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How To Start a Roofing Company – Roofing Business Resources

Business Startup, Featured, Marketing

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Table of Contents

If you want to start a roofing business, you must realize that running a profitable roofing company is a lot more than knowing how to find a leak or replace a roof. Just because you can do a great job installing shingles, managing a crew as a foreman, or selling roofs, doesn’t guarantee that you will be effective at running a roofing company.  Being a successful roofing business owner involves discipline, organization, both business and general roofing knowledge, patience, perseverance, people-skills, and a number of other traits.  A majority of roofing businesses fail within the first few years of business. This is usually not because the owner wasn’t skilled in their roofing craft, but because they were not skilled in running a business.

On this page, and throughout The Roofer’s Helper website, you will find valuable tips and helpful information to get your business off the ground.

There are basically 3 steps for how to start a roofing business:
  1. Plan your roofing company. This is a major step, and will help guide the direction of your business.
  2. Register your business with proper government institutions.  You need to make sure your business is operating legally in your area.
  3. Promote your business.  A solid marketing and sales strategy is critical to attract new customers.

1. PLAN YOUR ROOFING BUSINESS

Develop a Business Plan

Before diving in to any business, you should develop a business plan.  Roofing equipment and vehicles can cost a lot of money.  Don’t forget about insurance costs, not only for you, but for any employees.  A business plan doesn’t have to be anything complicated, but is something that will help organize your goals and priorities and help you make wise decisions.  It is important to know how much you will need to spend to get started, and how much you will need to make (after expenses) to support yourself. Not everyone wants to have a multi-million dollar roofing company with hundreds of employees.  If your goal is to have a small to medium sized  business, then the goals you set will be much different from a business plan for a large corporation. Either way, you need to have a solid plan set in place that will help you achieve the goals you set for your business. The larger you want your company to be, the better you need to be as a business owner, as the responsibility will be greater.  It is not wrong to dream big, but if you are a new business owner, it is best to start small and work your way up. Finding a mentor can be a huge asset when starting your roofing company. The ability to learn from another successful roofing business owner can save you time, and help you avoid many costly mistakes.

Research

When starting your business, an important part of planning is research.  Depending on your location, a running a successful roofing business can potentially be difficult.  You may want to find answers to these questions before starting your company:
  • What is the competition?  How many other roofers are in business in my area?  What are they charging? Would commercial roofing be a better option than residential?
  • What types of roofs are in your area?  Are these the types of roofs you want to repair/replace? Is there a certain type of installation/repair you can specialize in?
  • How old are the homes in your area?  Is there a great need for new roofs, or mostly repairs?
  • How many homes are in your proposed service area? Are there enough potential jobs to sustain a full time business?
  • What are the economics of your area?
  • If a full-time roofing business can’t be supported, are you willing/able to offer additional services (snow removal, painting, siding, windows, etc.) in order to produce a full-time income?
Below are some additional points to consider in the research/planning process:
  • Set short and long-term goals – Plan your roofing business before you spend a dime.
  • Decide what services you will offer – Decide the scope of your business.  How many different services and options will you offer customers?
  • Find a niche – What will be your specialty?  What will set you apart from the competition?research online how start a roofing company
  • Choose a business name – Put some thought into deciding your company name.  You could always change it later, but a name change could hurt your business.
  • Decide what you will charge for your services – What you charge will vary depending on location, economics, products used, and your skill level, among other things.  You can’t just set your prices based upon what some other roofer charges 1,000 miles away.

Financial Considerations

It can be scary to start a roofing business from scratch.  Even if you already have experience as a roofer, or in managing a roofing company, you will need to consider the time it will take to get your business off the ground, and to make the income you will need.  Often a new business will take longer to grow than you planned, and may bring in less income than you planned. It is generally advisable to not quit your job and then start your roofing business.  If your business doesn’t make it for whatever reason, you may regret letting go of the job you had. A safer financial decision is to keep your day job (if possible), and start your roofing company slowly.  This can be difficult, as you will have to work around your normal work schedule, but a lot can be done on weekends, evenings, or mornings, depending on what your work schedule is like.  Another option is to at least keep a part-time job (such as an evening shift) to help provide funds to pay the bills while your roofing business is growing. Another possible option is to obtain financing.  You may want to consider a business loan depending on what your needs will be for equipment, vehicles, and a business location.  Once again, be careful that you don’t get over your head in debt.  Be sure to get a loan only for what you absolutely need to get started. how to set roofing business goals

Get Organized

As soon as you start your roofing business, you will need some sort of organizational structure so you can keep your customer communications and roofing-related paperwork in order.  You won’t necessarily need a full office when starting out.  An office desk dedicated to your business paperwork would be helpful. Get a daily planner or use your smartphone to schedule estimates, jobs, and other work-related appointments.  An easy way to lose customers is to arrive late or even forget a scheduled appointment.  A schedule will help you plan your day, week, and month, so you can make best use of your time and your customer’s time. There are many helpful software programs that can be used for accounting, estimating, customer communications and more.  Some software is especially designed for contractors.  You probably don’t need to invest in expensive software right away.  This would be a consideration as your business grows.
  • Set up an office- this can even be a home office
  • E-mail- have an email dedicated to your roofing company
  • Business phone- if you don’t have a separate phone, make sure you answer your personal phone in a professional manner.
  • Roofing Estimate and Bill forms- You can order custom forms online, or create your own.
  • Roofing Software – Track leads, sales, jobs, create estimates, and more in a single program.  Try JobNimbus for Free!

Equipment needed when starting a roofing business

You can’t start a roofing company without roofing equipment.  Equipment will probably account for the largest portion of your startup costs.  Starting out, you don’t necessarily need all brand-new equipment.  You will save thousands of dollars in startup costs by purchasing a used truck, used ladders and ladder rack, and other miscellaneous tools. tools needed for roofing business startup Another tip is to only buy tools as jobs require them.  This will help keep you from going into debt for tools and equipment you may end up never using.  Some of the tools and equipment you will need will vary according to what roofing services you plan to specialize in.

Hiring

When just starting out, you will be able to work solo, or with a small team.   If you are going to grow, you will need to hire additional laborers, sales staff, and office staff.  The larger you want to grow, the more employees you will need.  Obviously, the more employees you will have, the higher the payroll will be, so a good sales team, along with solid marketing is key to bring in enough work to meet payroll requirements and continue to grow.

Suppliers

Pricing can vary among roofing supply companies in various regions.  When starting your roofing company, you’ll want to save every penny possible.  It pays to shop around and take advantage of competitive pricing.  You may notice a significant cost difference in materials when comparing prices at big box home improvement stores and roofing supply warehouses.  You may even notice price differences from one city to another because of local competition. A good supplier can help keep you aware of roofing trends and new products. Many suppliers will offer a credit line, product discounts, customer management, online ordering, and more.
  • Build a relationship
  • Know your costs

2.  REGISTER YOUR ROOFING BUSINESS

Make it legal

how to register a roofing businessMake sure you are following proper protocol in your region.  This means having necessary insurance, following tax codes, getting proper licenses and permits, etc.  This applies even to a part-time roofing business. Some steps (not necessarily in order) to starting your roofing company legally:
  1. Select your business structure (sole-proprietor, LLC, Corporation, etc.)
  2. Register your roofing business name
  3. Register your business entity
  4. Register as a roofer or home improvement contractor with your state (US)
  5. Open a business bank account for your roofing company
  6. Taxes- either get an accountant, or do research on filing yourself
  7. Liability Insurance
  8. Worker’s Compensation
  9. City Licenses and Permits
  10. OSHA
  11. Health Insurance

Register A Roofing Company In: The United States

Click on a state to find out how to start a roofing business in your area:

Register A Roofing Company In: Canada

Register A Roofing Company In:  The United Kingdom

3.  MARKETING YOUR ROOFING BUSINESS

In order to grow your roofing company, you will need to work hard, have people skills, and be patient.  You will also need to market your business effectively.  Success and profit won’t come overnight.social media marketing for a new roofing company

Customers

Beside employees, dealing with customers can cause a great amount of stress.  Learning how to communicate well with customers can help boost sales and increase word-of-mouth leads.  Good customers can be one of your greatest sources of free marketing!

Advertising/Marketing

roofing company marketing ideas

After you start a roofing business, you need to market it.  Some low-cost advertising to get started can include a basic 1 or 2 page website, setting up a free business listing for your roofing company on Google and other online directories, social media accounts, business cards and a few yard signs.

Resources

The Roofer’s Helper on Instagram– Giveaways, the best and worst of roofing, business features, and more! Helpful roofing-related websites Roofing education and training websites

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How To Market Your Roofing Business

Business Startup, Featured, Marketing

As it is with many businesses, the “fun” part is often the field work, while the difficult part is the paperwork and other behind-the-scenes stuff.  Marketing, especially in the age of the internet and social media, is a necessary part of running a successful roofing company, whether you think it is fun or not.

Marketing and advertising can be very expensive.  Whether you are new roofing company, or a roofing veteran, the last thing you want to do is to go into debt trying to get some customers.  You also don’t want to waste valuable time and money utilizing poor marketing techniques.  Fortunately, there are a number of low cost, or even free roofing marketing tips and tricks to help get the phone ringing and bring in more roofing customers.

Many of the following marketing and advertising ideas can be implemented without hiring a marketing company.  You can successfully advertise without spending a fortune.  Before you take out a loan to purchase a massive billboard or radio ad, check out these marketing ideas that can help you get more roofing jobs:

A Quality Website

A great looking website doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars.  With some basic computer skills, you can even set up your own website for just the cost of hosting fees.  A good website doesn’t need to be complex.  Keep it simple.  A home page, an about page, a services offered page, and a contact page are all you really need to get started.  Ranking in the top search position in Google is another story.  This can often be quite difficult depending on the competition from other roofers in your area, and also battling against the large advertising pockets of major home improvement lead companies that are also competing for the top search positions. The key is to have the website set up properly and use specific keywords closely associated with your business in order to rank high in your local search engine results.  SEO (which is mentioned next) will play a huge part in ranking well.   More on setting up a Website.

SEO

A basic website is foundational, but will only be effective if people visit it. An SEO-optimized website can be an incredible source of roofing leads and can potentially lead your roofing company to dominate your market.  SEO (Search Engine Optimization) utilizes various techniques such as proper website structure, quality content, targeted keywords, links to your site, and more in order to improve your chances of being found in a search.  While the cost to maintain SEO can be expensive, the long-term results can often be more cost-effective and productive than any other form of marketing.

A Catchy Tagline or Logo

A creative tagline or logo associated with your business name can help personalize your business and is a great marketing tool to attract customers.  Sometimes the tagline or logo becomes more memorable than the actual business name.  Find out more about business names here .

Door Flyers

Well-designed flyers targeted at the right neighborhoods can be very effective in advertising your roofing services.  Targeting is the key.  Don’t waste your time placing flyers in neighborhoods full of renters..  Create flyers for specific roofing services and place them at homes that could use those specific services.

Reference Incentives

Offer current customers kickbacks for referrals they give you, if the referrals turn into paying jobs.  A 20 dollar bill is a small price to pay for a guaranteed job.  Free gutter cleanings may also be a incentive.

Free Online Listings

Many local and nationally-based websites will allow you to post a free business listing.  Take advantage of Google Business listing, which is like a mini-website.  You can also set up free listings on Yellow Pages and other similar websites.  Check with local community websites to see if they offer free business listings.  You may consider an placing an ad listing on Craigslist, although results may vary depending on your location.

Positive Online Reviews

People are drawn to positive reviews. Ask loyal customers to leave a positive review for you on your Google business listing and/or Facebook page.  Google is preferred, as many more potential customers will see it. It is also a good idea to provide them with a link to the review page to make the process easier. Make sure you also display some of your best reviews on your website!google reviews for roofers

Facebook Ads

While you may need some help creating an ad, Facebook is an excellent option to advertise your roofing services.  You can choose how much you want to spend, and specify who you want the ad to be seen by (age, location, etc.).

Yard Signs

You see them everywhere.  They work.  Make sure the sign is simple and clear, and displays only the most important information.  Name, short business description (unless your business name is enough), phone number, and website should be enough.

News Media

An excellent way to get your company seen is through a television or newspaper story.  Let local media sources (big and small) know when you are doing something newsworthy, such as giving away a free roof, donating to charity, etc. Also, you can provide useful homeowner information that a media source may deem worthy to publish such as the importance of insulation and venting, ice dam prevention, how to know when to call a contractor for repairs/replacement, etc.  These types of stories are published all the time.  Your business name could be mentioned on television or in a newspaper or magazine, which would promote you as a local expert.

Vehicle Advertising

When you doing a roof job, neighbors often wonder who the contractor is.  You will leave no doubt if you have clear contact information on your vehicle.  You could use something as simple as magnetic signs on your truck, or decide to pay for lettering or even a full, graphic-heavy wrap.

Charity Giveaway

Charity auctions are a great way to get positive exposure while helping a good cause.  Offering a free service such as gutter cleaning, or a gift certificate are both good options.

Prize Drawing

This is a great option for your local county fair or community day.  Have people sign up with their emails.  You could offer a particular service or a gift certificate to the winner.  You could also choose to offer all contestants a consolation prize such as 10% off any roofing service.

Community Sponsoring

Help sponsor a local sports team, or advertise at a community event such as a charity walk.  Sponsoring costs can add up quickly, so weigh your options before verbally committing.  Having your business name fully or partially featured on a shirt or banner can help bring exposure to your business, while also benefiting your community.

Social Media

If you are already involved in social media such as Facebook, and don’t have a business page, what are you waiting for?  Use your connections with friends and family to promote your roofing services.  Facebook and Instagram are currently the best social media platforms to use to promote your business although TikTok and YouTube effective as well..  In addition, social media advertising is also an option that can bring solid leads.  Social media advertising must be done properly, or it can quickly drain marketing funds while providing little or no results.

Connect with other contractors

When you need help with something out of your skill set, reach out to other contractors for assistance.  Have a list of contractors you can refer to homeowners such as electricians, plumbers, masons, handymen, etc.  Make sure you tell the contractor when you refer them.  These fellow contractors will be happy to get a recommendation, and will hopefully do the same for you.

Build a referral network

Get to know as many real-estate agents and insurance agents as possible.  They have access to an incredible amount of homeowners who will need roof repairs and/or a new roof, and can be a great source of leads. You could potentially offer a finder’s fee when they refer a paying customer to you.

Build an email list

If your customers are willing, use their email address to send reminders such as yearly roof inspection or other services.  If you enjoy writing, you may consider creating an email newsletter.  You could include tips on roof, gutter and home maintenance that may lead to new jobs.

Diversify

If you are mainly a shingle contractor, and business is slow, you may need to consider offering other services such as flat roof repair, gutter work, or another service you may feel comfortable doing.

The previous suggestions showed some lower budget options.  If you have more money to spend, a nice video can be used in a number of ways- website, social media, and even local television.

Need some branding/marketing advice? 

How To Choose a Roofing Company Name

Business Startup, Featured, Marketing, Website

Choosing A Roofing Business Name

 Roofing-related company name ideas:

Roofing Company Name Ideas

Roof Cleaning Business Name Ideas

Gutter Business Name Ideas

Here are a number of ways (in no particular order) to help you decide on a roofing company name :

1.  Create a Business Plan:  With a clear business plan including your long-term goals, narrowing down your choices for a business name will be easier.  Find out more about getting started on a business plan here.

2.  Choose a Business Structure:  Sole-proprietorships and Partnerships often are not considered legal entities, and may have less restrictions on name registration.  Structures such as LLC’s and Corporations will have more requirements.  More on business structures here.

3.  Choose a Specialty:  For example, if you have decided you will specialize in slate, then it might make sense to have the word “slate” in your business name.  “Joe’s Slate Roof Repair” or “Elite Slate Roofing”.  When people see your business name, there will be no doubt that not only are you a roofer, but that you specialize in slate.  More on choosing a niche here.

4.  Reach a Broader Audience:  If you have a variety of skills, or are not sure which direction your business may go, you may not want to limit your business name to a specialty.  Perhaps you are a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do construction, electrical, plumbing, gutters, siding, or more.  Maybe you think in the future you might want to branch off into offering additional services.  Certainly “Joe’s Slate Roof Repair” could also do bathroom renovations, but nobody would know that just looking at your name.  That type of information would either have to be portrayed in your marketing materials, or else passed along by word-of-mouth.  In this case, you may want to advertise more as a general contractor who mainly does roofing.  You could choose a more general business name such as “Joe’s Home Services” or “Elite Contracting”.

5.  Consider Your Target Audience:  What type of customer is your primary target?  If you are in an affluent area, a name such as “Affordable Roofing” probably won’t attract the wealthier clientele.  In this case you would stick with a strong general business name, such as using your own name, or using a name that indicates quality and prestige.  If you are in a lower income area, you may wish to choose a name that indicates value or affordability such as “Affordable Roofing” or “Budget Roofing”.

6.  Use Your Own Name:  Do you want your own name in the business name?  “John Smith Roofing”  “Walsh Commercial Roofing”.  Using your own name adds a personal touch that may appeal to customers.  You will most likely have less restrictions in registering your business name if your full name is used (“John Smith Roofing”).  If just part of your name is used (“Walsh Commercial Roofing”), you may still have to file a fictitious name and/or a DBA (doing business as).




7.  Use a Simple Name With A Catchy Slogan:  You may also choose a simpler business name and focus on a catchy slogan that will define your business.  “Your Roof Repair Expert”, “Philly’s Roofing Pro” or some other phrase can be a tagline associated with your business.  While “John Smith Roofing” may not sound too fancy, a tagline associated with your business name can give you a big boost.  You can see how having “John Smith Roofing– Philly’s Roofing Pro” on your business card, advertisement, or plastered on the side of your roofing vehicle may have a greater effect than just “John Smith Roofing”.

8.  Choose a name near the front of the alphabet:  An old-school technique for deciding on a business name would be to choose a name that would show up alphabetically near the front of the traditional phonebook.  Examples for this would be “ABC Roofing” or “Apex Roofing”.  This technique may not be as beneficial, as it used to be with the innovations of modern marketing strategies utilizing social media and search engines such as Google.

 

9.  Choose a name that easy to remember:  Using a short simple name may be more beneficial than a long, difficult-to-spell name.

10.  Don’t just settle on any business name, thinking you can just change it later on:  Obviously, you could change your name at some point down the road, but doing so could hurt your business.  Previous customers may have a hard time finding you.  You may miss out on referrals as your old business name is no longer used.  You will have to spend time and money changing all marketing materials, your website, and branding to reflect your new name.  It is better to take your time and decide on a name you will be happy with years down the road, rather than one you will be regretting a few years into your business.  Not all businesses fail or struggle because they decided to change their name, but that possibility should definitely be something you should consider now, rather than later.roofing business name

11.  Make sure your business name is legal: After choosing your name, you will need to register with the proper institutions.  You should make sure the name you are choosing isn’t trademarked, or used by someone else in the area.  Registering your business name may not only be necessary on a local level such as with your city, but also with other government agencies for tax purposes.

12.  Choose a good website address to complement your business name:   While it would be ideal to have your business name as the actual web address (ex. WalshCommercialRoofing.com), it isn’t necessarily crucial.  Other options could be “Walsh Roofing”, or some other variation not even including your name such as “DenverCommercialRoofers.com”.  You could even choose a web address that reflects your specialty such as “OxfordSlatePro.com”.  The key with choosing a website name is to keep it easy to remember and easy to spell.  If your website is set up properly, customers will have no problem finding you, no matter what the web address is.

Five Keys to Selling A Roofing Job

Business Startup, Marketing, Roofing Tips

Trying to sign up a roof job, especially when you are new to the roofing business, can be intimidating.  If you are a new roofing company owner, you will quickly find that filling your schedule with jobs may take some effort. Here are a few tips to help give you a better chance at lining up some new customers.

First Impressions

Whether with a cold call, or responding to a request for an estimate, the first impression you give a customer can go a long way in the process of selling a roof job.  You may get an emphatic “NO!” before you open your mouth just based on appearance alone.  Roofers already tend to have the reputation of being rough, dirty, and shady.  You can really set yourself apart by presenting yourself as the opposite of that stereotype.  You don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but make sure your appearance is somewhat neat and tidy.  This is crucial with a cold call.  If you are only doing roofing sales, neatness will be much easier.  If you are mixing jobs with calls, you may have a tougher time staying clean.  Save the tar-stained shirts or pants for days you are only doing jobs, if possible.

A smile and friendly tone will help break the ice with the potential customer.  If  you know you are not good with words, there are plenty of resources to help you with your communication skills.

A neatly written or typed estimate can also help with professionalism.

Honesty

A pet-peeve of mine in the sales industry is the cut throat “a-sale-at-any-cost” mentality.  In my opinion, I would rather under-promise and over-deliver, than to exaggerate my skills and not follow through.  The pressure, especially when you may need work, is to promise more than you are able to really do, and at a lower price, just to get the job.  This is a dangerous practice.  You could potentially get in over your head, and not be able to deliver a product that the customer deserves and has paid for.

If the customer asks you to perform a certain roofing service, be honest about your skills in that area.  Don’t be afraid to tell them you aren’t an expert in that particular area, and that if you completed the job, it may not be “museum” quality.  Customers appreciate honesty.  You would be surprised at how many customers told me they appreciated my honesty in telling them my strengths and weaknesses.  Many have asked me to go ahead with jobs even after I was trying to talk myself out of them.  Don’t be so eager to take on a job that you know you can’t complete, or that you can’t do well, without giving the customer an honest set of expectations.  Trust me, your customers will appreciate this, and you will get referrals because of it.

Be honest about the condition of your prospective customer’s roof.  Don’t tell them they need a new roof when you can clearly see the roof has plenty of life left in it.  That is unethical and just plain dishonest.  You wouldn’t want someone doing that to you.  You might get away with it, but beware.  It could come back to haunt you.

Don’t forget to be honest about the timeline of the job.  If you know you can’t do a job this week, don’t make a promise you’ll do it this week just to sign up the job.

Knowledge

It is important to be organized and knowledgeable when dealing with a customer.  Know your pricing.  Know your roofing lingo.  Be confident, but honest when talking about the best way to complete a roof job.  I realize some knowledge comes from experience, so it may be difficult to be knowledgeable with an area of roofing you are not familiar with.  This is where a previous trait I mentioned, honesty, can come into play.

I know of one roofer who used the line “That’s my specialty!” when any potential customer asked about a certain service.  In other words, every type of roofing service he was asked about was his specialty.  He had the “fake it until you make it” mentality.  I don’t know if that is the best sales method.  It would definitely help for you to learn as much as you can and get as much roofing-related experience possible so that you can best advise your customer.  If you do choose to have a specialty, put as much effort as possible into learning all you can, so you can truly call yourself an expert in that particular area.  Many customers (but not all) can easily spot when someone doesn’t really know what they are talking about.

Value

All customers want to know they are getting a good deal.  There are a number of ways to give the customer value without having to lose money.  One way you can add value is by throwing in extras, on top of what the customer has requested, at no cost.  This could be telling them you will clean all gutters at no extra charge after doing a roof job, or that you will be using a premium shingle at the same cost you would charge for a standard shingle.  Don’t lie about your pricing.  You don’t have to pull numbers out of your hat.  For me, I always charge the same for 3-tab shingles as I do for architectural shingles.  I prefer installing architectural, and they have a better warranty.  When the customer finds out I charge the same price, they will see they are getting a better value by choosing the architectural.

I generally try to present my estimate with a firm price, so that the potential customer has confidence they are already getting a good price.  I generally don’t like to play games with my pricing, but there are a few exceptions.

One exception deals with my minimum charge.  I have a few different standard “minimum charges” depending on what the roof-related work is (my minimum is less for gutter cleaning than for regular repairs as gutter cleaning takes less skill).  I have adjusted those minimum charges when the job is particularly easy, or small, thereby giving the customer value.

Giving the customer value doesn’t mean that you should always start with a higher price and then give “discounts”, but this technique is common practice in some cultures.  In some parts of the world, it is understood that you will go back-and-forth before settling on a price.  This is similar to going to a car dealer, with both the salesman and yourself knowing that you are not going to pay full price.  This is a somewhat common practice at yard sales.  You don’t pay full price for that used toaster.  You offer much lower and then come to an agreement with the seller.  If you are aware of this when dealing with certain cultures, you can adjust your prices accordingly, so when the potential customer argues with the price, you can lower it to a price you are both happy with.  I realize this is not a common practice in the US, but when dealing with certain cultures, you will find that you may be insulting them if you stay firm on your price.  I lost a few jobs early in my business when dealing with customers from other parts of the world, because I was naive and stubborn (and a little insulted) when my prices were being questioned.

Communication

Communication with a potential customer can make the difference between signing up a job or never hearing from them again.  Starting with the first call, make sure you are effectively communicating with the would-be customer.  Make sure you get all necessary contact information, and that you have the correct address.  Set up a clear time to meet for the estimate, if the customer will need to be there.  If you are going to be late, have the courtesy to contact the customer and update them on your status.  Repeat phone numbers, addresses and times back to the customer to confirm the correct information.

After the initial contact, a follow-up is an important step in keeping the communication lines open with the customer.  A follow-up text, phone call, or email can all be appropriate ways to open the door for action from the customer.  Personally, my style is not high-pressure.  I don’t like to look desperate for work.  If you did things right with the other four steps I mentioned, you shouldn’t have to strong-arm a customer into submission.

Be patient.  Not hearing back from someone doesn’t mean an automatic “NO” to your proposal.  I recently had a customer contact me after 2 years (yes, 2 years!) to tell me they were finally ready to have the work done.  I was able to re-write the estimate at a higher amount because of additional work they also now ready to have done.

These five attributes will definitely help you sell more jobs.  Keep in mind, that no matter what sales technique you use, you won’t sell every job.  In fact, if you are signing up just about every job, your prices may be too low.  Pricing will be discussed in another post.

Now, go out and sign up some customers!

Free Roofing Company Logos

Business Startup, Marketing

Below is a collection of free roofing and construction-related design elements that can be used for your personal company logo. These basic designs were created exclusively for The Roofer’s Helper and are offered here royalty-free.  Any image may be modified for your own use.  The current image file size will be fine for a website header.  Check here if you need some tips on logo and branding design.  











Roofing Company Logo Design

Business Startup, Website

A logo and branding for your roofing company doesn’t have to be extravagant, nor do you necessarily have to spend a lot of money for one.  While you may have an idea for a logo in mind, make sure you choose a good business name first.

Poor marketing materials can portray a low-quality company.  Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by using sloppy advertising.  Like the expression goes, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”.  Don’t confuse simple and basic with poor and sloppy.  There is a big difference.  Some of the nicest roofing logos I have seen use a strong basic font for the business name.  The “artwork” is a simple A-frame roof line over top of the name.  Find some free basic sample roofing logos here.  

Here is some food for thought on deciding on a logo and branding for your company:

  • Logos often portray the personality of the business or business owner.  What will your logo and branding say about you and your company?
  • Sometimes a customer only has a split-second to see your business name.  Logos and branding can be so fancy and intricate, that it is hard to see what the name of the company is.  Is your logo/branding so busy that your name gets lost in the imagery?
  • In most cases, your company will not be a worldwide brand like Apple or Pepsi.  A logo for a small company would serve better to complement your business name, than to attempt to be your business name.  In other words, make sure your business name is prominent in your logo and branding.  Major companies have spent millions (or billions) of advertising dollars to make sure you recognize their logo/symbol, even when their business name is nowhere to be found.  Imagine how much money you would need to invest in your region so that your logo would be the face of your business.  It is not worth the expense.  What is more important: your business name, or your fancy logo?
  • Don’t make your business name too small, use difficult-to-read fonts, or try to cram too much information (services offered, etc.) in your branding.  I was guilty of this.  I had yards signs made that were packed with so much information, they couldn’t be read by a passing car.  Oops! Will your logo be easily readable on all marketing materials, including t-shirts, business cards, yard signs, etc.?
  • A well-chosen tagline can often be very memorable and attract positive vibes toward your business.  The tagline could be integrated into your logo, or used separately on your marketing materials.  Do you have a memorable tagline?

These are just a few tips you can use when deciding on your logo.  A professional graphic designer should be able to give you multiple options to choose from when deciding on your branding.

Marketing Your Roofing Company

Business Startup, Marketing, Roofing Tips, Website

How To Market Your Roofing Company

Marketing / Advertising

Marketing can be expensive.  It is sometimes difficult to put out a large amount of money for marketing and advertising when you are just starting out.

Some low-cost advertising to get started can include:

– A basic website.  This doesn’t have to be a huge deal depending on your budget.  It should be neat and well-organized, and include the services you offer along with contact information.

-Sign up for free business listings on Google and other online directories.

-Set up social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

-Get some quality business cards to hand out

-Have a few yard signs made to leave at various locations.  Make sure you get permission before leaving any signs on private property.

-Have some sort of vehicle advertising.  Magnet signs are a good budget option.

Here are a few additional helpful articles that are marketing-related:

 

Roofing Business Offers Free AR-15 Gun To Customers

Marketing, News

Denver, CO.  A roofing company is giving away free guns as a home improvement promotion.  James Webb, owner of Weatherproof Roofing in Denver, Colorado is offering the choice of a free AR-15 gun, a handgun, shotgun or $500 gift certificate with every complete roof or exterior job according to the company website.  The unique promotion is called “Get a Roof, Get a Gun!”.  More here.

How To Start A Gutter Cleaning Business

Business Startup, Featured, Marketing, Roofing Tips

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Table of Contents

starting a gutter cleaning business

You can use the links at the bottom of the page to register your new gutter cleaning business in your region.

A gutter (eavestrough) cleaning business is not too difficult to start, and can be a great source of full or part-time income.  First, lets start with a few positives and negatives to consider when having a gutter cleaning business:

Positives of a gutter cleaning business

-Relatively low startup and overhead costs

-Flexible hours

-Low skill levels needed

-Great way to branch off into other related services such as gutter and roof repair.

-Repeat business

-Great way to get word-of-mouth referrals

Negatives of a gutter cleaning business

-Need to deal with heights, risk of falling

-is a somewhat seasonal business

-while costs are low compared to other business, you will still need to invest in equipment and insurance

How To Start A Gutter Cleaning Business

1.  Startup Requirements and Equipment for your gutter cleaning business:

–Insurance–  I recommend some form of liability insurance for any type of home improvement work.  In some states liability insurance for a gutter cleaning business may be required by law.  If an accident involving person or property where to happen, you need to be covered.  Talk with your insurance agent.  A basic liability plan for cleaning gutters should be a lower cost than some other home improvement businesses.  If you plan on doing any roof work, be prepared to pay much more. GET A FREE INSURANCE QUOTE

–Taxes– If you are planning to make more than a few hundred dollars a year, you should file a business name with the IRS, get an Employee Identification Number (EIN), and set up a business account with your bank.  As a sole-proprietor of a small business, taxes should not be too difficult.  An accountant can also be a help.

–Contractor License – Your state or city may require a license to perform work.  Make sure you are legally permitted to do work in your area.

-Ladders- a 24 ft./26 ft. ladder should be enough for majority of gutter cleaning jobs, but a 32 ft. ladder will be more than adequate for 99% of any jobs you may get.  If you are going to start with just one ladder, a 24 ft. ladder should be sufficient.  Werner makes a 26 ft. multi-ladder that could be flexible enough for various uses.

A ladder stabilizer may also be a good piece of equipment to have.  It attaches to the top of your ladder.  The ladder stabilizer rests on the roof, keeping your ladder off of the gutter, and helping keep the ladder from tipping or sliding.  ladder stabilizer for gutter cleaning business

-Vehicle-  Any vehicle you can can fit your ladder on will work.  If you use a multi-ladder, you could even fit your ladder in a small car.  For larger ladders you may want to invest in a ladder rack.

-Buckets and tarps- You’ll need somewhere to dispose of the gutter debris.

-Rubber gloves- I recommend heavy duty-rubber gloves.  Some gutter debris you will encounter can be pretty nasty!

2.  Advertising your gutter cleaning business

For some business name ideas: Gutter Business Name Ideas

You can start with basic business cards and flyers.  Create a flyer that includes a special introductory rate for your gutter cleaning business.  Distribute the flyers in a neighborhood where you would feel comfortable cleaning the average size of houses there at the rate on your flyer.

You can also create a flyer to pass out in a neighborhood where you just finished a job.  The flyer can let potential customers know that you just did a job in their neighborhood, and that they can take advantage of the same pricing.

Yard signs can also be an effective way to advertise.

A low cost website will be an asset if you intend to become more established.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  Include your services along with important contact information.  If you choose to include pricing, be careful of your wording.  You don’t want to give a customer the impression they will be paying one low price, but then find out the actual price is much higher for the size of their house.

3.  Pricing

Pricing options for your gutter cleaning business can be tricky.  There are a number of factors that come into play including the size of the houses in your area, economic conditions, and competition.  For me, I use a few different prices, based on a number of conditions.  For the most part, the lowest I will go is $75.00.  This is my price for small houses and most average size ranch-style houses.  The only time I may go lower is in a situation where the customer only wants a small gutter cleaned that is close to the ground.   My next price point is around $100.00.  This is for most average 2 story homes.  My final price range is $125 and up.  I use this pricing for large homes, or homes with a lot of gutters.  Remember that this pricing is accepted in my particular region.  Your area may be totally different- you may be able to charge more, or a bit less.

I use a flat rate instead of an hourly rate.  I think this works best for this type of work.  I give my price ahead of time to the customer, although I will sometimes bump the price down a little if the gutters end up being mostly clean, or if the job ends up taking just a short amount of time.  Most of my $75.00 gutter cleaning jobs take around a half hour to 45 minutes.  That can potentially be the equivalent of $150.00/hour!  There is no way I could tell a customer that I will be charging $150.00/hour to clean gutters.  They would send me away immediately.  $75.00 sounds much more reasonable as a service rate.  Keep in mind that I am not actually making $150.00/hour.  I have many costs that are being taken out of that number- fuel, truck maintenance, insurance costs, and many other miscellaneous costs.  I also have to factor in the time it took to get to and from the job, and to communicate with the customer.  This is something you can gently bring up if a customer ever balks at your pricing.

In your particular area, you may have to start at a lower price point.  Do some research and find out what others are charging for gutter cleaning.  Make sure your numbers are similar in order to stay competitive.

4.  How to clean gutters

I realize cleaning gutters is not rocket science, but there are numerous ways it can be done.  I suggest doing what you feel comfortable with, according to what you have specified with the customer.

I am also a roofer, so I am very comfortable walking on a roof.  If at all possible, I try to clean gutters from up on the roof, reaching down into the gutter.  This is mainly for speed.  When the roof is too steep, I will set up the ladder every six feet or so, reaching 3-4 feet to my right and left.  You need to do what is comfortable and safe for you.  Make sure the feet of the ladder are on stable, level ground.  Don’t overreach.

It would be wise to wear heavy-duty rubber gloves, especially if the gutter debris is wet.  You will notice some rather disgusting waste in the gutters, so it is important to keep your hands clean.  I have encountered dead animals such as bats, birds, mice, and other rodents, mosquito larvae, ants, worms, along with various forms of animal excrement.  I don’t know about you, but that is not the kind of stuff I want my bare hands touching.  Another reason to wear gloves is to protect your hands from cuts.  There are sharp edges on the gutters, screws and nails, metal flashing, and other roofing materials that can slice or pierce your hands.  I have had my heavy-duty gloves ruined because of sharp edges.

I am very careful about where I drop debris.  Obviously, you do not want to throw half-rotten leaves down on a beautiful flowerbed or shrubs.  The idea is not to leave a mess for the homeowner.   Either use a bucket, lay down a tarp, or try to throw the debris in a pile that you can easily clean up later.   Every homeowner is different.  I have had more than one homeowner tell me they didn’t care about me to throw the leaves on the ground, and that they would clean them up later.  I have never done that, as I don’t want to leave a job with a mess on the ground.  I always try to clean up any mess I make.how to start a gutter cleaning business

Most of what is in the gutter is organic plant matter, that will biodegrade.  If you are scooping up nails, shingle granules, or other type of debris, be courteous and remove it in a bucket, or throw it down on a tarp.  If you do need to throw anything into the grass, be careful to clean up afterwards.

Some gutter cleaners will use a hose to flush out the gutters.  I don’t personally do that, but perhaps that will be a service you would like to provide your customers.  Don’t forget to make sure the outlets and gutter elbows are clean.  Often a gutter will be clean, but the downspout and or elbows will be packed solid with waste.  I have had to remove downspouts in order to clear 5 feet or more of leaves and debris that were blocking the water flow.  If you encounter severely blocked downspouts, don’t be afraid to inform the customer of the situation, while indicating some additional costs may be incurred.  Whether you decide to charge more for this is up to you.

Whether you have roofing experience or not, it is courteous to inform a homeowner about any issues you may see with the roof or gutters while you are up on a ladder.

5.  Gutter Repairs

A nice service option to include in your gutter cleaning business is gutter repairs.  You don’t have to be a gutter expert to make simple repairs.  Some common issues you may be able to correct are leaking seams, detached elbows or downspouts,  or a sagging gutter.  You may choose to give the homeowner a price for this additional work, or decide to complete the task at no extra charge.  Either way, you should inform the homeowner of any work you will be doing on top of the gutter cleaning.

Most silicone or polymeric sealants are adequate for re-sealing a leaking seam.  I don’t recommend that spray stuff from the “As Seen On TV” commercials.  Make sure the area you are sealing is totally dry.  Remove as much loose sealant as possible.  Seal on the inside of the gutter instead of the outside if possible.  If you must seal on the outside, make sure you use a clear sealant, or a color that matches the gutter.

Repairing loose elbows and downspouts can be as simple as using self-tapping screws to re-secure the loose pieces.  Most hardware or roofing supply stores will carry screws made use with gutters.  If the gutters are copper, you should be able to find copper screws at a roofing supply house.

You may not want to tackle rehanging a sagging gutter depending on the circumstances.  I would not recommend rehanging a gutter unless you have confidence that your skills are adequate for the job.  The easiest type of gutter to rehang is a “K” style gutter mounted against a flat fascia.  In this case, hidden hangers can be used to rehang a sagging gutter.  Hidden hangers can be purchased at most major home improvement stores, along with roofing supply houses.  Make sure you purchase the right size.  The most common “K” style gutter size is 5 inch.

6.  Professionalism

Neatness and good manners will go a long way with signing up a customer, getting called back the next year, and gaining referrals.  While I generally give verbal estimates for gutter cleaning jobs, I always leave a written bill/receipt with the customer.  This not only gives a record of the work done for the customer, but for you too.  Some customers may request you clean their gutters on a regular basis.  You can set up an annual, or bi-annual schedule if you wish.  In my particular region, a majority of gutter cleanings are scheduled in the autumn season, after the leaves have fallen from the trees, and in the spring.  As you build your customer base, you will get more and more referrals, and your gutter cleaning business will continue to grow.

The following links will help you register your new gutter cleaning company in your area.  The links were created from a roofing perspective, but will still apply to any roofing or home improvement related business.

How to Start A Gutter Cleaning Business in the United States

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How to Start a Gutter Cleaning Business in Canada:  How to Start A Gutter Cleaning Business in Canada

How To Start A Gutter Cleaning Business in the UK:  How to Start A Gutter Cleaning Business in the United Kingdom

The Best Roofing Company Name Ideas

Business Startup, Featured, Marketing, Website

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If you just started planning a roofing business, you may want to start here: How To Start A Roofing Business.roofing company name ideas

Below are a a number of roofing business name ideas you can use for inspiration when trying to come up with your own roofing contractor business name and/or tagline.  There are a number of ways to come up with a name for your roofing company.  This list is provided to help get the business name-choosing process started.

Keep in mind some of these roofing company names may already be taken in your location, or even nationally.  If you are planning to have a website, some web addresses using your selected name may already be in use.  Some roofing company names may even be trademarked, so make sure you can legally use the name you choose before going through the time and expense of having a logo created and promotional materials printed.  

Take your time in choosing your roofing business name.  You won’t want to go through the headaches of switching your company name down the road and having to recreate your brand.

Choose a name that is easy for potential customers to remember.  Simple is better than complex.  Some may only get a quick glance at a yard sign or the information on your vehicle.

If you offer a specialty such as metal roofing or slate roofing, make sure that is featured in your business name.

If you choose to use your own name in the business name, customers may relate to your company better on a personal level.

For some great tips on choosing the best name: How To Choose A Roofing Company Name

Roofing Business Name Ideas

Name combinations:

(your location) Residential Roofing (Ex. Appleton Residential Roofing)

(your location) Commercial Roofing (Ex. Columbus Commercial Roofing)

(your name) Roofing (ex. John Smith Roofing)

(your name) and Sons Roofing (ex. John Smith and Sons Roofing)

(your name + specialty) (ex. John Smith Slate Repair)

(an animal) (ex. Wolf Roofing; Eagle Roofing)

(name initials) (ex. for John Smith- JS Roofing; for Bill and Dan- B&D Roofing)

List of  full or partial roofing company names:

  • Able Roofing
  • Adept Roofing
  • Apex Roofing
  • AAA Roofing
  • Affordable Roofing
  • All-Weather Roofing
  • Best Roofing
  • Brothers Roofing
  • Budget Roofing
  • Champion Roofing
  • Choice Roofingroofing company name ideas
  • Complete Roofing
  • Deluxe Roofing
  • Distinguished Roofing
  • Elite Roofing
  • Esteem Roofing
  • Exceptional Roofing
  • Expert Roofing
  • Extreme Roofing
  • Family Roofing
  • First Class Roofing
  • Five Star Roofing
  • Four Seasons Roofing
  • Gold Medal Roofing
  • Guaranteed Roofing
  • Lifetime Roofing
  • Master Roofing
  • Merit Roofing
  • Precision Roofing
  • Preferred Roofing
  • Prestige Roofing
  • Principal Roofing
  • Pro Roofing
  • Quality Roofing
  • Reliable Roofing
  • Renew Roofing
  • Roof Restoration Companyroofing business names
  • Roof Doctor
  • Roof King
  • Roof and Gutters
  • RoofMaster
  • Roof Medic
  • Rooftops
  • Roof Repair Specialists
  • Roof Services
  • Roofing and Siding
  • Roofing, Gutters, and Siding
  • Roofing, Siding, and Windows
  • Royal Roofing
  • ShingleMaster
  • SlateMaster
  • Slate Repair
  • Specialty Roofing
  • Speedy Roofing
  • Super Roofer
  • Superior Roofing
  • Supreme Roofing
  • Tile Repair
  • Top Roofing Company
  • Ultimate Roofing
  • Value Roofing
  • Waterproof
  • Weatherproof Roofing
  • Worth Roofing

Tagline Ideas

  • “Your Lifetime Roofing Company”
  • “Your Copper Specialist”
  • “We’ve Got You Covered”
  • “Premier Roofing Services”
  • “All-Weather Specialist”roofing company name ideas
  • “Roof Repair Pro”
  • “Slate Specialist”
  • “2nd Generation”
  • “Roof Restoration”
  • “20 Years Experience”
  • “24 Hour Emergency Service”
  • “We Solve Any Leak”

 

Choosing a business name can be frustrating, especially when it seems like many of the good roofing business names have already been taken.  Take your time to select a business name that will represent the values and services you offer.  You don’t want a generic business name, and you shouldn’t want to try have a name similar to another local roofing company.  This can cause confusion to customers and will hurt you in the long run.  Think long-term– you don’t want to pick a business name that you may change in a few years.  If your main service is roofing, make sure “roofing” is in the business name.  You can advertise other services in the tagline or in other promotional materials.  When potential customers see your business name, there should be no question about what your business is about.