Increased digitalization in the roofing industry is allowing contractors to do a better job for their clients while creating greater internal efficiency. Technology has already improved some aspects of our work by leaps and bounds—and these are just early days in the digital revolution. Let’s look at how digitalization has already changed the roofing industry.
Digitalization in roofing for accurate drawings and materials
New digital roofing tools, software, and services are improving accuracy throughout the roofing process, including inspections, measurements, drawings, material take-off lists and identifying equipment needs.
The digital power of GIS and Drones is increasingly leveraged by professional roofing contractors.
Digitalized roof measurements and GIS
Digitalization in roofing has caused an evolution from on-site tape measures and cameras to GIS (geographic information systems) and drones. Old-school tools are used in conjunction with new technology to deliver improved visualization, accuracy and detailed analysis on project bids.
GIS solutions and subscription services leverage data from drones, satellite images and geospatial analytics services to provide precise, quick and easy estimates of roof measurements, including size, geometry, pitch, direction, area and other roof characteristics.
Roofers can also use subscription-based GIS services to receive aerial images of a roof over time. Access to sequential GIS data helps a roofer assess changes made to the roof quickly and easily. It’s easy to see the value of this data to a roofer who has not worked on a property before or hasn’t been on the roof in several years.
Construction general contractors and project managers are also moving drawings, specifications, site instructions, RFIs (requests for information) and other documentation onto construction cloud services such as Autodesk, Procore and others. The ability to get an at-a-glance view of all drawings and project documentation, along with all prior versions, further streamlines the process. These services also have digital measurement tools, totally eliminating the need to scale drawings.
Digitally enhanced roof imagery using drones
High-resolution aerial images from drones can be invaluable for inspections, 3D modeling and assessing work in progress. Capturing high-resolution photos and videos from the air allows roofers to assess the roof’s condition and characteristics in detail, quickly and without risk to personal safety and property damage. Collected data is downloadable and transferrable, a plus for sharing information with third parties.
Here are a few examples of how drones can be used:
Visual and thermal data: Drones can easily collect enhanced visual and thermal data and are especially helpful in hard-to-reach areas and with complex roofs, such as this condo building with cascading terraces pictured below.
Thermal scanning: Drones flyovers with FLIR (forward-looking infrared) cameras on board can perform infrared scans to identify concealed moisture, including the affected location and specific layer of the roof. This technology increases ROI by reducing time, labour demands and hazards.
Know the laws in your areas: It is the roofers’ responsibility to understand and abide by Canadian drone laws, Canadian Aviation Regulations, Toronto regulations, and other local regulations. Failure to do so can result in fines or other penalties.
Digital technology and AI in the roofing industry
The AI revolution is everywhere, including roofing. New AI capabilities hold the promise of allowing roofing companies to make data-driven decisions, streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.
AI algorithms have the potential to help roofers in these critical areas—if not now, perhaps in the future:
Predictive maintenance: Collect and analyze data from roof sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, structural integrity and other factors to predict when maintenance or repairs are necessary.
Project planning and optimizing resources: Analyze weather patterns, material availability, labor resources and other data points to create more efficient project plans, anticipate challenges and make informed decisions.
Enhanced worker safety: Analyze historical worksite data and identify patterns related to accidents and near-misses to pinpoint potential safety hazards.
Improved customer experience: Use AI chatbots to provide personalized responses to customer inquiries, handle common questions and schedule appointments.
Reduced Waste: Analyze past projects to identify areas of excess material usage, recommend strategies to reduce waste, optimize schedules, and maximize material allocation to ensure efficient use of resources.
As new digital and AI technologies evolve, it will become increasingly important for businesses to adopt innovative solutions to stay competitive.
Digitalization in the roofing industry is a win-win
Everyone wins when digitalization in the roofing industry helps contractors be more efficient. Competition in the construction business is fierce, and digital solutions can help roofers set themselves above the rest.
Roofers are increasingly installing new technologies, applications, and services in these and other areas:
- Sourcing new leads and opportunities with CRM (customer relationship management) systems
- Accurate and fast quotes for repairs, preventive maintenance, and roofing installation projects
- Working with partners, suppliers, and customers using cloud applications and web-based platforms; some popular usages include document and order tracking, quotes and contracts, materials ordering, and other operational functions
- More efficient invoicing, online automated payment options, ACH payments and job costing
- Utilizing open APIs and cloud-based applications to connect and share data for smoother workflows and operational efficiencies across various systems
The roofing industry and the future of digitalization
The evolution of digitalization in the roofing industry is changing how we do business, with more changes yet to come. As in other industries, companies that leverage innovative tools and services are in the best position to compete for long-term success.
Moving forward is not without its challenges, however. The upfront costs for some technologies put them beyond the reach of many contractors, and integrating disparate systems can also be costly. Processes can also be cumbersome and time-consuming because of the lack of connectivity between software platforms. For example, most suppliers still send invoices digitally or by mail, requiring labor-intensive manual processing and job costing. An efficient alternative will be for machine readable invoices to be entered digitally, without manually coding each line item and inputting the project reference numbers.
Given the complexity of digital technology and AI, “Going digital” is not an all-at-once proposition. Most roofing companies will integrate technologies into their operations gradually, in the way that makes the most sense for their operations, relationships, budget, and future goals.
The digital future and Elite Roofing
For three generations, Elite Roofing has proven its ability to deliver the highest quality of work, with a dedication to customer satisfaction. We are always striving to improve our business, and today this means keeping pace with digital innovations to improve efficiency, work processes, and client experience.
Elite Roofing, serving the Greater Toronto Area, delivers superior craftsmanship, backed by our 24/7 emergency service. Contact us today and get the Elite Advantage.
