Roofing companies often experience frequent famine and feast cycles, and the burnout during the spring and autumn seasons can hit as severely as the lack of business during off-season months. The only way out of this dilemma is to have a pipeline continually filling with leads throughout the year. In this article, we will share several tips that will help you build your own lead generation machine and help you get clients regularly.

Understand Your Buyer’s Persona

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So, create a mental picture of your ideal buyer by answering the question “Who would like to order your services?” In marketing jargon, this exercise is known as creating a buyer’s persona and these personas have helped brands generate incredible levels of revenue.

Know Their Pain Points

After zeroing in on your ideal client, the next step is to understand their pain points so you can properly market to them. Just keep in mind that today’s buyers have an ocean of knowledge readily accessible to them. It’s important that they get more than just good information from you as what they ultimately want is superior customer service. Give them a solid set of reasons to believe you can give it to them.

Research the Competition and Identify Your Main USP

In addition to researching your ideal clients, you will also need to carefully study your competition so you can differentiate your roofing company from the crowd. Your unique selling proposition (USP) needs to make you stand out from everyone else and immediately appeal to your target client base.

Leverage Content Creation and Promote Effectively

Once you have followed the above steps, now it’s time to explain your USP and value proposition to the intended audience by using engaging content. You’ll need to craft appealing content that will explain how your roofing services are going to solve the problems faced by your prospective clients.

While most businesses nowadays realize the importance of content creation, social media, etc., only a fraction have realized that content is of no use if it’s not promoted to the target client base. As part of the buyer persona exercise, you’ll also need to identify the advertising mediums that are most frequently used by your client base. For homeowners looking to replace roofs, Instagram or Facebook might be the ideal medium, but if you work with large businesses then LinkedIn might prove to be of better value as it’s being used by decision-makers and C-suite executives.

Prep Prospects for the Ultimate Conversion

You will need to understand a buyer’s journey from the top of the sales funnel (attracting visitors) to the bottom (turning them into a paying customer). As you move through the stages of getting contract information, presenting helpful material, answering questions and handling objections, you will want a plan to drip-feed information to the prospective buyer with content designed for that specific stage.

Build New Partnerships

You can build new partnerships with other businesses in related industries such as real estate developers, real estate agents, property managers and commercial electricians who often deal with buyers dealing in commercial buildings. These new relationships can lead to a stable supply of qualified leads that will help you break the feast and famine cycle.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing

It’s rightfully said that word-of-mouth marketing is the best form of marketing. It has always been this way. In the digital age, this means customers trust testimonials and online reviews more than any content produced or commissioned by you. You can ask your past customers to review you on Google, Facebook or any other channel of your choice. Few people realize how effective it can be. How many reviews do you have posted online?

Conclusion

Generating leads on a constant basis requires constant effort. This should be expected. However, by following the tips mentioned above, you can turbocharge your own lead generation machine that’ll not only generate regular business for you but will also help you scale in revenue and profitability.

Choosing the Right Material and Metal

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Aluminum Roofing: Aluminum is among the most popular metals that are commonly used for metal roofs. It’s lightweight and corrosion-resistant, which makes it ideal for coastal areas or regions where the climate can accelerate corrosion. It’s a bit more expensive than steel and may also be dented easily. However, aluminum roofs can easily last several decades if properly maintained, and it’s not uncommon for them to last up to 3-4 decades.

Tin Roofing: Tin roofs were synonymous with metal roofs a few decades ago, and one can still come across old buildings with tin roofs. It’s a bit cheaper than steel and aluminum but lacks the strength and finishing of both these metals. Nowadays, it’s rarely used for metal roofs due to the easy availability of better options.

Steel Roofing: Steel is the metal of choice for most commercial and residential buildings and is the most commonly used metal for metal roofs. It’s pretty cheap compared to aluminum and other metals.

Steel also offers a wide range of options when it comes to design, shapes, colors, and hues. However, due to its rust and corrosion-prone nature, it may not be a good choice for areas where the climate can lead to corrosion, such as near seas, oceans, or coastal areas. Steel roofs can last anywhere from 40 to 60 years or even more with regular care.

Standing Seam Roofing: Standing seam roofs are among the most popular varieties of steel roofs in use today. Standing seams conceal the fasteners used to bind steel sheets together, which is ideal for rainy areas as there’s very little chance of a leak, even after a severe rain shower or hailstorm.

Standing seam roofs are also known for their enhanced strength and durability, providing enhanced roof resistance. Concealed fasteners not only significantly reduce the chances of leaks but also appear aesthetically pleasing. A major downside of standing seam roofs is the cost, as these roofs are more expensive than most other metal roofing systems.

Metal Shingle Roofing: Metal shingle roofs, as the very name suggests, use shingles made of metal, with steel being the most common material used in such roofs. They provide you with the strength of steel and the beauty of shingles.

Metal Slate Roofing: To describe in just a few words, metal state roofs combine the beauty of slate shingles with the strength of steel.

Metal Tile Roofing: Metal tile roofs are ideal for someone who wants to enhance the appeal of their building with the beauty of tiles and also wants to use a more robust material that will not be prone to damage, as is the case with tiles.

Copper Roofing: While many people assume that steel roofs last the longest, this is not true, as this honor goes to copper roofs that can last 100+ years. In fact, copper roofs on some historical buildings have lasted for centuries. Copper is a less reactive metal, and as such, copper roofs are ideal for use in industrial or commercial buildings or near coastal or humid areas.

Copper roofs are also quite beautiful due to the natural color of copper, which looks quite aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. The only significant disadvantages of copper roofs are that they are very expensive compared to other metals and may cost 4 to 6 times more than a similar steel roof. They are also more complex to install, and not many roofing companies have the expertise to install copper roofs.

Zinc Roofing: Zinc roofs are similar to copper roofs in most aspects and are considered a premium roofing option, like copper roofs. The major downside is that even fewer roofing companies have the necessary expertise and experience to install zinc roofs. However, if one wants a roof that can last a really long time, then, indeed, one can consider copper or zinc roofs.

Choosing the Right Tools for Installation

The success of any commercial metal roofing project depends on the expertise of the roofer and the tools that he has access to. It’s imperative that the roofer installing, repairing, or replacing a metal roof has good quality roofing tools such as swivel head shears, metal snips, nibblers, hand seamers, and impact drivers, as it’s almost impossible to work on a metal roof without these handy tools.

You must also choose the tools based on the metal or material you’re working with. If a metal cutter can cut through steel of 18 gauge or 0.048 inches, it might not cut a steel sheet of 14 gauge or 0.08 inches due to its thickness. So, always be mindful to carefully select the tools for every metal roof project by analyzing what materials you will use.

Take Accurate Measurements

It goes without saying that in roofing, one needs to take accurate and precise measurements, as no amount of “eyeballing” can ever come close to the precision of using the right measuring tools. If your measurements are accurate, then it’ll save you plenty of time that could be wasted if you happen to be working with just an estimate of the area on which the metal roof needs to be installed.

Install Underlayment, Fasteners, and Flashing the Correct Way

During the course of a metal roof installation, repair, restoration, or replacement process, you’ll need to install several pieces of a roofing system, such as underlayment, fasteners, flashing, etc. Any error during installation will eventually lead to problems down the road that could cost your business tens of thousands of dollars.

So, always install these various components of a roofing system the correct way. Many manufacturers provide detailed guidelines and pictorial diagrams about how to install their products. And it’s a good idea to review the documentation carefully before installing these components. Correct installation will lead to a resilient roofing system that will be able to withstand even the harshest weather conditions.

Conclusion

These are some of the most important things that one needs to consider while installing a commercial metal roof. This list is by no means comprehensive, as there are certainly other things that one can add. We always appreciate feedback. Feel free to reach out if there are any other additional tips that you feel should have been included in this list.

Roof Cutter

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These mechanical cutters allow you to cut large areas of roofing systems into more manageable smaller pieces. Most cutters come with single or double blades that can be easily adjusted to cut through just the roof membrane or all the way through the roof deck. The depth of the cutting blade(s) is usually modified through an adjustment screw.

You should also take basic precautions such as wearing eye protection safety shoes, ensuring that there’s no electrical conduit or wires in the vicinity of the cutter, and, most importantly, keep your hands and feet away from the cutter blade.

Mechanical Sweeper

Mechanical Sweepers are another must-have tool for any commercial roofing contractor. Mechanical sweepers, also known as power brooms, are specialized to remove all sorts of debris from the roof once a roofing project is finished.

These devices are also powered by gas engines and generally use a 5 to 10-HP engine that provides sufficient power to remove heavy pieces of debris such as large shingles, wood, or stones. Mechanical sweepers use wide poly coil brushes ranging from 36″ to 50″ or more. The wide-sized coils are enough to sweep large areas in a short amount of time.

A mechanical sweeper can weigh anywhere from 250 pounds to 350 pounds or more, depending on the size. Reducing the time required for cleaning is a significant advantage of mechanical sweepers, as they can reduce the time you spend spent on cleaning a large roof from hours to mere minutes. Another important benefit of these sweepers is that they can be used for a wide variety of tasks in addition to roofing.

Roof Measurement/Estimate Tools and Software

Measuring roof area and preparing an estimate are all essential activities for securing a roofing job, and these tasks consumed a lot of time in the pre-digital era. Thanks to apps and software available now, an incredible amount of time can be saved on measuring roofs and preparing an estimate.

Modern-day roof measurement tools can integrate high-resolution roof imagery, 3D models, and even your smartphone camera to measure the dimensions of a roof accurately. These tools also come with additional features such as precise measurement of the roof area in square feet, quick estimate preparation, material cost estimates, and labor cost estimates.

You can take precise measurements of roofs through such software and create a detailed quotation or estimate in a very short amount of time. These tools also often allow you to store past measurements in the cloud for easy access wherever you are.

CRM For Managing Contacts and Marketing

A commercial roofing contractor usually spends a lot of time managing leads, maintaining communication details, and keeping an eye on the ROI of marketing campaigns. A CRM or customer relationship management system can help you automate most of these tasks and free up a lot of valuable time that you can spend on other, more important tasks.

CRM software will not only help you keep an eye on leads but will allow you to manage the sales and marketing process from start to end. Today’s CRM systems can also be synced with other roofing tools and software, such as estimate preparation tools, further reducing the time that you spend on managing your business.

Some CRM software comes with in-built measurement functions and double as measurement/estimation tools, removing the need for using different software to manage your routine business processes. Some quite advanced CRMs allow you to control the whole process from the mobile apps that can be quickly installed on an Android smartphone or Apple’s iOS platform and give you the option to directly collect payments from customers online using a payment processor of your choice.

Drone/Infrared Imaging Tools

Roof inspections are becoming more crucial for many different types of roof repair, roof restoration, and roof installation projects. While manual roof inspection was the only option available to commercial roofing contractors in the good old days, now one can conduct a thorough roof inspection and complete an accurate estimate without ever having to set foot on a roof.

Drone and aerial imaging have made this possible and, in most cases, are better suited for quickly conducting a thorough roof inspection. Modern-day drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that can perform as well as the human eye or even better in some cases with special lenses. Drones used for aerial inspection/imaging are also equipped with thermal sensors that create a detailed thermal image of a roof.

A thermal blueprint of a roof shows areas with differences in temperatures. This can help identify a leak or other sort of damage. Drones can also be used to create a detailed 3D model of a roof with precise measurements, and one can also compare the 2D or 3D model of the roof with thermal imagery to better understand the roof in question.

Due to their superb capabilities, drones and infrared/thermal imaging tools are a must-have for any commercial roofing contractor today. These tools not only reduce the time spent on roof inspections but are also quite cost-effective, as they can lead you to discover issues that are not easily noticeable, thanks to their thermal imaging capabilities.

Safety Equipment

Like many other similar professions, roofing has its hazards, including falling from a roof, getting injured during roof repair, or falling debris. As such, the safety of roofers performing a roofing job must be paramount during any task. One can’t overemphasize the importance of using appropriate safety equipment while performing a roofing job.

A commercial roofing contractor needs not one but many pieces of safety equipment to protect against injuries. Harnesses and lanyards are crucial for preventing an accidental fall from the rooftop. Hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, heavy-duty gloves, face masks, knee pads, and safety vests protect against all sorts of hazards that a roofer faces daily.

A commercial roofing contractor is also required by law to wear safety equipment while doing a job. One must never perform a roofing job without the necessary safety equipment as this may lead to severe injuries in case of an accident, and performing a job without the appropriate roofing safety equipment may also affect compensation and insurance payments in case you get injured.

Conclusion

The above list is certainly not comprehensive as there are several other important tools that are a must-have for any serious commercial roofer. We’ve tried to include the ones that we thought are absolutely essential for a commercial roofing project. A commercial roofer needs to be always prepared with all the necessary tools to deal with the myriad of roofing problems that he may have to deal with on short notice.

For a list of general tools and equipment, visit our earlier blog: Roofing Tools and Equipment List

Google Reviews not only enhance your visibility but also build trust, drive traffic, and improve customer engagement—essential components for thriving in any market. In this blog, we’ll explore how Google Reviews can give your commercial roofing business the edge it needs to shine in a crowded marketplace.

Boosting Your Local SEO and Online Visibility

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In fact, Google evaluates local businesses the same way in which local consumers appraise them, that is, by looking at the number, quality and freshness of the reviews. If a business manages to amass a good number of positive reviews, they are more likely to be seen or noticed by their target customers.

For instance, when the term ‘best commercial roofing contractor’ shows up in a Google search, it is more likely that the results include high rated companies which have positive customer reviews. If yours is a company that has a lot of 5-star ratings, then yours is likely to be among the first places.

Building Trust and Credibility with Potential Customers

Trust is the most important aspect of every business that operates successfully. One of the most effective ways to foster that trust is by obtaining positive Google Reviews from customers since people prefer to work with companies that they can trust.

Consider this: before acquiring a service, most people actively seek information from other people who have used the same service. This is called “social proof”. Google Reviews is the solution to this issue. A set of positive reviews constitutes endorsement from your customers, offering your business the social endorsement it needs to improve its market position.

If your reviews clearly say only the good things about your business, customers are going to assume that they will enjoy doing business with you. In a place where a lot of companies providing similar services, reviews may just be the deciding factor needed for the phone to ring.

Enhancing Customer Engagement and Feedback Loops

In contrast with classical advertisement that is largely one sided, Google Reviews allows for customers to engage with you in a conversation.

With the help of reviews, whether good or bad, you have an opportunity to respond directly to the client, and for potential clients to “hear” the conversation. This interaction highlights the fact that your customers’ opinion matters to you. A good word from the customer thanking them for the kind words regarding the completed job goes a long way in improving the customer’s faith in your brand. Conversely, if you have a negative review, showing a willingness to improve the situation and “make it right” can offset the negativity in the mind of the next potential customer.

This form of participation sets your business ahead of competitors who underestimate or do not bother with customer reviews.

Increasing Click-Through Rates and Conversion Rates

Positive Google Review ratings directly influence the conversion rate of a business. Users seeing the stars and the number of reviews for a product or service seemingly get more motivated to visit the site or call the business.

Several studies have been done, and they indicate a strong correlation between businesses that have a significant number of good reviews and a high CTR (click through rate).

Additionally, customers that leave reviews also provide details that perhaps might serve as selling points for others. For instance, if a business is said to have excellent customer service, it gives potential clients more confidence in that business if customer service is a strong priority for them.

This leads a logical deduction;  the more positive reviews you have, the greater your chance of capturing customers ready to convert, and increase your business revenue..

Conclusion

In a competitive market, every advantage counts. Google Reviews offer businesses the opportunity to enhance their online visibility, build trust, engage with customers, and ultimately increase conversions. In today’s digital age, where consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, neglecting this valuable tool is a missed opportunity.

By actively encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews, responding thoughtfully to feedback, and maintaining a strong online presence, you can differentiate your business and gain the competitive edge you need to thrive. So, don’t let your competitors outshine you—harness the power of Google Reviews and watch your business stand out in the marketplace.

First, you should anticipate that the roofing company will want to conduct an inspection.  It is unfair to expect any form of estimate without allowing for time and opportunity to assess your current roof situation.  Some roofing contractors may choose to conduct their inspection either on the roof or via drones.

Second, give the contractor some time to prepare that estimate.  There are some contractors who are comfortable doing an “on the spot” quote, but others want to take the time to ensure it is a complete and full estimate.  You wouldn’t commit to an important project without doing your due diligence, would you?  Consider granting your commercial roofing contractor the same respect and understanding.

Part of the pre-estimate process frequently deals with discussing the type of system you are considering.  Not all roofs are appropriate for all systems nor do all commercial roofing professionals work with all types of potential roofing systems.  Sit down with the contractor and discuss your business goals as a part of this process.  Identify if your goals include energy efficiency, chemical resistance, improved longevity, or cool roof technology integration.  This information assists the contractor in determining the BEST system for both your building and your business.

Elements of a Commercial Roofing Estimate

Every contractor is different, so we’ve put together an overview of various elements you should look for in your commercial roofing estimate.

Materials:  Exactly what type of materials, including manufacturer, is the contractor planning to use?  Like cars, there is a wide variety in quality and cost between different manufacturers.  A good commercial contractor may even prepare you options between XYZ and ABC manufacturers on the same type of roofing system.

Labor.  Some contractors choose to include the cost of labor within the materials portion while others choose to make this a separate line item.  There is nothing wrong with either method.

Protection.  Again, some contractors include the cost involved in protecting your property and business from damage within their overall cost projection.  Other contractors choose to show this as a separate line item on their estimate.  Either is fine, but it is important that you clarify the steps that will be taken to protect your existing business while that roof is being replaced.

Warranty.  This area is important.  Your estimate should include a written outline of the warranty offered, both in terms of materials and labor.  You should anticipate paying more for a really great long-term warranty that includes ongoing maintenance.  Think of it as insurance for that roofing investment.

Timeline.  Your estimate should include the timeframe anticipated to complete the job.  Please notice the word “anticipated”.  Like every other business, there are times when the unexpected occurs.  Roofing contractors are subject to the vagaries of weather or supply chain interruptions to a greater extent than many other industries.  That timeframe is an estimate based on past experience.

Payment Due Dates.  Many large projects allow for payments to be made through the project completion.  If that is the case with your commercial roofing project, your estimate should include the exact date each payment is due, along with terms for noncompliance by either party.

Elements that Affect Your Replacement Costs

There are many elements that go into determining the cost of replacing a commercial roof.  Each is considered and calculated into that final estimate you will receive.

Size.  This is pretty obvious.  The size of your roof is a HUGE consideration in the overall replacement project.  Not only in materials and labor, but additional considerations such as debris removal, movement of materials over the scope of the project and even increased safety considerations all can play a part.

System.  Different roofing systems have different costs.  That is also pretty straightforward.  If you and your contractor determine your roof is best suited for a PVC system, you will pay more than if it is determined that shingles will work better.  Why?  Because PVC costs more than shingles.

Roof Style.  This one may come as a surprise, but roofs with multiple peaks and valleys will generally cost more per square foot than flat roofs.  Why?  A good part of it is due to increased labor costs as those steep angles require more time and more protective equipment than an open flat roof.

Roof Access.  If your contractor is going to have to hire a crane to get materials and personnel up 10 stories, it is going to cost more than if they have to move those same items up 1 story.

The bottom line is there are a LOT of considerations that go into a good commercial roofing estimate.  That is the best reason to work with a qualified, reputable, professional commercial roofing company.  If you are looking for an estimate, feel free to contact the Choice Roof Contractor Group at (800) 670-5583 or complete the inquiry form and we will put you in touch with a roofing company in your area.

Where to Start

The roofing industry is a lucrative industry, but without proper safety, you will set your company up to fail. Your employees are your greatest resource. Without them, your company could not exist. This also goes for your clients, without them, you would be out of business sooner than you started. Your safety plan should focus on keeping both your employees and your clients safe.

To provide a safe work atmosphere for everyone, develop a safety plan that establishes policies and guidelines. Include workplace practices, safety equipment, personal protective equipment, hazard communication training, emergency, and any other procedure needed to maintain safety in your workplace.

It is also important that your safety plan comply with all federal, state, and local guidelines.

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Follow OSHA Guidelines

It is well understood that OSHA is there to protect everyone. While some of their policies might seem nit-picky, each one was established for a reason.

Think of it like touching a hot stove. You know not to do it, but at some point as a child you had to be told NOT to do it. OSHA guidelines are created from the need that someone needed to be told. As you set up your company policies, it is recommended that you get to know the ins and outs of OSHA and what is expected from your company.

Here is a helpful breakdown: OSHA Commercial Roofing Regulations

Third-Party Safety Solutions

If this all seems overwhelming, you’re not alone. There are teams of people dedicated to providing contractors with safety solutions and assessments. We live in an age of technology, with information right at our fingertips. You can find safety trainings online or in person that go over fall protection, safety hazards, OSHA regulations, and more.

Safety Plan Goals

The goal of your safety plan is to eliminate injuries and health hazards. You must recognize that there are potential safety issues on each jobsite and provide your team with solutions to handle them with caution.

You should also understand the human component to safety. Most people feel invincible; until a safety event happens. Your team is likely to remember the detailed safety plan if you practice what you preach and preach often. This means having daily safety conversations, safety plans for each project, and leading your team by example.

How is a roofing company supposed to make a living with these issues and uncertainties? Maybe by increasing another option – productivity.

Productivity is defined by how much is accomplished during a given time. The more tasks completed, the more productive you or your company are.  The more productive, the more profitable.

Ways to Increase Productivity

Regardless of how hard you work, there are only 24 hours in a day. Assuming you have any type of life or at least choose to sleep well, you are probably going to work no more than 12 of those hours. Making the most of that time is the key to increasing your productivity.

Software. Take advantage of software options to help reduce the amount of time you spend on various tasks. For example, if you aren’t using estimating software, you could be wasting hundreds of hours annually on mental mathematics. 

Another type of software you shouldn’t be without is a good CRM (customer relationship management). You can use this to not only track your customer base, but to trigger you for sending follow up sales email or even have them pre-written and ready to go. Though nothing beats the personal touch of a visit or phone call, by reducing that time to a fraction using automation, you can significantly increase your productivity.

Technology. Take advantage of modern technology to reduce the number of man-hours necessary to complete a task. If it takes 7 men 10 hours to lay and weld an area of roof, but a machine uses 1 man in 5 hours, that is a machine worth investing in.

Other examples include the use of drones and thermal imaging for roof inspections.  Not only safer for you and your employees, these technologies also look cool to your customer and at worse identifies those areas that requires a deeper hands-on inspection.

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Another example of better planning is having handout materials available to your team.  If your team is on a roof and can see other buildings clearly in need of repair or replacement, having handout materials available for them to stop in and offer can be the key to getting that next project scheduled without you having to do a big marketing campaign that costs a lot of money. Offering a monetary bonus to your installers in the event of a new project can’t hurt either!

Interns. In some areas of the country, local schools offer interns or job-placement programs for their seniors looking to move into a job after graduation. This is a great opportunity to get more hands on your projects without investing in additional employees.  It is also a truly irreplaceable way to assess skills if you may need additional help in the future.

Marketing. Many of you still do cold-call marketing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and, in the right hands, it is an effective way to drum up new business.  However, coupling that with a direct mail campaign, and using your CRM to generate email follow up automatically will dramatically increase the probability of a sale, without significantly increasing the time you spend.

For more ideas, reach out to the experts at Top Roof Marketing. They have worked with 300+ commercial roofing contractors and offer package options that will make your efforts more productive. Call today at 800-795-2187.

First and foremost, perhaps we should discuss what are the main differences between the two. 

Commercial vs. Residential Roofing

In the most basic definition, a “commercial” roof is one that sits over a business, rather than a personal home or multi-tenant building.  For most, that would include industrial buildings, strip malls, hospitals and the like.

Residential homes tend to have steeper slopes, and are primarily shingle, tile or metal.   In this case, your clients are families, with little or no knowledge of roofing or how business truly works.  Residential roofs tend to be smaller than commercial roofs and can be very labor-intensive.  On the positive, there are a lot of them.

Commercial buildings are frequently flat roofs, and may involve single-ply membranes, coatings,  EPDM, gravel, metal and other options, including the same shingles and tile you see in residential roofing.  Your clients are business owners or property managers.  Though they also may have little knowledge of roofing, they do understand business.  That can be a real plus when a material shortage or weather issue causes delays.  They are generally significantly larger than residential roofs and the work involved can be far less labor-intensive. Also, the profit margins are better in most cases. However, there are fewer commercial buildings than homes in the U.S.

Benefits of Commercial Roofing

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Income.  Researching Google shows a nationwide average cost to replace a shingle roof on a residential home of about $4.50 per square foot.  Researching the same concept, single-ply roofing comes up with an overall average around $6.00 per square foot.  Now, consider the average home of about 2,000 square foot vs. a commercial building of 20,000 square foot and you can see the huge difference ($9,000 vs. $120,000).

Labor.  Installing shingles on a steep, residential slope is very labor intensive.  Each shingle (even 3-tab) must be individually nailed into place, taking its toll on your team’s back, knees and other joints.  Conversely, coatings are simply sprayed or rolled on.  Membranes are rolled out in sheets, then connected.  There are even machines that can help with the process.  This reduces both your labor costs, your time and the physical demands on the body.

Time.  In this case, we are talking about your time.  Due to the significantly higher profit margins involved in commercial roofing, most commercial contractors actually work less and do far fewer jobs than residential roofers.  This allows for more personal time.  Time you can spend fishing, with the family, traveling or even growing your business more, if you prefer.

Competition.  Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not differentiate between residential and commercial roofing companies.  However, anecdotal data points from our commercial roofing contractor friends and associates report a substantially lower level of competition for jobs. 

Drawbacks of Commercial Roofing

There are a few drawbacks when considering switching to commercial roofing.

Cost.  There is specialized equipment to purchase, materials are more expensive, and you will usually need to invest more in marketing to get started.  However, you may consider used equipment (think eBay) or rentals if they are available in your area.  You may even be able to borrow some items from a commercial colleague (our commercial roofing network shares equipment among members all the time).  Material costs are offset by increased profits and marketing can be set up in stages to help reduce the impact on your company’s bottom line.

Education.  There is no doubt you will need some training and education.  Though a roof is a roof, a roofing system is not the same thing.  To apply coatings & SPF or install membranes properly requires training, experience and knowledge.  The place to get this education is in classes and hands-on workshops, not on the top of your new client’s roof. 

For additional information on commercial roof systems training, or to learn more about transitioning from residential to commercial roofing, talk to the experts at Choice Roof Contractor’s Group by calling 800-670-5583. 

These are the top 5 OSHA violations to consider when trying to reduce your number of violations and minimize how much of your time is lost due to a bad situation.

1. Fall Protection
2. Respirator Protection
3. Ladders
4. Scaffolding
5. Hazard Communications

Fall Protection

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This is an easy fix. The violations are a combination of inadequate equipment from the business owner and failure to use it properly by the employee. It is your responsibility, as an employer, to provide your employees with the equipment they need as well as mandating they use it properly and providing any necessary training. 

Maintaining a consistent plan of action against failure to follow protocol with fall protection equipment will help reduce the risk of your company being cited for this violation.  Additionally, regularly inspecting the equipment on a regular basis, and replacing equipment that is no longer working at its best, will keep you in OSHA’s good graces.

Respirator Protection

In second place with a disheartening 2,527 violations is respirator protection. What does this mean? Simply using a face mask that is appropriate for the job at hand. Using incorrect masks or no mask at all allows the chemicals we work with to potentially cause serious and sometimes fatal results.

Ladders

Following the basic OSHA regulations on ladder length would significantly help in dropping the number of annual violations. There were 2,026 in 2021. Knowing these regulations will help you protect the men and women that keep your business up and running. Though this may be seen by some as common sense, not using the appropriate length is a problem that is easily resolved.

Scaffolding

As you are aware, scaffolding is as necessary as having the correct materials on the job. Yet it is the fourth highest on the list with 1,948 OSHA violations. Why? A variety of reasons such as guard rails not being the correct height, midrails not being placed at all, or exceeding the maximum capacity of the scaffolding. These violations are easy to correct but are overlooked by newcomers and old-timers alike. Yes, it is easy to cut this corner, but is it really worth the extra cost associated with violations? Most likely not.

Hazard Communications

In some workplaces, it is all about location, but in this instance, it is all about communication. There were 1,947 violations of communications when it came to hazards in 2021.  It’s important that containers have their necessary labels, employees are properly trained and safety data sheets (SDS) are available.

Summarizing Things Up

As an industry, we can greatly reduce the number of OSHA violations and related injuries.  Regular, thorough training is a good start.  The presence of appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) that is in good working order, having a strict reinforcement policy for OSHA’s rules and regulations, and keeping open lines of communication are other simple steps to follow.

Working together as a community, we can improve our industry and help save lives. 

You may already know the primary problems they may face with their flat roof system. It is your responsibility to impart that knowledge in a clear, concise, and understandable fashion to your current or potential customer. What is the best way to do that? You can share the information on your company social media (think Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). You can share expertise via your website blog. You can have a flyer made to provide various details. There are many options. What is not an option is failing to support your commercial clients with the information they desperately need to make good financial decisions.

In case you are newer to flat roof systems or are looking for more information about their potential issues, we are sharing the top 5 reasons ponding water on a roof is a problem.

Why is Ponding Water a Concern?

The very nature of a flat or low-slope roof causes ponding water problems. Without a significant slope to remove it from the roof, the water will pond in low areas. Why is this a problem? There are several reasons to consider.

Gravity. If moisture has nowhere else to go, gravity will cause it to seek any tiny imperfection in the roofing system to move downward. This leads directly to leak development and resulting structural damage.

Vegetation. Stagnant water is a petrie dish for the development of mold, mildew and other forms of vegetation. Many of these use a root system, which can penetrate the roofing system and cause the very defects that lead to the development of leaks. Additionally, some of this vegetation is extremely unhealthy for the people the roofing system is designed to protect.

Pests. Standing water provides the opportunity for pests to gather. Not only is it a breeding ground for mosquitoes, it provides a gathering location for birds, rodents and other pests to find their necessary water.

Weight. Depending on the size of the ponding area, it could be adding unanticipated weight to the roofing structure. A single gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. You can quickly see how large areas of ponding can add substantial weight to specific structural locations. Those locations may not be sufficiently reinforced to support that weight.

Collapse. Over time, left unchecked that ponding water will lead to system failure and will eventually get into the structure. The structure will weaken and collapse. No roofing system or substructure can withstand the damage of unchecked water year after year.

How to Address Ponding Water Issues

There is no point in identifying a problem if you aren’t willing to offer some solutions. Here are a few ways to identify and address water ponding.

Inspections. Scheduled inspections help identify the existence of a ponding water issue. Simply put, you can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. The NRCA states water found standing on flat roofs for longer than 2 full days after a storm should be examined by a professional commercial roofing contractor.

Maintenance. Appropriate maintenance of the flat roof system is paramount. This is how those small defects that may exist are corrected, reducing the risk of system compromise from the accumulated water.

Repairs. Any repair should be made promptly and correctly. Though it doesn’t stop the water from ponding, it does reduce the likelihood of more extensive damage from occurring.

Restoration. The application of a coating, spray foam or single-ply membrane improves the waterproofing of the system and helps seal any existing defects. If the ponding is due to collapsed insulation or other “low spot” in the roofing structure, it can also help fill in the area for a more even roof.

Gutters. Gutters need to be cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. Debris build-up is another common reason water can begin to pond on a system. This is such an easy fix. There is no excuse for it ever occurring.

Drains. The installation of drains may become necessary. Experts recommend a drain every 80 feet to allow for proper and efficient water removal.

Replacement. If the problem is extensive or caused by issues like collapsing insulation, weakened structure or even a foundational issue, the only answer to the problem may be a full tear off and replacement to address the deficiencies.

Remember, more than just an eyesore, ponding water is truly a hazardous condition to any flat roof system. Left unchecked, it will ultimately lead to system failure and the risk of a catastrophic loss to your client. Do them a favor, and make sure they know the risks. They will appreciate it.