Safety Begins Before the Metal Roof or Gutter Installation Does

Let’s talk seriously about your safety procedures. Standing seam metal roofs are an increasingly popular roof option for residential construction because of their durability and energy efficiency.  As with roof work, using any type of materials, construction employees working at heights of 6 feet or more must be protected from slip and fall hazards.

You must continuously emphasize slip and fall safety to your workers. You must also provide fall prevention training to the workers before allowing them to work above 6 feet.

Over the last few years, metal roofing and gutter contractors have been focusing on job site safety. And rightfully so!  As insurance premiums rise, it is important that your installation crews follow the proper safety precautions. It is also critical that your crews be trained and retrained on a regular basis regarding these safety procedures.  Failure to do so could cost your company a great deal of money or worse.

These safety procedures are not just limited to the installation process. They may also include the use of required safety equipment or the proper protective clothing.

This is not a new issue! Job site safety has been an important part of the home improvement and building construction industry for quite some time.

But safety does not just begin and end on the job site. 

It is equally as important that your crews arrive to and from the job site safely as well.  Their vehicles should be properly maintained, and all traffic laws should be followed to the letter. This means that crews should not be distracted while driving to and from the jobs. So there should be NO phone calls, texting, eating, drinking or filling out paperwork while on the way to or from the job site.

Many companies are opting to install video cameras on their vehicles. They record both the driver’s activities, as well as a view out the back and the of the vehicle. This is a great way to insure that your drivers are not distracted. Also, the exterior views may come in handy in the unfortunate event of an accident, which may prove your employee was not at fault.

The footage can be seen in real time on your computer or phone so you can monitor the crews’ activities 24/7.

There are also other types of tracking devices to consider that can help you govern the driving speed, and insure the use of blinkers and proper breaking and turns. These methods can help you make sure your crew arrives safely to and from jobs.

Accidents are more common than you think and can cost you a fortune in insurance premiums and legal fees.

Sure, job site safety is very important, but you also want to keep your employees safe while traveling back and forth.

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From family homes to manufacturing, and to some of the greatest architectural designs of the age, metal is making its mark due to its strength, longevity, and infinite flexibility in style. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite metal roofs from the United States and around the globe.

Going on Tour

Photo courtesy of Engineering News Record http://www.enr.com/articles/20155-the-church-of-saint-aloysius-jackson-n-j

Let’s begin our sightseeing in New Jersey. This amazing piece of architecture (sometimes called “The Flying Nun”) is the St. Aloysius Church in Jackson. Architect David McHenry used the concept from the Old Testament being housed in a tent as the inspiration of the design. The roof uses galvalume metal and, despite the impression created, was made entirely of straight panels.

Photo courtesy of Safdie Architects and http://buildipedia.com/aec-pros/engineering-news/crystal-bridges-museum-of-american-art-marrying-engineering-and-architecture

One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, designed by world famous architect, Moshe Safdie. This jewel is nestled in the forests of the Ozarks, with the copper roofing meant to complement the natural beauty of the scene.

Photo courtesy of Generaltso https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The Boston Convention Center is one of the finest buildings in the country. The convention center amasses over 2.1 million square feet. This task was surely no small undertaking. The main roof is constructed with BEMO aluminum seamless panels.

Photo courtesy of Noemy García https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/es/deed.en

You know you’ve really made something cool when the most interesting thing in the image isn’t the dinosaur. Our first look at something overseas is the Jurassic Museum of Asturias, in Colunga, Spain. The roof is actually shaped as a giant tridactyl dinosaur footprint, and is covered in copper; a great material for protecting the priceless contents inside.

Photo courtesy of https://www.rheinzink.us/press-releases/article-detail/article//majority-of-original-zinc-roof-serviceable-after-more-than-120-years-of-service/

St. Catherine’s Church (Reutlingen, Germany) is a testament to the durability of metal roofing, as its 120-year-old zinc tile roof is still in service. Zinc is especially popular in Europe, as it makes for great ornamentation for projects that are meant to last for generations.

Photo courtesy of Wener Otto/Getty Images. http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/best-of-frank-gehry-slideshow/all

Above is one of a series of magnificent pieces by architect, Frank Gehry, well known for his wacky creations. His use of metal as a primary building material in his structures is what allows for the extreme in his designs; without ever sacrificing strength or durability. Gehry combined stainless steel and red brick into an already existing building to turn a textile factory into a contemporary art museum.

Metal – For a Beautiful Roof That Will Outlast the Building it Lives On

When our customers are looking for a roof they will never have to replace, metal is rightly the first thing that comes to mind. Whether copper, zinc, steel, or aluminum, metal roofing has strength, longevity, and flexibility that is superior to any other roofing material.

From amazing contemporary designs to mission style homes, metal can fit any style of architecture, and that is what has made it so popular all around the world.

~J.C.

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Artists have to get their inspiration from somewhere, even when they work with metal roofing. For the world-famous architect, Frank Gehry, that original inspiration came from the Inland Steel Building in Chicago. It’s a big commercial high-rise building, built in the 50’s, and when Frank looked at it from just the right angle, he saw a fair amount of oil canning in the steel building.

Oil canning is what we call the waviness you see in sheet materials when they deform for various reasons. If you aren’t familiar with the term, it’s because most roofers avoid talking about it.

Often times, oil canning is seen as a cosmetic flaw, but Frank Gehry saw it as added character to each architectural building.

Maybe that’s why Frank has designed some of the most incredible metal buildings in the world, deliberately using the technique in his design.

Where the Building Meets the Eye

Image from https://travelforaircraft.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/blog-b-52_mg_8777.jpg

Oil canning will appear on anything produced from sheet metal, such as the B-52 aircraft pictured above.

The elastic buckling of oil canning can and will occur in any type of metal panel, be it aluminum or steel. Usually, metal roofing and wall panels look flat, but if you catch them in the light, just right, you might see some of that waving and wrinkling.

The canning is usually more pronounced in a bigger and/or flatter panel. The deformation is caused by stress within the metal, causing the panel to buckle ever so slightly, which is why you usually have to catch it in the right light in order to see it.

That’s metal.

During production

First, stresses are introduced during production. All metal roofing panels begin in the form of a coil, essentially as a giant roll of sheet metal. If the coil is longer in the middle or on the edges, or picks up a side edge that isn’t perfectly straight, this can cause stresses in the sheets that will eventually be visible on the roof.

The stresses are more pronounced when you get a wider or thinner sheet. But even our narrower coils usually come from a single wider coil, redistributing these forces among the child coils. When the metal sheets are formed into roofing panels, the work often results in added stresses or tiny bending on the edges of the sheet. As these processes are inherent to the manufacturing of metal roofing, the best that can be done it to minimize it with proper tooling.

Who you are underneath

No matter how perfect your surface layer is, if the support structure or sub-roofing isn’t perfectly flat, these imperfections can be translated onto the surface metal. This also translates to the entire building. Most will understand the idea of a house “settling” after being built, and that means that the tiny shifts in the structure are now stressing the roofing in a new way, causing the metal panels to conform to the new movement.

Installation

As skilled roofers and metal suppliers in Miami, we understand how materials can change during construction; materials expand and/or contract due to heat and load changes.

In fact, we plan on thermal expansion in our designs by flexing the rib and seam areas of the joints; allowing the metal room to expand.

Some oil canning results in lines along the fasteners, and this is due to the over tightening of said fasteners. It’s no different than when your drain plug for the oil pan on your vehicle is over tightened– when it gets hot again the metals expand, slightly, damaging the oil pan.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Image from Tuxyso / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

The Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by Frank Gehry) has visible oil canning.

Some degree of oil canning is to be expected, as it is inherent to the production process of sheet metal, and there are certain elements that cause it that are beyond human control, such as thermal expansion, or movement in the primary structure.

If oil canning is a characteristic you don’t find endearing, especially to your roof, hiring a professional who knows how to properly handle the materials and installation, can significantly reduce oil canning effects.

Good engineering and design can mean the proper gauge is selected for your roof, the use of ribs, backer rods, and even the particular finish can all help to mask possible canning of a metal roof.

Oil canning is simply a part of metal roofing, but often times it’s something your builder won’t bring up.

Because we can’t change the physics of metal, be weary of those “professionals” who tell you they can prevent or cure metal canning 100%. They’re simply selling something that doesn’t exist.

Since oil canning is complex physics at work, it means flexible metal roofing panels are absorbing stressful forces that would otherwise give way to the underlying structures.

Besides, as Frank Gehry learned, oil canning can transform a plain, otherwise boring, metal surface into one that is full of beauty and character.

~J.C.

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Metal Master Shop

After a few months of planning, we finally have in our hands the latest Metal Master Shop Brochure. Quality time was invested in this piece because it needed to be something useful for our customers on both ends; the contractors, and the homeowners. This brochure is important, because it presents metal roofing to the person who might not have all the necessary information to make a decision.

We make it a priority to be as informative as possible, because we know that when a customer compares metal roofing to any other system out there, the choice is obvious. The purpose of the brochure is to:

1.Give the contractors a tool to hand out to their customers, therefore expanding their roofing options.

2. Provide a tool to homeowners that will allow them to make an informed decision.

There are many myths surrounding metal roofs; but when it comes down to it, it isn’t only beautiful, it is the strongest, longest lasting system available. Think about those beautiful cathedrals with metal roofs standing after hundreds of years! A metal roof, when properly installed, will be the last re-roofing job you’ll have to worry about.

Some wonder why we didn’t include profiles and materials in this brochure. The answer is simple. This is not a product catalogue. It doesn’t make much sense to load a person with details on a product they don’t fully understand how it benefits them in the first place. The goal is to lay the facts down, and encourage the costumers to research and become familiar with what metal roofing is. Metal Master Shop wants contractors as well as homeowners to know about the benefits of metal roofing before they start diving into technical information that can be overwhelming for anyone. If you wish to have technical data, resources are available on our website and you are welcome to stop by the showroom to collect any samples, color charts, installation guides, Miami-Dade Approvals, etc.

We have great things planned! This is just the beginning. If you are familiar with Metal Master Shop you know that we not only take pride in the products and services we offer, but in supporting learning . We take information very seriously, and hope you find this brochure most helpful. To request a copy CALL US 305.261.9290, or stop by! We are always happy to see you.

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Corrosion in Coil Nails

You have probably heard about the corrosion issues with 1-1/4-inch coil nails. This very informative article “Fastener Corrosion Update” from Florida Roofing magazine will give you all the details and offer a wider perspective in the matter.

Learn about the research project and the updates taking place. Know about the Cylic Corrosion Tester, a machine specifically purchased for roofing fastener corrosion at the University of Florida. The research took approximately two years, and it has shed a lot of light on the way roofers look at these roofing accessories. Corrosion of a nail is an issue that can damage many aspects of a perfectly good roof. While that may not represent a huge impact in some places where humidity and precipitation are not a big deal, here in Florida, corrosion in the nails will quickly become a big problem.

We feel it is important to keep you in the loop of what is happening in your industry. Being a roofer, especially in South Florida, means that you must be on top of your game with all the latest information. You are held liable for abiding to the toughest building code in the nation. Taking that into consideration, it is imperative that you keep up to date. Metal Master Shop is here to help you along the way.

Please refer to pages 10-11 in the digital version of the publication we have linked for you in this post. Click on the “Click to read” button and use the left and right arrows to move from one page to another.

We appreciate you turning to Metal Master Shop as a resource for industry information. To be in contact with us on a more frequent basis feel free to add us on to your social media platforms.You can look us up on Facebook as Metal Master Shop and Instagram @metalmastershop.

http://http://issuu.com/roofingflorida/docs/frm-201602_cc04d60ced6c7b?e=24170563/34507453

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Think you can’t get galvalume roofing panels in the Dominican Republic? Think again.

Metal Master Shop is proud to offer affordable export services for our friends in the Mexican, the Caribbean, and Latin American regions. We aren’t afraid of a little bit of water; we can help you provide your residents with the best roofing available without breaking your budget.

Our shop can ship out our beautiful metal roof panels in copper, aluminum, galvalume, and even rheinzink. Better yet, we send you everything you need for a professional installation (except for the roofer, because that’s you, but our expert support team can help you with technical details if needed.)

It’s like if IKEA started making Bentley’s, and your customer’s dream car arrived nearly ready, just needing your expertise to put those last few bolts in. Your roofing materials will come complete with clips, screws, and even the underlayment.

It’s Easy to get Started

It’s a short, 3-step process to quickly and easily have top-rated roofing materials shipped directly to you. We’ve been there, and we’ve done our share of building throughout the Gulf and the Caribbean, so you know Metal Master Shop knows what you need. We know the process, the markets, and the materials.

The simplest way to get going is to call us at (305) 712-6432. Not only will you have access to an experienced roofing team, but technical support, as well. Our architectural support team is on standby to help you with drawings, take-off, and precision measuring to help you get exactly what you need, right when you need it.

You can use your newfound time to work on another project, read a book, or catch up on Lo imperdonable. Don’t get too comfortable, though, for it won’t be long before we get back to you with a quote for materials and shipping. Then it’s time to get to work!

Your order is shipped promptly, once payment is received. Your materials are carefully inspected during this process, to ensure Metal Master quality and order accuracy. Our team cares about our metal, so we pack your exported order safely enough that Poseidon himself couldn’t damage it.

Bermuda to Bahama, Come on Pretty Mama

“But J.C., I live in the Netherlands. Can you ship there?” Don’t be silly; you can bet your hot bitterballen balls we can. In fact, we can ship just about anywhere.

In today’s interconnected world, don’t let little things like distance or lines on a map keep you from getting the materials you need to do the job right.

~J.C.

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I love companies that come up with simple and elegant solutions. In the roofing industry, one of the biggest decisions our client’s customers make is what material to use for their roof. This question has had all the same fundamentals of debate since the roof was invented.

How permeable is it? Is it energy efficient, or does it insulate well? Is the material strong but heavy, or light but weak? Even more importantly, what does it look like, and how much will cost? These are all important questions.

When it comes to modern roofing, there have been some clear divides. Structurally speaking, metal is the way to go. It can be strong AND relatively light, energy efficient, and has unparalleled durability. But…it might not have the look homeowners are going for, and aesthetics are an important part of design. That was only a problem until Gerard USA came along.

Great-Looking Roof

As far as aesthetics go, tile roofing is a very popular choice. It can come in a variety of styles and colors, and give a definitive, qualitative look to a building. Tiles can be heavy, too, they can break (roofers have to be careful, and wind can blow them off) and they can be expensive. This is where Gerard comes to the rescue with a simple and elegant solution: tiles made from steel.

Gerard carefully crafts their metal tiles to have the look, dimension, and even weathering of traditional tiles, but with the strength, lightness, and security of steel. Their steel tiles are coated with stone, giving the appearance and texture of other products, with the toughness of body armor. Yes Gerard…You have my complete attention.

We all know how much Metal Master Shop loves steel. As a material, there are very few things that can beat it. It is strong, yet light. It has elemental protection against fire, wind, and hail, and it’s durable and energy efficient.

Peace of Mind

In South Florida, roofs tend to not last as long as they should. Between climate and the occasional hurricane, traditional roofing materials can take quite a beating. Why not go with a Gerard Steel Stone-coated roof? It will last longer than you will, and there are no rot, fungus, or mildew problems to be had. Consider this testimonial from a real customer:

Dennis had his Gerard stone-coated metal roof installed eight years ago on his home in the Laguna Keys development in Gulf Shore. Since then, his home has withstood three hurricanes: Dennis, Ivan (whose winds reached speeds of 134 mph) and now Katrina. Forced to evacuate his home, not knowing what, if anything, he would be returning to, Ellis was relieved to find his home still standing and in good condition. “I did a lot better than most of my neighbors and I credit the Gerard Roof for that. Most houses in the neighborhood suffered severe damage to both their interiors and exteriors. There were some other homes with Gerard Roofs in the area, and to my knowledge, they held up well.” According to Ron Anderson of Gerard Roofing Technologies, “Gerard has received several calls from Katrina victims whose homes are still standing thanks to their roofs.” Ellis initially chose his roof for its “looks and safety,” not fully realizing the extent to which he would benefit.

Dennis Ellis, Gulf Shore, AL

Gerard USA has turned out a fantastic product that any roofer (and customer) can be proud of.

~J.C.

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Our command of metal has changed our lives and the world around us. This change has come in such a degree that we often define the ages of progression through that mastery. The Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and even the Steel Age.

The Steel Age began when Andrew Carnegie dared to span the Mississippi River with his new steel alloy, at a time when bridges had a 25% failure rate. Many were unsure of its viability and a common myth was that an elephant would not cross an unstable bridge. Carnegie, knowing that he was taking a risk, brought a great crowd to witness a circus elephant make the maiden voyage across his bridge in St. Louis, sparking a great boom in building. Steel was now king.

Prior to this point, few buildings ever reached great heights. Materials simply weren’t strong enough or were too heavy and inflexible. The strength and light-weight of steel spawned skyscrapers, steel shipping, metal roofing, and elevators.

Going Beyond the Obvious

As our mastery of the elements has become greater, the range of materials have increased to better applications of not only steel and iron, but copper, aluminum, and galvalume. We can make it lighter, stronger, and with a better appearance than ever before. With such flexibility now possible, we can apply various metals to our homes in more practical and cosmetically pleasing ways than ever before.

The evolution of metal roofing is an obvious choice for its efficacy, affordability, and durability. Right now, metals are big in home design and decorating; which has been on a steady incline for decades.

We can use metal in other places for the same reason that it is mainstream on the roof: better durability than any other building material, yet it can be engineered for strength and beauty into nearly any design, color, texture, or shape.

Subtle, burnished metal designs are in vogue, whether it is replacing interior walls for warmth and sheen, adding rich light to a room through flooring accents, or in sinuous forms throughout the house. Metal inlays create beautiful accents, particularly when mixed with other materials, such as wood or tile.

Metal allows us to create shapes and designs that wouldn’t be possible with other materials, whether it’s for an intricate accent indoors or something more simple such as a fence. We often use metal in places where brick have traditionally been used, for projects such as custom chimney tops, for example.

Metal is the Material of Choice for This Millennium

Make your next project shine with your creative use of metal materials. This simple change can update a home from run-of-the-mill to being the modern marvel of Miami.

No longer being confined to just the roof, metal is moving its way around the home, too, inside and out. Even simple, plain-Jane corrugated sheet metal can transform a room into a piece of art. The unlit fireplace can now brighten a room, and drab wall paper or paint can be replaced with metal laminate wall coverings that are rich and warm.

If you’re looking for inspiration or ideas on how to utilize metal with your next home makeover, contact the experts at Metal Master Shop. We’ll help take your vision and make it a reality!

~J.C.

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“More times than not, when I receive a call for estimates, it will be a referral from a contractor that does not install metal roofing,” says Shirley Delgado.

Shirley is the construction coordinator for Olen Waldrep & Sons Roofing, Inc in Hollywood, FL. When it comes to the market for metal roofing, Florida is a big one. She says metal roofing has increased sales for Olen Waldrep & Sons and it’s bringing in jobs for her business.

“[Other contractors] are therefore losing the opportunity to bid that roof, since they do not install metal. It is the newer product on the market, although it has been around forever, it was not thought of as a design for residential homes,” Shirley says.

If she’s gaining jobs because other contractors don’t install metal roofing, that means someone is losing jobs.

Is it you?

The Benefits of Metal Roofing

All those referrals people like Shirley are getting are coming from somewhere– and they might be coming at your expense.

Even in areas like Miami where metal roofing is popular, some roofing contractors just don’t provide metal roofing solutions to homeowners. When you live close to the ocean and feel the impact of yearly hurricanes, metal roofing is a practical and functional choice.

More homeowners are latching onto the idea that metal roofing can look elegant and charming, too. It fits into the aesthetic feel they want from their homes, and it provides protection against the salty air and the elements.

Metal roofing is also sustainable and environmentally friendly, which is a trend more homeowners are latching onto. They’re concerned for the environment, and they appreciate the lower energy costs associated with metal roofing.

There are other reasons metal roofing is seeing an uptick in popularity, as well.

From James Bush, vice president of sales and marketing, ATAS International Inc:

“As far as residential metal roofing is concerned, metal shingles and tiles have become prevalent in the industry in addition to traditional standing seams… Re-roofing offers the greatest opportunities for contractors. Asphalt shingle products were predominantly used on homes built in the late 90s and early 2000s. These products are now nearing the end of a useful life. During the remodeling process, homeowners often consider upgrades in product selection. Astute contractors should offer metal roofing as an option to homeowners during the consultation phase of a re-roofing project.”

This report confirms the growth of residential metal roofing, as well.

Homeowners are buying in, despite higher initial installation costs. They see the benefits. Why don’t you?

Why You’re not Offering Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is hugely popular and growing in Florida, so it seems like a given that every area contractor should install metal roofing. It frustrates homeowners when they take the time to research a contractor, or get a word of mouth recommendation from a friend, only to find out that contractor doesn’t provide the product or service they want for their home.

We’ve found contractors don’t provide metal roofing because of three main reasons.

Do you fall into any of these categories?

• You just don’t carry the materials – You’re already trained in asphalt or other roofing installation, so you just don’t worry about carrying the materials. You might even know how to install metal roofing, you just haven’t given it much thought. Your business is doing fine, so what does losing a few jobs here and there to metal roofers matter? The trouble is, you’re probably losing more jobs than you think.

• You don’t know how to install it – You know roofing requires intense training and education. You already went through training, and possibly even attended continuing education events for other roofing styles. You might be intimidated by learning a whole new world of installation techniques, or you might not think there’s time to learn. We see it often.

• The recession scared you off – Metal roofing did experience a slight dip during the recession. It costs more upfront for materials than other roofing styles, so many cash-strapped homeowners were avoiding it. Many of those homeowners were avoiding re-roofing projects altogether, though. Now that they’re ready for a new roof because their old roof is falling apart, they’re more likely to choose metal– especially in the Miami area.

Whatever your reason may be, if you’re not providing metal as an option to Florida homeowners, you’re losing real jobs. Each time you give a referral to someone like Shirley Delgado, you’re losing business. She’s grateful for your referral, and her company does great work, so they deserve the business. The homeowner won’t be disappointed with the service her business provides, either. You’ll have a grateful homeowner on your hands, too.

But don’t you wish that homeowner was grateful to you instead– because you installed their metal roof?

How to Earn those Jobs Back

If you’re not installing metal roofing for your customers, there’s good news to go along with all the bad news– it’s easily fixed!

If you’re willing to educate yourself in regards to metal roofing, there’s a world of opportunity out there. You have the opportunity to become more profitable, to satisfy homeowners, and to provide roofing that’s both environmentally friendly and stands the test of time.

If you’re still hesitant, just think of all the jobs you’re missing out on. As a contractor, having a steady flow of jobs is your lifeblood. Learning a new skill and providing a new service opens up a whole new world for your business, and you’ll never have to refer a homeowner who wants metal roofing services you can’t provide, ever again.

• Training – We regularly hold metal roofing conferences that feature hands-on training for roofers. Expert metal roofing installers show you and your team the latest installation techniques and explain the latest materials. You can read about a past conference here. We’ll have more information on our next conference soon, but you can expect it to happen in 2016.

• Sales – Our metal roofing eBook can help you learn the metal roofing sales process. You’ll learn why quality is more important to homeowners than the initial cost of metal roofing, and why it’s ideal for the Miami area.

For metal roofing, Florida is an ideal location for contractors. Homeowners want a durable, weather-resistant roof that looks great and stands the test of time. They’re also interested in its sustainability and environmental benefits. As their old roofs decay, they’re looking at metal roofing more and more.

Metal roofing is still growing. If you’re not installing metal roofing, you’re missing out on jobs. Other metal roofers are grateful for your referrals, but isn’t it time you earned those jobs back?

~J.C.

The post Are You Losing Jobs and You Don’t Even Know it? appeared first on Metal Master Shop.

By the time you’re through reading this blog post, you’ll remember Roofer #1, Roofer #2, and Roofer #3, just as vividly. Settle in for a roofing fable– a cautionary tale about the metal roofing sales process. And, yes, there is a moral at the end of each story.

Be sure to read all the way to Roofer #3’s story– that’s where the real action is. 

Roofer #1 Gives an Estimate over the Phone

Once upon a time, there was Roofer #1 who sat upon a cushy office chair throne in his air conditioned office.. He wore a dirty t-shirt and his jeans were full of holes, for he seldom interacted with homeowners face-to-face. His record books collected dust like long-forgotten ancient tomes, and his accounting software was neglected in favor of Spider Solitaire and fantasy sports apps.

Little did Roofer # 1 know, he was living in a fantasy world of his own. One day, the phone rang. Lo and behold, it was a homeowner!

“Hello. Roofer #1 Roof Installation,” he answered.

“Hello,” the homeowner replied, “I’d like to install a new metal roof. I live at 425 Grandmother’s House Lane. Can you give me an estimate?”

Roofer #1’s office was air conditioned, and the world outside was hot, bright, and lacked quick access to fantasy sports. Springing into action, he pulled up Google Earth and found the homeowner’s dwelling.

After viewing the grainy photograph, he concocted a random number based partially on prior experience.

Thus, he spoke the estimate to the homeowner and hung up the phone. No matter if he got the job or not, there would be no fairy tale ending for Roofer #1.

Moral: Roofer #1 is lazy. Good estimates don’t come from lazy roofers, so lazy roofers seldom stay in business for long. There’s almost no chance his estimate is going to be accurate, even if the homeowner accepts it. The homeowner is left in the dark about materials and the installation process. A good estimate is not quick, dirty, and done from a distance. Either he’ll be losing money or the homeowner will be unhappy— and word of mouth travels quickly.

Roofer #2 Estimates off the Top of his Head

Roofer #2 was well-liked by his friends and peers. He wanted to do well, but he had a tendency to avoid the most difficult parts of his job. He did not care for details, either. Still, he wanted his customers to be happy with their new metal roof. He was trying and he cared. He was already a step above Roofer #1.

One beautiful summer day, Roofer #2’s phone rang.

“Hello. Roofer #2 Roofing Services,” he answered.

“Hello,” the homeowner replied, “I’d like to update my roof. I live at 425 Grandmother’s House Lane. Can you give me an estimate?”

“Sure,” Roofer #2 replied. “I’ll be over in an hour to look at your house.”

90 minutes later, Roofer #2 pulled up to the homeowner’s two-story cottage. His pickup truck belched smoke from its tailpipe like the fiercest dragon in the land. As he descended from his air-conditioned cab, the homeowner saw he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

‘At least his jeans aren’t full of holes,’ the homeowner mused to herself.

Roofer #2 quickly looked over the house. Judging from past experiences, he produced a number off the top of his head. He wrote the estimate on his card of business and handed it to the homeowner.

With a nod of the head, he climbed in his truck and rode off into the sunset.

The homeowner accepted the estimate, but all did not go according to plan. Roofer #2 was crushed when the project fell behind and went over budget. The homeowner was not happy. Roofer #2 wanted to do right by his customer, but he did not fully understand the metal roofing sales process.

None of them lived happily ever after.

Moral: Roofer #2 at least put some effort into his sales process. He cared about his work and his customer. Unfortunately, though, he learned that a little caring and effort aren’t enough. A good estimate requires real research. For a roofer who cares about his customers and his end-product, the sales process determines whether or not a job is successful; both in terms of homeowner satisfaction and a roofing company’s profitability.

Roofer #3 Goes the Extra Mile

Roofer #3 was one of the most popular contractors in the land. When he wasn’t slaying ogres and restoring order to the kingdom, he was answering questions from homeowners, making sure his books were balanced, and taking care of his employees.

One day, Roofer #3 was looking up material costs on a manufacturer’s website when his phone rang.

“Hello. #3 Roofing,” he answered.

“Hi. I need a new metal roof,” said the homeowner. “I live at 425 Grandmother’s House Lane. Can you give me an estimate?”

“Sure, I’ll be over in an hour,” Roofer #3 replied.

Roofer #3 arrived at the homeowner’s house approximately 50 minutes after the call. He politely knocked on the door. When the homeowner saw him, she couldn’t believe her eyes. He wore a neatly-pressed workshirt with his company logo, clean work pants, and clean boots.

Roofer #3 was tired from protecting his kingdom all day, but he still put everything he had into the home inspection. It took him a few hours to inspect the home, including the old roof, and he asked the homeowner what she preferred in regards to her new roof’s aesthetics, longevity, durability, and eco-friendliness.

“Do you have an estimate for me?” she asked.

“Not yet. I need some time to give you an accurate estimate. But I’ll call you in two hours, unless you’d like me to call you in the morning,” Roofer #3 replied.

She agreed, and Roofer #3 rode all the way back to his office.

He spent an hour and 45 minutes painstakingly researching her home, material costs, labor costs, and every other factor regarding her project.

He called her in less than two hours and gave her the estimates for steel and aluminum, for galvalume and galvanized, told her the difference between brands, and answered her questions and concerns about the color of her roof and the required maintenance.

They spent another 45 minutes on the phone, but he described available warranty packages (on both installation and materials), and clearly demonstrated the value of his services.

By the end of that fabled day, Roofer #3 built a relationship with the homeowner. She trusted him because he was professional, because he went the extra mile by answering all of her questions, and because he put in the right amount of research for her new metal roof. She felt like he cared about doing a good job and she trusted him.

Time passed, and soon the sun set on the homeowner’s roofing project. It came to an end, as all things do. The project was finished on time and the estimate was accurate.

Songs of the roofer’s skill and nobility spread throughout the land, earning him audiences with many other homeowners.

This time, they lived happily ever after.

Moral: Roofer #3’s sales process included laborious research. He took the time to understand the homeowner’s concerns, preferences, and needs. He offered her a variety of solutions, and then did his research on each one. He never pulled a number out of thin air, so the project was successful and the homeowner was happy. A good estimate is the key to a good job.

Roofer #3 understood the metal roofing sales process. He knew how to demonstrate value by answering questions and keeping the homeowner’s desires in mind. He went the extra mile and proved his services were more valuable than his competitor’s.

After all, he showed up on time, delivered an accurate estimate, and paid attention to the details. He built a relationship during the sales process and earned his customer’s trust.

The next time you’re giving an estimate, or you’re in the middle of the sales process, ask yourself one question– are you behaving like Roofer #1, Roofer #2, or Roofer #3? In that answer lies the success of your roofing business.

~J.C.

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