Working as an employee is a great way to learn. But starting your own roofing business produces a whole new level of gratification. Check out these suggestions for how to start your own commercial roofing company and generate commercial roofing leads in 2024.
Whether you are a residential roofer looking to get into commercial or just an employee looking to start a new business, these tips should help:
Conduct Market Research
Google has given the world an abundance of free information at its fingertips. It would help if you took advantage of researching the commercial roofing industry.
So much quality information is available that can be accessed from any device. At the same time, be wary of misinformation that could lead you down the path of most resistance.
Results on Google page one are likely to be reputable, but always consider the source and how trustworthy a website and its content seem to you at first glance.
Here are some search queries you’ll want to look at:
- Equipment needed to start a roofing company
- Starting a roofing business tips
- How much do roofing company owners make
- Roofing business plan
- Cost to start a roofing company
- How to start a roofing company in (your city, state)
Write a Commercial Roofing Business Plan
Before starting a company of any kind, you need to write a business plan. For someone without formal business training, the task can seem daunting and overwhelming from the jump.
Luckily, the World Wide Web provides roofers with resources at their fingertips to help streamline the process.
For example, the United States Small Business Administration has public documentation available to those looking to start their plan now.
They suggest the following hierarchy:
- Executive Summary
- Company Description
- Market Analysis
- Organization & Management
- Service or Product
- Marketing & Sales
- Funding Request
- Financial Projections
- Appendix
Select a Commercial Roofing Company Name
Don’t overthink the name. Please keep it simple and representative of your industry. Sometimes, you can tie your geographic location with the name, but it is not required.
Also, try to frame your name in the context of a memorable domain name. That means it shouldn’t be too long.
When you cite your URL on business cards and digital citations, you want the consumer to be able to recall it on demand.
It also helps if it looks appealing on a truck wrap and other commercial roofing marketing materials.
Consider these aspects of a name:
- Length: Keep it as short as possible
- Memorability: Choose a name that consumers can easily recall
- Relevance: Associate it with your industry, location, or a combination of both
Talk to an Attorney
Starting your own business will create extra-legal issues you hadn’t considered. For this reason, you must talk to an attorney to discuss the legalities of owning and operating a business.
Much of it concerns property and work-site regulations, but you should also consider worker safety.
The last thing you want is to get sued for one of your employees slipping on an iced-filled roof during a restoration project.
Be aware of these potential legal issues:
- Permits
- Lawsuits
- Regulations
Understand Your Tax Obligations
Now might be a good time to start your company because of tax breaks for commercial building owners. Still, you’ll want to consult a business accountant to ensure your model aligns with IRS standards.
For those of us who aren’t the strongest at mathematics, having a contact to handle your taxes can alleviate the stress of running a new business.
The good news is that as your taxes get more complicated, it indicates success for your business.
Consider these tax concepts:
- Commercial Tax Breaks
- IRS Regulations
- Tax Windows (of Opportunity)
Anticipate Down Seasons
Depending on your region, you may have a significant down season as a roofing company owner.
You should have a plan in place to supplement your income during that time, at least until you are successful enough to not necessarily need it.
Residential roofers who are getting into commercial projects may have an easier time. However, this can be one of the most challenging hurdles for a new commercial roofing business to overcome.
It can sometimes be discouraging enough to make you quit, but here’s why you shouldn’t:
- Longevity: A temporary down season won’t threaten your long-term prospects
- Perseverance: Because many quit for this very reason, sustaining yourself makes you rare
- Supplementation: There are other areas in which you can supplement income during your initial years
Learn Salesmanship
You’ve probably never had to make a roofing sale as an employee. As an owner, you will have to become excellent at doing so. Consumers can detect BS better than ever before. For that reason, getting to the point is your best course of action.
Another piece of advice is to listen to the prospective client and get a concrete idea of their needs so that you can explain precisely how you’ll meet them and why your company can do so.
If you lack direction or confidence in sales, consulting with a roofing business coach can be helpful.
Focus on the following sales concepts:
- Cut the BS: The modern consumer is too intelligent for snake oil salesmen
- Listen to the Client: Consumers want to feel heard and value reciprocated concerns
- Make a Final Impression: Consumers most remember the latter part of the interaction
- Invest in Self-Care: Keep a positive attitude since you will be rejected regularly
Hire a Marketing Company
Before you can sell, however, you need leads in the form of phone calls, contact form submissions, and emails. The best way to get each of these is by investing in a marketing company for roofers, like Roofing Webmasters.
Digital marketers should cover services such as SEO, Web Design, PPC, DataPins, and Content Marketing.
For more details on the most effective marketing tactics, see below:
- Content Marketing: The promotion of branded content on your website
- PPC: The investment in paid advertising on Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and elsewhere
- SEO: The process of earning higher rankings on Google
- DataPins: The showcasing of recent jobs with consolidated E-E-A-T signals
- Web Design: The creation of a custom-branded website for engagement and conversion
Moving Forward With Your Commercial Roofing Business
Starting a new business can be intimidating, especially when you are used to working for someone else. While the initial months will feel overwhelming, the subsequent gratification is immeasurable.
Getting into commercial roofing is one of the smartest business decisions for a roofing contractor in 2024. The Roofing Webmasters team can help you achieve your goals and build a sustainable brand.
