In today's dynamic business climate, many roofing contractors are seeking innovative ways to grow their companies and adapt to changing market conditions. If you're looking to expand your business, one strategy worth considering is broadening your offerings to include roof maintenance and repair services.
Expanding your business services can be a strategic move for several reasons. It may help maintain a steady cash flow, potentially allow you to retain top talent by providing diverse work opportunities, and keep your team's skills sharp across various roofing tasks. By incorporating GAF maintenance and repair products into your service offerings, you can enhance the value you provide to existing clients while also attracting potential new customers.
Moreover, this expansion may create opportunities to develop a pipeline of future roofing projects. As you build relationships with property owners through maintenance and repair work, you'll be well-positioned to identify and secure larger reroofing or replacement projects down the line. This approach may not only help grow your business in the current business climate but also set the foundation for long-term success and customer loyalty.
4 Benefits of Offering Maintenance and Repair Services
Adding maintenance and repair services to your business offerings can be a good way to bridge the gap during slow periods and balance out the seasonal ebbs and flows of the roofing industry. During late fall and winter, when new roof installations slow down, having a full pipeline of maintenance and repair projects can potentially help keep your crews busy and cash flow steady.
Here are four advantages related to expanding your business services to include roof maintenance and repair.
1. Potentially Helps Maintain Income Stream
Adding inspection and maintenance services to your company's repertoire may create a consistent revenue stream that complements your roofing projects in any business climate. These services can help prevent premature roof failure—providing building owners the option to spend a little now or a lot later, which many appreciate.
In addition, being able to perform regular maintenance and routine inspections can help you provide clients with peace of mind. For instance, many roofing companies guarantee their products, but regular inspections are often required to ensure the roofing materials are performing as expected. GAF recommends that installed roofing products be inspected at least once a year, but preferably twice (before and after the storm season), by a GAF-certified commercial contractor.
You can look for a variety of potential issues during routine inspections, including debris on the roof, membrane damage, and flashing failures or damage. By performing the inspection and completing the needed repairs, you not only maintain the integrity of your clients' roofs but also potentially secure a steady income during traditionally slower months.
2. Expands Reach to New Customers
When storms or inclement weather hit, roofing repairs and post-storm inspections can keep your team busy and help you reach new clientele. Offering these services provides an opportunity to connect with property owners you haven't worked with before. Establishing a working relationship through repair services can potentially lead to future projects or upselling opportunities.
Since improper repairs are a common cause of roof problems, GAF recommends that contractors use only GAF materials and follow the current repair guidelines for the type and quality of roof installed. Doing so can help maintain the roof's warranty and support the system's longevity.
3. Keeps Your Crew Busy
Adding maintenance and repair services to your company's offerings can keep your crews active and engaged year-round. The slower winter months typically provide roofers an opportunity to learn new skills and ensure their training is up to date. Expanding your business offerings to include maintenance and repair can provide a new depth of service and highlight your company as a dependable source of work.
While seasonal layoffs are a regular part of working in the construction industry, offering roof maintenance and repair can help keep your crews busy throughout the winter and spring.
4. Fosters Customer Relationships
With most building owners and property managers purchasing only one or two roofs in their lifetime, the opportunity for repeat business is small. Building long-term customer relationships is difficult without maintenance and repair services to bridge the gap.
If you can position yourself as a resource throughout the life of a customer's roof and regularly communicate with them about their needs, you're more likely to be tapped for repairs and maintenance. In addition, you'll likely be the owner's first choice when it comes time to replace the roof, potentially leading to more revenue.
Moreover, many building owners may have multiple properties. By providing excellent service on one property, you may open the door to additional jobs across their entire portfolio. This expansion of services within a single client relationship can significantly boost your business opportunities.
Cultivating long-term customer relationships may also lead to gaining more opportunities for referral work and upselling. Best of all, a sterling reputation can require less marketing spend, as you're already well-known and respected among your target demographic.
GAF Offers Premium Repair and Maintenance Products
In recent years, GAF has developed a line of high-quality products specially designed for commercial roof maintenance and repair. With these additions to your toolbox, you'll have everything you need to expand your business offerings:
- EverGuard® TPO Quick Spray Adhesive is a solvent-based contact adhesive used for bonding membranes to various substrates. It's also available in a low-VOC formula.
- EverGuard® TPO Seam Cleaner cleans exposed or contaminated TPO seams prior to heat welding, revitalizing aging membranes.
- EverGuard® TPO Primer is useful for prepping surfaces to ensure good adhesion.
With these products, commercial roof repairs can be completed quickly and easily.
The aerosol-based products offer a significant advantage by eliminating the need to carry heavy buckets or canisters up to the roof. This innovation not only simplifies the repair process but also enhances safety and efficiency, allowing contractors to work more effectively and potentially complete more repairs in less time.
Expand Your Offerings with Help from GAF
For more information on the products and tools to help you build your right-sized roof repair and maintenance services for the current business climate, explore the GAF website and browse available offerings.
