At Achilles Roofing and Exterior, I’ve seen firsthand how tough it can be to find the right people. Roofing isn’t an easy trade—it’s demanding work, the conditions are tough, and it requires both skill and discipline. What’s helped us beat the odds is that we don’t just look for “qualified” candidates on paper. We look for people who are willing to learn, show up consistently, and take pride in doing the job right.

When I was younger in this business, I thought the only way to grow was to hire people who already had years of experience. What I learned is that experience doesn’t always equal reliability. Some of our best team members started with little background in roofing but had the right attitude. We invested time into training them, pairing them with seasoned crew leaders, and giving them clear paths to grow. That’s built loyalty because they see a future here, not just a paycheck.

We also put a lot of focus on culture. Roofing crews spend long days together, often in extreme heat, dealing with physically exhausting work. If you don’t create an environment of respect, accountability, and teamwork, good people won’t stay. We make sure everyone knows their role, feels valued, and understands that cutting corners is never an option. Homeowners trust us with their biggest investment, and that responsibility has to be shared by the whole team.

Another thing that’s worked for us is hiring from our own network. Many of our best workers came through referrals from current employees. If someone is willing to vouch for a friend or family member, that usually means they trust the person to keep up the standard we expect. It creates a team that’s built on trust from the start.

Beating the odds hasn’t been about luck. It’s about taking the long view—finding people with the right mindset, giving them the tools and training to succeed, and building a culture that makes them want to stay. That’s how we’ve been able to staff reliable crews while so many others are struggling.