Guest Post: 5 Basic Types of Roofing Materials - Roofing Companies - NYC

When it comes to renovating the home and replacing the roof tiles, there are plenty of choices for the homeowner. While the different roofing materials will have no problem in keeping the rain out, the cost and long-term durability of each of the tiles can vary drastically. Here are a few of the most popular types of roofing materials:

Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles (also referred to as composite shingles) are one of the most common types to renovate the roof. Most of these tiles are made with a layer of fiberglass mat coated with mineral granules and asphalt. This is an all-purpose type of tile and practical for most homes. They are long-lasting and can even come with a warranty that lasts for 30 years or more. They are easy to install and easily sourced should a few need replacing in the future.

Rolled Roofing
The rolled roofing is a practical and cost-effective choice for the outbuilding or similar structures. Also, it can be used on the low-slope roofs on residential homes. This is one of the quickest methods to give long-term roofing, but isn't the most attractive to look at. Rolled roofing comes in rolls of nearly 100 sq ft and is very effective at stopping the rain from getting through.

Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is no longer limited to warehouses in NYC. This type of roofing can look incredibly stylish even on large mansions. It is a fire-resistant material and isn't attractive to any of the wood-boring insects that attack the home, such as carpenter ants or termites. It isn't the easiest roofing material to install and can be quite expensive. But, it is seen as an eco-friendly option to use on the roof. This problem is usually handled by most of the roofing companies NYC has to offer.

Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are made of real stone and one of the most attractive choices to remodel the home that roofing companies provide for their customers. Plus, this material is relatively easy to quarry and is easily cut into thin sheets. A slate roof is best left to the qualified installer because it is quite difficult and time-consuming to work with.

Green Roof
A green roof is a perfect option for those seeking the more unorthodox or unique type of roofing. This type of roof is first installed with several layers of a waterproof membrane with the green material added later. A green roof is appreciated for its ability to grow plants, absorb rainwater, provide thermal insulation and put oxygen back in the air.

7 tax write-offs small business owners can’t afford to miss

Accountants and other fiscal experts often emphasize how smart daily accounting makes for less hassle come tax time. With a little tax savvy, you could have an easier time filing for your business and likely pay less to the IRS. One trick is knowing exactly what you can and cannot deduct. With that in mind, here are seven tax write-offs small business owners commonly miss when filing:

1. Meals and entertainment

Everyone knows meals and entertainment are deductible when you are finalizing terms with a client over dinner. However, you can extend those boundaries to include business-related conversations, networking events that resulted in a lead, or any other dining and entertaining. Just be sure to keep receipts with notes about who you were with and the results of every just in case you’re audited.

2. Bank fees

With bank's fee schedules changing every six months, it’s nearly impossible to remember the terms of every account and when each payment is due. The good news is that bank fees for your business accounts may be deductible. For example, if you need cash to pay a delivery person and have to use the ATM next door, the $3.00 fee, in addition to the one your bank might charge, can be deducted. Similar deductions are available for cash-advance fees on credit card transactions. These are all deemed legitimate and necessary costs of doing business.

3. Smartphones

Entrepreneurs often lament the amount of time they have to spend on their phones. But if you’re working and/or trying to grow your business from your phone, a portion of the device's cost and the cost of a service plan are deductible.

4. Home furnishings

If you have a home office, you’ll need to have chairs and other furniture to make it a comfortable place to work. At night, you might even roll the same leather chair you use in your home office out into your living room. This allows you to enhance your home with purchases that also qualify as tax write-offs.

5. Extra start-up costs

During the first year of any business, business owners may write off up to $5,000 of start-up expenses. But you’re not obligated to stop there. You can write off any additional spending in amortized amounts over the next 15 years. Ask your accountant how to set up a write-off plan for these expenses.

6. Promoting charitable walks

Charitable contributions to qualifying organizations can be written off as deductibles, yet many business owners overlook their sponsorships for fund-raising walks, support of local Little League teams, and other contributions they’ve made throughout the year. Keep records and receipts for all charitable giving and include them in your next filing.

7. Coffee

This is one of the most commonly forgotten write-offs of all. When you stock coffee for brewing at the office or make it at home while working, it can be deducted as a business expense.

As a general rule, small business owners should keep records of all transactions relating to their companies from the first weeks of the year through the holiday season. There’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage of all the tax write-offs that are available to you, as long as you consult with a qualified tax professional beforehand.

Make your online business image shine in 3 easy steps

Whether you own a mom-and-pop store competing with big brands, or a growing company with designs on the national market, your online presence means everything. But if you're a small business owner without a great deal of web savvy, don't worry. Here are three simple steps to making your online business image shine:

1. Build it up

Any effort to increase your brand exposure begins with building a website and social media pages. Stephanie Balderrama, president of Consumer Insights Group, told an audience at ad:tech New York that many business owners fail because they ignore their target audience during the website design process. In her work for Cinemax, Adobe, and other brands, Balderrama built winning websites using clear focus, easy navigation, and strong visuals.

Building social media pages for your business takes an equal amount of preparation. Facebook's "pay to play" system puts a burden on companies that hope to gain exposure without paid advertisements, so in this area, it’s best to consult with professionals for strategies to increase your social media reach, impact, and ROI.

2. Amplify your content

Once you have a targeted website and social media pages in place, expanding your brand's reach should be your next priority. When it comes to social media content, the rules are always changing, but there are still certain universal winning principles. For example, in the case of your Facebook posts and company blog (a marketing essential), when you publish is just as important as what you publish. Far more exposure is available to small business owners who publish at night and on the weekends because the fact of the matter is, people pay less attention when they are working at their own jobs.

Other winning social media strategies place a premium on what your audience is most interested in. Catering to your followers and fans in this way increases the likelihood that they’ll share the content with their networks. This type of engagement is invaluable for small business owners.

3. Protect your assets

After you've established yourself, it’s time to protect your good name. Negative comments on social pages and elsewhere online could put a dent in your company's reputation. Often, this negative publicity will be inaccurate and unfair, but rather than ignoring the drama or retaliating, your best strategy will be to respond professionally to the criticism. Make sure your audience understands that you always strive to meet their needs. The best way to manage your online reputation is to monitor your site and social pages and address any issues early.

Another way to protect your company is by cultivating a loyal following of brand advocates. Recognize consumers who are promoting your brand without compensation by offering them coupons, highlighted social posts, or other recognition. You’ll find you have strength in numbers when brand advocates on your side.

Your online business image will be strong once you have the right strategies in place, and whether you’re a marketing whiz or have yet to open a Twitter account, the resources to help you choose and implement those strategies are available.