How To Incorporate New Roofing Technology into Your Business
Author: Dan Stout | July 7, 2023
Whether you're new to the industry or a veteran contractor who's a bit set in your ways, it may be time to streamline your business and boost your profitability with some of today's new roofing technology.
But with a head-spinning array of options spanning everything from drone imagery to time-tracking apps, it's hard to know where to begin.
Start by deciding which areas of your business would benefit the most from a tech upgrade. This will be unique to your situation, but no matter what part of your business needs a high-tech helping hand, there's an option that's right for you.
Estimates and Proposals
Do your client proposals look like they could have been faxed in from 2004? If so, it may be time to update your tech. Convey a sense of professionalism and expertise to clients with a highly-polished proposal.
Estimating software, such as SumoQuote, is a robust package that produces fast, accurate estimates that can easily be transformed into professional-grade proposals. This solution provides powerful estimating tools and then helps turn your estimates into job-winning proposals. SumoQuote integrates with Beacon PRO+.
Project Management
Once you sell the job, you'll need to put it into production. Project management software provides an overview of each project, from material ordering through warranty coverage. It can allow you to check the job's status 24/7 and communicate with everyone involved, from customers to subcontractors. It's perfect for larger jobs where you need to juggle multiple crews, and on smaller jobs, it'll help boost you to that final draw.
Check out JobNimbus for a great example of dedicated project management software, laser-focused on increasing the productivity of every job. Another option is Acculynx, an all-in-one management software purpose-built for roofing and exterior services. Both JobNimbus and Acculynx can integrate with your Beacon account.
Photo Takeoffs
You don't always have the time to break out a ladder and walk a roof to put together an estimate. Products like Beacon 3D+ let you snap photos of a home for accurate-to-the-inch material takeoffs. It's so accurate that you don't need to be there in person. Beacon 3D+ has a walk-through tutorial, allowing employees or even customers to snap the needed photos.
Want high altitude in your high-tech? With its privately owned fleet of airplanes, EagleView software delivers aerial imagery that's 70x more detailed than commercially-available satellite pictures. They even provide accurate pitch values with the images. EagleView integrates with Beacon PRO+ as well as JobNimbus, AccuLynx and SumoQuote.
Tool Security and Management
Sometimes expensive construction tools have a habit of growing legs and wandering off from a jobsite. With today's technology, you can slap a high-tech sticker on your tools and track their location via an app or website.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology allows contractors to track tools and materials. It's great for security, but it's also useful as a time-saving device. Some apps will ping a warning if you attempt to drive off with less than the expected inventory. No more arriving at the jobsite to realize your crew forgot to pack the pancake compressor!
Combine RFID with a delivery tracking service to pinpoint the location of tools and materials at any given moment.
Walk Before You Run
It's all too easy to see the benefits of a new roofing technology and decide to go all in. But you have to ease into the new habit, or it may fall by the wayside.
This issue is even more pronounced with new tech, as the decision maker also needs buy-in from everyone in the company who'll use that technology. You can have the world's best system for tacking jobs online, but if your team lead never looks at it, then it may as well not exist.
Roll out your new tech gradually. Don't overwhelm field workers, office staff or yourself with an entirely new way to do things. Find the low-hanging fruit, and get your staff on board with the elements that make their life easier. Then gradually add new elements to your standard operating procedures. Once you've built momentum, you can fully transition to the new system.
The downside to this approach is that for a time, you'll likely be paying for software or services that you're not fully using. Think of it like teaching a child to swim: They may stick to the shallow end of the pool initially, but it's only a matter of time before they're diving in head-first.
Phone a Friend
Ideally, new roofing technology is more than just a fancy gadget or app. The best tech is backed by well-trained professionals dedicated to helping you succeed.
Much of the software we've mentioned comes with that safety net: The proven support team at a trusted supplier such as Beacon. Don't hesitate to reach out when you need a little high-tech guidance. Because when your company prospers, the entire industry thrives.