By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.

Leap is passionate about empowering and educating local youth to use and have access to technology, proven by their partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. 

It is no secret that Baltimore youth experience a digital divide. As technology continues to transform our world, it becomes increasingly more important to ensure that no one in the next generation of a digitalized world gets left behind. Not everyone has access to certain types of technology, so providing access and education is a door-opening opportunity for many historically under-served youth.  

That is why Leap is taking its relationship with empowering contractors to digitize their business process to the next level, working to bring technology to the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore. 

The Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore “ensures every child has access to a great future by providing caring mentors, a safe environment, high-quality programs, and unique experiences.” Leap happily partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to serve this mission, working to give the members of this club access to technology through a series of fundraising events that include car washes, lemonade stands and partner outreach.  

Thanks to Tech for Tots sponsors RoofScope, EnerBank, JobNimbus and CompanyCam, Leap was able to gift the Boys and Girls Club a MacBook Pro, editing software for podcasts, eight Chromebooks, charger station strips, a PC Desktop with gaming and coding capabilities and two mobile microphones.  

As the world becomes more digitized, digital inclusion and equal access to technology are more important than ever. Empowering, educating and providing access to these technologies is one of the most profound ways to work towards bridging the digital divide and bringing a bright future to all.  

If you’d like to learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of Baltimore, you can visit their webpage. 

Learn more about Leap in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.leaptodigital.com. 

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.

Learn more about how automating your software systems means greater customer satisfaction.

In a recent Read Listen Watch™, Organic Engagement Manager Sarah DuBois and Communications Manager Jeantiel Livingston from JobNimbus spoke with RoofersCoffeeShop® President Heidi J. Ellsworth about how automations can really differentiate your company. 

“The customer's expectations are managed, they know what's going on, they already got a text or they already got an email,” Sarah says. “They don't even need to call you, they already know what's going on and you don't have to worry. So, it's win-win for everybody.” 

When things are easier for employees, it obviously is a better experience for the customers. “As a customer, it just makes me feel like, ‘Okay, these people know what they're doing,’” says Jeantiel. 

Businesses that use technology to make the process easier, not more difficult, differentiate themselves in the market to consumers. It comes down to keeping your customers well-informed and building on that bond of trust they have with you as a contractor. 

Jeantiel gives an example of how using a prepared email to follow up with a customer inquiry looks a lot more professional than not using this service. “When a customer in the beginning is looking for a solid company to work with, follow through and follow up is really important,” says Jeantiel. “And that might be just that little bump there where you get the job, you get the deal because you were the one who's on the ball.” 

When you're thinking about why to automate your roofing business, improved customer service is the headline. “You have to stay in the minds of these customers,” says Jeantiel. She highlights that automations are a great way to “make sure that they remember your company and they remember you." 

Read, Listen or Watch to learn more about utilizing software automation to differentiate your company from the competition.  

Learn more about JobNimbus in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit JobNimbus.com. 

by Amanda Trusky, JobNimbus.  

New improvements to JobNimbus's software you have to try.  

JobNimbus is dedicated to helping contractors grow their business by using their software. As you improve your business, so does JobNimbus, making their software better through upgrades and improvements so that you can succeed. Here are the changes JobNimbus has recently made: 

EagleView report upgrades for iOS 

Save time and money by leveraging the EagleView integration in our new JobNimbus mobile app to easily upgrade EagleView reports. 

With just the click of a button, you can now upgrade from an EagleView QuickSquares report to a Premium report within the new app.  

Not only does this make proposals and estimates more efficient than ever, but you are able to save money using the upgrade process. The cost of the QuickSquares report is automatically applied to the Premium report and the contractor only pays the difference. 

With EagleView and JobNimbus, it has never been easier to estimate jobs, submit material orders, and provide homeowners with a 5 star experience. 

Customize forms to create sales inspection Checklists 

There’s nothing worse than going to create a proposal or estimate and not having all the information you need from the job site. Making the trip back for just a few measurements can be really frustrating and time-consuming. 

Our new forms feature was created to address that problem. Now, you can use our forms tool to create sales inspection checklists that list all the information you need. That way, your sales guys at the job site know exactly what information to gather. 

Use forms to help you: 

• Be more organized collecting necessary information with ease 

• Save time by eliminating extra trips back to the job site 

• Enhance efficiency by quickly communicating information back to others in the business 

Revamped resource center 

Take your business to the next level with our updated Resource Center! We have completely revamped it to be fully stocked with the latest tips and tricks to best utilize JobNimbus and grow your business. 

Check out all the latest announcements, product updates, opportunities for feedback. Just click the “?” in the bottom left corner of your JobNimbus app. 

Learn more about JobNimbus in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit JobNimbus.com. 

Original article source: JobNimbus 

By Amanda Trusky, JobNimbus. 

We’ve made new improvements to our current software and even have a beta in the works for you to try. 

Here at JobNimbus, we aim to help contractors accelerate growth in their business by using our software. But to help you grow as a company, we also have to improve the way we do business too. That’s why we are constantly making upgrades and improvements to our software so that we can succeed, and you can too. Here are the changes we’ve made in the last month: 

EagleView report upgrades 

Save time and money by leveraging the EagleView integration in JobNimbus to easily upgrade EagleView reports. With just the click of a button, you can now upgrade from an EagleView QuickSquares report to a Premium report within the JobNimbus platform.  

Not only does this make proposals and estimates more efficient than ever, but you are able to save money using the upgrade process. The cost of the QuickSquares report is automatically applied to the Premium report and the contractor only pays the difference. 

With EagleView and JobNimbus, it has never been easier to estimate jobs, submit material orders and provide homeowners with a five-star experience. 

Material orders and work orders 

Our new mobile app is on fire! We’ve been adding new features to it every month, and this month is no different. Pump up your mobile app efficiency with the ability to view, edit and create both material and work orders natively. Keep an eye out each month for the latest additions to the app and download it today! 

Beta sign-up 

Want early access? Join our betas! This month, we’re testing mobile finger signing for estimates.  

Mobile finger signing allows users to sign estimates with users on-site as well as send estimates that need to be signed to those who aren’t in person. 

To join the beta, email us at mobile-feedback@jobnimbus.com. 

We are constantly working to level up our software solution to be the best partner for your business. For a refresher on some of the most recent updates to our platform, hear from our CEO Ben Hodson here.  

JobNimbus exists simply to put business owners on the right track toward organization, efficiency and ultimately, profit and growth. On average, JobNimbus users see 43% revenue growth, eight hours a week saved per person, and 25% more payments collected. Discover how our roofing software can elevate your company by scheduling a live demo! 

Learn more about JobNimbus in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit JobNimbus.com. 

Original article source: JobNimbus

Todd from JobNimbus discusses how this app provides organization, professionalism, efficiency and profitability to contractors during RCS’s LIVE Coffee Conversations. 

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of an interview with Todd Furness, a group product manager for the mobile division of JobNimbus. You can read the interview below or watch the recorded livestream. 

Karen Edwards: Hello. And welcome back to the RoofersCoffeeShop® sound stage at the 2022 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans. I am Karen Edwards, your host for the day, and I am so excited to welcome Todd from JobNimbus. Welcome. 

Todd Furness: Thank you. It's great to be here. 

Karen Edwards: Oh wow. I am so excited to be in person at this event. We understand there's still people that weren't able to make it. Maybe you were sick. Maybe your company didn't want you to come. So this is why we're doing this. We are having these conversations. We're streaming live on YouTube, so you could feel like you're here.  

So Todd, tell us, first of all, what you do for JobNimbus and then give us that quick overview for somebody that might not know what JobNimbus does for contractors. 

Todd Furness: For sure. So I am the product manager. I'm a group product manager for our mobile division and our product led growth team. And my focus is working with contractors, working with customers to find out what do they want and how we can make the product fit their needs. 

So in synopsis, JobNimbus is a product that really helps to do four things, create organization, make contractors look professional, create efficiencies and help drive profitability. And we do that through a number of tools, but that's at the core of what we do. 

Karen Edwards: I really like that you said you listen to what the contractors want and then try to make it happen. Because so many times companies are like, "Here contractor, you need this." And it doesn't meet their needs at all. 

Todd Furness: Exactly. Yes. So we have a robust process to vet ideas inside of JobNimbus through an ideation phase where we're just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see is this what will work? And then beyond that, we move more into what's the actual requirements are, vetting that with the customer and then moving on to delivering that with engineering and make sure that that's exactly what the customer wants. 

Karen Edwards: Now, I was talking earlier to some folks from your team and I learned that you had a press release come out earlier this week, announcing some big changes and improvements to the mobile, which, that's your forte. Right? 

Todd Furness: Right, exactly. 

Karen Edwards: Tell me about that. 

Todd Furness: So we have gone all in on mobile. We want to have a mobile first strategy. We want to ensure that we're delivering the best technology to our customers on the mobile platform. So what that means is we're building a mobile app for iOS and a mobile app for Android users. And right now we've launched the Android beta to any users. So any users that want to participate in that can sign up for that now.  

For our iOS device, that's a little bit further along, but we have a bunch of new features in there. Being able to capture photos and annotate photos, being able to fill out forms that standardizes process, being able to capture payment through some of our integrated partners, like Global Payments, being able to create estimates, whether it's a good, better, best estimate. There's a lot that's packed into the new mobile app and we're really excited about it. We've heard some great feedback already on it. 

Karen Edwards: It sounds like there's a lot of features. I like the payment part, right? Not waiting for a check. Just send it electronically. 

Todd Furness: Exactly, yep. 

Karen Edwards: Wow. So I know you guys have a lot of integrations too. 

Todd Furness: Yes. 

Karen Edwards: Anything recent or new that you want to share? I think I see your name over there at the Beacon Booth. 

Todd Furness: Yeah. So, we have an integrated partnership with Beacon. They are a supplier of ours. So you can seamlessly integrate your products and services into JobNimbus. We have integrations that are continuing to come out. We actually have a whole team inside of JobNimbus dedicated to integrations. It really helps us to make sure we're providing one value to the customer, but increasing our throughput of how many integrations we can produce. So other things that are coming out here within the next month, EagleView report ordering is available on desktop, that will be available this month on mobile app. 

Karen Edwards: Nice. 

Todd Furness: And so those that are out in the field can order their EagleViews right from JobNimbus on the job. And there's a lot of other things that are exciting that will be coming out that you'll see here shortly. 

Karen Edwards: Nice, nice. So you have a nice booth here and you're talking to a lot of contractors at the show. What are you hearing from those contractors? And are they looking for these kinds of easy-to-use tech solutions? 

Todd Furness: Yes. Great question. This is something that in coming to conventions like this it really helps to just make sure that we have our ear to the ground. And one of the ways that we do that, just to mention, we have at JobNimbus, we do these monthly what we call crew events, where customers can come to those and it's a chance for us in product to be able to put our ear to the ground on a monthly basis where we can just make sure we're building the right things. And it's been further validated here.  

So what I'm really hearing is there's a bunch of contractors who might not have a lot of people in their company. And for that particular segment, they're just looking for organization. They're looking for something to help them be more organized. I was actually talking to someone the other day who had a $10,000 job written on a napkin and the window of his car was rolled down and the job flew out the window and he lost the job. 

Karen Edwards: Oh no. 

Todd Furness: It's things like that where we can provide organization to those customers. And then as you start to scale in size, there's other things that JobNimbus can offer. There're people that want to know about efficiencies. With site surveys or doing inspection checklists we're realizing there's a lot of people who they'll forget to take a picture, they'll forget to get this particular measurement and they have to go back out onto the job site. And they're really as a company trying to think through efficiencies and how to drive new efficiencies. And so that's where some of our features come in there. 

Karen Edwards: So question that I would be thinking about if I was a contractor is, how painful is it to get started? What kind of support do you give me? Tell me about that. 

Todd Furness: Absolutely. So our mission is to make contractors heroes. And we firmly believe that. That is like etched on every single employee that comes into JobNimbus, is to make a contractor a hero. And what that looks like for us is to help the contractors maximize the potential in the office so that they could be able to do what they want to do with some time. They can free up some of their time.  

So what we've done to onboard is we've been able to build out a very successful team that will help customers onboard and create their own workflows. The beauty of JobNimbus is that it's flexible enough to fit around any business. And so we have a team that will first vet out, what are the workflows that you would like to have? And then let's build out some automations. Let's trigger, you want a mess message to go out when a deal goes from a lead status to in progress, we can easily do that for you. And we have a team of people that are willing to support that. 

Karen Edwards: So communication is a big part of that picture. 

Todd Furness: Absolutely. It's a huge part. 

Karen Edwards: Okay. So, if you are here at the IRE or are planning to come tomorrow, where would one go to find JobNimbus? 

Todd Furness: Yes. So we are at booth 1319 and we would love to talk to you about everything that's going on with our roadmap, show you our new mobile app, show you the things that are coming on in the desktop version as well. And then have you talk with some of our onboarding specialists. 

Karen Edwards: Excellent. And if you're not able to be here at the IRE this year, you can visit JobNimbus’s directory on RoofersCoffeeShop.com has links to everything, information, how to contact them. So please check that out. I really want to thank you, Todd, for sharing, what's new with us with our viewers and we'll be broadcasting throughout the day here. So subscribe to our YouTube, be sure to ring that bell so you don't miss anything and we'll be back soon. Bye. 

Learn more about JobNimbus in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.jobnimbus.com.

By Jeff Guthrie, JobNimbus.

How to meet your deadlines consistently and efficiently so you don’t damage your company’s reputation. 

As many project managers know, meeting deadlines on time is no easy feat. While it’s not unreasonable to request an extension, if you do this too often it could hurt the reputation of your company. You might even lose money from your overall payout depending on the agreed upon terms in the initial contract.

There are many reasons why construction projects often get delayed, including bad weather, problems with employees and other issues. However, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your deadline is met on time. If you’re looking to meet deadlines more consistently, here are five tips to help you do just that:

1 - Create a detailed timeframe with multiple deadlines 

Stay on track and move at a more urgent pace by meeting your sub-deadlines if you’re running behind schedule. By breaking your project down into as many small bite-sized pieces as possible, you can more effectively determine the time frame in which the project as a whole will be completed. This will help you adjust your pace earlier on, rather than trying to rush when the final deadline is approaching. 

2 - Clear line of communication between all parties involved 

Clear communication between everyone involved in the project is essential to completing it on time. You need to make sure that concerns and observations can make it from the lowest level to the highest level in lightning speed, if need be.

Also, your employees should be encouraged to communicate early and often. Smaller-scale issues can be dismissed by lower-level supervisors, and real pressing issues can be moved up the chain of command as quickly as they need to be.

3 - Gather all materials and tools needed 

This almost goes without saying, but it’s all too common for project managers to attempt to order materials as they go, or to put off ordering materials for one section of a project until another is completed.

Unless you have an absolute lock on delivery times, it’s best to get everything you need before you even start. You might end up with a bit more left-over material, but this can be stored for future use, and it’s a lot better than missing your deadline because of a delay in your delivery.

4 - Outsource if possible 

Outsourcing will save you time in many different areas. For example, outsourcing almost every non-labor-related task, such as financing, bookkeeping and permits, is the go-to move for construction companies looking to save time. You can also outsource aspects of the project itself, like the delivery of materials.

By hiring a last-mile company to handle the final leg of your material delivery, you can get access to a much more controlled handle on the delivery. Real-time GPS tracking and up-to-the-minute notifications about your delivery are often provided by last mile delivery companies, so you’d be wise to make use of that.

5 - Make use of tracking software 

Some higher-quality tracking software companies like JobNimbus, for instance, even provide a mobile app that allows you to stay plugged in from anywhere. The improved organization that JobNimbus provides is proven to improve revenue growth and save time on jobs. They even have dedicated construction software for construction companies. 

“Tracking software can help you manage every aspect of a job, from the initial estimate and bids, to communication with the client, a breakdown of individual tasks, reports, invoices and more.” 

– Jeff Guthrie of Phoenix Roofing Contractors 

Never miss a project deadline again 

Delays and other hiccups in the construction process can lead to missed deadlines. If you miss too many deadlines, word might get around and damage your reputation as a construction company. Thankfully, by using the five tips we’ve provided here, you’re guaranteed to run a tighter ship and complete more projects on time.

Learn more about JobNimbus in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit JobNimbus.com. 

Original article source: JobNimbus

By TAMKO. 

Learn all about CRM systems and how they can improve your relationships with customers. 

While the right materials and labor are important aspects of installing roofs successfully, any contractor knows there’s a lot more to it than that. There are numerous elements to juggle such as customer communications, estimations, invoices, etc. Thankfully, you don’t have to be overwhelmed by all these factors. There are now many technological advancements that help you complete your projects in a timely manner and in a way that satisfies your customers. 

As your roofing business grows and jobs begin to pile on top of one another, the challenge of tracking all these fine details also grows. If you’re fortunate enough to find quality, hardworking installers to add to your crew, you can complete more roof jobs. But when it comes to managing the business side of each project, and the paperwork that comes with it, the challenge remains. That’s where a Customer Relationship Management system, or CRM, adds value to your roofing business. 

So, what is a CRM system? 

In short, a CRM system is a digital platform that empowers businesses to better manage and organize projects and customer relationships to increase efficiency and profitability. 

JobNimbus is one of the most popular roofing industry CRMs and the tool has been helping roofing contractors work smarter and grow their sales. Since joining forces with TAMKO Building Products to offer new discounts in The TAMKO Edge™ contractor loyalty program, participating roofing contractors have more advantages than ever to grow their businesses with a host of digital tools aimed at improving customer relationships and better managing projects. 

What are the benefits? 

JobNimbus offers industry-specific features geared toward helping roofers better manage their customer relationships and roofing projects. Through the JobNimbus platform, roofing contractors can set appointments, save contact information, get reminders and organize their work and teams more efficiently. For example, JobNimbus has the capability to capture photos, store documents, collect customer signatures and log important notes on-site, while also continuing real-time communication with other team members and customers as well. 

The platform also features automation that can help cut unnecessary repetition to increase productivity and ensure that no detail slips through the cracks. 

Once a roofing project has been well tracked in JobNimbus and the roof installation has been completed, roofers can also use the platform to send invoices to customers, collect payment and create reports for advanced business decision-making. 

The right CRM can make a huge difference in helping you grow relationships with your customers and improve roofing sales. Overall, JobNimbus estimates its tools and services have helped its users see 43% average annual revenue growth, save 8 hours a week per person, and collect 25% more payments. 

Roofing contractors can sign up for The TAMKO Edge™ program for free to see JobNimbus discounts and details, and TAMKO Certified Contractors are eligible for even more discounted services and perks.   

The products or services offered by JobNimbus are not the products or services of TAMKO, nor is TAMKO a party to any relationship and/or agreement between JobNimbus, a TAMKO contractor or a homeowner. 

Learn more about TAMKO in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.tamko.com. 

Original article source: TAMKO

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

In an upcoming RLW learn about what software automation is and how it can revolutionize your roofing business. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® has made it easier than ever for members of the roofing and construction industries to learn how they want, when they want, where they want with their Read, Listen, Watch (RLW) initiative. Whether you want to read a transcript, listen to a podcast or watch a webinar, the Coffee Shop has made it possible for you to learn your way. 

Most businesses are looking for ways to increase productivity and efficiency, in an upcoming RLW, Heidi J. Ellsworth and the experts at JobNimbus teach you how to accomplish both. This RLW is designed for roofing professionals who want to learn more about software automation and how this technology is advantageous for roofing businesses. Join Heidi and JobNimbus as they discuss how contractors can use automation to optimize marketing, sales, workflows and more.  

Join Heidi and the experts at JobNimbus on February 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. PT for this informative and hands-on RLW that will demonstrate why your business needs to start taking advantage of automation and to learn about the opportunities this software provides.  

JobNimbus is a customer relationship management (CRM) and project management software built for roofing professionals looking to run a modern and paperless business. The application’s simple interface manages contacts, jobs and other tasks, and is cloud-based, making this roofing software an efficient, mobile and affordable solution.  

It is more relevant than ever to leverage available technology to improve communications, processes and overall customer satisfaction. You won’t want to miss out on this informative conversation about the specific benefits software automation offers roofing businesses. From enhanced customer service to employee efficiency, this RLW will go over all of the processes a roofer can put in place to excel.

Register now for this RLW to learn more about the benefits of software automation for roofing professionals.

By JobNimbus. 

How to tell if your company could benefit from the use of project management and customer relationship management software. 

There once was a time when all it took to complete a contracting job was a pen and some paper. Now, with how competitive the roofing industry is, using digital tools like project management and CRM (customer relationship management) software can give you the edge you need. For example, JobNimbus software can help you organize your company and increase efficiency in these areas: 

• Customer tracking 

• Job workflow 

• Team communication 

• Project management software 

• Payments 

If you are still using pen and paper to manage your business, chances are that you’re losing leads, you’re not getting paid fast enough, your office is in disarray and your reps appear unprofessional. 

Does your business need roofing software? 

Here are five signs that your company needs software: 

1 - Your team isn’t organized  

Losing leads and money because your team is not on the same page can be discouraging. While the whiteboard has become a staple in offices, it’s not enough to run an efficient company. The likelihood of mishandling contacts, schedules and other essential information increases when an office relies solely on a whiteboard and a handful of Excel spreadsheets. Using software will allow your team to stay connected at all times.  

“The idea of going paperless is that everything is in one single place that everyone can get access to…nothing falls through the cracks,” says Brad Hodson, JobNimbus customer experience architect. 

2 - Your leads are falling through the cracks 

Securing new leads is a challenge in itself and not one method is a win all. The first interaction of a potential customer is vital. According to IRC Sales Solutions, “an average of only 2% of sales are made during the first point of contact.” That’s a large margin of opportunity for your sales team. Maintaining new and existing contacts on paper, in file folders, or on a spreadsheet can leave your business vulnerable to lost leads.  

CRM software allows you to take control of your customer experience throughout the whole process. The tasks of tracking contacts and scheduling appointments is simply done through customized digital boards and workflows. The fear of losing leads because of lack of organization will be eliminated with the help of roofing software. 

3 - You’re not getting paid fast enough 

Nothing is more frustrating than not getting paid long after putting in hours of work. Not establishing a financial process can leave a company vulnerable to several mishandlings. From start to finish, an electronic system allows you to keep visibility of your business’ financial process. An effective operating system should include the following financial processes: 

• Estimates 

• Budget (create an accurate project budget that includes the cost of material, labor, expected profits, etc.) 

• Work orders 

• Material orders 

• Invoices 

• Payments  

Taking control of your financial processes will ensure that every dollar is accounted for, and also help you as a business owner create accurate growth plans. 

4 - Your customers don’t trust your reps 

Contractors can be perceived as unreliable and untrustworthy if a homeowner has had previous bad experience. When a field rep and crew arrive at a home, they should be prepared to represent your company. Homeowners create their own perception before the job begins just from the arrival time, attire, and even from the use of technology. “Customers expect you to be more digital,” says JobNimbus CEO Ben Hodson. Using roofing software on a tablet makes customers feel secure that their information will not be lost and the process is smooth and trustworthy. It will make your company look more professional. 

5 - Your office is in disarray  

There are several moving parts to running a roofing company. Trying to manage new leads, estimates, subcontractors, work orders, invoices, and payments with a paper system only leads to unnecessary clutter. Are you running out of office space? Can you see the top of your desk? Roofing software will eliminate the need for filing cabinets and will make your office run more efficiently by combining all your processes.  

Integrations are also available to allow you to link a program like aerial measurements with EagleView to a job management software like JobNimbus, so you can easily see your whole production on your desktop and at the palm of your hands. With an all-in-one platform you can simply digitize all your documents, including contracts, estimates and reports, housing everything in one place. 

For a business and team to run effectively, a workflow needs to be put in place. CRM and project management software allows your team to visually see all the necessary stages of a company’s workflow from your leads and estimates to your project management and payments. Digital tools have allowed owners to manage and grow their businesses from anywhere. 

JobNimbus exists simply to put business owners on the right track toward organization, efficiency, and ultimately, profit and growth. On average, JobNimbus users see 43% revenue growth, eight hours a week saved per person and 25% more payments collected. Discover how our roofing software can elevate your company by scheduling a live demo! 

Learn more about JobNimbus in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit JobNimbus.com. 

Original article source: JobNimbus

By IKO. 

From measuring roofs to calculating estimates, these roofing contractor apps will help you run your company more efficiently. 

While IKO lists costs for the apps below, and we have made efforts to ensure they are accurate as of January 2021, they are subject to change. IKO does not take responsibility for changing fees or features of the apps. 

While many apps out there are for fun and mindless scrolling, there are some that can be used as helpful tools for managing a business. Roofing contractors lead busy lives, so having handy business software apps can really help organize and manage projects. These apps allow you to check on your staff, get measurements for your projects and even send invoices. 

We know that there’s nothing like real-world experience with apps. That’s why we reached out to Sean Collins from Shield Roofing & Construction LLC to ask which apps he uses and what he likes about them. Sean stresses that apps aren’t just good solutions for small companies. Even larger businesses, like his, can find free and paid app solutions that can help them keep their business running smoothly and efficiently. 

Sean’s favorite apps include JobNimbus, DJI apps, Payzer, TSheets, WhatsApp and CompanyCam. We’ll discuss these apps, and many others, to help you download the best apps for your roofing business. Don’t worry: We cover both roofing apps for both Android and roofing apps for iPhone so that we don’t leave out those with either OS. 

Roofing measuring apps 

The most basic apps a roofer might use daily are those designed to help them calculate a roof’s pitch. While there are many of these apps on the market, most don’t work very well. Sean explained that roofers should look for roofing pitch calculator apps that have been recently updated, as many of them stop working and are abandoned by the publisher. 

If you end up choosing an app that makes the measurement based on the position of your phone (instead of by photos), he suggests that you use a clipboard or another large, steady surface to lay against the shingles and then put the phone on. He has found that this helps him get a more accurate measurement from the apps. 

1 - EagleView 

Cost: Free to download; all measurements cost money. 

OS: Android and iOS 

EagleView creates reports on the roof of any property you like from aerial imagery. There is no need to step onto the roof at all when you use this app. Instead, simply put the address of the property you’re interested in measuring into the app. EagleView has aerial imagery for the majority of the United States and Canada, so you’re unlikely to find a property that it can’t create a report for. The report types that the app can generate include: 

• QuickSquares™: QuickSquares determines roof square footage, predominant pitch and outline. The report is completed quickly and relatively inexpensively, even if there are secondary structures on the property. In the United States, this report costs $18, but the price is subject to change. 

• Premium: Premium includes a 3D diagram of the roof and five aerial images. It also includes a waste calculation table to help you order supplies with minimal waste. The cost for this report depends on the property. The current range in Canada is $30-$75, but that is subject to change. 

The app offers several more reports with unique features, including gutter measurements, walls, roof geometry and more. 

IKO ROOFPRO™ members can get more out of the app for less. You can access the ROOFPRO™ Silver pricing level by merely verifying your IKO ROOFPRO™ membership with EagleView. 

2 - HOVER 

Cost: Free to download; all 3D renderings cost money. 

OS: Android 

IKO’s partner HOVER offers 3D renderings of roofs. You take photos of a roof with your phone, and this app translates them into measurements in a few hours. The process is a bit intensive, as you have to take a photo of every side and corner of the property. However, the results are detailed. The app gives you total roof area in squares, predominant pitch, steepest pitch and siding information. Once you have the report for the property stored in the app, you can virtually add a real shingle product to the roof. 

3 - Roof Pitch Factor 

Cost: Free 

OS: iOS 

Roof Pitch Factor is a great roof measurement app if you need a pitch estimation quickly. You simply stand on the ground and look at the roof through your camera, and the app will estimate the pitch for you in factor and degrees. 

4 - Pitch Gauge© 

Cost: Free, pay to remove ads. 

OS: Android and iOS 

Pitch Gauge is another app that offers a simple and quick pitch estimate. It gives you a factor measurement and not a degree measurement. It includes a calculator and allows you to swap between imperial and metric. You can take a picture of the roof, and it will be saved with the measurements that you can easily reference in the future. As Sean mentioned, be sure you have a flat surface to place your phone on above the shingles. Plus, calibrate the app before you start for the best results. 

Roofing estimate apps 

These apps help you create a roofing estimate or quote. Flexibility and personalization are important here, as every roofing company will provide a slightly different quote to their customer. 

1 - iRoofing 

Cost: Monthly and annual plans, currently starting at $129 per month 

OS: Android and iOS 

First, create an account on the iRoofing website. Then, use your credentials to log into the app. The app can create measurements for a property from satellite or drone images, or from building blueprints. It can then create an estimate for you automatically. You can tell the app how you’d like to price and even offer good, better, best pricing through the app. iRoofing also allows you to virtually add any product to your customer’s house so that they can see how it will look. 

There are some customer relationship management features built into the app as well. In the app, you have the option for customers to sign your contract digitally*, some ability to order materials and some ability to connect with customers after the fact. While it is not as robust as other customer relationship management options, the bidding and estimating aspects of this app are great. 

*Please ensure that digitally signed contracts are legally enforceable in your area before using this feature. 

2 - Contractor Estimate & Invoice 

Cost: Monthly subscription to the publisher (Joist) or QuickBooks Sync 

OS: Android 

While not designed for roofers specifically, the Contractor Estimate & Invoice app could be a useful tool for you. Once you set your estimating preferences in the app, you can easily create quotes for your customers. You can even attach photos directly to the estimate. Once you have completed the work, you can turn the estimate into an invoice and even receive payment through the app. 

The app allows you to export your quote information right to your accounting program for simplicity. 

3 - QuickBooks® 

Cost: Monthly plans, currently starting at $35 per month 

OS: Android and iOS 

QuickBooks is a highly popular accounting software. Its app version has a vast range of useful features for roofers. Primarily, it offers an invoicing system that is robust enough to account for the many different materials you use. You can also offer clients partial invoices to help make payment plans more manageable for you to offer. Customers can pay directly from the invoice. 

QuickBooks also allows you to track mileage and expenses, and even attach receipts. There are some functional complaints about the app, but you can always back yourself up using the desktop version on your laptop. 

Roofing drone apps 

Your roofing drone app should be compatible with the camera that your drone is equipped with or compatible with the drone itself. Sometimes, it makes sense to weigh your app options when choosing the drone or camera that is right for you. While drone footage is useful for roofers, it has to be simple to record and access in order to reduce the time you spend on it. An app can make or break your experience, so choose wisely. 

1 - GoPro app 

Cost: Free to download, in-app purchases, GoPro subscription required. 

OS: Android and iOS 

Sean’s choice for a roofing drone app is the GoPro app. If your drone is equipped with a GoPro camera, you can upload the video to the GoPro app and make the edits you want. If you capture videos of your completed projects to help promote your business, you’ll appreciate the convenience of this app. You can post the edited video right to your website or social media account, making it a convenient option for business owners who don’t want to transfer the footage multiple times. You can still upload it to your desktop and then take the footage where you need from there. You can also operate the camera (but not the drone) from the app. 

2 - DJI apps 

Cost: Free, compatible drone required. 

OS: Android and iOS 

To fly his drone, Sean uses one of the DJI apps. Depending on which drone you use, you may need to use the DJI GO, DJI Pilot, DJI Mimo or DJI Fly app. Each app has a simple user interface that takes the stress out of flying your drone. For example, the DJI GO app has an automated landing and takeoff maneuver, so all you need to do is press a button. And the DJI Mimo tracks the subject that you choose, in this case your roof, to be sure it is always in frame. Others support editing, live streaming, filters and more. 

3 - DroneDeploy 

Cost: Free, compatible drone required. 

OS: Android and iOS 

If you have a DJI app, you can also use the DroneDeploy app. This app automates flight and creates a map from the data that it collects. This automated flight feature is useful for commercial roofers taking images and videos of large roofs. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that DroneDeploy has its own app market. Here, you can find apps that will help you share and leverage your footage. 

Roofing photo apps 

Roofers have plenty of use for photo apps, whether you want to show a customer how their roof will look with new shingles or take before and after photos to include in promotions. There is a handful of apps you can consider to help you get the best photos. 

1 - IKO RoofViewer™ 

Cost: Free 

OS: Android and iOS 

IKO’s RoofViewerTM is a simple-to-use tool that can give your customer a glimpse of how a roof will look with a specific IKO roofing product installed. You take a real photo of the home, and the app will let you try on any of the shingle products, so you can see how the other exterior materials will work with the shingle color. The tool is free and is a great tool to help homeowners choose their shingle color. 

2 - CompanyCam 

Cost: Free, in-app purchases. 

OS: Android and iOS 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the photos of your work after just a few jobs. CompanyCam allows you to organize photos by job and add notes, keeping you organized. If you need to find photos years later, all you need to do is scroll. The app has unlimited storage. It also supports multiple users, so you can bring issues to other team members’ attention from within the app. Sean prefers CompanyCam because it is convenient and integrates with his favorite app, JobNimbus. It also integrates with other software you might want to use, including DroneDeploy, Contractors Cloud and Salesforce. 

3 - Pic Stitch 

Cost: Free, in-app purchases. 

OS: Android and iOS 

When Sean needs to make small, quick edits and doesn’t want to bother with CompanyCam’s before and after feature, he uses Pic Stitch. It is one of the most popular photo apps of all time because it is simple to use and offers a huge range of features. For roofers, the best feature is probably the app’s ability to very quickly combine before and after photos into one file, so it’s easy to post online. You can add text overlays and filters, and rotate and crop the images as well. 

Customer relationship management apps for roofers 

Customer relationship management is all about closing on leads and providing your customers with a better experience once they have agreed to work with you. Customer relationship management apps should give you and your customers a way to contact one another. Having a record of your communication will help you provide service and reassure your customer that their roofing work is going as planned. Customer relationship management apps usually offer much more than this, bridging into several other kinds of apps. 

1 - JobNimbus 

Cost: Monthly subscription, currently starting at $25 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

JobNimbus is Sean’s number one choice for roofing apps overall. He says it, “essentially runs my whole company.” The app is highly customizable, which means there is a lot of setup; but it is efficient once you have it running. It has standout customer relationship management features, including the ability for a customer to check on your job’s progress whenever they want. Sean believes that this is very useful for roofers who are often working on the roof when the homeowner is at work. 

Plus, JobNimbus offers many more functions. With the app, you can collect a lead’s contact information, reach out to them, create an estimate and schedule the job. You can also assign tasks to staff, keep track of the work while your staff is completing it, keep all of your photos and information for the job organized, send your invoice and receive payment. 

Sean loves that JobNimbus syncs up with other apps and software he uses, including CompanyCam, Google Calendar, QuickBooks, EagleView, SalesRabbit and more. 

2- Acculynx 

Cost: To get pricing information, you will have to email Acculynx. 

OS: Android and iOS 

As with JobNimbus, Acculynx offers a huge variety of features designed to support you from the moment you get a lead until the work is done. The lead application programming interface is especially impressive and can automatically import information from your web contact forms. In the app, you can connect with roof measurement apps and create an estimate based on them. Once the customer has signed on, you can directly order materials through the app from ABC Supply if you’re a roofer in the U.S. You can use the app’s calendar to coordinate your delivery and coordinate your staff members’ schedules. You can also track your sales. 

Sean used Acculynx in the past, but found that JobNimbus offered more features he needed for his business and improved integration with other apps he uses. Of course, that doesn’t mean Acculynx can’t be the right solution for you. 

3 - Zoho CRM 

Cost: Free for up to three users or $12/month per user for four or more users. 

OS: Android and iOS 

If you have a dedicated sales team for your roofing business, then you may want to consider using Zoho’s dedicated CRM app. It helps salespeople predict leads, determine which are the best leads and alerts them in real time when a potential customer interacts with the business online whether by opening an email or visiting your website. Unlike other CRM app options, Zoho “gamifies” the sales process to help motivate salespeople and get better results. 

Accounting and payroll apps for roofers 

Payroll and accounting are necessary for every business, and an app can make the process easier for you. 

1 - TSheets 

Cost: Monthly TSheets subscription starting at $10 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

TSheets is Sean’s preferred time-tracker app. He asks his staff members to download it, and they can use it to clock in and out of work. If you use the app, you can also change employee shifts, and the app will send them a notification to let them know. If they don’t clock in, the app will let you know with a notification. Plus, the app uses a GPS to confirm the employee’s location. Once the staff member has logged their hours, you can then see how much they’ve worked or how many hours a specific job took. TSheets is a great app to use if you’re trying to track and improve your roofing efficiency. 

Also, TSheets integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting apps. 

2 - QuickBooks 

Cost: Monthly plans, currently starting at $35 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

We covered it in the invoicing section above, but the QuickBooks app offers some of the software’s accounting and payroll features as well. 

Small business transaction apps for roofers 

Investing in a point of sale (POS) machine isn’t necessary anymore. Many apps work as phone-based POSs that can allow you to collect payment from your clients in various forms as soon as you’re done their roof. 

1 - Payzer 

Cost: Monthly subscription starting at $60 per month per user. 

OS: Android and iOS 

Sean uses Payzer as his POS because it conveniently allows him to both receive money from his customers and send payments to his employees. While he doesn’t use this feature, Payzer also allows you to schedule your employees and reach out to your customers. Also, the app has a built-in credit tool that you can use to offer your customers financing for their roof replacement or repair. 

2 - Contractor Estimate & Invoice (also called Joist App for Contractors) 

Cost: Monthly subscription to the publisher (Joist) or QuickBooks Sync. 

OS: Android and iOS 

We also mentioned this app in the invoicing list above, but it is worth mentioning that you can collect payments through this app and send the information about it to your other accounting software. 

3 - QuickBooks 

Cost: Monthly plans, currently starting at $35 per month. 

OS: Android and iOS 

We covered it twice above, but it is worth noting that the QuickBooks app can also accept payments. You’ll need the mobile card reader, but once you have it, your payment and accounting process will be more efficient. After the payment, QuickBooks will automatically record the payment in your books. 

4 - Square® Point of Sale 

Cost: App is free, $299 for Square terminal, 2.65% for credit cards, 10 cents per Interac and 3.4% + 15 cents for every time you manually enter a card number. 

OS: Android and iOS 

It is simple, and relatively inexpensive, to collect payments in person with your phone and your Square POS reader. Every credit card is the same rate through Square, and the company handles the fees for disputes for you. In the app, you can always see the rates you’re paying on your dashboard. The app also includes free reporting and analytics and a directory of your customers. 

Apps for roofing business communication 

1 - WhatsApp 

Cost: Free 

OS: Android and iOS 

While not originally intended as a business-specific tool, WhatsApp is a simple and effective option to use to keep in touch with your staff. Sean uses it and says that 90% of his team’s communication is done over the app. The app allows you to send encrypted texts to anyone else who has the app. You can share your other contacts with your employees, send group messages about specific projects and send an identical message to all employees like, “We have a new job for Saturday, let me know if you’re available.” 

2 - Slack 

Cost: Free, two paid versions at $6.67 per month and $12.50 per month with additional features. 

OS: Android and iOS 

This communication app is specifically made for businesses and is a great alternative if you need a solution to send files. Slack allows you to create channels, potentially one for each job. You can add relevant staff to the channel, send files and make calls. You can also direct-message an employee on the app just as you would in WhatsApp. There’s no built-in encryption, but it’s a great replacement for email. 

3 - Facebook Messenger 

Cost: Free 

OS: Android and iOS 

Facebook has some huge advantages in the communication world. It’s completely free and ubiquitous. Everyone you hire will know how to use Facebook, and staying active on your business account can help you respond to customer inquiries in a timelier manner too. However, it could be challenging to keep employees focused when they can be on Facebook while working. Also, Facebook is not encrypted. 

4 - Viber Messenger 

Cost: Credits are required for phone and video, a monthly U.S. subscription is $1.99, or credits can be purchased at various amounts. 

OS: Android and iOS 

There is some business communication that should really be done in voice, not over text messages. Viber is a great secure option for voice and video calls, even in groups, that your team members can have on their phones. It uses end-to-end encryption even for video calls, so you know that your conversation is secure. Plus, the app offers other business features that may be useful for you, including ads and promotional stickers. 

Free roofing apps 

Are you just starting your roofing business and not quite ready to invest in an app subscription yet? Here’s our list of free roofing apps that you may find useful. You can find more details about the specific apps above: 

• Roof Pitch Factor 

• Pitch Gauge 

• IKO RoofViewer™ 

• CompanyCam 

• Pic Stitch 

• WhatsApp 

Learn more about IKO Industries in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.iko.com. 

Original article source: IKO