Former Notre Dame football coach, Lou Holtz, once said, “In this world, you’re either growing or you’re dying, so get in motion and grow.” Sure, it’s cliché and perhaps slightly erroneous, but it’s a good mindset for business. In the roofing industry, a focus on stable growth is important for success.
The best way to grow is to implement a great strategy. Grow too slowly and your business may never leave second gear—competitors will eventually pass you on the straightaways. Grow too fast and you could collapse under an unexpected load should you take on more business than you can capably deliver. By developing a plan and incorporating modern tech, you will be properly equipped to scale your business.
If you trim the fat, the most basic recipe for business hasn’t changed much over the years. For a roofing business, you need to have the skills and knowledge to complete jobs, the appropriate amount of labor, safety practices, a steady stream of work, quality roofing materials, and the right tools. Good execution translates to revenue which fuels the machine that is your business.
Of course, there’s more to it than just minding the basics. Many businesses fall short or take on more than they’re equipped to handle without a solid strategy. A roofing business is an investment and a sensitive one at that. Making the wrong moves in times of rapid growth—especially in early days—is like ignoring a few loose wheel lugs. Losing a wheel on the road can be anywhere from inconvenient to catastrophic!
Some get lucky by winging it, but you’re far better off building and executing tasks in a checklist from the start of the business as well as during growth. This will give you the tools you need to grow into a successful business.
Construction businesses today aren’t like they were just a couple of decades ago. Today you need technology to stay on the cutting edge and maximize revenue—you can't whimsically take on jobs and expect to achieve the same levels of success of past business models. Modern tech helps you ensure the seed you sow blossoms into a successful business by incorporating the following lessons.
Whether you set up base in the US, Canada, or anywhere else in the world, the location will be a key contributor in your overall success. It’s important to accept that your hometown may not be an ideal location. Instead, find areas that are experiencing high growth (here are some in the USA and Canada) when you’re just starting out or considering an expansion. It could be right outside your town, or across the country. You’re far more likely to succeed in fast-growing areas.
If you’re not tech savvy, you’re not alone. It’s a hit or miss proficiency with many business owners in skilled trades—but don’t let any apprehension keep you from adopting an incredibly useful tool. Aside from accounting, there are several reasons you should embrace technology. Tasks like material tracking, bidding, CRM functions to track leads and existing customers, managing onsite safety, labor scheduling, finding job leads, and many more are part of modern software solutions. Take a look around, ask questions, and hire additional help for anything you feel you can’t (or don’t want to) manage—your bottom line will thank you!
Face-to-face networking and word-of-mouth recommendations are still a great way to build a company, but it’s just not enough for a modern business if you’d like it to grow. Most consumers today conduct research before deciding on a service provider for virtually every big decision—and roofing jobs fall under that category. As such, you need to make sure people can find you on multiple digital mediums.
Having a website—it doesn’t need to be complex—where prospects can learn about you and your services as well as view your portfolio will be incredibly useful. Get on social media too. This will give you a chance to engage with followers and provide a medium for customers to praise you for your good work.
Modern technology affords the ability to create reliable financial projections. These are essential for day-day-day operations and crucial when you’re either new to the game or about to scale. Accounting software might come as part of the construction technology you select for your business or might be a standalone solution. In either case, take advantage of financial planning functions to keep your finances in line.
Use the data to understand what you can afford at different stages of growth—you will likely need to purchase additional tools and vehicles, and stock up on common supplies as you grow. Over time, emerging patterns will reveal the best times to make additional investments.
Keep a focus on sustaining a good company culture as you grow. It’s just as important in construction as any other industry as you want your best workers sticking around. Keep communication channels open with employees and you’ll have a happier workforce. Great culture helps your business prosper as dedicated staff will be willing to work around a roofing company schedule.
Of course, it can be tricky, especially for certain regions. Rainy seasons, extreme heat, and heavy snow can slow down or halt your ability to complete jobs, meaning labor scheduling becomes difficult. In these times—and especially in certain regions—layoffs could become necessary, which most laborers understand even if they don’t like it. Make sure to communicate with your talent about times when you’re going to be slow because of the weather or slow business.
Running a successful roofing contractor company requires more than just the knowledge and skills to perform the job—it requires planning and technology to remain competitive. By incorporating modern tools, you’ll have an edge over the competition.
Roofr can help you grow your business by matching you with qualified job leads. Our innovative app and marketplace match customers with contractors, making it easy to find vetted job leads in your area. Sign up and get started!)
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