Blog Archives - The Roofer's Helper

Why Your Roofing Company Needs SEO

Blog, Business Startup, Business Tips, Marketing, Website

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business, but it is especially important for a roofing company looking to dominate in their market. One of the most effective ways to improve your online visibility and attract potential customers is through Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website and its content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords and phrases. In other words, it is a set of techniques and strategies that help your website appear at the top of search engine results when potential customers search for roofing services in your area. While Google is the most popular search engine, a well optimized website will also rank in the top results of other search engines as well (Bing, Yahoo!, etc.)

SEO is many times neglected in a roofing company’s overall marketing strategy in favor of focusing on social media and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. This is a major mistake. Although results may not appear instantly when first getting started, a properly optimized website can bring in high-intent leads over and over again at a much lower cost-per-lead than other paid marketing methods.

Here are a few reasons why SEO should not be neglected in your roofing company marketing strategy:

Increased Visibility

You’ve paid thousands to have a website designed, but what good is that investment if nobody will see your company when searching for a roofer in your area? The primary benefit of SEO is that it increases your online visibility, which means more people will be able to find your roofing company online. By optimizing your website for relevant keywords and phrases, along with implementing various other techniques, you can rank higher in search results and attract more potential customers to your website.

Higher Quality Leads

Paid ad campaigns can sometimes produce tire-kickers and other low-quality leads, which you still have to pay for. SEO helps attract high-quality leads– individuals who are actively searching for roofing services in your area. These leads are more likely to convert into customers as they are already interested in your services and actively seeking them out.

Competitive Advantage

By optimizing your roofing website for SEO, you can gain a competitive advantage over many other roofing companies in your area who are not investing in SEO. The higher you rank in search results, the easier it will be for potential customers to find you and choose your services over competitors.

Cost-Effective

In the long run, SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy for your roofing company compared to other forms of advertising, such as pay-per-click advertising or traditional advertising methods. Once your website is properly optimized, it will be working 24/7 to attract potential customers to your website. It is important to note that while SEO is highly effective in bringing in leads, additional lead generation may still be necessary through PPC and other methods. SEO doesn’t replace other types of marketing, but works in concert with them.

By investing in SEO, you can increase your website’s visibility, attract high-quality leads, gain a competitive advantage over other roofing companies in your area, and save valuable marketing dollars, which can be used to invest in other areas of your company.

Whether you are a new or established roofing company, today is the day to get started on implementing SEO into your marketing strategy. Your competitors may

There are a few things to consider before going out and hiring a marketing company to do your SEO for you. SEO can be VERY expensive, besides the fact that there are many incompetent or dishonest marketers you will need to avoid. Hiring the wrong marketing company could cost you thousands of dollars PER MONTH, with little or no results, not to mention the additional costs in hiring another company to fix their mistakes. Make sure you research the marketing company you are considering diligently before signing a contract.

Another option you may want to consider is having your SEO done in-house, rather than outsourcing. Doing your own SEO can help your company potentially save thousands in ongoing costs, while allowing you to know exactly how your SEO marketing dollars are being spent.

Roofing SEO School can help you take control of your own SEO by teaching you or someone from your team the technical aspects of optimizing your website, creating content, building backlinks, monitoring your search results, optimizing and maintaining your Google business listing, and much more. Right now you can save $100 on signup with the code “RoofersHelper100”. Find out more HERE.

Need help choosing the right marketing company for your roofing business? CONTACT US

Roofing Social Media Management – Top 5 Fails

Blog, Business Startup, Business Tips, Marketing, Social Media

Many roofers love to see images and video of roofing “fails”. Whether it’s a ugly repair job done by a homeowner, or a botched install by a “chuck in a truck”, these type of posts often get a lot of attention. While roofing fails can draw a crowd, unfortunately, social media account fails have the opposite effect. After reviewing thousands of social media accounts over the past few years, I have seen a number social media account “fails”. While the buck ultimately stops with the business owner, sometimes the fail is caused by an employee, family member or social media manager who is running the account. If used properly, social media accounts can be a very effective and economical way to generate roofing leads. When not managed properly, they can waste valuable time and money, besides missing out on connecting with potential customers.

While there are numerous mistakes that can be made when running a social media account, here are the top 5 fails I have seen in the roofing industry, in no particular order:

1 . NOT POSTING FOR THEIR CUSTOMER

While this should be obvious, many roofing businesses on social media don’t seem to know who their audience is. Roofing business social accounts will often post images and videos that will draw a lot of attention from other roofers (through love or hate), but these same posts have little or no meaning whatsoever to a homeowner.

It is important to research your target audience (age, gender, location, economics, residential, commercial, etc.). If you take the time to develop a customer persona (avatar), you will have more clarity when deciding what images, video, and text should be posted. Don’t fall into the trap of posting what you personally enjoy or what other roofers will like. If you want to do that, create a separate influencer account aimed at roofers. For the social media account for your roofing business, create posts with your potential customer in mind.

2. NO POSTING STRATEGY

Another social media mistake some make is not putting much thought into what, when, and how they post. They will post various images or video throughout the week or month, seemingly without any rhyme or reason. These social posts may not even include any descriptive text or hashtags.

Planning and consistency are important for effective social media outreach. After developing a customer persona (mentioned above), creating a social posting calendar can help in organizing a variety of post types and content. With proper planning, content for a whole month (or more) can be created from just a few roofing jobs. When and how often you post can help improve the chances that a customer will see your post.

3. NO SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

There are some who may actively post quality content, but never make the effort to interact with their audience. They post, and then disappear from their social account until they login to post again. Comments (negative or positive) are ignored, and they don’t even check their DM’s. Basically, they aren’t very “social” on their social media account.

If you are going through the work of creating high-quality content aimed at your audience, you need to do everything possible to prompt them to see your content. Be active on the social platforms you are posting on. Respond to comments, and definitely be checking your inbox regularly (although you may have to weed through the marketing spammers). Interact with your potential customers on their accounts, and on other primary accounts they are following. Responding to their posts with genuine comments can help build a relationship not only with that account owner, but also their followers.

4 . TOO MUCH SELLING/SPAMMING

Some fall into the trap of always using social to only promote their business. Their posts mostly consist of asking people to hire their roofing company. Their “engagement” on other social accounts is what most would describe as “spam”. They are more focused on trying to force an instant sale, than on first building a relationship of trust. They are constantly bombarding others with their sales pitch.

There are many creative ways to use social media to build brand awareness and trust rather than annoying customers by always trying to get them to hire you. Try to provide genuine interaction with customers without including any sales pitch. Contribute valuable input when posting or responding in social groups and on other business and personal social accounts. Building trust through relationships takes time, but is a much more effective sales strategy in the long run. Many top marketers recommend that only 20% of your social posts should involve promoting your business and the remaining 80% should be used to educate and entertain your prospective customer.

5. NOT STUDYING ANALYTICS

One final mistake is to be working hard to consistently create and post content, and taking the time to engage with your audience, without knowing the effectiveness of what you are posting. Social media business accounts (along with some personal/creator accounts) provide helpful analytics which many business owners have never looked at, much less studied. Likes, comments, and views can easily be seen under a post, but they don’t necessarily give a complete representation of the impact a particular post has.

Don’t just focus on vanity metrics, or even “going viral”. There are other important metrics to study including impressions/reach, saved posts, shares, and the demographics of your viewers. You may be discouraged that a post doesn’t get many likes, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. You may have more potential customers checking out your business than you think. Most people aren’t going to be actively liking and commenting on posts from their local home improvement contractors. Don’t be discouraged by that. Instead, focus on increasing reach/impressions in your local area to draw attention to your business and build brand awareness.

Need help developing a solid social media strategy for your roofing business? CONTACT US

Roofer Falls From Roof During Rooftop Brawl

Blog, Crime, News

Sydney, Australia (12/7/2022)- Police and emergency services were called to a construction site in Belleview Hill, a suburb in eastern Sydney, around midday on December 7.

Video footage shows three men involved in a physical altercation on the roof. One man is then seen stumbling backwards and falling from the roof to the ground.

A 44-year old man is in stable condition after being rushed to hospital with injuries to his shoulder and torso.

Two other men, age 41 and 45 were arrested, but later released without charges.

Video of the altercation can be seen here.

Cocaine, Eutylone, and Cash Seized from Roofing Vehicle, Two Arrested

Blog, Crime, News

Henderson County, Tennessee (11/17/2022)- A Henderson County, TN trooper stopped a Ford E-350 roofing van on Interstate 40 for traffic violations and then requested to search the vehicle after discovering possible criminal activity.

A K-9’s alert prompted further search of the vehicle. Buried under roofing equipment, troopers found two coolers wrapped inside a

blue tarp. Inside the coolers were 6 bundles of cocaine and 1 bundle of eutylone., which is a Schedule 1 drug. The drugs were seized along with $22,080 cash. Juan Vasquez and Lot Barrera, both from Louisville, KY were taken to jail.

A trooper stopped a Ford E-350 van on Interstate 40 in Henderson County on 11/15/22 for traffic violations. The trooper requested permission to search the vehicle and it was granted once he discovered possible criminal activity was taking place. Another trooper arrived on the
— TN Highway Patrol (@TNHighwayPatrol) November 17, 2022

Dallas Roofing Nail Bandit Suspect Arrested

Blog, Crime, News

Dallas, Texas (10/24/22) – A suspect named by Dallas residents as the “Nail Bandit” has been arrested. At least 30 incidents have been reported of hundreds of nails scattered in major intersections and other high-traffic areas. Neighbors in Preston Hollow picked up over 300 nails, only to find more scattered in the street later. The scattered nails had caused flat tires and increased concerns for safety.

On October 24, Kevin Genter, 45, was arrested by Plano police in connection with a separate deadly conduct incident a few days earlier involving gunshots. The fleeing suspect’s vehicle matched the description of a vehicle seen dropping nails throughout the parking lot of Toyota Headquarters on October 20 and 21. Highland Park and University Park Police have confirmed that Genter is a suspect.

Roof Replacement vs. Reroofing

Blog, Roofing Tips

Roof Replacement vs Reroofing

One of the most important aspects of your home is the roof, and the installation and upkeep often represents a large initial and continuing investment for the life of the house. When it comes to the return on investment, for the most part reports indicate that a new roof will yield up to 80% of its original cost in the resale of a home, and 30% of real estate agents point to roof repair as one of the fastest ways to ensure the sale of a house. Considering its role in the structure and protection of your house and the value it adds overall, it is important to monitor the condition of your roof and take the right steps to maintain it. When it does come time to fix or replace your roof, the two most widely accepted options you have are reroofing and roof replacement. When choosing the path to take, it is important to know the pros and cons of each and assess them against your budget and other capabilities.

What is the Difference?

Overall, the best method for you will depend on a few things, including the lifespan of your roof and the amount of damage it has sustained. The first method to think about is reroofing, which is general the faster and more affordable method of repair which involves placing a new set of shingles over the existing set that has been compromised. Since this process doesn’t involve removing the old shingles and replacing the entire roof, it is generally the faster way to restore your roof. Additionally, it doesn’t necessitate extensive labor or materials like certain other methods, and therefore represents a more cost-effective method of repair. The cons of reroofing generally lie in the longevity and can vary depending on the extent of the damage to your current roof. For starters, reroofing usually does not last as long as a full roof replacement. Building codes also prohibit adding an additional layer of shingles if you already have two layers installed, so if the first reroofing layer fails you will end up having to fully replace the roof as it is prohibited to add an additional layer on top. Even if there is currently only one layer, if there is considerable enough damage to the shingles themselves or the deck underneath the roof will have to be replaced for structural and safety reasons. Additionally, since the existing singles are not being removed, it is difficult to know what kind of damage lies in the material underneath. Conversely, if most of the roof is undamaged and there are only a few isolated spots that need minor repair, you can opt for a more cosmetic fix and bypass a full replacement. For these reasons, it is essential to know which is right for your specific situation. The alternative to reroofing is a full roof replacement, in which all of the old shingles are stripped away, any material defects in the underlying deck are repaired or replaced and then new shingles are installed. This can involve a full replacement of the deck and underlayment in addition to new shingles, but that all depends on the current condition of the roof. The main advantages of this method lie in its longevity, as it is usually more durable than reroofing and is thought of as more of a long-term fix. The main con in replacement lies in the immediate cost and labor necessary for the project, as it is more expensive and time consuming than reroofing. With that being said, for the most part replacement will be more cost-effective in the long run.

Which Method is Right for Your Roof?

As mentioned above, an important thing to consider is your personal preference in terms of time and money you will want to spend repairing your roof. Generally, if you are looking for a quicker and cheaper method of repair, reroofing would better suit your needs. With that being said, there are situations where reroofing is not a suitable alternative and replacement cannot be avoided for the sake of saving time and money. If you don’t have any prior experience dealing with diagnosis and repairs like this it is important to contact a professional, not only for the work itself but for an initial consultation to assess exactly what needs to be done to maintain adequate structural integrity and safety of your roof. Although at first glance it can appear that there isn’t enough damage to merit a full replacement, closer examination by an experienced set of eyes can tell you otherwise. This is essential not only for the value of your house, but also for its structural integrity and the safety of anyone living in the house. For all of the reasons mentioned above, it is important not only to hire a roofing professional, but one that will take the time to assess your specific needs. Even if it necessitates a higher upfront cost, the more time and care initially put into the project will guarantee a high return on investment for the life of your roof.

5 Gutter Contractors Receive Electric Shock and Fall 25 Feet

Blog, Injury/Death, News, Safety

July 12, 2022 | Grand Ridge, IL

Five contractors from Double L Seamless Gutters of Roanoke received electrical shocks and fell 25 feet from their ladders around 11 a.m. after an aluminum gutter they were installing touched a live power line. The workers were all on aluminum ladders at the time of the incident.

There were no fatalities, but two of the contractors sustained serious injuries, and were flown to the burn unit in Springfield, according to Grand Ridge Fire Chief Tim Geiger. The other three contractors were taken to area hospitals.

The Sheriff of LaSalle County is investigating the incident.

More here: https://abc7chicago.com/lasalle-county-il-grand-ridge-electrocution-gutter-workers-electrocuted/12047060/

3 Men Sentenced for Stealing 1.8 Million from Baker Roofing Company

Blog, Crime, News

Raleigh, North Carolina– Three defendants were sentenced on Monday, May 3, 2022 for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States in connection with a fraudulent invoicing scheme that targeted Baker Roofing Company (BRC). Defendants were ordered to pay restitution of $1,850,442 to the company and received the following sentences:

George William Garven, of Clemson, South Carolina, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Robert Andrew Helms, of Indian Trail, North Carolina, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release.
William Russell Davis, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release.

“These defendants, all of whom are well-educated, successful businessmen, used their positions of privilege to enrich themselves at the victim’s expense,” commented United States Attorney Michael Easley. “Like many white collar offenders, their choices were not born of desperation, but of greed. They thought they were above the law—but today the law caught up with them. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to ensure that those who cheat Eastern North Carolina businesses face consequences in federal court.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, the victim, BRC, hired Garven in 2011 to serve as the Vice President and General Manager of its Charlotte branch office. In 2014, Helms and Davis partnered together to provide roofing subcontracting services to BRC through Davis’s business, R&K Davis Holdings (R&K). Between 2015 and 2020, R&K was used as a vehicle to fraudulently bill BRC for subcontracting work that was never performed. Among other things, Garven obligated BRC to pay R&K by generating fake invoices and subcontracts in R&K’s name. The criminal proceeds, were funneled into business bank accounts controlled by Helms and Davis and then disbursed to Garven in various forms, including gift cards and checks. The checks included fraudulent memo lines to make it appear they were related to legitimate business. Garven also directed Helms and Davis to use the embezzled funds to pay contractors to perform work on Garven’s residential properties. In furtherance of the scheme, Garven paid Helms and Davis each approximately $140,000 in cash.

via: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/co-conspirators-sentenced-stealing-over-18-million-fake-billing-scheme

Tamko Titan XT Shingle

Blog, Products, Resources, Reviews

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The Titan XT^™ is Tamko’s new architectural/dimensional-style shingle and is part of the Tamko Heritage Proline™ . The Titan XT has an array of features not found in their Heritage shingle. The most notable improvements are:

–A defined nailing zone (5x larger than in the Heritage line) that is reinforced with a 2 inch polyester fabric strip.

–A much more robust sealing strip that allow for a 15 year limited warranty on winds up to 160mph.

A full Tamko Titan XT review will be posted in the future.

Features and Specifications:

Material: Fiberglass/Asphalt
Rapid Fire Zone™ — a clearly defined 1-1/2″
expanded nailing zone
A reinforced nail line — 2″ poly strip reinforcing the nailing zone and the common bond
Manufactured with an enhanced, polymer-modified shingle sealant
Limited Lifetime warranty
10-year Full Start™ non-prorated warranty period
10-year Algae Cleaning Limited Warranty
6 colors
Wind warranty: 15 year limited warranty for winds up to 160 mph when applied in accordance with Titan XT’s
High Wind Application Instructions
Shingle size: 13-1/4″ × 39-3/8″
Exposure: 5 5/8″
Approximate pieces/square: 64
Approximate bundles/square: 3

Titan XT — Image source: https://www.tamko.com/titanxt

STEEL VS. ALUMINUM ROOFS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Blog, Metal Roofing, Resources, Roofing Tips

STEEL VS. ALUMINUM ROOFS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
BY: NICK LEE
PRESIDENT AT COASTAL METAL (MIAMI, FL)

As roofers, we know the phrase, “location location location” isn’t exclusive to real estate industry. When choosing between a steel and aluminum roofing system, the location of your project can determine which material will best suit your needs.

Steel Roofing 101

Environmentally-friendly, sturdy and easy on the wallet, Steel is the most common material used in metal roofing. Steel roofs are a solid choice for the vast majority of roofing projects, especially where value is important. Many steel roofing products come with hard-to-beat 40 to 50-year warranties. However, in comparison to aluminum, steel is a lot more susceptible to seawater damage making it a bit undesirable for coastal applications. Over time, moisture from the ocean oxidizes the iron component in steel, creating ferric oxide, more commonly known as rust. Steel manufacturers fight rust formation by coating panels with either zinc or Galvalume in order to form a protective barrier.

Steel roofs offer a number of benefits, including:

Durability/Gauge – The lower the number, the more durable the metal. Steel panels range from 22 (thickest) to 29 gauge.

Fast Installation – Steel roofs can be installed quickly. Certain steel panels have clipless, snap-and-lock installation systems that expedite the process.
Cost Effectiveness – When compared to other metals, steel is the least expensive. A steel roof also saves you money by keeping your heating and cooling costs low. Steel has a higher reflectivity than other roofing materials. In the hotter, summer months it deflects sunlight from being absorbed, and in the winter, acts as an insulator, reflecting and circulating heat from the underside of the roof back inside the building.
Fire Safety – Steel roofs are completely fire-resistant. A class-A, noncombustible roofing material, steel insulates against sparks and can ultimately prevent a fire from spreading into a home.
Aesthetic Versatility – Steel is customizable and can mimic the look of wood, tile, slate or shingles. Steel panels can also be painted or designed to complement the unique appearance of a home.
Environmental Factor Resistance – Steel is impermeable to algae and fungi that oftentimes shorten the lifespan of other roofing materials like asphalt or wood shingles. Steel is not hospitable to pesky critters that tend to take refuge in roofs (termites, rats, racoons, etc.)

Aluminum Roofing 101
Aluminum is among the premium choices when it comes down to metal roofing material. Similar in quality to its more expensive cousins, copper and zinc without the price tag, aluminum is still around 20% more expensive than steel. Offering superior protection from saltwater corrosion, aluminum roofing systems are ideal in coastal environments. Due to its price, aluminum is often manufactured in a much thinner panels than other materials as well. While aluminum roofing material’s strength-to-weight ratio is higher than steel, the factor of cost often results in panels that are too thin for their surroundings. In regions with high winds, hail, or strong environmental stresses, this can result in damage to the roofing material. Properly identifying the environmental strains that your aluminum roof will face will be crucial in choosing the right design.

A few things to know about aluminum:

As a bare, natural metal, aluminum does not age gracefully, so oftentimes it’s finished with a painted surface.
Aluminum used for roofing applications tends be very malleable and easy to work with onsite, making it a forgiving material for most installers.
Aluminum is one of the lightest metals used for roofing. It’s strength-to-weight ratio is among the highest of the “common” metals (that’s why most of the airliners in the sky use aluminum for their air frame), and therefore, a thinner piece of aluminum can often do the job of a thicker piece of any other type of metal.
Price-wise, aluminum falls somewhere in between most of the finished steels and copper and zinc.

The Steel vs. Aluminum Takeaway
Whether you are a builder in charge of constructing a new home or a homeowner interested in upgrading to a metal roofing system, deciding whether to go with steel roof panels or aluminum roof panels is a valid concern.

Steel and aluminum are dependable, metal roofing materials but there are distinct differences and advantages of both types that one should consider. For example, aluminum and steel are two of the most energy efficient roofing materials on the market; they’re naturally reflective, and usually equipped with coatings that meet LEED and Energy Star compliancy.

In term of cost and weight, steel is a heavier material, more dent resistant and less expensive than aluminum. In addition, steel panels are inherently sturdier and totally fire resistant, even without an underlayment. It is an attractive roofing solution for inland projects and new builds. Aluminum is the better choice for homes or buildings located along a coastline or for jobs that involve retrofitting a metal roof over existing shingles. Aluminum is a much lighter metal so weight would not be an issue if a homeowner or business owner wanted to upgrade their existing roofing system. Aluminum is typically more expensive but it is much more rust resistant. Salt water is corrosive to steel roofs, so anyone living close to the ocean should consider aluminum over steel for this reason alone.

“When choosing between steel and aluminum, think about why you’re opting for a metal roof in the first place,” says Albert Del Sol, project manager at Isaac’s Roofing in Miami, FL. “Structurally speaking, a steel roofing system is sturdier but will never outperform aluminum on the Florida coast where saltwater is known to cause roof corrosion. It’s all about your location, choose your metal accordingly.”

Ultimately, the locale and needs of your project are going to dictate which you use. If the project is near the ocean and not in hurricane territory, the choice will probably be aluminum. If you’re out West and brushfires are a concern, you’re better off with steel. If your concern is the added weight of a metal roof being retrofitted over an old shingle roof on an existing building, then you may want to think aluminum or a light gauge steel.