14 Questions Roofing Contractors Should Ask During a Software Demo

Determining which customer relationship management (CRM) software is the best fit for your roofing business requires more than just reading websites, comparing lists of features, or even talking to sales reps. To really understand if a CRM will benefit your business, you’ll need to see it in action with a software demo. 

In this blog post, we’ll help you prepare for your next demo by exploring the best questions to ask when viewing a software platform. These questions will give you key insights into the software’s functionality, so you can make the most informed decision.

Questions about features and functionality 

#1: Can you walk me through the step-by-step process of creating an estimate and turning it into a proposal?

Think about how many estimates your roofing company creates in a month. If a roofing software platform is going to help your business grow, it needs to make the estimating process smoother. Seeing the process in action will help you determine if you’ll save time—or just add additional complexity. 

#2: Does the platform require multiple third party plugins to function?

The best roofing software for your business will work great right from the start, without the need for extensive customization. Asking this question during the demo will help you uncover what is involved in making the software usable.

#3: How does your software handle aspects of a roofing workflow like aerial measurements and material ordering?

Using roofing software to manage your business should reduce the need for manual data entry and streamline repetitive processes, such as ordering aerial measurements. During the demo, make sure that the software you’re considering won’t slow down your workflow.

#4: Can you walk me through some of the software’s automations?

Some roofing software allows you to automate routine tasks, such as sending reminder emails to customers. A demo gives you a chance to see these automations in action and find out how the software can save you time when communicating with customers. 

Questions about implementation and customer support

#5: What does the onboarding and training process look like?

Implementing new software can be overwhelming. It’s important to learn beforehand how your company will be supported as you get up to speed on the software. 

#6: Do you provide ongoing training when I hire new staff or add new users to the platform?

Teams change over time, and new staff members need to become competent software users. If the roofing software you’re considering doesn’t offer ongoing training as new users are added, you should look elsewhere. 

#7: Is customer support included in my subscription?

You shouldn’t have to pay extra fees just to get your software questions answered. Before you sign a contract, make sure ongoing, reliable customer support is included in the services. 

#8: What is your customer support team’s typical response time?

Will your questions get answered quickly, or will you be left waiting days or weeks for a response? Look for a roofing software with a prompt and communicative customer support team so you’ll have peace of mind if issues arise.

Questions about data security

#9: Who owns the data I input into the platform?

Issues of data ownership and security are sometimes overlooked during roofing software demos, but it’s essential to understand what happens to your data before you input this vital information into a software platform. In particular, you’ll need to know whether or not you will maintain ownership of your data once you upload it to a given software platform.

#10: What other specific measures do you take to make sure my data is secure?

Security breaches and malicious attacks can happen to any software platform, even the most sophisticated. The best roofing software companies are aware of this possibility and take active measures to protect your data in the event of a breach, such as encrypting home information, financial records, and other sensitive information. 

#11: Does your platform offer role-based permissions and two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Not everyone needs to see every piece of information stored in your software database. Role-based permissions allow you to control which team members have access to which data, while two-factor authentication gives you peace of mind that only your employees are logging in to your system. 

Questions about pricing and subscription models

#12: How does pricing scale as my business grows and I add more users and locations?

The best roofing software will help you expand your business and grow your revenue. Make sure you’re prepared for this growth by asking how your bill will change as you build your team.

#13: Are your subscriptions annual or month-to-month?

Getting clarity on the specifics of your financial commitment during a demo will help you budget the upfront cost and incorporate roofing software renewal into your business plan, as well as giving you a better understanding of what the cancellation process is like. 

#14: What features in the system cost extra?

Most roofing software includes supporting features that can be activated for an additional cost if you need them. Learning about these features during a software demo will help you plan for the true cost of using the system, as well as give you greater insight into the full functionality of the software. 

Equipping you to make smarter software decisions

Deciding on the right software for your business can be overwhelming. By using these questions as a guide throughout the demo process, you can gain a better understanding of the roofing software system you’re considering and make the most of your time meeting with the software company.

At AccuLynx, we offer custom demos of our software and are ready to answer all these questions—and more. Sign up for a demo today to learn what sets our platform apart.