Helping Technology-Resistant Roofers Embrace Tech Tools

In the roofing industry, technology is no longer a luxury. It's a necessity.

This is something that many roofers know, but plenty still struggle with. Tech can be daunting, complex, and time-consuming. And embracing tech as a business owner doesn't mean that your team will do the same.Whether you're hesitant to embrace tech yourself, or you need some help getting your team excited about tech tools: This guide is for you.

We'll explore the world of technology-resistant roofers and businesses, providing practical solutions that help make tech approachable.

We'll also delve into the latest trends in roofing technology.

So, let's get started. It's time to embrace the tech revolution and take your roofing business to new heights.

Understanding the push against roofing technology

The first step to getting your team to embrace tech is to understand why they'd be against it. You can't address objections if you don't know what they are.

Most common reasons roofers don't like technology

Here are some of the most common objections you'll hear in the industry towards tech:

• The way I'm doing it now works just fine.
• I've grown my business without it for this long.
• I don't need to change.
• It costs too much money.
• I don't know how to use tech.

This is what roofers say.

What they may be more hesitant to say outloud is:

• New technology scares me.
• I’m worried about the future of my job.
• It moves so fast, I feel lost.
• I don’t understand how to use it.
• The new language is confusing.
• I don’t want to be left behind.

We get that though. Change is scary. Tech advances so fast, it's easy to feel left behind, and to worry how you’ll ever stay caught up. Roofers who measure roofs by hand, or still knock door-to-door may feel threatened when a business starts talking about technology.

These concerns are not wrong. If you’ve been running a business a certain way for years, doing it the same way can seem natural. But, tech is not here to take away from a roofer, or their business.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Tech is here to help you do more with less. To grow, simply, and to give you time back into your day.

Education is everything in tech adoption

Not everyone is aware of the type of tech tools out there, and how they can help a roofing business grow. This is where education comes in.

Educating yourself and your team about the benefits and functionalities of technology is super powerful. Understanding the "why" and "how" can squash the fear and make tech an exciting opportunity.

With knowledge comes confidence.

Think back to all the objections and fears we mentioned above. Don't ignore these fears. Instead, use these as a foundation when talking about the value that tech can bring. Make connections to how tech can help them work smarter, save time, grow, and be better then ever.

Why tech adoption is crucial

In today's digital age, technology adoption is no longer optional. It's a necessity for staying competitive. Technology can help you:

• Identify what parts of your business is performing the best.
• Improve customer experience.
• Help you get paid faster.
• Keep things like job details, customer info, and incoming leads organized to save your team time.
• Make proposal building and pitching faster.
• Keep your team safe and reduce risk on a job site.
• Improve speed to lead, which wins you more jobs.
• So much more.

There are two other big reasons you need to be adoption tech.

1. Your competition is.

2. Modern day homeowners expect it.

By embracing new tools, you can position your roofing business as a leader in the industry. You can offer services that others can't. You can win over and build trust with the modern, young homeowner. That's a powerful competitive edge.

6 tips for training your team on technology

Introducing tech solutions can often be met with resistance from your team. This is especially true if they're not tech-savvy. But don't let this deter you. With the right training and support, you can help your team embrace new tools.

1. Start by explaining the benefits of the technology. Be clear about why you’re choosing tech, what tech you’re choosing, and how it will help them.
2. Involve them in the decision making process. If you’re shopping for a CRM, for example, involve them in the demo process. Give them access to trial accounts. Ask for their feedback. If they’re involved, they’ll be less likely to resist when you choose a tool.
3. Provide hands-on training and ongoing support. This will help them feel more comfortable and confident in using the new tools. Ask your tech provider if they have education resources or free training that your team can be a part of.
4. Practice your patience. Don’t expect Don’t expect your team to be experts in a day or even a week. It could take months. Encourage them to take time to learn it. Pressure won't help anyone.
5. Build a judgment-free tech zone. Allow your team to ask questions and request more training without judgment. Don’t support or engage any teasing or comments about others who may take longer to learn a tool.
6. Share wins and performance with them. Track key metrics like time saved, increased productivity, and improved customer satisfaction. This allows you to observe the real impact technology investments have on your business. Then, share these results with your team. Connecting the dots back to real results can be what finally gets more tech-resistant employees on board.

Choosing a technology partner for scaling your business

When it comes to adopting new technologies, it's not something you have to do alone. And the type of software partner you choose can make or break your experience with tech. When we say “tech partner”, we’re talking about the company or business behind the tech tools you use.

These partners are the one you’ll lean on for customer support, team training, tool questions, and more. They’ll help you implement new tools and make sure you’re all set up for success.

A goodtechnology partner will understand your business needs and will want to see you be successful. They can provide training for your team, ensuring everyone is comfortable with the new tools and processes.

If you want some help on what to look for when shopping for a tech solution, check out our full guide here.

Most common types of tech in roofing

The type of tech you'll see are on the job tools, and then roofing business tools.

On-the-job tech include:

• Drones for images, measurements and inspections
• Advancements in safety
• Tool technology

Business tech tools are what are really taking off, including:

• CRMs
• Satellite measurements
• Lead tracking
• Estimator tools
• Digital marketing
• Automation tools
• Customer communication
• Project tracking
• Calendars
• Scheduling tools
• So much more.

You can learn more about growing trends in roofing tech here.

Building a lasting, tech-savvy roofing company

Embracing technology is no longer optional for roofing businesses. It's a necessity for staying competitive, improving efficiency, and delivering top-notch customer service.

By overcoming tech challenges and investing in the right tools, you can build a lasting, tech-savvy roofing company. Remember, the journey towards technology adoption is a marathon, not a sprint. Take it one step at a time, and you'll see the benefits unfold.