What did the last decade bring you? For many residential roofers, it was the time when they started their roofing businesses, added new trades to their repertoire, or grew their profits. These significant business accomplishments will hopefully continue throughout the next decade as well.
But there are some parts of your roofing business that you should leave in the past. From outdated techniques to faulty technology to ignoring proven solutions, you’ll be better off without some ways of doing business in the new decade, even if you’ve used them in the past. Here are three things that your residential roofing business should leave behind in 2020—and beyond.
Measuring Roofs by Hand
Back in the day, the only way to measure a roof was to climb up on a ladder and do it yourself. Without any other solutions, residential roofers had to make do and find ways to most accurately calculate the square footage of a roof. The calculations they did weren’t always perfect, but they enabled roofers to make a pretty decent estimate of the materials and labor needed for a job.
But over the last several years, roofing measurement tools have advanced significantly. Aerial measurement services like EagleView and GAF QuickMeasure are able to capture images of roofs using planes or drones and calculate their measurements more precisely than a roofer on a ladder ever could. Measuring by hand can be relegated to the past. With a roofing software like AccuLynx, you can order these aerial measurements quickly and easily from the field. Then, once the report comes in, it can be used to generate an estimate without having to re-enter the measurements, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry.
If you’re not using aerial measurements to prepare your estimates, you run the risk of inaccurate measurements and over- or underestimating the job at hand. You’re also losing valuable time that could be spent on other aspects of your business. Measuring a roof by hand is a technique that should stay in the past.
Not Adopting Residential Roofing Apps
Another trend that has grown over the past several years has been apps that make residential roofers’ lives easier. From apps that help you photograph job sites to apps for getting contracts signed on the go, there are more ways than ever to harness the power of your mobile devices for your roofing business.
But some roofers still haven’t adopted these apps for their own usage. Maybe they worry that these apps won’t function properly. Maybe they’re not sure how to integrate them with the other tools that they use. Or maybe they’re just content to do things the way they’ve always done them.
Whatever the case, roofing apps are a technology that is too helpful and impactful not to take advantage of. And many roofing software companies are developing app versions of their desktop platforms, meaning that roofers can trust they will function well and integrate with the rest of their technology. AccuLynx offers the Field App, which enables roofers to take the power of AccuLynx into the field with them. With the Field App, roofers can update job records, generate estimates, get contracts signed, and more, all from their smartphones.
Read More: How Roofing Apps Help You Spend Less Time Onsite
For even greater communication, AccuLynx has developed the mobile Crew App, which enables roofers to connect with subcontractors and crews more easily and facilitates more seamless work. When roofing apps provide so many ways to work more efficiently using your mobile device, there’s no reason not to adopt them for your roofing business.
Technology Developed Without Roofers in Mind
Many roofers now use software systems or other business management technology to keep their operations running smoothly. This technology can be incredibly effective and provide crucial support, particularly for small roofing businesses with limited staff. But not all business management technology is created equal. Many roofers are using solutions that weren’t designed for the roofing industry, meaning that they are having to adapt the technology to fit their needs.
While this may not seem like a major problem, it’s becoming increasingly unnecessary for roofers to rely on technology that wasn’t designed for them. In the past, there were fewer solutions available, but more and more tools are being developed specifically for roofers. Instead of spending time modifying a technology to suit the way you do business, you can get up and running with business management technology that does this work for you.
One of the things that makes AccuLynx stand apart from other software is that it was developed by roofers, for roofers. There’s no adjustment needed—everything from the dashboard to the production calendar to the estimating tools was intended for your residential roofing business to easily use. You can increase efficiency, reduce repetitive tasks and scale your business with technology that was purpose-built for your needs. And if you have any challenges in using the software, you can rely on our support team, which understands how roofers work and what help they’re looking for.
2020 is the perfect opportunity to leave behind old methods and tools that no longer work for your residential roofing business. In this new decade, focus on new developments that will help your business continue to grow sustainably and generate more revenue. You may find that it’s your best decade yet.
