Pat Murphy, Freeze Maxwell Roofing
ARCA
Bob James, Tru-Craft Roofing
Leads the Way for Alberta Roofers by Rennay Craats with Photos by Riverwood Photography Inc.
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onstruction is a competitive market, and there can be fierce competition between trade contractors to get projects. Roofing is no different. But 60 years ago, a visionary group of Edmonton and Calgary roofing contractors put that all aside and came together with the goal of improving their industry. With the establishment of the Alberta Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) in 1961, these contractors sought to support and advance the roofing industry in Alberta through a system of high standards and education.
this mandate. All too often, when people think of roofing, they envision truck-and-ladder storm chasers that flock to town after a disastrous weather event to slap up roofs. The 32 members of the ARCA are professional contractors dedicated to elevating the public’s image of roofing to better reflect the sophistication that these contractors apply to their operations. Membership in an association that promotes professionalism and high-quality standards helps differentiate the elite roofers from all the rest.
“The strength of the ARCA is that the foundation that the original members set, the vision they had, is held to this day,” says Bob James, ARCA Association president and owner of Tru-Craft Roofing (2005) Ltd. “The foundation of our standards, our training, our acceptance process for contractors, materials and inspectors hasn’t changed very much in 60 years.”
“A benefit of membership is it elevates us above other roofing contractors because we are vetted to join. It’s not easy to become a member but once you are, the public knows that they are getting a quality contractor,” says Pat Murphy, ARCA Warranty Ltd. president and owner of Freeze Maxwell Roofing (Calgary). “Because we have to meet a certain standard, the quality of our company is that much better because we are members.”
The goal of the Association, both then and now, was to improve the image and quality of roofing in the province, and every decision the 12-person board makes refers to
ARCA members are leaders in their fields, and while some may accommodate residential roofing requests, members focus predominantly on low slope and
Alberta Roofing Contractors Association | Celebrating 60 Years
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