Roofing contractors optimistic for 2002

The National Roofing Contractors Association's (NRCA) Annual Market Survey revealed a 10.8% decline in overall roofing construction spending from 2000 to 2001. However, roofing contractors are optimistic for this year, projecting a growth of 4.1% for 2002.

Total roofing industry sales for 2001, as reported by survey respondents, were $30.18 billion, down $3.66 billion from the previous year.

According to the survey, low-slope roofing accounted for $19 billion, or 63% of the market, and 61.9% ($11.76 billion) of that was reroofing work. New construction work accounted for 25% ($4.75 billion) of the low-slope market last year.

Contractors reported that single-ply roof systems accounted for 45.6% of their new construction work, followed by modified-bitumen systems at 20.7% and built-up roofing coming in at 13.9%. Steep-slope roofing accounted for 37% of the total roofing market, or $11.17 billion.

Contractors reported that in new construction projects, architects and specifiers typically decide which roofing system will be installed, while the roofing contractor has discretion as to the manufacturer. In reroofing projects, the contractor is primarily responsible for specifying both the system type and its manufacturer.

When asked what criteria were most commonly used in selecting roofing materials, contractors ranked the following in order of importance: track record, service from the manufacturer, ease of installation, availability, price and warranty.

The survey itself drew a 10.5% response rate. It can be purchased for $295 by NRCA members and $395 by nonmembers. For more information, visit http://shop.nrca.net.