Drones Invade The Roofing Business - What Say You?
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vickie
I think I should be getting in the drone business myself.
http://www.hometownroofingcontractors.com/blog/drones-invade-the-roofing-industry-for-good-not-evil
Alba
I can see an advantage of using drones on infrared scanning. Other than that roofing is a detail oriented trade , I don't see the technology taking over first hand visual inspection anytime soon.
ClearwaterRoofer
And how are you measuring roofs with this or are you?
Chuck2
I got one this morning!
I swear, from a distance it looked just like one of those buzzards you see eating road kill through the cross hairs of the scope on my AR15. :blink:
vickie
OMGosh Lefty, I thought you were kidding! I can't wait to see some overheads.
I WANT ONE! Think of the roof pictures I could take for the RCS!
Some Roofers are pounding away at a house down the street as I write. I could send my new little Droanie down the street to spy on them!
Lefty1
The drone came today
natty
Mike H Said:I don't think I assumed a thing- lefty claimed to make sales over the phone. In my book, sales includes closing the deal. I can't close a deal without first examining the problem which includes meeting the client and entering the property- both inside, if there is a leak, and outside to inspect the roof.LOL
Chuck2
I sell repairs over the phone sometimes too but only the smaller ones. Usually when I can tell it will fall in the minimum charge category. Stuff like a few missing shingles, leaky vent pipe, attic fan replacements, etc. That way I don't end up just wasting their time and mine. I'm basically qualifying them. Not everyone accepts but that's all good. If all they are doing is kicking tires, then I'd rather know it upfront before wasting a trip.
There's nothing wrong with technology. If it helps you that's great. The point I was trying to make is that I've yet to see a machine that can meet the client, shake their hand, diagnose the problem, come up with the proper long term solution, close the sale, round up all the supplies, schedule the work, perform the work, and then collect and deposit the check.
Mike H
natty Said:You do this over the phone? You must have some kind of relationship with these clients. No way anyone would do this on a new call.You're assuming a lot.
LOL
natty
Lefty Said:You do this over the phone? You must have some kind of relationship with these clients. No way anyone would do this on a new call.We will also tell them the price and if we find anything else up to how much do they approve without a call. If it is $800 we ask for a up to $1100. They like the time and money this saves them.
Lefty1
I am sold on it. Mine is on its way.
Next weekend I will be looking at roofs in a new way.
Lefty1
clover83 Said: I sell repairs over the phone, assuming the customer has half a clue what he is talking about. If they know they have a 4/12 pitch w/ a medium brick chimney thats in good shape except it leaks, I can tell them its usually about $800+ for a re-flash depending on a few factors.
We will also tell them the price and if we find anything else up to how much do they approve without a call. If it is $800 we ask for a up to $1100. They like the time and money this saves them.
clvr83
I sell repairs over the phone, assuming the customer has half a clue what he is talking about. If they know they have a 4/12 pitch w/ a medium brick chimney thats in good shape except it leaks, I can tell them it's usually about $800+ for a re-flash depending on a few factors.
natty
Lefty Said:If you are selling repairs over the phone, that means you are doing all of the assuming.You are assuming a lot. I can sell a lot of repairs over the phone.
natty
Lefty Said:What is a "real" roofer? I think I know what a "skilled" roofer is as chuck was using the term. Technology can put a nail line on the shingle, but no amount of technology is going to make the nail go through that line. Technology might make your business better, but it won't make you a better roofer.Chuck Said:Roofing is one trade that technology wont be able to over take. There is no substitute for a truly skilled roofer.
A real roofer with technology will beat a real roofer without technology 99% of the time.
vickie
If it was me I would always get on the roof (when possible) but for presentation - a big overhead of the project as a whole - is a real turn on for the customer.
How about for quick looks? If it could work quickly I think it would be a great tool for inspections if you haven't been invited to get on the roof yet, Commercial or Residential. You can show them they have a problem. (Might have privacy issues on the residential though).
I keep seeing these in progress shots of roofing projects from overhead on Instagram that are so cool. I was thinking at first that it was so convenient that they had a tall building next door, then I thought who would rent a helicopter for a residential project - then it dawned on me.
I just get so excited by another gadget.
