Digital Tools for Contractors: Using Technology to Help Manage Your Business

In business, time is money. With advanced roofing technology, you can save time, improve your team's efficiency, and boost your company's bottom line all at once.Ranging as widely as business management systems that streamline productivity and digital measuring tools, here are a few roofing products and solutions to incorporate into your business so you can work smarter rather than harder.Drone Photography and VideoGetting aerial footage of customers' properties is a great way to show homeowners what their roof looks like before, during, and after work is complete. Drone photography and video can also save time and streamline how contractors service their customers. For example, you can safely investigate and document storm damage in less time—and without having to go up and down ladders or walk on potentially dangerous structures to perform manual inspections.During the inspection process, homeowners may be able to receive images via the drone's app. You can also show customers different visualization tools to demonstrate what their new roof would look like.Accurate, Fast Measuring ReportsWhen a customer decides to repair or replace their roof, they want a speedy estimate. With GAF QuickMeasure, contractors get accurate roof measurement reports for single-family homes within an hour for as little as $18*. Once your customer confirms the job, you can make ordering materials a breeze by using the included materials page.Project Management SystemsTo organize photos, inspection reports, incoming leads, and in-progress jobs, you need a reliable, user-friendly project management system. GAF Project ** offers an all-in one solution to help teams stay on top of documentation, streamline sales presentations, and schedule job estimates and installation alike. This tool has a built-in digital signature process for contactless agreements as well as the ability to share your screen with others on your team. You can also integrate GAF Project with certain other software platforms your company may already use.Cordless Nail Guns and Innovative Roofing MaterialsLightweight, cordless roofing nail guns can bring new efficiencies to labor-intensive installation. Many models feature an adjustable depth guide, comfortable grips, and single-action side load canisters for easy, safe use.When nails are not placed correctly, shingles could rust or leak due to delamination. Jobs go much faster when you have a larger nail zone and better nail placement accuracy. The GAF Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology feature the industry's largest nail zone—the StrikeZone™ Nailing Area—allowing you to install roofing shingles more quickly and accurately.Shingle- Starter StripsAdd another time-saver to your roofing kit with precise, pre-cut Starter Strips from GAF instead of cutting up 3-tab asphalt shingles to make a starter strip. This product features properly positioned adhesive, reducing the risk of shingle blow-offs at the rake and eave edges. They also enable your crew to create clean, finished roof edges. Just tear the strips at the factory-made perforations, and you're ready to install. Plus, pre-cut starter strips offer more coverage per bundle compared with manually cut 3-tab shingles.Storm TrackersYou can go beyond the weather app on your phone when it comes to helping your team target customers who need your services. GAF WeatherHub ***can show you which properties have recently been affected by severe wind or hail storms. With this insight, your team can generate new roofing leads.Advances in roofing technology not only help boost your business but also make roofing more efficient. GAF offers several connected tools to help contractors manage jobs. For additional business support, visit www.gaf.com/getthere or contact your local Territory Manager.*Terms and conditions apply. Prices vary based on contractor and report type. Visit quickmeasure.gaf.com for details.** Subscription required. Terms and conditions apply. Visit gaf.com/project for details.*** Subscription required. Terms and conditions apply. Visit gaf.com/weatherhub for details.

Business owners have a unique opportunity to leave a legacy on their industry through their business, even after they've retired. Frank Zehna, a 25-year veteran of general contracting and the roofing industry, shared some tips in a recent webinar* for preparing to sell your business. In it, he offers a range of advice, including how to create a plan for making your roofing company profitable and why it's important to implement certain steps right now.How Will You Leave Your Company?Most business owners will either allow their company to go out of business, pass it down to their children, or sell it to someone else. When preparing to sell your business, it's much better if the business is profitable.Zehna helps roofing company owners build up their businesses so they sell for maximum value. He says it's crucial to be sure things can run efficiently without the owner being there. The better a business runs, the more money you position yourself to get at closing—or, alternatively, the better chance your children will have when taking over where you left off.Create Processes to Ease the TransitionZehna sees many people who know how to sell and install a roof but who may not know how to run a successful business. Implementing efficient systems will not only boost your business's value to potential buyers but also reduce stress and free up more time for roofing company owners to spend with family, he notes. That's because organized companies are easier to run and are more attractive to buyers. When employees have a system to follow, there's no guesswork."For a roofing business, you need to systematize so that when there's a problem, you can figure out where the problem is," says Zehna.For example, consider using ordering form templates—that way, your team orders the same way every time and can keep tabs on prices so you know what you've paid in the past. Implement specific systems for quality control, including placing someone in the field to double-check guidelines and procedures. Follow up on past-due accounts with a good billing and receiving system, and likewise have a system to track warranty repairs.Hire Smart People and Treat Them Well"When you delegate, you train people so they can do the task. You help them flash a chimney, and you check on it," Zehna explains.He advises it's important to learn the difference between delegating and dumping a problem onto someone else."If it's a process measuring a roof, make sure they understand what's expected of them and let them do it. Allow your employees to grow and to make mistakes. If you don't, you become a micromanager and the business never outgrows you. Hire people who are smarter than you, because they can grow the business when you're not there. Treat them right, and they'll stay there a long time."Nobody will pay a premium for a company where the owner does everything, adds Zehna. A motivated, well-trained staff shows buyers your company is worth investing in."Cultivate employee retention. You want to have the kind of company that good people want to work at," he says.Strive for ValueZehna suggests having several things in place to shore up your company, including written goals and projections to help keep you on track. It's crucial to maintain clean books so that potential buyers can see how much money the business is making. Having strong before-tax earnings, recurring revenue streams such as residential and commercial maintenance plans, or work done for property management companies can all show buyers how profitable your business is.Ensure that the business has proper financial controls in place, such as purchase order system so you see where your money goes and judge if jobs are profitable. Limit access to your accounts, but make sure someone knows where they are and how to access them.Also keep accurate customer relationship management, financial, and marketing information, which can highlight to buyers how many clients you have and how you handle them. Retain testimonials from customers—if you can show many years' worth of happy homeowners, potential buyers may be more likely to pay more for your company.Prepare for the UnexpectedAs a business owner and a cancer survivor, Zehna knows that anything can happen to a business owner. Make sure you carry adequate health, business, and key person insurance and that all information pertinent to your company—including bank account numbers, logins, usernames, and passwords—is organized and accessible to your heirs, he advises."Your paperwork, estimates, and signed contracts should be filed in an organized manner, whether it's digital or paper files, so someone can find them if you're not there," explains Zehna."Make sure your backlog of work, bankers, accountants, financial planners, and loan information is all listed."Build Up Your NetworkZehna suggests taking advantage of GAF's webinars, online classes, regional get-togethers, and conferences where you can meet vendors and roofing contractors from across the country."There's nothing better than sharing good ideas and best practices with someone who's not in your market," he says.Hire good professionals if you don't already have any—including an accountant, lawyer, and financial planner—because they'll help you save and make money, adds Zehna."I want roofing company owners to sell their business to someone else for a big profit so you can go to the beach with your family," he says. "Get a profitable business so you can leave it successfully one day."For additional training and resources for your business, visit the CARE Contractor Training Center or gaf.com/getthere.*To access the GAF Learning Portal you must either log into your account or register to create a free account.

The use of technology has shifted customer needs, and continues to impact the companies they do business with. Thanks to the proliferation of the internet and social media, customers are online — and they expect you to meet them there.With the roofing industry anticipated to grow over the next few years, now is the time to ensure that your business is equipped to meet customers where they are.Meet Customers OnlineThe internet is where your customers begin their journey when looking for roofing services and roofing contractors. Your website needs to be informative and clearly state how to contact you. Most importantly, prioritize being mobile responsive—the sizing and navigational tools should automatically adjust to fit whatever device a customer uses. With more than half of website visits happening on a mobile device, this can be a key factor in delivering a positive impression and a good overall experience for your customer.If you have yet to establish social media accounts for your roofing business, start by building an online presence. Most customers are already on social media—checking your business out, reading reviews, and looking through photos of your work before you even know they are on the hunt for a roofing contractor.Deliver What Customers WantJust as you invest in tools and technology to help you work more efficiently, it's also important that you invest in solutions that help you keep up with what your customers want.One of the easiest ways to get started is to look at the resources your manufacturer provides to help you sell their products. For instance, GAF offers contractors a technology platform to streamline the sales process and help companies meet customers' expectations at the same time. GAF Project is an all-in-one solution that works with you from the time the lead comes in through estimating the job, delivering a professional sales presentation, and closing the sale with digital contract signing. It integrates into many of the software platforms that you may already use and offers convenient customer-facing tools, such as the ability for homeowners to visualize their new roof.Listen to What Other Contractors Are SayingMichael Manick of MGS Construction in Salem, New Hampshire, describes GAF Project as one of the best things to happen to the company. "Everything is in one place, and it centralizes our information. It's a very helpful, useful tool for us," he says.He also appreciates the flexibility to meet with customers either in person or virtually. "If there's a job two hours away, I can offer the customer the option to do the virtual estimate with them. It's a time-saver on a lot of fronts."Project Manager Cherokee Page-Rose from RVA Exteriors in Richmond, Virginia, says GAF Project is straightforward and easy to use. "I like that you can upload documents to send with the proposal so, rather than going through email and having the customer try to keep track of it all, they have it all in one place."Consider a Hybrid Approach for the FutureYour business needs to be able to offer customers the experience they expect — a hybrid approach of human interaction combined with digital experiences. Customers want to interact digitally on their own schedule, but they may also want to reach out to a human or arrange an in-person visit before buying.Contractors should anticipate fulfilling both of these needs. One way to do that is to implement tools that help you meet customer needs, both digitally and in person. For additional tools and business building support, visit gaf.com/getthere.