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RCIA Founder

Should I Start A Roof Cleaning Training School ?

Dec 7, 2011

Thats a tough decission that you have to make. Will you get enough people,how long is the training and how much. The one thing I would suggest to cut down on the most serious threat to you { some one falls and gets hurt } I would allow them on jobs to everything but spraying the roof. Let them assist in ladder setup etc. etc. Back at your school have a mid size roof built and shingled,this would only be a foot off the ground.That way if they fell or even slipped not to much of a worry. Thats where I would have them practice spraying, and I would only have it able to spray water.

RCIA Founder

Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:
Thats a tough decission that you have to make. Will you get enough people,how long is the training and how much. The one thing I would suggest to cut down on the most serious threat to you { some one falls and gets hurt } I would allow them on jobs to everything but spraying the roof. Let them assist in ladder setup etc. etc. Back at your school have a mid size roof built and shingled,this would only be a foot off the ground.That way if they fell or even slipped not to much of a worry. Thats where I would have them practice spraying, and I would only have it able to spray water.

We believe in learning by doing, they will clean roofs, many of them, and they will sign a hold harmless, in case they get hurt.

If you want to make Mayonnaise, you have to break some Eggs. And if you want to learn how to clean roofs, you have to clean them.

deleted member

I think it's a great idea. You could have several different tiers of instruction. Roof Cleaning, Sales, Seo, etc. If you had a school when I started I would have gone.

Bruce Weber · Dec 7, 2011

I also think it's a great idea. If you have the cash, who wouldn't want to learn from the man himself.

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · Dec 7, 2011

I think it would be a good idea.

sweetwaterfish · Guest

If you feel your book of business is large enough with enough repeat customers, then sure. just remember you are training your own competition to work against you in your own back yard, but you may have enough repeat customers to make that not an issue.

Roof Cleaning Toledo Ohio (419) 265-3306 · Guest

Chris, I would do this if I was getting ready to retire, I think Ray said "just remember you're training your own competition. I had a local guy whos does gutter filters call me last winter and ask me how I clean roofs. I told him to join this sight and he could learn. He proceded to ask me if I would train him. I said why would I want to do that when you are right here in my back yard. He got Pissed and never emailed me again. Called me a jerk. The other day I got a call from a lady who wanted a Non-Pressure roof cleaning in Toledo. After I gave her a quote I left her house went down the road a hundred foot and this guy had a bandit sign stapled to the telephone pole at the stop light. Must not be working, they called us.

Central Iowa Roof Cleaning · Certified Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning Specialist

sweetwaterfish wrote:
If you feel your book of business is large enough with enough repeat customers, then sure. just remember you are training your own competition to work against you in your own back yard, but you may have enough repeat customers to make that not an issue.

I have to agree. I went down that road only to have it bite me in the a--.

Granted it would be great to have everyone on the same page with how to clean a roof. If you had students from outside your area, maybe.

I believe it is a judgement call on your part. There sure would be value.

Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 941-822-2454 · Guest

sign a non compete clause, that would weed them out.

Kim R

Guest

Hey Chris,..I have a couple of different view points on this.

On one hand, offering this as a way to supplement your income is a great idea,..you would no doub't have plenty of takers on the training and I WOULDN'T BLAME YOU ONE BIT!! I had 8-10 people call /e-mail me this year wanting to come and pay me to show them the ropes and equipment setups,..although I thought about throwing them some crazy dollar figure for training,...in the end I didn't actually give it much real thought,..partially because it was Summer and I seemed to have better things to do,Ha,Ha... So I can only imagine the people flockng if "CHRIS TUCKER" were offering a course,..it would probablty be lucrative for you. It was funny though because the FIRST thing the people would mention is there distance from me,..assuring me they wouldn't be in my zone.

On the other hand I still remember what you said years ago,...you stated: "This is insanity" reffering to the forums showing the world the secret of roof cleaning,..and I had to agree with you,..and I kinda' still do. I like the idea of the forum for EXCHANGING information with other business's,..but I haven't fully grasped what the benefit of training others from jump street is?? I guess the arguement could be made that it brings better public awareness of proper techniques,..but does showing others how to do it offer the greater good, or is the greater good having less people out there doing it properly?? An established business isn't gonna feel a long term negative impact from "start-ups" doing it improperly. I'd personally rather deal with them once,..than having them around forever.

Just like the guys I've dealt with over the years here locally that do pressure washing,..they don't last long and in the end my business just looks that much better.

How many of us have heard from a customer about the awful guy they had the last time. Always seems to make you feel good about your own quality of service.

But back to the question: Set it up properly Chris and keep the trainees out of your backyard,..and you'll have another source of income.

Jeff

Roof Cleaning Virginia 540-949-6277 · Roof Cleaning Institute of America Premium Member/MODERATOR

I like the idea! How about adding a totally different level of certification if someone takes this new hands on course. Maybe this will do a number of things to answer some concerns that have been discussed in the premium section about certification and re-certification. Also, I think this just might quiet down some of the naysayers. No way it will even the life ring happy.

Durham Roof Cleaning · Guest

I think it would be a good idea! I would of come down from Ontario last winter to learn this business from you Chris and I still would, I rather learn from a man that has 20 years experience rather than finding out the hard way by myself! If you decide to do this I'm in.Cheers!

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

You should do it Chris!
The only thing we found that works to protect yourself, trainee and customer is to employ them for the day and have them covered by your workman's comp and Insurance. If they already have their own insurance they can use that as long as your company is named insured. (have them send a cert). The waiver will only protect you, and may not be legal in your state. If they get hurt they would still be able to sue your customer who in turn can sue you for neglect.
Just talk to your insurance rep about it. There is a way for you to mitigate the liability, and should be a big priority as one mistake without it can hurt a lot of people.
There are some larger liability risks in supplying the cert and the training from one person. Again just talk to your insurance rep and get that stuff straight before you start it.

RCIA Founder

I plan to shop hotels and maybe car rentals close to me, to get a special rate for my students.

Dec 8, 2011

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida 813-655-8777 wrote:
I plan to shop hotels and maybe car rentals close to me, to get a special rate for my students.

Get me into a 5 star Hotel and a Corvette to drive and I may consider signing up too. LOL. biggrin

Guest

Roof Cleaning Palm Harbor FL 727 543 3276 wrote:
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida 813-655-8777 wrote:
I plan to shop hotels and maybe car rentals close to me, to get a special rate for my students.
Get me into a 5 star Hotel and a Corvette to drive and I may consider signing up too. LOL.

And for me,..I'll take a 1 star hotel and a hot blonde. Jeff

Dec 8, 2011

Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 wrote:
Roof Cleaning Palm Harbor FL 727 543 3276 wrote:

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida 813-655-8777 wrote:
I plan to shop hotels and maybe car rentals close to me, to get a special rate for my students.
Get me into a 5 star Hotel and a Corvette to drive and I may consider signing up too. LOL.

And for me,..I'll take a 1 star hotel and a hot blonde. Jeff

With a Corvette and a 5 star Hotel you can have all the Hot Blonds you want. Full Package!!! Hahaha!

Guest

Thats a good point Larry!!

Jeff

RCIA Founder

Ok Guys, students have to have a place to stay while they are here. Unlike some organizers of events, I do not plan on getting a kickback on where my students stay disbelief

That's bullshit, to say an event is "free" when I am getting a kickback on where my students stay.

I just want to secure affordable, low cost temporary housing for my students.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"