HOW TO FIND THE BEST ROOFING AND WATERPROOFING CONSULTANT
There are no licensing requirements for roofing or waterproofing
consultants in most states. As a result, many people have entered the
profession who lack independence, have little experience and less
than adequate credentials. Unfortunately, many building owners have
paid for this lack of competence in many ways. Frequently building
owners pay in form of over priced roofing and waterproofing projects.
Other times they pay with premature failure and leaks because the
wrong materials were specified or installed by the wrong installer. We
have developed a brochure to help building owner choose the correct
consultant for their roofing or waterproofing projects.
consultants in most states. As a result, many people have entered the
profession who lack independence, have little experience and less
than adequate credentials. Unfortunately, many building owners have
paid for this lack of competence in many ways. Frequently building
owners pay in form of over priced roofing and waterproofing projects.
Other times they pay with premature failure and leaks because the
wrong materials were specified or installed by the wrong installer. We
have developed a brochure to help building owner choose the correct
consultant for their roofing or waterproofing projects.
The building owner should always be concerned about the overall
reputation and integrity of the prospective consultant. Unfortunately,
these characteristics are usually subjective and difficult to measure.
There are, however, three objective and measurable characteristics
that building owners can easily identify. They are: independence,
experience and credentials.
INDEPENDENCE
reputation and integrity of the prospective consultant. Unfortunately,
these characteristics are usually subjective and difficult to measure.
There are, however, three objective and measurable characteristics
that building owners can easily identify. They are: independence,
experience and credentials.
INDEPENDENCE
Many roofing and waterproofing material suppliers and installers have
opened roofing and/or waterproofing consulting firms. These
"consulting firms" are, for the most part, little more than extensions of
the parent company's marketing department. While some are distinct
corporate entities with separate corporate offices, many share the
name or even office space with their parent companies.
opened roofing and/or waterproofing consulting firms. These
"consulting firms" are, for the most part, little more than extensions of
the parent company's marketing department. While some are distinct
corporate entities with separate corporate offices, many share the
name or even office space with their parent companies.
Some consultants are also sales representatives for roofing or waterproofing
materials. Frequently these manufacturer's representatives offer their
consulting services at no charge. They do this in order to be in a position to
make recommendations for the products they sell. The first question you
should ask a prospective consultant is, "Do you have any affiliation with any
manufacturer, supplier, or installer of roofing or waterproofing materials?" If
the answer is "yes", you should find another consultant. You should compare
their physical address with the addresses of suppliers and installers in the
yellow pages. If the consultant gives only a Post Office box, ask him for the
physical address of his office in order to make the comparison. If necessary
visit the address in order to see with whom he or she may share space. A
consultant's opinion has value only if you know that it was formed with
independence.
materials. Frequently these manufacturer's representatives offer their
consulting services at no charge. They do this in order to be in a position to
make recommendations for the products they sell. The first question you
should ask a prospective consultant is, "Do you have any affiliation with any
manufacturer, supplier, or installer of roofing or waterproofing materials?" If
the answer is "yes", you should find another consultant. You should compare
their physical address with the addresses of suppliers and installers in the
yellow pages. If the consultant gives only a Post Office box, ask him for the
physical address of his office in order to make the comparison. If necessary
visit the address in order to see with whom he or she may share space. A
consultant's opinion has value only if you know that it was formed with
independence.
EXPERIENCE
The second set of questions to ask a prospective consultant is, "How long
has your firm been in business?, How long have you been a member of the
firm?, and What did you do prior to joining the firm that prepared you to
become a roofing and waterproofing consultant?" You should ask more
specific questions concerning the consultant's experience such as the
following. "On what type of roofing and waterproofing situations have you
provided consulting services? and How many times have you provided
consulting services on situations similar or the sane as mine?"
has your firm been in business?, How long have you been a member of the
firm?, and What did you do prior to joining the firm that prepared you to
become a roofing and waterproofing consultant?" You should ask more
specific questions concerning the consultant's experience such as the
following. "On what type of roofing and waterproofing situations have you
provided consulting services? and How many times have you provided
consulting services on situations similar or the sane as mine?"
CREDENTIALS
Historically there have been two national credentialing organizations: the
Institute of Roofing & Waterproofing Consultants (IRWC) and Roof
Consultants Institute (RCI). Both institutes offered Professional Membership
status for people who are engaged full-time in the profession of roofing and
/or waterproofing consulting. After an extensive test and proof of annual
continuing education, both institutes offer Certification and Registration of
qualified Professional Consultants. IRWC certified qualified consultants and
them the Certified professional Roofing Consultant (CPRC) designation. RCI
registered qualified consultant and gave them the Registered Roof
Consultant (RRC) designation. The two institutes have recently merged
under the name RCI.
Institute of Roofing & Waterproofing Consultants (IRWC) and Roof
Consultants Institute (RCI). Both institutes offered Professional Membership
status for people who are engaged full-time in the profession of roofing and
/or waterproofing consulting. After an extensive test and proof of annual
continuing education, both institutes offer Certification and Registration of
qualified Professional Consultants. IRWC certified qualified consultants and
them the Certified professional Roofing Consultant (CPRC) designation. RCI
registered qualified consultant and gave them the Registered Roof
Consultant (RRC) designation. The two institutes have recently merged
under the name RCI.
When considering a prospective consultant one should ask if they are a
member of RCI. More importantly however, they should be asked if they or a
principal of their firm is certified or registered or both. It is the CPRC or RRC
designation that indicates that the consultant's knowledge has been
extensively tested and that the consultant is engaged in a continuing
education program
member of RCI. More importantly however, they should be asked if they or a
principal of their firm is certified or registered or both. It is the CPRC or RRC
designation that indicates that the consultant's knowledge has been
extensively tested and that the consultant is engaged in a continuing
education program
info@lichy.com ~ (800) 451-6288
Copyright © 2001, RC Lichy &
Associates.
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2001, RC Lichy &
Associates.
All Rights Reserved.
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