Roof Raisers: Roy Campbell of Telge Roofing, Cypress, Texas

Buying a roof online can be as easy as ordering from Amazon, thanks to a new online roofing platform by Gunner Roofing. Its industry-changing innovation won the Connecticut-based company the esteemed recognition of Cutting-Edge Contractor at the 2023 GAF WealthBuilder Conference and Expo in Austin, Texas.Leading with Customer ServiceInnovation is a main focus for co-founders (and brothers), Andrew Prchal and Eddie Prchal, but customer experience is the force that drives Gunner Roofing. "Every aspect of our business is customer experience," Eddie notes in an online interview with GAF CARE.In their quest to perfect their customers' experiences, the Prchal brothers considered how to simplify the roof-buying process. This led to the innovative idea to create an online roof estimation and purchasing platform. "The [roof-buying] program is a part of us," Eddie explains. "We designed the platform for our brand, thinking of our customers, wanting them to have a specific experience each step of the way."Simplifying Customer ExperienceThe Gunner Estimator does away with lead follow-up phone calls, sales visits, and hassle. "People can interact with the quote process in their own way, on their own time," Andrew says. Instead of communicating with a sales representative, customers enter their contact information and address into Gunner Roofing's easy-to-use website. Within hours, they're emailed a detailed roofing estimate with an interactive 3D model of their home and proposed roof.The 3D model lets customers visually experiment with their options. They can select different shingle colors, siding materials, and additional features like skylights. Once the customer is happy with the roof design and price, they can purchase the roof and schedule their installation online—all without talking to a person (unless they prefer to). It's fast, easy, and pressure-free for buyers."Customers aren't as hesitant to seek out quotes because it won't mean 10 people contacting them and then being on a call list," explains Andrew.Revolutionizing Lead GenerationBoth customers and contractors win as a result of the company's proprietary new software. The increased accessibility has also increased interest among homeowners and property managers, which has led to a surge in requests.The Prchal brothers say that during the first month of the program launch, Gunner Roofing received a double-digit jump in quote requests. Overall, they've seen a 50% increase in their lead volume. In fact, Andrew shared that two new customer quote requests came in through their website in the 20 minutes the brothers were on stage presenting their program to fellow GAF Master Elite® Contractors* at the 2023 GAF WealthBuilder Conference.Building a BusinessThe Prchals got into roofing to "push the industry forward as far as customer experience," Eddie says. The two brothers had been living in Arizona when their brother-in-law—who does solar installations on the East Coast—told them he couldn't count on his area roofing contractors to complete roofs before his solar installations. They saw the opportunity to help and "packed a U-Haul and moved with our Siberian Husky, Brooklyn, and just went for it," Eddie notes. Coming from Arizona, they weren't used to the snow, but now they "love the weather and the seasons and the people," Andrew shares.From day one, Eddie and Andrew say they were driven by their desire to improve the customer experience. Their passion for innovation got them to where they are today.Learning from LeadersReady to positively impact the roofing industry like the Prchal brothers? Eddie explains the realization of your dream idea lies in being persistent—the Gunner Estimator wasn't just some overnight idea. The two men developed the concept and worked on refining the program for 2.5 years before it officially launched. "We're not computer scientists," Andrew jokes. "The real factor was having the idea but then believing in it and taking action."Thanks to the Prchals' dream, interest in innovation, and dedication to customer service, their roofing business is now recognized as an award-winning industry leader. In addition to its latest designation, Gunner Roofing received the GAF Master Elite® President's Club Award in 2022. "At Gunner Roofing our online estimator is just another show of our commitment to the customer," the company's website explains. "We believe this allows us to deliver the easiest checkout process, the highest install standards, and the perfect customer experience from start to finish."Want recognition for your innovative business idea? Contact your local Territory Manager for information on submitting for next year's Cutting Edge Contractor award.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the GAF Contractor Terms of Use.

A specialized tiny home community is under development in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that will change the lives of homeless veterans, and GAF Community Contractor Unlimited Enterprises is front and center, installing roofs on these much-needed homes.Doug Tinklenberg, president and owner of Unlimited Enterprises, has grown up in roofing and is a strong believer in supporting his local community. He describes his company as a small, regional construction company with a primary emphasis on residential roofing."My father was a contractor and then started his lumberyard," explains Tinklenberg. "I grew up in the trade, started roofing part-time almost 30 years ago and then about 20 years ago went full time, just with the goal to support the family and have a business to grow and give me the opportunity to be self-employed."Being self-employed was always one of the driving factors for Tinklenberg and his focus has been rewarding. "It's been a very good gig, and it's growing, too," he says. "We have two or three crews going every summer, sometimes four, but I just kind of want to stay that size."Giving Back to the CommunityUnlimited Enterprises does no advertising, has no website, and secures all jobs from word-of-mouth referrals. Tinklenberg credits his giving back to his local community for a lot of the work that he receives. "In our area we've got a good local Habitat for Humanity chapter, and probably 10 or 15 years ago, Ole Olson, a GAF territory manager, said 'Hey, you should get involved with this. You should be doing some of these roofs for Habitat.' It's worked out really, really well," Tinklenberg says. "We'll do four to six roofs a year."When Tinklenberg found out about this new tiny home community coming to Sioux Falls, he knew he wanted to be involved. "When I saw the Veterans Community Project, with the effective community of support that they've built, I knew it would be great," he explains. "It's going to offer these guys that live there some protection, some guidance, and yet give them the freedom they need to still enjoy life."Veterans Community Project (VCP) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in Kansas City by combat veterans who wanted to ensure fellow veterans would have access to critical support services.Working with GAF, they were able to secure all the roofing materials at no cost to VCP. Additionally, Tinklenberg is donating the labor for the installation. "I didn't serve in the military, but it's my opportunity to serve, in a sense," notes Tinklenberg. "We have to help those that serve so that they're protected when they get home."The houses are provided at no cost to the veterans and come with everything they need to live with dignity while receiving support and care from the VCP team. The team works with the residents to address the root causes behind their homelessness. These services are provided onsite with the end goal of helping the veterans transition back into independent and stable lives.Building Resiliency and Community RelationshipsTinklenberg says that the more he gives back to the community through initiatives like Habitat for Humanity and the VCP project, the more his business thrives. "Every time we've given away a roof, the business just continues to grow," he explains. "I don't do it from a marketing standpoint. I really don't promote it. It's just more about doing the right thing."Additionally, Tinklenberg emphasizes that it's easy to give back. "It's real easy to donate at that level, even as a small business, and it doesn't affect our bottom line," he notes.It's a good thing for the community as well. "Sioux Falls as a whole benefits from it, too, because these veterans are able to be part of the community and this program improves their ability to function within the bigger community," Tinklenberg says.Getting InvolvedThe GAF Community Matters program is committed to building sustainable communities by focusing on the basic needs of shelter, families, and workforces. The VCP tiny home community in Sioux Falls aligns perfectly with the company's commitment to building resilient communities. GAF couldn't complete these initiatives without the help of its nationwide network of professional contractors who partner with the company to make a difference, just like Unlimited Enterprises did.If you would like to be involved in giving back to your local community, visit the GAF Community Matters page to learn more about the opportunities.

"Everyone deserves a roof," says roof raiser Dior Vass of Dior Construction, "and we want to give it to them."Thanks to hard work, a commitment to community service, innovative technology use, and ongoing contributions to the roofing industry, Dior's been nailing that goal since 2010. Learn how this GAF Master Elite Contractor* and his northern New Jersey company are raising the roofing game.Raising the Roofing WorkforceEncouraging future roofers is one way Dior raises up the industry. At a recent GAF Roofing Academy course held at GAF headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, Dior shared industry insights and advice with an all-female class from Edison Job Corps.Women are vastly underrepresented and underutilized in the industry and only comprise about 4.6% of roofers. Dior is helping encourage a new wave of skilled laborers by supporting the Roofing Academy as it teaches the necessary skills to enter the roofing industry."Making roofing more appealing and friendly to women opens up a whole new level of opportunities from a business perspective," says Dior. Whether they're going to install shingles, manage projects, or sell jobs, "not actively seeking women out is one of the biggest mistakes a business can make."Dior is excited to see and support GAF making roofing more accessible to women through job training. "GAF Roofing Academy is really creating jobs and building the industry more than I've seen anyone else do," says Dior.As an industry leader, Dior knows the learning never ends. He regularly has GAF come out to teach his staff and notes that "GAF is the world's largest roofing manufacturer and still takes the time to create programs that educate existing roofers."Sharing the Keys to SuccessHow has Dior built such a successful company? Communication. "We've come to learn nothing is possible without it," he says. Along with strong internal and external communication, he attributes Dior Construction's success to people and processes.Dior has a well-planned approach to hiring the right team members and implementing the right processes. "Without the right people, processes will never be followed," he says. And without the right processes, "you can have great people, but they might be on the wrong seat on the bus and not have the opportunities they need to excel in their lives and careers."With solid communication, people, and processes, Dior's teams can provide "the highest level of quality and best service possible."Advancing with AI TechnologyTo stay ahead of the curve, Dior Construction has been using artificial intelligence (AI). One example is its use of AI chatbots to provide instant answers to employees who need technical data. This saves his employees time and his company money."There are thousands of technical bulletins and guides and code books," says Dior. Instead of an employee needing to dig into online manufacturer libraries or search hard copies at the office, Dior uploads roofing resources into an AI database. "Now, the employee can ask detailed and technical questions to the AI like it's a real person, and the AI chatbot will search thousands of papers and quickly provide the correct answer."Dior also uses AI to screen job applicants. "It costs us—and the applicant—time and money if we hire someone who's not the right fit," he says. Based on Dior's parameters, an AI program efficiently filters through job applicants, does a preliminary interview with them, and scores their resumes before they can progress to in-person interviews. "It's amazing," says Dior. "We wouldn't be who we are without our team. That's why it's so important to get the right candidate on board."Giving Back to the CommunitySince the company started in 2010, it has been involved in several programs to help provide safe, affordable housing to those in need. Some of these efforts are in partnership with GAF and Habitat for Humanity, where GAF donates roofing materials and a System Plus Limited Warranty, and Dior donates time and labor for the Habitat for Humanity roofing project.Dior has also helped provide added rebates for US military troops. The GAF Roofs for Troops program offers a $250 rebate when eligible military troops install a qualifying roof system. Dior Construction then matches the GAF rebate, providing local military members with $500 savings total for their new roof.Getting InvolvedDior is a true leader in roofing, from community service to empowering the industry and innovating new strategies for business success. Are you a contractor feeling inspired to get involved, too? Contact your local territory manager to see how you can help support your community, and look for a GAF Roofing Academy class in your area to help inspire future generations of roofers.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products.