In roofing, speed and communication win deals. Whether you’re chasing a hot lead, reminding a homeowner about an install, or collecting that final payment, texting is the most direct line to your customer—and it’s time every roofer treats it like the business tool it is.
Text messaging for roofers can change the game. In this article, we’re walking you through:
- When to use texting vs. email
- How to leverage text to help your business grow
- Tips and examples for what text messages can look like
Read on, and let text message marketing change your business for the better!
Why texting is a game changer for roofers
Homeowners are busy. Between work, family, and life, emails often get buried—but texts? They’re read within minutes. And these numbers aren’t just for roofers—they reflect B2C communication trends across all industries:
- Open rates: Email averages 22–42%, depending on the industry. Text? 98% open rate, and most are read within 2–3 minutes.
- Click-through rates: Email links get about 2.3–3.2% clicks. Text message links? Around 36%.
- Response speed: Text replies usually come in within 90 seconds. For email, the average open time is closer to 90 minutes—if it doesn’t get lost in the inbox shuffle.
For roofing contractors in competitive local markets, these numbers speak for themselves: texting puts your message in the homeowner’s hand instantly and keeps you top-of-mind when it matters most.
What is text message marketing for roofers?
Text message marketing is the practice of sending SMS messages to connect with your roofing customers quickly and directly. For busy business owners, sending a quick text can also be far easier than writing out a whole email.
For roofing companies, that could mean:
- Sending a “thank you” text to a new lead in your service area.
- Sharing a proposal link so a homeowner can review it instantly.
- Sending a reminder about an upcoming roof installation.
- Requesting a Google review after a job is complete.
Unlike traditional advertising, roofing text message marketing is far more personal. You’re reaching homeowners in your city or region who have already shown interest in your services—or who are already customers.
And we already know roofing is about relationships. Done right, texting can build connections, improve customer experience, save you time, and help you get answers quickly.
When to use text vs. email marketing in roofing
Both text marketing and email marketing have a place in a winning roofing business strategy, but they work best in different scenarios.
Use text messages when you need:
- Speed and urgency – Example: “Your roof installation in [City Name] is scheduled for tomorrow at 8 AM.”
- Quick responses – Example: “Just checking in—are you ready to move forward with the proposal for [Job Address]?”
- Time-sensitive updates – Example: “Due to weather in [Region], your install is moved to Thursday.”
Use emails when you need:
- More detail and attachments – Example: sending a full proposal PDF with measurements and photos.
- Branded, formal communication – Example: seasonal roof maintenance tips for homeowners in [City Name].
- Longer updates or education – Example: an email explaining your warranty process.
Pro tip: The most effective roofing companies use text and email together. Email the full proposal for a professional presentation, then follow up with a text linking to that same proposal so the homeowner can view it instantly on their phone.
How roofers can use texting to win more jobs and get paid faster
- Follow up on proposals – Automate a friendly text 2–3 days after sending a proposal, with the link included.
- Speed to lead – Text new leads immediately, even while you’re on the road, to beat competitors.
- Payment reminders – Automate polite text reminders for outstanding invoices.
- Project updates – Keep customers in the loop about weather delays, crew arrivals, and project progress.
- Review and referral requests – Send a thank-you text with a review link after every job.
The power of automations for texting and emailing
Automation isn’t just for large corporations. You can leverage automation tools to:
- Trigger messages based on job stages, appointments, or timelines.
- Mix channels—send a text one day, an email the next, or both together.
- Stay FTC-compliant by sending texts only during business hours.
- Save time so you can focus on selling and managing jobs.
Texting is great. Automations are great. Putting the two together? Game changing.
Best practices for texting homeowners
Texting works best when it’s professional, clear, and customer-friendly:
- Get permission first – Always confirm they’re okay with receiving texts.
- Encourage them to save your number – So they recognize your messages instantly.
- Text during normal business hours – Between 8 AM and 8 PM local time.
- Keep it short and sweet – Identify yourself, state the purpose, and include next steps.
- Personalize when you can – Use their name and job details.
- Include links when it makes sense – Proposal, payment, or review links work best.
- Be proactive, not reactive – Update them before they need to ask.
Example text and email templates for roofers
Proposal follow-up text:
Hi [First Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Company]. Just following up on the roof proposal I sent over. Here’s the link again: [Proposal Link]. Let me know if you have any questions!
Payment reminder text:
Hi [First Name], just a friendly reminder your invoice for [Job Address] is ready. You can pay online here: [Payment Link]. Thanks!
Install reminder email:
Subject: Your roof install tomorrow
Hi [First Name],
We’re set to start your roof install tomorrow at [Time]. Please make sure the driveway is clear for our crew and materials.
Thanks for choosing [Company]!
Review request text:
Hi [First Name], thank you for trusting us with your roof! Would you mind leaving us a quick review? It helps us a ton. [Review Link]
Why use Roofr for texting and email automation
Roofr’s texting platform isn’t just another messaging tool—it’s built specifically for roofing contractors. That means you get everything in one place: your proposals, instant estimates, calendar, and all customer communications, all tied to the right job. No switching between your phone, email, and CRM.
With Roofr, you can:
- Send and receive texts directly from your CRM dashboard.
- Use proven, roofer-recommended templates that save time and keep your brand consistent.
- Automate follow-ups, payment reminders, and review requests so no lead slips through the cracks.
- Stay compliant with FTC texting rules by automatically sending messages during business hours.
- Keep a full history of every conversation, whether by text or email, so your whole team is on the same page.
Whether you’re an owner/operator in Florida or a growing crew taking on jobs across Texas, Roofr makes texting fast, easy, and professional — helping you close more jobs, get paid faster, and deliver the kind of communication that wins referrals.
Text message marketing: a game changer for small and growing roofing businesses
Roofing is competitive. Contractors who communicate faster, follow up more often, and stay top-of-mind win more jobs—plain and simple. Roofr’s texting, emailing, and automations make it easy to stay ahead of the competition, keep customers happy, and grow your business.
Ready to start texting your way to more closed deals and faster payments?
Book a demo with Roofr today and we’ll help you set it up.