In today’s interview, we discuss what’s new in aerial measurement apps and how these tools can save you time and money from lead qualifying to selling more projects. Get the latest updates on this fast-changing technology and how forward-thinking contractors are using it to grow their businesses. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Eagleview leads the way in aerial roof measurement, going back to the 1980’s Piers’ background: he started out as an engineer in the medical industry and then found...
May 25, 2018•28 min
If you think you will just sell your business and retire, think again. Very few roofing businesses will end in a sale or transfer to the next generation. Most will just close their doors. Join us to hear how, with careful planning, you can avoid the dreaded 4 D’s that kill so many businesses. What you’ll hear in this episode: Setting up corporate structure: why you should avoid sole proprietorship structure Why your personal money MUST be separate from the company’s money Scott’s tips to avoid “...
May 18, 2018•52 min
On today’s show, we talk about the latest contractor software and all the tools you need to run your roofing business. Everything is organized and centralized in one place, so you can always find exactly what you need. It’s the easiest way to manage your sales pipeline, generate estimates and contracts, oversee production, and understand how your business is performing. What you’ll hear in this episode: Lynn’s background as an industrial engineer: he worked on developing an automated assembly li...
May 11, 2018•28 min
Are you getting the most out of what is probably the 3rd largest cost in your roofing business? When it comes to Businesses Insurance many contractors are leaving a lot of money on the table. What's worse they may find that they don't have the coverage they thought they did for the complex risks we face. If you would like to be certain that you're properly covered for any eventuality, especially those that you haven't even considered, listen in to today's show, with Dave's expert guest, Jon Hein...
May 04, 2018•38 min
Are you looking to grow your construction business, but hate bookkeeping and accounting? Are you skeptical about hiring any accountant for fear of embezzlement or being ripped off? If so, tune into today’s podcast to get quick and easy tips on how to turn a people-dependent money pit, into a process-dependent cash cow with today’s guest, Randal DeHart. You don't want to miss this valuable episode! Listen and Randal and Dave discuss: The difference between construction accounting and regular acco...
Apr 27, 2018•44 min
You spend a lot driving online prospects to your website. In today’s interview, you’ll learn how to convert those visitors into qualified leads using live chat. Most websites convert less than 3-5% of their visitors to sales. Don’t let yours be one of them. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Live Chat works to convert website visitors to leads, which is THE BOTTOM LINE Dave’s background is 5+ years with Apex, which celebrated its 10th anniversary recently and works with over 4000 contractors ...
Apr 20, 2018•35 min
Consumer financing programs like same-as-cash financing or low monthly payment financing are commonplace in the retail world. Why? Because they help those businesses attract new customers and close sales. So why are some roofing contractors reluctant to offer financing? In today’s interview, I dig into the ins and outs of offering customer financing and how to do it the right way. What you’ll hear in this episode: Chris’ background in the Rhode Island family-owned bank When does a client need to...
Apr 13, 2018•18 min
Controlling your labor costs should be one of the top goals of running a profitable business. For most of us, Labor is our #1 job cost and the one variable that can take a profitable job and turn it into a loser. In today’s interview with Dean Logan, you will learn how, by using electronic timekeeping, you can be sure that you're paying for the “true" time worked on the job. Dean formerly ran his family roofing business and developed a time keeping an app that saved his company over $100,000 in ...
Apr 06, 2018•30 min
The #1 complaint that consumers log about roofing contractors is that they just don’t answer their phone or return calls. They complain that they leave a message on their voicemail and all they get is radio silence. That’s not leaving a good first impression. And first impressions are everything when it comes to buying a product or service. Why spend thousands of dollars on marketing to get your phone to ring? At $350 per average industry lead you’re throwing money in the trash if you don’t answ...
Mar 30, 2018•31 min
Today I sit down with the “Zen Builder” to learn how we can enjoy our business more by reducing conflict with our clients. Ed has over 28 years in the construction industry and is consistently one of the top speakers at the International Builders Show where he talks about providing a better customer experience. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why the customer looks at things differently than the contractor Ed’s background as “The Zen Builder”—and where the nickname came from Ed’s focus: dealin...
Mar 23, 2018•46 min
If you’re not marketing and selling preventative roof maintenance you are leaving a lot of money on the table! In today’s interview, Greg teaches us how to set up a maintenance department, find the right people to run it, and how to sell maintenance for high profits. He’ll also show us the top 5 mistakes contractors make that will kill the deal. Greg Hayne, of The Hayne Coaching Group, has a unique training program that helps roofing contractors grow their service departments and become more pro...
Mar 16, 2018•41 min
If you use independent contractors in your business you’re going to want to listen to today’s show with attorney Philip Siegel. Philip works for Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman, and Siegel, a firm in Atlanta that specializes in work for construction companies all over the country. The difficult labor market has many of us turning to independent contractors to get the work done, but new regulations and aggressive enforcement have resulted in new hidden dangers for contractors. The misclassification o...
Mar 09, 2018•47 min
There are 2 ways to make more profit on your roofing jobs. First, sell your jobs for more money. The second is to reduce your costs to do the job. Simple isn't it? But if you're like most contractors you already have a full book of business. And you're not getting any more money for that work. Today's podcast is all about production and reviews some new ways to reduce your costs and make more money that you may not have thought of.
Mar 02, 2018•32 min
Even with the booming construction economy, contractors are still going out of business at an alarming rate--and the reason is most likely poor cash flow. As sales volume increases, so do your payroll and supplier costs, all of which must be paid--usually long before you get paid for those jobs. If you’re not on top of your cash flow it doesn’t take much for it to all come crashing down. You can’t make your payroll with a book of receivables. In today’s interview, business expert Michael Stone s...
Feb 23, 2018•52 min
Marketing for contractors is constantly changing. What worked yesterday for you may not work today, but so many myths still abound. Today I sit down with home improvement marketing expert Mark Harari and talk about debunking the top 5 marketing myths that may be holding you back from growing your roofing business to its full potential. What you’ll hear in this episode: Mark’s background: 20 years in marketing, 18 of which are in the construction business The value of peer groups and “the power o...
Feb 16, 2018•32 min
In today’s interview, you will learn how to maximize the profit on that big backlog of work we all have on the books. As we take on more work, most contractors experience “slippage” in their profit margins and lose control over what started out as a profitable job but have now turned into a loser that we’re just trying to close out. You're making the same amount of profit you were before, but now with lower margins, more risk, more stress, and more headaches. Only with good Job Costing are you a...
Feb 09, 2018•51 min
Learn how this roofing contractor only needs to work 6 months of the year since he set up a lead machine using the Facebook Pixel. Adam shows us his step-by-step blueprint that you can use in your contracting business to get more targeted leads. What you’ll hear in this episode: Adam’s appearance at the IMG Expo in New Orleans about Facebook ads: “The Power of the Facebook Pixel” What is the Facebook Pixel? Using the Facebook pixel to gather information and understand trends How your character p...
Feb 02, 2018•40 min
My salespeople had a favorite “Whine”—"Homeowners only care about the price and we’re too expensive.” When in fact, survey after survey tells us that price is rarely the main reason why homeowners select a particular contractor. In today’s interview, I discuss the sales process you need to get your price, with expert John DeRosa. What you’ll hear in this episode: John’s work as director of contractor training and customer experience at SRS Distribution, including travel and seminars His 25 years...
Jan 26, 2018•44 min
The Roofer Show Podcast is all about helping roofing contractors grow more profitable businesses through education. I’ve been impressed with what GAF has been doing to help recruitment to the industry and offering programs to raise the level of professionalism. In today’s episode, I interview trainer Rob Ballard to find out more. What you’ll hear in this episode: GAF educational programs: how Rob grew up in the roofing industry The State of the Industry report and 2017’s #1 problem: the serious ...
Jan 19, 2018•28 min
If you think you will just sell your business and retire, think again. Very few roofing businesses will end in a sale or transfer to the next generation. Most will just close their doors. Join us to hear how, with careful planning, you can avoid the dreaded 4 D’s that kill so many businesses. What you’ll hear in this episode: Setting up corporate structure: why you should avoid sole proprietorship structure Why your personal money MUST be separate from the company’s money Scott’s tips to avoid “...
Jan 12, 2018•50 min
The #1 listener requested topic for the podcast is always how to get more leads and sales. That is what we talk about today in my interview with Tim Musch. We aren’t talking about just any leads, but quality leads and how to convert them into profitable sales. Tim’s company MarketSharp is a leader in CRM software designed for contractors. Tim has a system that can grow your business by over 60% while only getting 10% better at what you do. You’ve got to check this out! What you’ll hear in this e...
Jan 05, 2018•40 min
A good contract can be a roofer’s best friend because it will contain terms that will assist the roofer in collecting money or defending claims. In today’s interview, we’ll discuss the provisions that every residential roofing contract should include. What you’ll hear in this episode: Trent’s background in construction and his career, which has been 100% focused on construction law for 20 years The purposes of contracts: to protect the roofer and educate the client The Five Key Provisions in Res...
Dec 29, 2017•53 min
Facebook marketing and advertising is what’s going to separate you from your competition in 2018 when it comes to marketing your contracting business. In today’s interview, you’ll learn everything you need to know to set up a successful Facebook ad campaign. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why your website has to provide information and fulfill its primary purpose, which is to convert readers into leads Why you need a website review Common mistakes contractors make: Neglecting your “About” pag...
Dec 22, 2017•34 min
SEO is constantly changing, and what worked well last year may not work at all now. With new technologies and new rules constantly evolving, it’s critical to stay on top of the latest developments. In this podcast, I'll sit down with one of the industry’s top experts to examine what contractors need to know about best practices for SEO in 2018. What you’ll hear in this episode: SEO: What it is and what it means How to be the “best answer” for Google searches How important the map rankings are on...
Dec 15, 2017•38 min
Our workforce is the #1 asset in our businesses, so it is critical that we protect that investment. In today’s interview with construction labor attorney Philip Siegel, you will learn how to avoid the top 5 employment mistakes made by so many contractors. Top 5 Employment Mistakes Contractors Make: Not knowing when and what to pay for employee travel Compensable and non-compensable situations What the law allows What records to keep What qualifies for overtime pay The liability limits for violat...
Dec 08, 2017•46 min
Are your website visitors being converted into qualified leads that turn into sales? Most of those visitors are not ready to commit to a click or a call, and if you don’t have a way to capture their email addresses they could be gone forever. In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to set up a sales funnel that converts! What you’ll hear in this episode: Spencer’s podcast about marketing, especially for contractors (The first four episodes are available now!) Spencer’s family connection to builders...
Dec 01, 2017•32 min
Do you know what the internet is saying about your business? In today’s interview with Aaron, you will learn how to control what is being said on online review sites and social media. We talk about how to set up a consistent process so you will get more positive reviews, the right review sites, how to handle a bad review, and much more. What you’ll hear in this episode: Personal experience stories that show why online reviews matter: My garage doors needed replacing, but I couldn’t remember what...
Nov 24, 2017•44 min
The only way to grow a profitable roofing business for the long haul is to build an effective sales team. On today’s podcast, I talk sales with Becca Switzer, owner of Roof Sales Mastery. Becca teaches roofing contractors how to find, hire, and train successful salespeople with her proven step-by-step system that avoids all the typical mistakes most business owners make. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why a great sales team makes ALL the difference in your business “Nothing happens until some...
Nov 17, 2017•44 min
Learn how to navigate through the difficult issues which arise with an employee using medical marijuana in today’s episode with labor attorney Philip Siegel. We discuss what an employer can and cannot do without running afoul with the ADA or state disability discrimination laws when an employee is a registered medical marijuana user. What you’ll hear in this episode: Overview of the ramifications of legal medical marijuana laws for contractors State-specific issues The language of the law: why i...
Nov 10, 2017•36 min
I give up my top 10 marketing tips from my 30 years as a contractor and from 30 podcast episodes with the top experts in the roofing industry. Learn how to set up a lead machine that converts into sales that are easy. And the best part is they’re free! The Top Mistakes that Contractors Make: They don’t show up---Take the opportunity to represent yourself as a professional They don’t return phone calls---Commit to returning every call, every day The rep is not a likable guy---It’s a people busine...
Nov 03, 2017•27 min
