By Jesse Sanchez. 

A closer look at how one firm’s core principles guide client service, team culture and community impact. 

In an industry defined by opportunity, precision and evolving standards, reliability is strengthened by both expertise and the consistency of the systems and values that guide decision-making. For contractors navigating insurance and bonding requirements, the principles shaping their partners’ approach play a meaningful role in how smoothly projects progress and how confidently growth opportunities are pursued. At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, that philosophy is expressed through four core principles, “Work Hard, Play Hard, Grow and Give Back,” which together create a clear and consistent framework for service, culture and long-term partnership. 

That framework begins with a strong emphasis on accountability, where “Work Hard” is defined as an operational standard built on responsiveness, preparation and precision. Contractors regularly manage evolving project scopes and time-sensitive bonding requirements, all of which benefit from timely and accurate support. By prioritizing proactive communication and thoughtful preparation, the company helps streamline processes and deliver a level of service that supports long-term success and strong working relationships. 

This commitment to execution is complemented by a deliberate investment in workplace culture. The principle of “Play Hard” reflects the understanding that sustained performance is supported by engagement, collaboration and morale. By integrating recognition, relationship-building and shared momentum into daily operations, the company fosters an environment where teams remain connected and effective, particularly in fast-paced project environments. 

From there, the model extends into long-term development, where growth is viewed as a continuous and shared process. Internally, this includes ongoing investment in training, certifications and mentorship to strengthen both individual capability and team expertise. Externally, it involves helping contractors build strong operational foundations that support expansion and stability, enabling them to scale with confidence. Insurance and bonding, while often operating behind the scenes, play a vital role in supporting that progress and unlocking new opportunities. 

Finally, the principle of “Give Back” connects business success to community impact. Through structured partnerships and ongoing contribution initiatives, the company supports the communities it serves while reinforcing a broader vision of success rooted in shared growth and responsibility. 

Taken together, these principles form a cohesive and practical framework that guides daily decision-making, strengthens internal culture and supports lasting partnerships across the construction industry. 

Learn more about how core values like accountability, culture, growth and community impact shape stronger insurance and bonding partnerships for contractors!

RCS Influencers celebrate their tenth year of giving back to the roofing industry. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning websites where the industries meet for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2026 Influencers for RoofersCoffeeShop®.  

Each month, Influencers weigh in on timely topics impacting their respective industries, from technology strategy and diversifying services to leveraging associations, immigration compliance and workforce disruptions. RoofersCoffeeShop delivers these perspectives through interviews, videos and articles. The Influencers represent all facets of the roofing industry, including contractors, associations, manufacturers and service providers. Their insights are featured in dedicated website sections, amplified across social media and highlighted in our weekly eNews, Week in Roofing. 

“Our mission has always been to amplify the voices of professionals who are shaping the future of the trades,” said The Coffee Shops President and CEO Heidi J. Ellsworth. “As we celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the RCS Influencers, we are proud of the impact this community has made by sharing real-world expertise, tackling today’s challenges and helping move the industry forward.” 

 We are proud to announce the following 2026 RoofersCoffeeShop Influencers: 

• Trent Cotney – Adams & Reese 
• Rich Carroll – Carroll Consulting Group 
• Melissa Chapman – The GLO Group 
• Tammy Hall – Hall & Company  
• John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group 
• Allison Woslager – Integrity PNW 
• Erica Reed – Elite Roofing Solutions 
• Ashley and Seth Pietsch – Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc. 
• Randy Chaffee – Source One Marketing 
• Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions 
• Will Lorenz – General Coatings 
• Bridget Wilson – Cardinal Roofing 
• Aaron Weinstein – Terial  
• Katie Clymer – Armored Roofing 
• Gottron Group 

Find more information on the 2026 RCS Influencers.

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop.com is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com. 

About The Coffee Shops 

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four Coffee Shops, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop®, CoatingsCoffeeShop®, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ and their sister site AskARoofer™, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. The Coffee Shops also feature strong microsites with RoofersCoffeeShop.ca, RoofersCoffeeShop.uk and En Español. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Integrity Insurance leaders explain how advocacy and service are reshaping contractor coverage. 

At Western Roofing Expo 2025, conversations extended beyond products and systems to address a topic that impacts every roofing contractor: insurance. During a live interview on the show floor, Megan Ellsworth sat down with representatives from Integrity Insurance and Bonding to discuss how insurance can better support roofing businesses. 

President Seth Pietsch shared his story of how he got into the industry by working for his father-in-law's insurance agency around 2009. “My father-in-law said, ‘Don't start going after roofing contractors on the insurance side.’ So I did,” Seth said. “It's been the best career decision I've ever made. The roofing industry is awesome. The people are awesome. I couldn’t be more thankful to be involved with associations and contributing back to the industry.”  

Seth added that involvement in roofing associations like Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) plays a key role in elevating the industry. “The contractors that are involved in associations are the companies that care about their industry,” Seth stated. “You're working with the best of the best.” 

Connor Nemmert, who leads Integrity’s employee benefits department, highlighted how benefits have become an increasingly important challenge for contractors. “With the employee benefits, it's just a matter of having a product that's for your employee, that’s actually a true benefit,” Connor explained. “Find something that's valuable for the company but also a good value to the employee.” 

From the commercial insurance side, Andy Brown outlined several recurring issues roofing contractors face. “One of the biggest things on the general liability side is having exclusions that they don't necessarily understand and making sure they know exactly what they're signing up for,” Andy shared. “You want to be able to have a certificate of insurance when you need it, and our goal is to knock that out within the hour.”  

Beyond policies and paperwork, Seth said Integrity’s goal is to shift how contractors view insurance overall. “Historically, it's an inconvenience. Nobody wants to deal with it,” he said. “We’re letting contractors know that there are people who are on their side, who are advocates for the industry that are going above and beyond to help them.” 

Watch the webinar to learn more about insurance for roofing contractors.

By Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc.

Learn about the different types of life insurance and how the right coverage can support long-term stability for families, individuals and business owners.

Here at Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc., we know that life insurance is a powerful way to provide financial security for your family and peace of mind for yourself. At its core, life insurance pays a sum to your chosen beneficiaries when you pass away, helping cover expenses such as everyday living costs, mortgage payments or future education. 

There are different types of life insurance to fit various needs: 

• Term life insurance offers coverage for a set period, making it ideal for temporary obligations like raising children or paying off a mortgage. 
• Whole life insurance provides lifelong protection and builds cash value over time, which can serve as a savings component in addition to coverage. 
• Universal life insurance allows flexibility in premiums and death benefits while also accumulating cash value, adapting as your financial situation changes. 

Life insurance isn’t just for families with children. Individuals with significant financial responsibilities, business owners or anyone who wants to leave a legacy can benefit. Choosing the right coverage can protect loved ones, ensure continuity in your absence and provide peace of mind that your family’s future is secure. 

At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, we help you explore life insurance options that align with your unique needs and goals.

Our aim is to make understanding coverage simple, so you can make informed decisions confidently. 

Because protecting your loved ones today ensures their stability tomorrow, life insurance is more than a policy, it’s a way to care for the people who matter most. Contact benefits@integrityibi.com for more information.  

By Emma Peterson. 

Raising a glass to the articles, videos, podcasts and more that made 2025 so memorable!  

It’s time to change over the calendars again! 2025 is coming to a close and here at The Coffee Shops™, we are excitedly getting ready for 2026. But before we leap into the new year, we wanted to take a moment to look back at the past year and all of the growth and hard work that went into making it amazing.  

Top articles 

Key advocacy efforts advance for the roofing industry by Dani Sheehan 

Our editorial crew was busy this last year publishing over 3,000 articles! You can explore them all in our newsroom, but we wanted to call out our top article of the year, written by our senior writer Dani Sheehan! Dani’s article is about legal advocacy work aimed to ease workforce shortages and making reroofing more affordable. This work is driven by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and showcases their commitment to “helping contractors expand opportunities, improve profitability and continue delivering essential services to communities across the U.S.” 

Building a stronger team, one hire at a time by Ashley and Seth Pietsch 

Another article we want to call out is our top Influencer insight of the year! Through our Influencer Program, roofing experts and leaders have been sharing insights on relevant topics all year, such as succession planning, sustainability and social media marketing. All of these articles are well-worth the read, but our top response of the year came from Ashley and Seth Pietsch, the leaders of Integrity Insurance and Bonding Inc. In it, they share insights hiring practices that foster long-term growth and success.  

Top webinars 

Legal Updates and Open Q&A With Trent Cotney

Our top Coffee Conversation from 2025 features Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese LLP. In the webinar, Trent dives into the regulatory changes, immigration policies, tariff implementation and more. Whether you are a seasoned roofing pro or new to the world of construction, this is a great webinar to check out for practical advice from one of the leading voices in construction law.  

Manage Your Roofing Business Online

As for our other top webinar of the year, it was a Read Listen Watch (RLW)® with Gabriela Fornino of QXO and hosted by our COO Karen Edwards. In the episode, Karen and Gabriela walked through how contractors can build tech stacks that streamline and simplify the process of managing a roofing business.  

Top YouTube videos 

And moving over to our YouTube, we wanted to highlight our top video and top playlist of the year!

The top video was the on-demand recording of a conversation between Heidi J. Ellsworth and Matt Fassler, the chief strategy officer with QXO.

Their conversation focused on the industry-shaking QXO acquisition of Beacon and the impacts of that on contractors in the field.

As for the top playlist of the year, the number one spot goes to our International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2025 playlist!

This playlist is chock full of live booth and soundstage interviews from the show with Coffee Shops friends like SOPREMA, Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions, TAMKO, Roof Scout, S-5, IKO and more. We’ll similarly be live at the upcoming IRE in January 2026, so make sure to keep an eye out for that playlist in the future!  

Top podcasts 

Mardee Billingsley - The Global Building Envelope

In our top podcasts section, we wanted to highlight the number one podcast of 2025 from our longstanding Roofing Road Trips® series – a conversation with Mardee Billingsley. Mardee works at Tremco as their executive VP and this podcast offered great insight into the global building envelope market. More specifically, Mardee shared insight into Tremco’s international commercial roofing programs in places like the U.K.  

Stories from The Roof: B&M Roofing

The other podcast we really wanted to highlight in this list is our Stories from the Roof series. This series focuses on the people who make up our industry and the different paths they took to get here. The top episode of this series in 2025 featured Alton Rogerson of B&M Roofing and Bill Paynter of Diamond P Building Products, representatives from the companies that took home Duro-Last's 2025 Metal Roofing Award project of the year. 

Top social media posts 

No cap, our crew has been killing it on socials (did we use that slang correctly?). However, you put it, our social media team has been doing amazing this year! Not only is their content informative and accessible, but it’s also fun and community-building. We wanted to highlight some of their work from the last year, more specifically their top performing Instagram Reel and top TikTok!  

• RoofLine’s Fastest Roofer Contest reel: The top performing reel of the year is all about RoofLine’s fastest roofer competition! In it, you can get a glimpse into the high-speed action of the contest.  
• Johns Manville teaching TPO welding TikTok: And our top TikTok of the year showcases a teaching moment from the team at Johns Manville. In the clip, they show students at the 2025 SkillsUSA competition some important TPO membrane welding techniques. 

By Ashley Pietsch, Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc.  

Shifting from hands-on to high-level leadership allows roofing business owners to scale with confidence. 

Running a successful roofing business takes more than skill on the job — it requires strong leadership, smart time management and the ability to delegate effectively. Many roofing contractors start out doing it all themselves: managing crews, handling sales, juggling payroll and taking customer calls. But as the company grows, the “jack of all trades” approach can quickly turn from a strength into a roadblock. 

At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc., we know that contractors who achieve lasting growth learn to shift their focus from daily operations to long-term leadership. They invest their time in strategy, operations systems and trustworthy people. By setting up clear processes and empowering the right team members, roofing business owners can reduce burnout, improve efficiency and create the structure needed to scale sustainably. 

Prioritize leadership, not just labor 

The most successful roofing contractors I work with understand that being a business owner requires a shift in mindset. They step back from the day-to-day tasks and focus on high-level activities that drive revenue and strengthen the company’s foundation. These include:   

• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships  
• Overseeing financial performance and forecasting  
• Developing marketing and growth strategies  
• Hiring and training the right people  
• Investing in systems and infrastructure 

By focusing on these core leadership functions, owners are better positioned to grow a healthy and scalable operation. 

Delegate with intention 

Delegation is not about simply handing off tasks — it’s about placing the right responsibilities with the right people, supported by training and accountability. Roofing companies that build out structured roles — such as production coordinators, office administrators or project managers — allow owners to free up capacity and ensure that client experience and operational efficiency don’t suffer as the business grows. 

Additionally, team members are more likely to thrive when they understand their responsibilities and feel trusted to perform them. This creates a stronger culture and better retention.  

Systematize for scalability 

One area where I see roofing contractors hit roadblocks is in the lack of documented systems. When processes live only in the owner’s head, growth becomes difficult. Whether it’s project scheduling, client onboarding or jobsite inspections, taking the time to create step-by-step procedures ensures that employees can execute tasks consistently and independently. 

Clear systems not only improve internal efficiency but also reduce risk — an area that, as an insurance advisor, I always emphasize. Defined procedures lead to fewer errors, improved safety practices and stronger documentation in the event of a claim or dispute. 

Protect your time as a business asset 

Just as you insure your tools, vehicles and employees, you must also protect your time. Blocking out uninterrupted time for strategic work, setting clear boundaries for meetings and minimizing distractions are key to staying focused on what matters most. In many cases, roofing business owners benefit from outsourcing non-core functions such as bookkeeping, marketing or HR — freeing up time to lead, not just manage.  

Final thoughts 

The roofing leaders I most admire are not necessarily the busiest — they’re the most intentional. They understand that true leadership is about vision, structure and trust. They delegate not out of necessity, but as a strategy. They manage their time not reactively, but proactively. 

At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, we are proud to support roofing professionals by helping them protect their business, reduce risk and focus on what matters most — growth. As your agency partner, we’re here to guide you through the operational and insurance challenges you face and to ensure you’re building a business that’s not just successful today, but sustainable for the future. 

Original article source: Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc.

By Dani Sheehan. 

Build lasting businesses when you focus on improving quality, invest in training and foster meaningful relationships. 

Uncertainty isn’t new in the roofing industry – interest rates fluctuate, homeowner spending tightens and project timelines shift. Even as customers become cautious and competitors focus on cutting costs, periods of uncertainty signal opportunity for the contractors who stay committed to growth. In a live Coffee Conversations during the Western Roofing Expo (WRE), sponsored by General Coatings Manufacturing Corp and EVERROOF, the message was clear: tough times can sharpen your business if you stay focused on quality, training and relationships. 

Stay true to quality 

Economic uncertainty pushes many property owners to chase the lowest bid, but contractors know that short-term savings often lead to long-term failures. “People start buying on price and they’re sacrificing that quality for the price,” emphasized Stan Robinson of Pacific West Roofing and president of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). “It just creates a wave of more work later because something’s going to fail because of quality of workmanship.” Stan believes it’s an opening for strong contractors to differentiate themselves. When competitors cut corners, your consistency becomes your best marketing strategy. 

Invest in your team and technology 

Rather than waiting out the market, Seth Pietsch of Integrity Insurance and Bonding sees slower months a chance to recalibrate and build for the future. “Right now, with it being a little slower than normal, it’s a really good time for us to reassess how we’re running our processes and procedures,” he explained. “We’re investing in new technology, making things easier on our staff and giving them the education and training they need. Training they may not have had time for when everyone was running full speed.” 

Will Lorenz, president of General Coatings, shared a similar approach from a manufacturer’s perspective. For General Coatings, staying close to customers has been key to weathering market changes. He shared, “We focus on quality and relationships. We’re spending a lot of time face-to-face out in the field with people, walking them through how our systems should be installed properly. We even doubled our tech service force this year because our reputation really comes down to how well the contractor had done the work.” 

Being proactive with technical support and training not only improves job performance but builds trust that lasts far beyond the scope of a single project. 

Building resilience together 

For Elise Blackman, marketing manager for Polycoat Products, the signs of recovery are already taking shape. “Even from my perspective as a first-time homebuyer, the first question you ask when viewing a home is, ‘How’s the roof?’ With interest rates hopefully starting to decline, people will be hungry to buy again, and that just opens more opportunity for roof replacements and upgrades.” Her optimism highlights an important takeaway: preparation now will position you to capitalize when demand rebounds. 

Uncertainty may always be part of the business, but how the industry responds defines its future. Listen to the full webinar to see how these leaders are building a more stable future through craftsmanship, education and connection. 

By Ashley Pietsch, Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc. 

These overlooked mistakes can leave property owners and businesses vulnerable. 

When disaster strikes, the last thing you want to hear is that your insurance won’t cover it. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens to many people who assume their policies are enough to protect their assets. At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc., we’ve helped countless clients navigate the fallout of insufficient or misunderstood coverage plans.  

This article highlights the five most common insurance mistakes people make and how to avoid them. From relying on generic online quotes to choosing the cheapest premium, these missteps can have serious financial consequences. With the right guidance and a tailored approach, you can protect your assets and avoid regret down the road. 

1 - “I thought I was covered, but I wasn’t.” 

This is, by far, the most common regret we hear. It’s easy to assume your policy includes everything you need — but insurance is not one-size-fits-all. 

Examples: 

• A homeowner’s policy that doesn’t include water/sewer backup (a common and expensive exclusion). 
• A business owner who didn’t realize they needed a cyber liability policy until they experienced a breach. 
• An auto policy that didn’t include uninsured motorist coverage when it mattered most. 

Tip: Review your policies annually — or when major life or business changes happen — to make sure you’re actually protected for the risks you may face. 

2 - “I chose the cheapest policy.” 

We get it — everyone wants to save money. But when it comes to insurance, cheaper isn’t always better. The lowest premium often means limited coverage, high deductibles or unfavorable exclusions. 

Real-world consequences: 

• A contractor buys the cheapest general liability policy, only to find it excludes roofing work. 
• A family opts for the lowest-cost homeowners policy and finds out later it doesn’t include replacement cost — just actual cash value, which leaves them tens of thousands short in a fire claim. 

The bottom line: Insurance is supposed to protect your financial future. You don’t want to find out the hard way that your “deal” cost you everything. 

3 - “I didn’t update my policy as life changed.” 

Life moves fast — your insurance should keep up. Whether you're growing your family, launching a new business service or buying new equipment, if you don't notify your agent, you're likely underinsured. 

Common examples: 

• A personal auto policy doesn’t reflect a teen driver added to the household. 
• A business adds a second location or hires new employees — but never updates the policy. 
• A homeowner adds a shop, home office or pool — without increasing their dwelling or liability limits. 

Recommendation: Treat your insurance like you would your will or financial plan — something that evolves with you. 

4 - “I didn’t understand what I was buying.” 

Insurance jargon is overwhelming — endorsements, exclusions, declarations, liability limits. Unfortunately, too many people sign up for policies they don’t fully understand, assuming “it’s all in there somewhere.” 

Consequences: 

• Not knowing your deductible applies per occurrence (not annually). 
• Believing flood damage is covered under homeowners insurance — it’s not. 
• Thinking your business policy includes employee dishonesty, when it’s actually a separate endorsement or policy. 

Our belief: You shouldn’t need to be an insurance expert — that’s what we’re here for. But you should be informed and empowered. 

5 - “I didn’t have a real advisor - I just clicked online.” 

Online quotes are fast and convenient — but when disaster strikes, you want a real human who knows your story and can walk with you through the claim. 

What you're missing without an advisor: 

• Proactive risk reviews 
• Guidance on proper limits and coverage types 
• Contract review for businesses 
• A dedicated team who advocates for you when something goes wrong 

With Integrity Insurance & Bonding, you get a partner — not just a policy. 

Avoid the regret. Get the right coverage. 

Most insurance regrets are avoidable. It starts with the right team — people who take time to understand you, your goals and the unique risks you face. 

At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, we specialize in personal, commercial, life and benefits insurance, serving families and businesses across the country. Whether you're starting a new chapter or just want peace of mind that your coverage is solid, we're here to help. 

Get a coverage review today: No pressure. Just a clear, honest conversation about whether your insurance is doing what you think it is. 

Original article source: Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc.

By Emma Peterson. 

From buying your company vehicle to insuring and maintaining it, learn how smarter fleet management lowers overhead costs. 

In the roofing industry, some of the biggest expenses contractors will have to handle when running a roofing business are labor, materials and their fleet. In this Coffee Conversations sponsored by QXO, Karen Edwards sat down with Seth Pietsch, Damien Katzenmeyer and Rich Carroll to discuss that third and less talked about expense – the fleet.  

When we talk about a “fleet” in roofing, we’re talking about the trucks and other vehicles that contractors use to transport people and materials to and from the job site. From a technical perspective, the term fleet is often used when the number of company vehicles exceeds 5. Seth, the president of Integrity Insurance and Bonding explained, “From the insurance company's perspective, you get fleet rated once you have 5 or more vehicles, not counting any trailers.”   

Having that many vehicles might sound like a lot to smaller contractors, but it is something that often naturally grows as your company expands. Damien, the VP of fleet and logistics at QXO, shared, “We have over 2,500 Commercial Distribution Specialist trucks, another 400 or 500 pickups, and then all sorts of trailers and material handling equipment.”  While this is the high end of how big fleets can get, even if your fleet is just 5 trucks, it’s important to make sure you are managing them closely and carefully.  

Here are a few key things to consider: 

Purchasing your vehicles 

The first part of fleet management is getting the fleet in the first place. There are a few different options available to contractors looking to purchase a vehicle for business purposes. Damien noted a few key questions to consider. He shared, “Are you going to use capital and pay for it? Are you going to get a loan? Are you going to lease the vehicle?” There are pros and cons to each option, so it is important to look at your business model to see what would work best for your company.  

You should also think about the timeframe for when you are purchasing vehicles. Damien explained, “Depending on how big your fleet is, you should balance when you buy and how you rotate the vehicles through the company. So, say you have a big outlay and you buy 10 vehicles in one year. Well, in 5 years, when they're all due to be replaced, you're going to have a big outlay again. But if you spread it over time, that cost will be spread out, too.” 

Sorting out insurance 

After you get your vehicle(s) it’s time to get them insured. Seth explained, “If you have 5 vehicles in your auto policy, you're considered fleet rated by the insurance companies. The important thing is to look at how you’re structured, so that’s with your employees, your subcontractors, your W-2s, your 1099s, etc. because there has to be an insurable interest in that vehicle for your insurance company to apply coverage.”  

In action, this means that if you are the owner of a company and buy a vehicle in your name for the company, you must make sure to have a lease agreement between you and the business to count it as insurable interest. If you have a vehicle in your name without that lease, you can run into issues where if there is an accident or claim, your insurance could deny coverage.  

For those with fewer than 5 vehicles, it’s still important to make sure you keep things documented, even if you do not technically have a fleet for insurance purposes. Rich Carroll, the co-founder of Carroll Consulting, explained, “Keep in mind that there's still other regulations that you might need to follow, even if you're less than 5 vehicles. You’ll want to have a structured maintenance program and things like that.” 

Make a maintenance program 

Once you have an insured vehicle, you need to establish a maintenance program that is easy to track and keep up with. Damien elaborated, “You’ve got to have a scheduled maintenance program, so you can understand how long the vehicle is going to last.” To build a proper maintenance program, you should think about how you are using the vehicle – such as how much it will be hauling and how many miles it will be driving.  

Once you have a goal of how long you want the vehicle to last based on how you will be using it, it’s time to find a way to keep track of maintenance. There are a lot of new programs and softwares out there that can now help manage this! Rich explained, “There's some service softwares that'll give you reminders to potentially go check the odometer to see where things are at, these are easy to adapt to a small fleet too! There’s also more advanced programs, like I have a customer that's working on his own with AI to try to create something with cameras, so when their vehicles are coming in, they can monitor if there's any new damage and wear.” 

Overall, no matter what your maintenance management program looks like, being proactive is key. Damien explained, “When you keep up with your maintenance, you'll bring your total cost of ownership down. When you think, ‘I'm going to skip the preventative maintenance this time and save the $200 this month,’ ultimately you end up costing yourself more in the long run.” 

Listen to the full episode or Watch the recording to learn more about managing a fleet of vehicles. 

By Ashley Pietsch, Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc. 

Discover how the key to long-term success in the industry isn’t mastering every operational task; it’s smart leadership and intentional use of time. 

In the roofing industry, the difference between a business that merely survives and one that truly thrives often comes down to leadership. After years of working alongside roofing contractors in my role as an insurance professional, I’ve seen that owners who achieve long-lasting growth are the ones who master time management and embrace delegation. 

For many roofing company founders, the early days are a whirlwind of responsibilities. They juggle everything from scheduling crews to managing payroll to handling customer calls and driving sales. This approach is often necessary to launch a business, but it isn’t enough to sustain one. Here at Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc., we recognize that the owners who scale successfully learn to delegate with purpose and manage their time with precision. 

Prioritize leadership, not just labor 

The most successful roofing contractors I work with understand that being a business owner requires a shift in mindset. They step back from the day-to-day tasks and focus on high-level activities that drive revenue and strengthen the company’s foundation. These include:   

• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships  
• Overseeing financial performance and forecasting  
• Developing marketing and growth strategies  
• Hiring and training the right people  
• Investing in systems and infrastructure 

By focusing on these core leadership functions, owners are better positioned to grow a healthy and scalable operation. 

Delegate with intention 

Delegation is not about simply handing off tasks — it’s about placing the right responsibilities with the right people, supported by training and accountability. Roofing companies that build out structured roles — such as production coordinators, office administrators or project managers — allow owners to free up capacity and ensure that client experience and operational efficiency don’t suffer as the business grows. 

Additionally, team members are more likely to thrive when they understand their responsibilities and feel trusted to perform them. This creates a stronger culture and better retention.  

Systematize for scalability 

One area where I see roofing contractors hit roadblocks is in the lack of documented systems. When processes live only in the owner’s head, growth becomes difficult. Whether it’s project scheduling, client onboarding or jobsite inspections, taking the time to create step-by-step procedures ensures that employees can execute tasks consistently and independently. 

Clear systems not only improve internal efficiency but also reduce risk — an area that, as an insurance advisor, I always emphasize. Defined procedures lead to fewer errors, improved safety practices and stronger documentation in the event of a claim or dispute. 

Protect your time as a business asset 

Just as you insure your tools, vehicles and employees, you must also protect your time. Blocking out uninterrupted time for strategic work, setting clear boundaries for meetings and minimizing distractions are key to staying focused on what matters most. In many cases, roofing business owners benefit from outsourcing non-core functions such as bookkeeping, marketing or HR — freeing up time to lead, not just manage.  

Final thoughts 

The roofing leaders I most admire are not necessarily the busiest — they’re the most intentional. They understand that true leadership is about vision, structure and trust. They delegate not out of necessity, but as a strategy. They manage their time not reactively, but proactively. 

At Integrity Insurance & Bonding, we are proud to support roofing professionals by helping them protect their business, reduce risk and focus on what matters most — growth. As your agency partner, we’re here to guide you through the operational and insurance challenges you face and to ensure you’re building a business that’s not just successful today, but sustainable for the future. 

Original article source: Integrity Insurance & Bonding, Inc.