Smart canvassing

By DaVinci Roofscapes. 

Door-to-door canvassing… Is it worth it?

According to Jon Nytes, senior project manager for SmartRoof out of Washington, DC, absolutely yes.

Read through this interview with Jon. Go ahead and cheat. Look at the last question to see how much business his company got off just one storm damage cold canvass call to a homeowner — the total revision to four buildings. Next, read through the answers from Jon and look especially at those underlined areas. These are all tips for how you can increase your business during your cold call activities!

Q: Jon, your company didn’t know these homeowners. So how did you connect with them?

Jon: We canvassed in the neighborhood after a severe storm. They had real cedar shakes that sustained bad damage. We helped them navigate through the insurance process, which helped alleviate a lot of the hassle involved with that.

Q: Rather than simply suggest replacement shakes, you recommended an upgrade to composite roofing, correct?

Jon: Yes. The homeowners were frustrated with the ongoing maintenance required for cedar shakes and were open to a change. We recommended DaVinci Single-Width Slate as a premium, low-maintenance alternative that would also enhance the home’s curb appeal.

Q: What convinced them to switch to a synthetic product?

Jon: First, most of the people in their neighborhood are switching to synthetic slate products. Second, and most importantly, they like that the quality DaVinci product offers low maintenance, outstanding aesthetics and many color options.

Q: Let’s talk color. How did the homeowners decide on the Smokey Gray color?

Jon: They initially wanted a European blend, which has several color shades, but were uncertain. We created two 10’ x 10’ squares on which both European and Smokey Gray were installed. These squares were hoisted up onto the roof for the homeowners to view at different times of day. Seeing them on their roof is how they decided that the Smokey Gray color was right for their property.

Q: When it came to installation, you advocated for a snow retention system, correct?

Jon: Absolutely. Synthetic slate tiles are slick when ice or snow builds up, which can cause avalanching of these elements when they melt. We believe it’s important for homeowners in our area who are using DaVinci products to have snow guards installed. We always advise installing snow guards on a synthetic roof, especially above entryways and high-traffic areas, to help prevent dangerous snow slides.

Q: Your company basically got this project through community canvassing. Can you walk us through the full scope of what the project ended up being?

Jon: It was a full exterior renovation. We tore off the cedar roofing on four separate buildings and installed DaVinci Single-Width Slate. We also replaced all gutters and downspouts with new copper systems. And, we swapped out multiple sections of copper metal roofing. Snow guards were installed on all the buildings.

Inside, we replaced three skylights and removed two attic fans. There was also some interior damage in the four-car garage area that we repaired. All in all, the project took 18 days from start to finish, a remarkable outcome for a lead than began with a cold call.