Winter presents unique challenges for roofing contractors. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice make roofing in the winter more demanding. Compared to the constant work of the spring and summer seasons, business can be slow to come in and weather conditions may be dangerous for crews who aren’t prepared.

But with the right procedures in place, the most profitable roofing companies are able to take action and offer additional services while keeping their crews active year round.

Utilize these winter roofing tips to set your business up for success:

• Prepare your roofing business for winter
• Follow winter safety best practices for roofing crews
• Stay productive with off-season services
• Tailor marketing strategies for roofing in winter
• Maintain customer relationships
• Make the most of the off-season with AccuLynx

Prepare your roofing business for winter

Winter can present unique challenges for roofing businesses, but the right preparation, including proper maintenance and inventory storage, can help you operate smoothly throughout the season.

Review and maintain tools & supplies

​​Cold weather can take a toll on your tools and supplies. Frozen or poorly functioning equipment can slow down work or pose safety risks. Inspect everything prior to winter and double check that tools and inventory have been properly maintained before each job.

Remember that tools and materials can behave differently in the cold, shingles and other materials may become brittle, and adhesives might not set properly in lower temperatures. If you’re uncertain, refer to manufacturer guidelines regarding cold weather installation before using them on the job site. It can also help to store materials and equipment in a warm location right until you need them.

Stock up on essential materials

Since winter weather can sometimes lead to delivery delays, having essential materials like shingles, adhesives, and protective tarps can help avoid downtime.

If you have data on past seasons, you can predict the amount of materials you might need ahead of time and order them early. With shorter work days due to limited daylight and lower temperatures, having key materials on hand can help crews work efficiently during the reduced hours.

Follow winter safety best practices for roofing crews

No one likes a trip to the emergency room. To avoid accidents, help crews for all types of winter weather by:

• Providing protective clothing and footwear for snowy and icy conditions.
• Implementing safety training and ensuring that crews follow OSHA roofing standards for using equipment and completing work on job sites with snow or ice.
• Providing those who operate larger vehicles or trucks with safe driving routes and tips.
• Planning jobs strategically, avoiding peak cold hours and monitoring weather forecasts to minimize risk.

Because the winter weather can change at a moment’s notice and put your crews in dangerous situations. The AccuLynx Crew App can help you communicate with and provide automatic updates to crews, in order to keep them safe and productive.

Another great way to prepare for the season is to have your team educated on winter safety techniques. You can never be too cautious when implementing practices that keep your employees and company safe from injury and potential roofing lawsuits. Requiring your team to participate in an OSHA safety course will benefit them professionally and personally while protecting your company.

Stay productive with off-season services

The off-season is a prime opportunity to shift your focus, diversify your services, and refine your operations to maintain steady income and prepare for the New Year.

Diversify services

There’s a lot of winter related services that local homeowners may need. As a roofing business, you’ll be able to provide additional services like:

• Snow removal and de-icing
• Holiday light installation
• Siding or insulation upgrades
• Gutter cleaning
• Chimney flashing inspections
• Winter roof maintenance consultations

Offering additional services can keep your teams busy and money coming in. Plus, you’ll be able to connect with homeowners who may need work completed in future busy seasons. Getting your foot in the door during the winter is one way to keep your company top of mind.

Focus on repairs

Winter is an excellent time to focus on smaller, urgent repair work that homeowners often prioritize during the colder months. Minor issues such as leaks, loose shingles, or damaged flashing can escalate quickly in harsh weather, making timely repairs time efficient and profitable.

You can also provide complimentary roof inspections to generate new leads and start building your pipeline for warmer months.

Leverage technology to improve efficiency

If you do need to completely replace or upgrade a roof in the middle of winter, roofing technology, like AccuLynx can help to streamline processes and increase efficiency.

With AccuLynx roofing software, you’ll have access to integrations with EagleView, Hover, and GAF QuickMeasure to quickly capture roof measurement when you need them. Once you get the measurements, you can easily create accurate digital estimates, order materials, and manage production through AccuLynx, eliminating the need to spend excess time outdoors.

Tailor marketing strategies for roofing in winter

Whether you’re using social media ads or hanging up flyers, your winter roofing marketing strategy should be focused on preventive maintenance and expanding brand awareness.

Creating seasonal packages or promotions can generate interest from homeowners who may have initially only wanted a single service. Gutter cleaning and roofing inspections can be bundled as a winter preventative maintenance package. Or, holiday lights installation, takedown, and snow removal can be packaged as a seasonal promotion.

You can also work to highlight your company by getting involved and giving back to the local communities you operate in. Consider hosting a food or toy drive, or partnering with a local charity to raise funds. Initiatives like this can help your local community and ensure homeowners think positively of your organization.

Maintain customer relationships

Check in with clients whose roofs you serviced earlier in the year. It’s worth reminding homeowners that you are there to help with any exterior needs.

For homeowners who don’t need work done this season, you can still keep your business in front of them by sharing helpful tips for protecting their roofs. Offer advice on clearing snow, identifying damage from ice dams, and recognizing signs of roof stress caused by cold weather.

When you do complete a job, encourage recent customers to leave reviews about your business. The majority of consumers read online reviews to determine if a service or product is right for them. So the better your web presence, the more likely you are to get leads online.

Make the most of the off-season with AccuLynx

Winter may slow down the roofing industry, but it doesn’t have to freeze your operations. By adopting winter-specific strategies for safety, productivity, and marketing, you can ensure continued growth and success for your business.

Don’t let the cold weather hold your business back, AccuLynx roofing software can simplify your off-season planning and operations. Schedule a demo today and discover how our platform can upgrade your processes and set your roofing business up for year-round success.