remember that aesthetics is a significant benefit of metal roofing to your clients; an unskilled crew can ruin your reputation and cost you a lot of money.

Your in-house program should have two or three dedicated to training your crews. Regardless of the training options, you may choose to incorporate, they should be robust and include hands practice with the metal products you are installing. They should be working with the tools, panels, trims, and accessories to learn how to install the product appropriately. Include a test and require a passing score. This will verify that they gained the desired knowledge from the training and instill a sense of pride into the team for what they accomplished.

With the proper crew selection and training, you will be well on your way to providing your clients with a higher-quality installation. And an added benefit to your company will be quicker installs and fewer callbacks, providing an additional profit margin to your bottom line.

John Kenney is the CEO of Cotney Consulting Group. See his full bio here.