Shingler
Ask yourself...
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Do you like working outside?
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Are you physically fit and keen on exercise?
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Could you work in high places?
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Do you like working with your hands?
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Are you comfortable in hot temperatures?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then a career as a Shingler could be right for you.
The standard workweek for shinglers is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.
Most shinglers work steadily throughout the year because roof systems need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years.
As a Shingler, you will work mostly outdoors, and with a crew of other construction professionals. The job can be physically demanding – you may have to lift heavy materials, and roofing can be quite hot during the summer.
As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Shinglers are trained to work safely and wear special equipment such as safety harnesses to protect against injury.
Laborer
The responsibilities of a roofing laborer revolve around working to install or repair roofs on residential or commercial structures. Your job duties in this career may include taking steps to remove old roofing materials before making repairs to the structure and applying new shingles or other coverings. You may assist during the equipment unload process and carry tools or roofing materials up the ladder to the work site on the roof. You may also drive equipment and materials to the worksite. You usually work as part of a team under the direction of a foreman or roofing contractor.