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Starting and running a roofing business is demanding by the very nature of what you are required to do on a daily basis. Working in the field service sector and being required to visit different sites each day can be a challenge, particularly when you consider that typically a significant percentage of your time will need to be spent on administrative and managerial duties.
Technology has revolutionized the way the roofing sector is run and as such, those companies that have been able to embrace it have been able to use it to their advantage. To compete in such a space and be seen as an innovative and forward-thinking establishment, it’s important to consider in what ways it can benefit you.
Technology is certainly not limited to smart tech tools out in the field – smart business management software is imperative to have in your toolbox too as this will help you in reducing operating costs by making you more productive with your time. As such, it’s imperative that you embrace modern technology in all aspects of your work. Jobber is an example of how digital applications can significantly help with streamlining internal administrative processes and systems.
If you are looking for more ways that technology can work to the benefit of your business, here are some practical and actionable tips that can make a big difference:
1.Use estimation software to quote your rates
As a roofing business owner, arguably one of your most important tasks is in the creation of accurate estimates and quotes to prospective customers. This can be extremely tricky because so many variables can affect the overall cost of a project, and each project is unique. Get this wrong, and it could end up having a negative financial implication on your business. Technology can come in handy at this point as professional estimation software will support you in adopting best practice procedures and reduce the risk of human error.
This free roofing contractor estimate template is an example of one such form that will guide you through exactly what should be included, and can be customized and re-used every time you estimate a job. You end up looking more professional and it helps to improve consistency within your business.
Some apps and programs are designed to carry out the actual estimation rather than just give you blanks to fill in so look around and make an informed decision as to which will work best for you. Sometimes, you may find that you prefer to input a greater amount of information to get the required output which will require details on exactly what materials are required, measurements, labor hours etc. along with any required contingency. (1)
This can really help you as a roofing contractor be more efficient with your time as you will find you can draft estimates while on site as your client waits. It’s likely that the faster and better you get at this process, the more projects you end up winning.
2.Take advantage of aerial imagery
Aerial photographs can take your roofing business to the next level by enabling you to provide something of a wow factor to your work in several ways. Aerial photos can empower you to take far more accurate measurements for jobs and delight your customers by being able to develop innovative new design ideas for them.
There are two main types of these aerial photographs: those taken from a plane and those taken by drones. The former is more expensive as you are required to pay for a pilot’s time in addition to a photographer’s skills. However, the photos obtained through this method tend to be more accurate than those acquired through drone technology and other unmanned options.
Once you have obtained your photos, you can input your imagery into special software programs. These applications are designed specifically for roofers, and they allow you to come up with 3D images that can help you actualize your ideas. (2)
3.Leverage the power of social media
Social media is a universal tool that can be used for socialization, business communication, and marketing. Use it to your advantage to build and grow your roofing business. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and even WhatsApp have proven effective in the business marketing sector. So, how can you get the best out of them?
Once you’ve created your account on at least one of the sites mentioned above, you can start talking about your service offering and informing people about industry best practice, new developments, interesting news and how-to’s. By publishing engaging content that’s relevant to your business and the industry your operate in, people will start to turn to you as someone they can trust. Moreover, including photos, memes, GIFs, and videos in your posts can attract more engagements, enhancing your overall marketing strategy.
Taking it a step further, you could invest in influencers. These are social media experts who have large follower bases within your niche and may be interested in collaborating or partnering with you through social media marketing. (3)
Conclusion
Technology plays a vital role in modern business setups. As an entrepreneur, especially in the field service industry, you must invest in innovative new ways of doing business to remain competitive and keep up with the most recent trends and best practices. In the roofing sector, you can invest in aerial imagery and software programs to make your designs more appealing and accurate.
Social media is another tech tool you might want to include in your development strategy. Hiring influencers can help increase your online visibility, especially on social media, where a large proportion of your audience likely hangs out.
References:
- “A Booming Sector: How Construction Software Has Seen An Acceleration In Deal Activity.”, Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulnoelguely/2021/10/21/a-booming-sector-how-construction-software-has-seen-an-acceleration-in-deal-activity/
- “Deep Learning For Roof Detection In Aerial Images In 3 Minutes.”, Source: https://medium.com/nam-r/deep-learning-for-roof-detection-in-aerial-images-in-3-minutes-8d845f6d7f25
- “How To Identify And Work With The Best Brand Influencers For Your Business.”, Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/brand-influencer
