How to run a successful roofing business

With a roofing business, you can use your skills to become your own boss and make a profit. But it takes a lot of hard work and commitment to be successful. To run a successful roofing business, you’ll need to offer quality services, market yourself well, and plan for strong finances. 

This guide will discuss how to run a successful roofing business, including: 

• Building customer relationships
• Specialising your services 
• Planning for growth
• Focusing your marketing strategy 
• Improving your cash flow 
• Organising your finances  

Find our guide on how to start a roofing business here. 

As a roofer, you likely know that the average roof can last up to 20 years. Yet, focusing on building strong customer relationships will still help you grow your business. If you prioritise customer experience, people will think of you when they need a patch, repair, or upgrade. 

To do this, come across as professional by showing up on time and reliably responding to communications. Also, take the time to get to know your customers by talking to them and being approachable. If you provide a smooth and enjoyable experience, people will think of you next time they need someone.

Also, make yourself accessible to customers by giving them a business card with your contact information. You may even ask them to refer you to friends who need a roofer to grow your business. Overall, try to set yourself apart from larger companies by being more than just a service, but also a friendly face. 

Knowing how to run a successful roofing business means knowing how to stand out from your competitors. A great way to set yourself apart is by choosing a specialisation. If you consider what unique skills you have and restructure your services around these skills, you can draw in more specific clients. 

For example, you may be skilled in laying tin roofs, working with custom shapes, or putting in glass roofs. Or you could focus on learning new technology and modern trends in the industry to offer innovative solutions. To figure out which specialisations are in demand, you may want to conduct or update your market research. 

Being an expert in a specific area allows you to offer something different from other businesses and find clients who need those particular services. In addition, if these techniques often cost more, they will help you earn more for your business. 

To succeed with a roofing business, you’ll need to prepare for the future. With clear long-term business goals, you can plan for the growth of your business to increase profitability. So, consider setting aside some of your earnings to save for business growth. 

For example, you could invest in new roofing equipment to improve your services and efficiency. You can increase your pricing and take on more clients with better equipment. But you’ll need to plan for this investment, so you don’t hurt your business financially. 

If you want to make your roofing business more attractive to potential clients, consider creating or updating your brand identity. For example, you may want to design a modern and appealing business logo, using roofing design elements to show people what you do. Or you could choose a colour scheme to stick to that builds your business’s reputation. 

You can also revamp your business website to make it mobile-friendly, modern, and easy to navigate. You could incorporate SEO tactics and add examples of your work for customers to learn more about your services. If you haven’t already, be sure to claim your Google business profile and any professional service platforms like Bark. 

Overall, try to market yourself professionally to draw in more potential customers. The more you understand your target audience, the better you’ll be able to reach them. Then, if you focus on being accessible, it will be easier for people to learn about your business and contact you.

Knowing how to run a successful roofing business, also means having good financial management. Small businesses are only as strong as their money habits. So staying on top of your finances will help you track your business performance and budget for growth. 

First, consider how you can sustain or improve your business’s cash flow, or the money that flows in and out of your business. Cash flow differs from profits because you could earn plenty from your services and still not receive that cash on time. Still, you need strong cash flow to cover the operating expenses of your business and buy materials for your roofing jobs. 

To ensure you have enough cash to cover ongoing expenses and unexpected fees, you may need to follow up on invoices to ensure clients pay them on time. Plus, you’ll need to ask for sufficient down payments on jobs to cover the costs of ordering materials. This cash will help keep your business running and help you offer efficient services.  

Aside from this, the HMRC requires businesses to maintain records of their transactions and keep them for about six years. But, financial management can be stressful and time-consuming when you’re self-employed. 

Investing in modern accounting software will help you organise your business bookkeeping and make better decisions. Thousands of business owners use the Countingup app to make their financial admin easier. 

Countingup is the business current account with built-in accounting software that allows you to manage all your financial data in one place. With features like invoicing on the go, receipt capture tools and cash flow insights, you can confidently keep on top of your business finances wherever you are. 

You can also share your bookkeeping with your accountant instantly without worrying about duplication errors, data lags or inaccuracies. 

Find out more here and start your three-month free trial today.