Can Roofers Work in Winter? 5 Steps to Get Your Roofing Business Ready for the Slow Season
Author: Sheryll Poe | February 13, 2023
It's a natural question anyone might have: Can roofers work in winter?
The fact is, frigid temperatures and slick, icy conditions — particularly in the northern regions of the U.S. and Canada — can pose a danger for roofing contractors. It might make sense for a roofing company to put off most non-critical roofing projects until the weather is warmer.
However, that doesn't mean roofing isn't a year-round business. There's plenty to do during the winter downtime to get ready for the slow season and put your business in the best position for warmer, busier weather.
What Roofing Professionals Can Do in the Winter: Address Staffing Needs
The first thing to do when the leaves start to fall is making sure you communicate with your existing employees about when work will start up again in the spring. Good roofers, especially those with specialized skills, could get hired away or not be available when business gets busy again. They need to know that they have job security.
It's also a good time to make sure everyone's training and certifications are up to date. The National Roofing Contractor Association has training programs available online.
You should also look at any upcoming projects on the schedule to see if you will need to hire any additional or seasonal employees. Don't wait until the last minute to make those hires when you have the time to lock them in now.
Take Care of Your Equipment
The lull at the start of winter is a good time to an inventory of all your roofing business' equipment, including work vehicles. Do a thorough cleaning, repair any broken items and store unused equipment for the season. Consider purchasing frequently misplaced items, such as tape measures, hammers, shingle removers or caulk guns. That way, you'll have multiples on hand without having to run to the distribution center, and you'll be all set for spring.
Line Up Indoor Projects
Winter might be the perfect time to branch out into new markets and revenue streams. Drywall and insulation services, attic ventilation or installing new ceilings can all be done without needing to climb up on an icy roof. Or, you could venture into bigger indoor projects such as kitchen and bathroom renovations or cabinetry.
Review Your Marketing
Winter is no time to go radio silent with existing or future customers. Go through your marketing strategy and see where there might be areas of improvement, particularly if you do decide to offer new "winter specials" such as insulation and drywall. Whether you rely on print or digital marketing or your company's website, make sure that the content is up to date and you are promoting future services, such as roof inspections, gutter cleaning, waterproofing and storm damage repair, during this quiet time.
Get Tech Savvy
During spring, summer and fall, you're likely too busy with roofing projects to do the research on the latest tools of the trade. Now is the time to get familiar with the technology that can help you manage and grow your business. Beacon PRO+, for example, allows you to manage your account remotely, including ordering and tracking building materials and paying your bills, all from your phone or laptop. Beacon 3D+ is Beacon's exclusive 3D modeling tool, transforming photos taken on a smartphone into a fully measured, customizable 3D model and generating detailed estimates.
So, can roofers work in winter? Whether it's focusing on staffing, brushing up your marketing or investing in new technologies, the winter season can be a busy and productive time for roofing business owners.