Author Archives: Roofers Guild

Aug '21

4 Ways to Get More Roofing Leads in Austin, TX (2024 Update)

Getting roofing leads in Austin, Texas, can be challenging if you don’t understand how marketing works.

For example, roofers that buy leads from HomeAdvisor or other 3rd party platforms keep themselves in the gig economy without a measurable way to scale their roofing company.

The roofing industry has shrunk by 2.6% heading into 2024 so far. As a result, many companies compete for roofing clients in Austin, TX.

However, the companies that increase yearly revenue produce their own lead generation system rather than relying on other brands.

So, you probably wonder how the top roofers get leads. While industry growth continues upward, smaller companies find it harder to get roofing leads in Austin. That’s why we want to offer all the Austin roofers out there an updated list of roofing lead generation tips.

If you would like to work with a marketing expert to get more roofing leads in Austin, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Roofer’s Guild and check out these 11 methods to get more roof leads in 2024.

1) Content Marketing

Content marketing is still one of the hottest tips for generating roofing leads in Austin for 2024. Why? Because people would rather hear about your company through an informative blog post than a paid advertisement.

The bottom line is that people are leery of advertisements. While ads still have their place in the lead generation process, more emphasis should be on generating organic traffic through value-rich blogs, videos, and social media posts.

Start one now if you don’t already have a roofing blog that offers helpful information about roofing to your readers. If you have not invested in making high-quality videos that teach the viewer a thing or two about roofing, give it a try.

Remember that the goal is to compose compelling content that engages readers and provides valuable information and resources.

Content Marketing Helps Brand Your Roofing Business

2) Lead Magnets

Lead magnets can take different forms, but the goal is to get people to provide you with valuable contact information to remarket them later. Some examples of lead magnets include:

White Papers: White papers can be case studies that go over some aspects of roofing in detail. They are educational write-ups that you can offer in exchange for contact information.
Webinars: Think of one of the most common roofing problems that people have in Austin. Compose a short educational speech on the topic and promote it as a webinar on your website and social media outlets. You can offer access to the webinar in exchange for contact information. You can also include a Q&A portion where the people who join can ask questions.
Promotions: Offer special promotions on roofing services in exchange for people signing up for your newsletter or email list.

Lead magnets are beneficial if you emphasize email marketing in your digital marketing campaign. They can help you get a good list of contacts who may be ready to make a purchase.

Still, lead magnets can get you the precious contact info you need, whether your marketing efforts are digital or analog.

Lead magnets compel website visitors to submit their contact information, thus entering your roofing sales funnel. Conversion rates increase substantially once the individual submits their info.

Lead magnets attract top-of-the-funnel consumers by exchanging a value proposition for contact information.

3) Retargeting Ads

Retargeting ads are emerging as one of the most effective lead generation tactics for 2024. A retargeting ad will display a specific ad based on how someone has interacted with your website in the past.

For example, let’s say someone visited your website’s “shingle replacement” page but didn’t schedule an estimate or complete a sale.

The service provider will display your shingle replacement ad to visitors on other websites with retargeting ads.

Retargeting ads essentially remind consumers that they are interested in a product or service. But, more importantly, they are very effective.

One study showed that retargeting ads are about ten times more effective than regular display ads. While regular display ads earn a click about 0.07% of the time, retargeting ads get clicked on 0.7% of the time. Therefore, the more clicks your ad gets, the more leads will come to your website.

Retargeting ads are effective because rather than showing consumers a random advertisement that they might have zero interest in, retargeting ads show people ads about things that they have shown interest in previously.

Remarketing produces higher conversion rates than typical first-time advertising since the user is already familiar with your brand and has demonstrated some level of interest in your services.

Users with previous exposure to your roofing brand are more likely to engage with an ad on social media platforms.

4) Brand Authority

When marketers talk about building a brand, it usually sounds like BS. But the reality is that the most successful roofing companies in Austin, TX, feature an established brand.

You can build your brand by investing in a high-quality business website and on-page SEO. You should also invest in reputation management on your Google Business Profile.

Brand authority increases visibility because Google ranks larger brands, and other websites link to authoritative companies.

However, the true power of brand authority manifests through conversion rate. When they trust the company’s brand, consumers are far more likely to buy roofing services in Austin, TX.

While part of branding is your company name and logo, much of it comes down to marketing. Of course, performing excellent services accelerates your branding process, but you still need to showcase your work.

If nobody knows about your roofing jobs, there’s no way to cash in on your successful performances.

More Roofing Leads in Austin

All the tips mentioned above are things you can do right now. However, if you really want to maximize the lead-generating potential of your roofing business, you have to work with the experts.

Here at Roofer’s Guild, we can establish a steady flow of quality leads for your business.

Learn more about SEO for roofers and marketing tactics that help create a steady stream of prospects with great potential to become repeat customers.

Our team constantly studies the most effective methods to grow your business.

Aug '21

The 4 Best Roofing Books of 2024 (with Descriptions)

Are you looking for the best roofing books for 2024? At Roofer’s Guild, we don’t blame you for seeking knowledge. After all, you are dealing with the first line of defense for your customer’s homes.

So, while nothing can replace hands-on training, it never hurts to supplement your roofing knowledge with a bit of at-home reading.

Our team rounded up some of the best roofing books for contractors (and even some for non-roofing contractors) in 2024. The books in our list run the gamut from specific job guides to supplemental roofing education.

Table of Contents

1) The Calm After the Storm by Daniel Koren

In 2020, 4,611 major hail storms were reported in the United States. Severe storms are one of the leading causes of damage to any roof type.

As a contractor, you should know all about roof storm damage. In The Calm After the Storm by Daniel Koren, you will learn about the damage various storms (particularly hail storms) can do to roofs.

Your customers may also look to you for help with the insurance claims process. The Calm After the Storm tops our list of the best roofing books because it details the insurance claims process – one of the most problematic and common concerns for homeowners.

2) Siding, Roofing, and Trim

If you are a roofing contractor, you probably don’t need a book to tell you how to replace or install a roof. However, you may want to branch out into other services to earn more money and expand your business. Siding, Roofing, and Trim by the editors of Fine Homebuilding is a book that can help.

In it, you will learn the basics of how the roofing system affects a home’s exterior. More importantly, you can learn the basics of replacing and installing, you guessed it, siding and trim. Even a section dedicated to painting tips would be an excellent book for anyone looking to expand their repertoire of services.

However, one of the best things about Siding, Roofing, and Trim is that it was written: “by pros for pros.” There is no baby talk in this book.

You will need to have some contractor experience already to get the most value from this book, but if you are looking to add more services to your menu, chances are you are a reasonably seasoned contractor.

3) Roofing with Asphalt Shingles

An estimated 75% of houses in the U.S. have asphalt shingle roofing installed. Of course, as a roofing contractor, you likely have a lot of experience with asphalt shingles. Still, everyone could use some help to produce the tightest, most amicable, and most secure asphalt shingle roofs.

That’s why we chose Roofing with Asphalt Shingles as #3 on our list of the best roofing books. It’s essentially a masterclass in asphalt shingle roofing. But, of course, you can skip all the basics of installation. Roofing with Asphalt Shingles offers advanced tips for installing asphalt shingles, though.

There are chapters dedicated to installing the longest-lasting asphalt shingle roofs and producing aesthetically pleasing ones. Plus, you get a primer on how to estimate asphalt shingle roof jobs and order materials accurately.

This book’s value is not that it will show you how to replace shingles but that it will teach you to become a master at one of the most common types of roofing work in the industry.

4) Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing

Another great read by the editors of Fine Homebuilding, Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing provides an in-depth guide on protecting roofs from one of Mother Nature’s most damaging elements: water.

Again, we like this book because it was written by pros, so even if you’re a seasoned roofing contractor, you’ll be able to get a lot of value out of Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing.

For even more resources like digital marketing for roofing and roofing leads, get in touch with the pros here at Roofer’s Guild. We can help you expand your business, so contact us today.

Jul '21

7 Best SEO (Tools / Apps) for Roofers in 2023 (w/Descriptions)

Roofing companies can utilize tools to streamline their SEO process and even automate specific digital marketing tasks. As a roofing professional, time is money; the more time spent performing jobs and earning income, the faster your company grows.

But, of course, without a sound marketing strategy, those jobs will never become available. While you can always hire one of the best SEO agencies for roofers, the good news is that several tools now exist to make the SEO process more accessible than ever before.

Let’s take a look at the seven best SEO tools for roofers in 2023.

Table of Contents

1) DataPins

DataPins changes the SEO game for roofers. The tool allows contractors to turn each job into a blog post on steroids, otherwise known as a “pin.” When roofers repair a shingle roof in Denver, they use their mobile app to tag the location and take some pictures of the job.

Once the roofer submits that info, it automatically publishes it to its website on the most appropriate page. If that weren’t enough, the app sends an automated review request to the customer through email and text. Roofers also can publish their “pins” on social media profiles, including GMB posts, Facebook posts, and Instagram posts.

2) Google Search Console

Many marketing agencies talk about Google Analytics data, but Google Search Console is more straightforward to use. You don’t have to be an SEO professional to understand data produced from Search Console. For example, GSC will email you your best-performing queries (aka keywords) over the last 28 days.

You can also log into your GSC dashboard and easily filter data by date, page, and query. One of the most impressive features allows web admins to compare clicks from the last 28 days to the previous 28 days. The same criteria can apply to any time range you select.

3) Thrive Leads

Sometimes generating website traffic isn’t enough to produce leads for your roofing company. Installing the Thrive Leads WordPress plugin allows you to capture website visitors and add them to your email list for future promotions. Similar to remarketing on Facebook, Thrive Leads captures visitors’ contact information so that you can promote your services once they exit your website. I

n addition, Thrive Leads comes with an assortment of pop-up templates and allows web admins to insert CTAs within the content itself. The pop-ups are the least intrusive of their kind and typically result in substantial engagement increases for visitors.

4) RankMath

RankMath rivals Yoast as the best SEO plugin for WordPress. Like Yoast, RankMath allows web admins to enter their title tags, meta description, tags, and more. The tool also offers an excellent preview of what your result will look like on the SERP.

There’s no guessing when it comes to RankMath, as the tool provides an SEO score for your content based on the keyword(s) you input. While many in the industry use Yoast for familiarity, those who try RankMath come away impressed with its features and ease of use.

5) Moz Pro

Moz Pro allows roofing professionals to execute various SEO tasks under a single umbrella. For instance, roofing companies can research keywords, check backlinks profiles, and perform competitor research. In addition, Moz has its link grade metric called Domain Authority, which can help roofers determine where they stand relative to top competitors within their service areas.

Finally, Moz Pro also provides an on-page grader that determines whether or not content is up to the necessary standards for top rankings.

6) Link Whisper

For all the talk about link building in SEO, it very rarely alludes to internal linking. However, internal linking is one of the best ways to improve page rankings and is far more of a white-hat strategy than most link outreach campaigns.

Luckily, an SEO tool called Link Whisper uses AI to make internal linking straightforward and effective. The tool suggests internal links for your page within the WordPress editor. The chosen links depend on the topic, keyword, and user needs. Overall, Link Whisper is one of the best investments roofers can make for their SEO.

Source: https://linkwhisper.com/

7) YouTube

YouTube’s inclusion on this list may surprise roofing contractors; however, strategic YouTube embeds on your roofing website, blog posts, and pages can increase engagement and dwell time while decreasing bounce rate. Of course, its effectiveness depends on your videos’ quality and entertainment value.

That said, HQ videos are easier to produce than ever before, with most roofers having 24/7 access to a camera-enabled smartphone. You can edit videos directly on your device and upload them to YouTube without touching a desktop computer. If videos engage your visitors, expect substantial SEO benefits moving forward.

Summary of SEO Tools for Roofing Companies

The tools above are some of the most effective SEO tools for roofing companies in 2023. At Roofer’s Guild, we work with thousands of roofers on digital marketing campaigns to maximize their performance. We can say that each of the tools outlined above can help roofing contractors expand their digital presence. We also understand that many roofing business owners don’t have time to implement SEO processes on their own, even with the help of tools. As a result, feel free to reach out to Roofer’s Guild.

Jul '21

Differential Movement: (Definition, Impact, and Tips) for Roofers

Differential movement is a term you have probably heard if you have spent time as a roofer. It can cause alarm in some cases or be a regular part of the job.

In any case, as a roofer, you should be able to identify and define differential movement as it pertains to the roofing system of a building.

Differential movement in a roof can cause severe damage. Or it can be a regular part of the roof’s “settling” process. The following post will look at its definition, how it can affect the structure, and some tips on handling it.

What is Differential Movement?

Differential movement occurs at points in the roofing system where independent parts are adjoined. Installed parts settle at different rates, causing unsettled structural formation. Specifically, other parts of the roof adjust, settle, or move (this phenomenon itself is natural) at different speeds.

When Does Differential Movement Occur?

Differential movement often occurs when there has been an addition of some kind to a commercial or residential building. For instance, adding a bedroom to a house is often the culprit for residential movement of this variety.

Because new materials are being adjoined to old materials, the settling rate will not match. As you can imagine, signs of differential movement typically appear where old materials interact with new materials.

The flashing of a roof will also be a tell-tale sign of this phenomenon. Therefore, if you inspect for differential movement, one of the first places you should look at is the roof’s flashing.

What Can Differential Movement Do to a Roof?

First of all, you should be aware that other things can cause differential movement. For example, shifts in the soil under a house could have visible effects on the foundation and the roof.

Tree roots can also cause movement by shifting the structure’s foundation. If one side of a system is sunken lower than the other, this will cause a faster settlement rate on the side that is sunken.

As you can imagine, any differential movement can cause severe problems. However, its manifestations may also be somewhat benign. Not all movement occurs at such an opposing rate as to cause severe damage.

For example, slight differential movement can occur over decades without causing any serious problems.

The phenomenon can impact a structure in many ways, including but not limited to:

Foundation Cracks: This is one of the more severe side effects and can cause a structure to become unsound.

Interior Wall Cracks: Inexplicable cracks in interior walls may be another obvious sign.

Ill-fitting Doors: If you have ever shaved down a new door because it doesn’t fit in the jamb, the problem may have been caused by differential movement in the structure.

Tilting Chimney: This phenomenon may cause chimneys to tilt or sink to one side or another.

Distorted Walls: Severe differential movement may cause the structure’s walls to bulge in sections under extreme stress.

Differential movement can cause both cosmetic and structural damage. For example, cracks in the wall of a house may be a mild sign, but inspect the whole structure to make sure that no adjustments are necessary.

Roofers, in particular, should inspect the flashing first. One clear sign is a gap of 2-6 inches in the flashing between a vertical wall and the roof deck, which requires a swift correction. Sunken roof areas near flashing could also signify something that needs to be done sooner rather than later.

Tips for Differential Movement

How you deal with differential movement will depend on a lot of factors. First, how severe is the movement? Then, what type of structure is the roof system? And, of course, where is the movement occurring?

In general, though, here are some tips for dealing with differential movement as a roofer:

Look for Wrinkles: One of the fastest ways to identify differential movement on a roof is by looking at the flashing. One clear indicator is a pattern of diagonal wrinkling in the flashing.

Roof-to-Wall Expansion Joint: If the roof decking is independent of a vertical wall, a roof-to-wall expansion joint should be installed to correct and prevent differential settlement. The flashing should only be anchored to the roof deck, and there should be a woodblock at the base.

Dealing with Roof Openings: Differential movement often occurs at roof openings (vents, skylights, etc.). Roofers must form a curb to prevent movement from happening at these vulnerable points. The curve isolates base flashing and counter-flashing so that the movement becomes a non-issue. The curb should be made from metal and should sit at least 8 inches above the finish roofing material.

Final Thoughts

Differential movement occurs when new roofing materials adjoin with older ones, typically when property additions are made.

The problems caused by this occurrence may vary from mild to severe, with the worst cases causing structural and cosmetic damage to a property.

Proper roofing installations from licensed and well-regarded contractors can mitigate many of its worst effects. As with all roofing issues, consulting with a local professional is the best course for diagnosing and correcting problems.

Jul '21

4 Alternative Roofing Solutions to Consider (With New Ideas)

If you are staring down a re-roof project, you probably have many questions about what your alternative roofing solutions might be.

Of course, your budget, aesthetic inclinations, and where you live in the US will all play a big part in what type of roof you ultimately decide on.

Before you pull the trigger on any roofing material, do yourself a favor and give the following post a good read. In the following post, Roofer’s Guild will take a look at some viable alternative roofing solutions.

Popular Alternative Roofing Solutions

Solar Panels
Built-Up Roofing
Metal Roofing
Stone-Coated Metal

1) Go Solar

Did you know that 75% of US households have shingle roofing? Shingle roofs are popular because they are affordable and offer a decent degree of durability.

Most people choose asphalt shingles in particular because they are so cheap.

However, consider solar shingles if you want to save money in the long run. Solar shingles have come a long way over the years.

High installation prices or the bulky looks may have turned you off previously, but things have changed recently.

Most solar shingles are now made of tempered glass and can be installed relatively easily. That means you won’t have to pay through the nose for a specialist to come out and install your solar shingles.

Plus, they have a much cleaner, streamlined appearance and are made to look more like traditional shingles.

Of course, solar shingles generate usable energy for your home. A single solar shingle can produce up to 63 watts of electricity per day.

Modern solar shingles are also very lightweight and are rated to withstand wind and water. As a result, you don’t have to worry about excess stress on your home from heavy roofing materials or inadequate roof protection.

To get the most out of solar shingles, homeowners often work with qualified solar installers who can compare different energy options, like traditional solar panels, community-solar programs, or roof-integrated hybrid systems, to see which setup offers the best value.

Installers usually rely on simple proposal tools to estimate savings, check roof conditions, and design accurate system layouts. In that mix, tools like SolarGenix, basic roof-modeling softwares, and other industry planners help make the process easier to understand for homeowners.

These comparisons show whether solar shingles are the right fit or if a stronger panel system would work better for homes with higher energy needs.

Pros:

They can help you save money on electricity
They provide a sleek look to your roofline
They are lightweight

Cons:

Depending on its orientation to the sun, your roof may not be a good candidate for solar shingles
They don’t provide energy at night or when the sun is obscured

2) Built Up Roofing (BUR)

Built-up roofing is a viable option for commercial and residential low-slope roofs. It involves stacking layers of bitumen on top of each other, with layers of fiber in between. This imparts impact resistance to the roofing system.

Tar and gravel are usually laid down on the top and final layer. To improve efficiency, you can also install layers of special insulation on your built-up roof.

Built-up roofs can also have a white or light-colored finish to reflect more sun rays and keep your building cooler in hot weather.

Pros:

Built-up roofing systems are fire retardant
They provide a high degree of impact-resistance
They are typically easy to maintain

Cons:

Many people don’t like the way they look
Depending on the installation, built-up roofs may have weak points where they meet breaks in the roofline (vents, chimneys, walls, etc.)

3) Metal Roofing

Metal roofing isn’t just for commercial properties anymore. Like solar shingles, they have come a long way in terms of style and function.

For instance, roofers can install standing seam metal roofs over a traditional plywood roof deck.

The panels run parallel to one another and stand over the decking. The seam floats over that actual roof, hence the name standing seam.

You can also choose metal shingles, which can be made to look like a variety of more traditional types of roof shingles.

They come in a wide array of colors and styles, and they typically outperform tile and asphalt shingles in terms of durability.

Metal roofing is one of the best alternative roofing solutions because it typically outlasts other roofs.

In some cases, you can even get a more extended warranty on a metal roof than you could with other materials.

Pros:

Metal roofs can be made to mimic a wide variety of traditional roofing materials
Some metal roof systems can last up to 70 years
You can easily recycle metal roof materials

Cons:

When it rains or hails, metal roofs are typically noisier than other types

4) Go With a Combo

Sometimes, two roofing materials are better than one. That’s the case with the last entry in our list of the best alternative roofing solutions.

Stone-coated metal roofing provides the strength and lightness of metal with the corrosion resistance of stone.

You have probably heard of slate roofing tiles, how long they last, and how costly they are.

While stone-coated roofing won’t typically last for 200 years, it provides a friendly, affordable middle ground.

Stone-coated metal roofing is usually made from rolled steel sheets and then coated with crushed granite.

Finally, the granite is permanently adhered to the steel to wash away like gravel that usually covers asphalt shingles.

Plus, they add a layer of insulation to your home. Stone-coated metal roofs are usually installed over battens, leaving a gap between the shingles and roof decking.

These pockets of air help keep the cold and the heat away from your home.

Pros:

They can be made to mimic premium roofing materials
They typically have a high wind-resistance rating

Cons:

They can cost up to $400 per square foot

Get the Resources you Need

Whether you want to know about all the roofing alternatives, you can present them to your customers, or you need help marketing your roofing business. We’re here for you.

Here at Roofer’s Guild, we pride ourselves on helping our clients in the roofing industry reach their business goals. So, give us a call to learn about all the fantastic resources we offer.

Jul '21

How Much Does a Roofer Charge Per Hour? (State by State)

When considering how much roofers charge per hour, it’s vital to differentiate salary from cost. As a consumer, you will pay a higher hourly rate than laborers earn from their employers to perform the work.

The average roofing salary by state is widely available to the public (though the numbers vary depending on the source).

In contrast, hourly rates for consumers are nearly impossible to approximate by location since each company itemizes its jobs differently.

Key Takeaway

The national hourly rate for roofing labor is around $75. However, rates can vary by location, with a low end of around $44 per hour and a high end of around $130 per hour.

The roofing industry has declined over the last five years, including by -0.3% last year.

Still, the industry’s $75.9bn revenue makes a career in roofing a tempting prospect for many people.

Researching the average hourly rates for roofing contractors is helpful whether you are a youngster trying to map out a career path, looking to change your career, or a consumer who will require roofing services.

What Impacts How Much Roofers Charge?

If you are a consumer in need of roofing services, your invoice will reflect many different factors.

It’s not just about how much a roofer charges per hour; it’s also about the availability of materials, the complexity of the work, the type of roof you have, and more.

Here are some of the factors that could affect pricing:

Job Scope: Roofing jobs can range from repairs to full replacements with vastly different costs.
Property: A commercial roofing job typically costs way more per hour than a residential project.
Geographic Location: If you are in an area where supplies are scarce or need to be transported far, your invoice could be high.
Job Danger: Did you know that around 50 roofers die on the job each year in the U.S.? Roofing is among the most hazardous trades; contractors usually factor this into their pricing scale.
Materials: The price will also depend on the type of roofing material you choose. Asphalt shingles are among the cheapest materials, while slate and cedar shakes tend to be the most expensive.

Hourly Roofing Salary by State

The following figures are based on estimated and average salary calculations for roofing employees in each state, not the actual cost of hiring a roofing contractor.

Roofing companies charge significantly more than these hourly estimates to cover equipment, insurance, materials, etc.

Consequently, the third column provides an estimated consumer charge range to provide more context on how much you can expect to pay.

The following salary data helps provide context for local roofing prices.

State	Estimated Hourly Salary	Estimated Consumer Charge Range
South Dakota	$40.66	$89–$130
Virginia	$37.47	$82–$119
Kansas	$36.76	$80–$117
Maine	$35.84	$78–$114
New Hampshire	$34.41	$75–$110
Idaho	$34.24	$75–$109
Indiana	$34.08	$74–$109
Michigan	$33.40	$73–$106
Iowa	$32.37	$71–$103
Montana	$32.26	$70–$103
Louisiana	$31.93	$70–$102
Rhode Island	$31.33	$68–$100
New York	$30.23	$66–$96
Illinois	$29.84	$65–$95
Alaska	$28.57	$62–$91
California	$28.54	$62–$91
New Jersey	$28.49	$62–$91
Oregon	$28.42	$62–$90
Hawaii	$28.13	$61–$90
Minnesota	$27.74	$61–$88
Washington	$27.61	$60–$88
Georgia	$27.49	$60–$87
Vermont	$27.39	$60–$87
West Virginia	$27.34	$60–$87
Arizona	$27.13	$59–$86
Florida	$27.00	$59–$86
Texas	$26.87	$59–$85
Pennsylvania	$26.80	$58–$85
Colorado	$26.53	$58–$84
North Carolina	$26.21	$57–$83
Connecticut	$26.15	$57–$83
Massachusetts	$25.60	$56–$81
Wyoming	$25.54	$56–$81
Wisconsin	$25.43	$55–$81
Utah	$25.24	$55–$80
Alabama	$24.66	$54–$78
New Mexico	$24.45	$53–$78
Nevada	$24.12	$53–$77
Maryland	$24.12	$53–$77
Nebraska	$24.05	$52–$76
Ohio	$23.71	$52–$75
Tennessee	$23.44	$51–$75
Delaware	$23.17	$50–$74
Mississippi	$22.73	$50–$72
South Carolina	$22.00	$48–$70
Missouri	$21.76	$47–$69
Arkansas	$21.66	$47–$69
Kentucky	$21.36	$46–$68
Oklahoma	$20.64	$45–$66
North Dakota	$20.27	$44–$64

Final Thoughts

In an age where consumers seek clear and concrete answers to complex questions, presenting nuanced explanations may frustrate some.

It is important to understand that a roofer’s hourly wage depends on many factors, many of which differ by the service provider’s precise zip code.

So, while estimating a roofer’s hourly rate is not definitive, the national hourly rate for roofing labor is about $75, but the consumer charge range can span from $44 to $130.

Jul '21

How To Get (Exclusive) Roofing Leads on Facebook in 2024

I was just talking to Jimmy, a roofing friend of mine, when he asked about how to get roofing leads on Facebook.

I wasn’t surprised by the question because of Facebook’s popularity and the buzz surrounding its advertising campaigns.

While Facebook Ads are undoubtedly effective for some roofing companies, others fail to match the success of their competitors.

Most of the time, the difference in performance stems from a lack of clarity on how to target ideal customers for a local roofing company.

As a proud member of Roofer’s Guild, I help our roofing community reach more customers through marketing and advertising, including Facebook Ads.

You Can Get Roofing Leads on Facebook Through Paid Advertising That Properly Targets Ideal Roofing Customers Within Your Service Area.

Table of Contents

Generating Roofing Leads With Facebook Lead Ads

The primary method to generate leads for your roofing company on Facebook is through paid advertising and, more specifically, “Lead Ads.”

Although you can post organic (free) content on your Facebook Business Page, it will not reach enough people to generate significant leads.

As a result, you must create a Lead ad through the Ads Manager in your Meta Business Suite.

Getting Started

Open Meta Business Suite and select Ads Manager.

Next, click on the +Create button and select “Leads” as the campaign objective.

Add campaign details and set a budget.

Conversion Location

Choose “Instant Forms” so users can auto-fill and submit their Facebook info through the platform’s native lead form.

Budget and Schedule

Set your recommended daily budget between $10 and $15 to start (you will monitor this going forward).

Your ad should run for at least seven days so that the Facebook algorithm can capture its data.

You don’t have to set an end date if you plan to closely monitor performance daily.

However, if you are unsure when you will log back into your account, make sure to set an end date.

Screenshot of Facebook Lead Ads Screen for Budget and Schedule

Audience

You must create a new audience if your account does not already have an existing audience.

Set your location to your service area(s).

Set the age range from 35-65.

Ad format

Choose between a carousel display or a single image (or video).

Insert your chosen media, headline, description, and CTA (call to action).

Select a destination (which, in this case, will be instant form).

Publish Your Ad

Finally, select “publish” so your roofing lead ad goes live.

Why Facebook Roofing Leads Are Popular

Facebook has been a staple in social media marketing for over two decades. However, the platform has recently become renowned for roofing lead generation, primarily through Facebook Lead Ads.

Many contractors view Facebook as a superior alternative to Google Ads because of its higher conversion rates.

Also, contact info captured through Facebook is in the category of exclusive roofing leads, as the customers are directly interacting with your company brand rather than a 3rd party (like a lead seller)

Below are some of the reasons why Facebook leads are becoming increasingly popular for roofers:

Sheer Volume: Facebook is still one of the most dominant social media platforms in existence, for starters. The website boasts over 2 billion monthly users.
The Right Audience: You don’t want to target too young people to own their own homes. The average U.S. Facebook user is 40 years old – the perfect age for homeowners. Conversely, fewer than 10% of people on Facebook are under the age of 18.
Constant Traffic: Of the 69% of American adults who use Facebook, 74% check the site daily. It’s like having an endless parade of cars drive by the company sign you planted in a customer’s yard.

Based on these numbers alone, Facebook cannot be overlooked for roofing leads.

Facebook Marketing To Get Roofing Leads

Paid advertising is the most effective way to generate roofing leads on Facebook.

However, organic Facebook Marketing can help maximize advertising conversions and strengthen your company brand.

For example, accumulating “likes” on your Facebook Business Page allows you to refine your source audience when targeting users through paid advertising.

As a result, it’s vital to optimize your business page to attract the right kinds of followers.

The right style will be the one that resonates with your target audience.

Check out some of the ways to achieve this below:

Share Informative Content on Facebook

Your organic content should not be as sales-oriented as your advertisements.

Instead, it would be best if you used your page to:

Educate people on roofing and roofing services.
Connect with your community.
Increase traffic to your website.
Highlight staff, employees, and events.

One of the most effective ways to generate leads with Facebook is to offer valuable posts that teach your followers something they didn’t know about roofing.

You can also connect with them by introducing yourself and your team to them through stories and videos.

Remember to include a link to your website in all of your Facebook posts.

Brand Your Roofing Company Through Facebook

Another great way to maximize your Facebook Business Page is with consistent branding.

Make sure you use your company’s logo as your Facebook avatar.

Your Facebook profile name should be your business name (or as close as possible if it’s already taken).

That way, when people see your logo on a service vehicle in real life, they connect the brand with the Facebook account they interacted with online.

Why is that important? Because people tend to trust brands that they recognize. The numbers don’t lie, either.

Studies have shown that consistent branding alone can increase revenue by 23%.

The uptick indicates that people buy more services because of brand recognition.

So, you must consistently utilize your logo, slogan, company name, fonts, and even company colors both online and in real life.

Publish Roofing Videos on Facebook

Facebook video is the most compelling way to receive organic engagement from followers.

People spend 100 million hours watching videos on Facebook every day.

Therefore, creating video posts for Facebook is a vast opportunity to generate leads for your roofing business.

The good news is that creating videos is easier than ever with online video editors like Veed and Canva.

Here are some value-oriented Facebook video ideas:

Roofing Maintenance How-To’s: Simple “how-to” videos can get many impressions and create traffic. Consider a video that shows people how to clean their gutters safely or something else along that line.
Winter Tips: Many people are concerned with how their roofs will hold up during the winter, so try creating a video outlining tips for roof winterization.
Before and After Videos: Nothing shows people what you can like a good before and after video. Document a damaged roof with a video and a story on how the roof got damaged. Then, connect that with video footage of the repaired roof with a brief explanation of the work that went into it.

Next Steps to Generate Roofing Leads on Facebook

Your next steps depend on the maturity of your roofing company in the digital marketplace.

For example, you can start running lead ads immediately if you already have a Facebook Business Page.

If your company does not yet have an account, you must create a business account in Meta Business Manager.

For assistance with creating effective Facebook Lead Ads, contact Roofer’s Guild today.

Jul '21

How To Scale a Roofing Business in 2024 (w/Fresh Insights)

Starting a roofing business is hard enough. Between launching a roofing marketing campaign, coming up with a marketable name, and drumming up leads, roofing start-ups need lots of maintenance.

In addition, scaling a roofing business can be even more challenging for first-time owners.

While every regional market and roofing business is unique in its ways, some commonalities will help prepare you for what to expect when you’re trying to scale your roofing business.

Remember that there is no universal blueprint for scaling a roofing business. However, following the tips below will give you a great shot at measurable growth.

How To Scale a Roofing Business (Blog Cover)

Key Tips To Scale a Roofing Business:

Perform Great Work

Find the Right Supplier(s)

Invest in Digital Marketing

Work with a Consultant

Earn a Reputation

When people ask us how to scale a roofing business, we tell them to do good work. However, the quality of your roofing work will ultimately determine whether you grow or fail.

That’s because words travel much faster in the digital age than just a few decades ago.

People can instantly leave a review of your company online. So you must ask yourself, “What will my customers say about my service?”

The effects of bad reviews are measurable, too. One study found that 94% of consumers admit that a negative review has caused them to avoid a business.

As a small roofing business, you can’t afford to lose out on any customers. The best way to endear yourselves to new and existing customers is to do consistently good roofing work.

Once your company reaches a baseline number of reviews (30+), the ratings generally reflect the quality of the work.

Screenshot of Google reviews on search engine results page

Find a Good Supplier

You may initially be tempted to go with a smaller supplier because, at the outset, a small supplier is all you need.

However, you need a legitimate supplier if you are looking to grow your roofing business.

You should find a supplier that will fulfill your material orders reliably as you pick up more jobs.

Working with a more prominent supplier may cost more initially, but it’s a wise investment.

Plus, supplier loyalty usually pays off through flexible payment options, lines of credit, and discounts.

Adopt Technology Early

As a roofing start-up, you can integrate technology into your business processes more efficiently than established companies can.

You are probably a relatively small operation with minimal orders, projects, clients, and employees to manage right now. So, start integrating technology into your daily tasks right now.

Business software like Jobber can make assigning your crew to jobs more manageable, request payment upon completion, keep track of your fleet, and more.

If you get used to this type of business management software early in the game, it will be much easier to streamline your daily tasks as they get more numerous and demanding.

Invest in Digital Marketing

You must invest in digital marketing as soon as you have the budget.

Consider the following statistic: nearly half of consumers polled reported using an online search engine to find new businesses and products.

People are taking to the internet to find home services like roofing companies.

However, planting a sign in your customers’ yards and hoping that many neighbors see it is not enough.

While grassroots marketing still has its place, digital marketing is necessary to scale your roofing business.

Here are some focal points of digital marketing you should be emphasizing:

Reputation Management

People look to online reviews to help them decide who to hire. Therefore, reputation management becomes critical for any roofing business.

You must be present on multiple online review sites, such as Yelp, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Houzz, and Google My Business, and maintain a good star rating (between 4.2 and 4.8 stars).

SEO

More than half of modern consumers use a search engine to research businesses. That means you need to show up on Search Engine Result Pages.

SEO for roofers entails keyword placement, content creation, social media presence, and much more to improve your search engine rankings.

Website Optimization

Search engines will reward you with higher rankings if you have a fast, responsive, and well-built website.

Customers will also stay on your site longer and be more likely to take action if your site is easy to navigate and offers the information they are after.

If you don’t have web design experience, it’s worth hiring a marketing agency with design services or a freelancer specializing in website design.

Retargeting

Retargeting ads appear to people who have interacted with your company or website.

For example, you can have your roof replacement ad appear online on web browsers that have recently shown interest in roof replacement.

Retargeting (sometimes called remarketing) ads have become an essential aspect of digital marketing and can help scale your small business with increased lead generation.

Get Help With Scaling Your Roofing Business

Scaling a roofing business requires your company to invest in growth opportunities through marketing, advertising, and more.

Performing all related tasks yourself is impossible, so you must hire in-house or third-party assistance.

We recommend partnering with Roofer’s Guild for all of your marketing needs.

Roofer’s Guild is a marketing company for roofers by roofers.

We allow contractors to feel comfortable with their marketing campaigns rather than relying on outsiders who don’t understand the grind of the roofing industry.

While some marketing firms may have good intentions, they don’t understand the daily grind of an actual roofer.

Jun '21

8 Most Common Silicone Roof Coating Problems

Although silicone roof coatings are a smart choice for many reasons, silicone roofing problems are quite common.

On the bright side, silicone coatings possess very high solids content, so they don’t necessarily have to be applied in multiple layers to provide adequate protection.

This saves time and money, and even more so when they do not require a primer (which is often true).

Many commercial buildings have silicone coatings protecting their roofs for these and other reasons. However, silicone roof coatings are not perfect—no type of roof coating is. They have inherent flaws.

As a contractor, property manager, or business owner, you should be aware of how silicone roof coatings can fail and thoroughly understand their most common problems.

Common Silicone Roofing Problems

Incompatibility With Other Materials
Adverse to Foot Traffic
Compromised Reflectivity
Limited to Flat Roofs
Shorter Warranties
Vulnerability to tearing
More Expensive
Difficult installation

Below, Roofer’s Guild outlines eight silicone roofing problems to consider:

1) Not All Roof Materials Adhere to Silicone

When it comes to selecting the best roof coating, you must consider your circumstances. Right off the bat, this could be a big problem. Not all existing roof materials will adhere to silicone.

A lack of adhesion means you must remove the entire surface or opt for materials that will stick to silicone. Investing in adhesive materials can drive up your installation costs.

2) Not The Best for Heavy Foot Traffic

An ideal candidate for silicone roof coating is a roof that will not see much foot traffic. There are a couple of problems that can arise if a silicone roof coating is applied to a roof that gets a lot of foot traffic:

Silicone becomes more slippery than other roof coatings when it gets wet, presenting a safety hazard for people on your roof.
Frequent foot traffic can damage silicone, reducing its projected lifespan.

Foot traffic may not be an issue if your building’s roof rarely receives visitors. However, if you frequently need roof-top HVAC maintenance, have people working on skylights, or your roof requires a lot of care, this may be a problem.

3) Compromised Reflectivity

One of the main advantages of installing a silicone roof coating is that it can reflect a lot of UV light, saving you money on cooling costs.

However, this is not an infallible advantage. Silicone roof coatings attract dirt and dust more than other materials. Dirt and other build-ups will compromise its reflectivity and negate energy savings.

While investing in regular roof cleanings can negate many of these concerns, doing so adds more maintenance to your property.

4) Limited to Flat Roofs

A silicone roof coating will not work very well on pitched roofs. Very few homeowners are clamoring to install a silicone roof coating on their houses, but not all commercial roofs are flat.

Silicone will not hold up or perform as well as other roof coating systems if you have a pitched commercial roof.

5) Shorter Warranties

While some other types of roof coatings typically come with warranties that last up to 25 years, the warranty you are likely to get from a silicone roof coating is significantly shorter.

You can usually expect a warranty period of only ten years. While some manufacturers/contractors may offer you 15-year warranties for silicone roof coatings, you can also expect to pay more for them.

6) Prone to Tearing

Silicone roof coatings are inherently prone to tearing. They are not as durable as some other roof coatings and should not be installed in areas where hail, foot traffic, and abrasion are common.

Hail and debris whipped up by the wind could tear the coating and expose the substrate. When a tear occurs, the entire coating can become compromised.

Tears can occur in many ways, including hailstones, heavy tools hitting the surface, pest infestations, falling debris from trees, and more.

7) More Expensive

One of the most unattractive silicone roof coating problems is that it is typically more expensive to install than other materials.

For example, installing a silicone roof coating costs around $2 to $3.50 per square foot. On the other hand, the average price to install an acrylic roof coating is only about fifty cents to a dollar per square foot.

Silicone roof coatings are also more expensive than other coating options because they require more cleaning and are more prone to tears.

When it comes time to replace your silicone roof coating, you are likely to pay more because, depending on the replacement materials, the entire surface may have to be removed.

8) Difficult to Install

Many roofers dislike working with silicone because it is messy and difficult to apply correctly. As a result, most contractors offering silicone coating installation have undergone special training, which will again drive up the installation cost.

On the other hand, an inexperienced contractor installing a silicone roof coating could cause more problems. That’s because improperly installed silicone roof coatings can damage your roof.

Making Sense of Silicone Roofing Problems

Vetting the problems of any roofing material will yield concerns. The goal is not to dissuade you from choosing silicone as your next roofing material but to equip you with the knowledge to make a more informed decision.

While we’ve clearly outlined potential problems with this popular material, it’s worth noting that its popularity is based on many positive attributes.

Ultimately, your choice of silicone roofing will likely be positive for your property.

Nevertheless, gaining awareness of silicone roofing problems is essential before investing time and money.

Jun '21

Roofing Substrates: The Definitive Guide (Definition + Tips)

You may have heard the term “roofing substrates” in passing. But do you know what it means? It’s not all that complicated.

In the following post, Roofer’s Guild will discuss different roof substrates and explain their pros and cons.

Key Takeaway

A roof substrate provides a frame for securing a weatherproofing roof layer for protection from the elements.

What is a Roofing Substrate?

A roofing substrate is any structure onto which you can install a roof coating or roofing system. It’s sort of like the support system for the roofing that you can’t see with the naked eye.

There are many different types of roofing substrates available, depending on what kind of building you have and what type of roofing system you want to be installed on top of it. As such, you may have many questions regarding which type of roofing substrates would be best for you.

Types of Roofing Substrates

To understand roofing substrates, you have to start with the basics. A roof isn’t just the planks of wood on top of your house or commercial building. It is made up of many layers.

Many people don’t realize that their shingles aren’t the core of their roofs. Commercial coatings and shingles are just means of waterproofing or insulating a building.

Roofers must install waterproofing layers and membranes on top of something (to be secured) because the surface they are attached to is the roofing substrate, sometimes called rigid sarking, roof decking, or underlayment. You should never see your roofing substrate if everything is as it should be.

Roofing substrates need to be moisture-resistant (although not fully waterproof), so they are typically made from timber boards, OSB, or plywood.

While roofing substrates are not necessarily needed to provide waterproofing protection to the building, certain types can offer this and other types of security – such as seismic uplift protection.

The primary role of a roofing substrate is to provide a solid frame onto which you can secure the weatherproofing layer of the roof.

There are lots of options when it comes to roofing substrates, though. Depending on where you live, you may be limited to certain types based on local building codes. Here is a list of the most common types of roofing substrates.

Plywood

Plywood is a prevalent material used to build roofing substrates. The benefits of plywood roofing substrate are that it is an affordable material and relatively easy to install.

However, while most contractors worth their salt will easily handle plywood substrate installation, they still must exercise caution.

That’s because the downside to plywood substrates is that a 1/8″ gap needs to be allowed, or else the panels will buckle. There are also some inherent weaknesses with plywood. Over time, they can become delaminated, and the boards will begin to pull apart.

SPF Substrates

SPF stands for Spray-In-Place Foam. It hasn’t been used for very long as a roofing substrate, but it works well with Conklin roofing systems.

One of the main benefits of this type of roofing substrate is that roofers can use it to impart a pitch to a flat roof. It also works well as a roof insulator.

The downside of this type of roofing substrate is that it needs to be reinforced to avoid degradation from ultraviolet light. Another downside is that it depends on the quality of foam installation laid down beforehand.

Solid Timber Boards

Solid timber boards are usually made from a naturally durable and water-resistant species of wood. They can also be treated with a preservative.

The good thing about stable timber boarding is that it provides remarkable resistance against warping if done correctly. Warping and shrinkage usually occur when plain-edged panels are used instead of jointed panels.

Solid timber boards are prone to shrinking and warping when plain-edged panels are used. While plain-edge panels are cheaper, jointed panels will provide more protection in the long run.

Concrete

Concrete can also be used for roofing substrates. They are most commonly used for multi-story buildings. By far, the best thing about concrete for roofing substrates is that they provide outstanding structural integrity. Also, as mentioned earlier, they are ideal for multi-floor buildings.

One of the downsides of using concrete for your roofing substrate is that you are limited in what type of roof coatings you can use. Generally, you should only cover concrete substrates with non-bonded or partially bonded coating systems.

Metal

There are several metal roofing substrate materials on the market. However, the most common and practical are aluminum and galvanized steel. Metal roofing substrates are commonly used in commercial construction to provide strength and durability for more significant buildings.

Aluminum is especially beneficial to use as a substrate in areas with high humidity due to its inherent moisture resistance. Aluminum is also lightweight (it doesn’t stress the building structure) and strong (it provides a solid base for most types of roof coatings).

The downside to metal roofing substrates is that they do not provide a continuous surface. As a result, they typically have to be used to supplement timber substrates.

Get Help With Roofing Substrates

Whether you are installing a new roofing substrate or needing repairs on your existing one, you must work with a professional.

Your building – whether it be your home or your business – is too important to leave in the hands of amateurs. In addition, a compromised roofing substrate can damage the structural integrity of the entire building.

That’s why we encourage you to work with a professional roofing company. At Roofer’s Guild, we provide marketing services for professional roofing contractors from around the country.

You can find a local contractor on Google search who will install or repair your roofing substrate professionally – no matter what type you need/have. So start searching now.