Roofing Podcast Roundup - Oct 10: 3 Moves to Add Profit This Week

Top 3 to Implement This Week:

• Claim Apprenticeship Tax Credits: Build your talent pipeline and get reimbursed while you train. You can claim up to $4,800 per qualified apprentice per year; next, register a DOL‑recognized program and loop your CPA in to file on your next return.

• Turn Repairs into Reviews: Make every repair generate social proof so you win the map pack and close at higher trust. Systematic review requests increase volume by ~580%; next, enable automated post‑job emails/texts with a direct review link and coach techs on the in‑person ask.

• Pilot AI Estimating (Parallel Run): Quote faster without losing accuracy so you respond first and bid more. Teams cut bid prep time by ~76%; next, run 10 parallel estimates (current method vs. AI) and score accuracy before making it your default.

URGENT: Get Paid to Train — The $4,800/Apprentice Credit

Why now (≤60 words): Labor is tight and premiums are up. This week’s WRE panel spelled out a federal apprenticeship credit of up to $4,800 per apprentice, per year (first three years)—money most roofers aren’t claiming. Wrap training you already do inside a registered program and put cash back in the business while building bench strength.

What to do this week (7 steps):

1. Register as a sponsor with the U.S. DOL (approved occupation + standards).

2. Draft a 90‑day ramp + 12‑month curriculum (safety, install, tear‑off, flashing, service).

3. Set up hour tracking (on‑the‑job + related instruction) inside your PM/HR stack.

4. Name a program coordinator (often Ops or HR) to maintain logs and completion records.

5. Brief your CPA to capture the credit on the next filing and back it with hour/roster reports.

6. Recruit internally (helpers/laborers) and externally (schools, re‑entry programs).

7. Publish a pay+progress ladder so apprentices see the path and stay.

Copy/paste asset — kickoff email to your CPA + HR:

Subject: Apprenticeship Credit Setup — Action Items
Team — We’re registering a DOL‑recognized roofing apprenticeship and need tax capture on the $4,800/apprentice/year credit. HR will track OJT + classroom hours and completions. Please confirm (a) documentation you’ll need at filing, (b) how we capture partial‑year apprentices, and (c) any state‑level add‑ons. We start with [#] apprentices on [date].

Proof & payoff: WRE guidance: up to $4,800 per qualified apprentice per year for the first three years via federal credits when properly documented. Layering structured apprenticeship also cuts injuries and lowers comp—one contractor reported 68% fewer injuries after formalizing a 90‑day apprenticeship, with workers’ comp 22% below industry average. Expect first dollars at the next quarterly/annual filing with ongoing savings via lower incident rates.

Sources: RoofersCoffeeShop — WRE panel, [14:30–18:20]; Built to Lead — Jamal Washington on safety outcomes, [34:20–38:45]).

IMPORTANT: The Repair‑to‑Review Engine

Why now (≤60 words): Reviews decide who shows up in the map pack and who gets called back. This week’s content marketing breakdown showed a repeatable system: automated, link‑direct review requests with simple coaching for techs turns routine repairs into compounding social proof.

Steps (6):

1. Create direct links to your Google review page; turn them into QR stickers/cards.

2. Trigger automation: on “job complete,” send SMS + email within 2 hours; resend gentle nudge at 72 hours.

3. Coach the ask: tech says, “If my name helped today, would you mention it in your review?”

4. Embed location cues in the request (city/neighborhood) to expand local signals.

5. Scoreboard weekly: reviews gained, % mentioning tech, % mentioning city; share wins in stand‑up.

6. Reply to every review with owner/GM voice (reinforces trust and keywords).

Copy/paste asset — 2‑message sequence:

SMS (same day):
“Thanks for having us today, [Name]. If we earned 5⭐️ service, would you share a quick review here? [Google Link Here] — it really helps neighbors find us.”
Email (72‑hour nudge):
Subject: Quick favor — your roof visit
“Appreciate you, [Name]. Your words help local homeowners choose confidently. If we made it easy today, would you leave a sentence or two here? [Google Link Here]”

Proof & payoff: Contractors who systematize post‑job review requests see ~580% more reviews, and every extra cluster of 5‑star reviews improves close rates (~1.2% per additional 5‑star) by lifting trust and local rankings.

Source: Contractor Evolution — Sarah Mitchell, [44:15–47:30]).

IMPORTANT: 30‑Day AI‑Estimating Pilot (Parallel, Then Commit)

Why now (≤60 words): First response wins. AI estimators now handle takeoffs faster and more consistently, freeing your team to sell and produce. Pilot in parallel to prove lift before flipping the switch.

Steps (6):

1. Pick your platform (EagleView, Roofr, Renoworks Pro) and connect to your PM/CRM.

2. Run 10 parallel estimates (current method vs. AI) and capture time, accuracy deltas, rework.

3. Tune your assemblies (waste, drip/rake, underlayment, fasteners) from the first 10.

4. Codify a QA pass (senior estimator spot‑checks scope/price) for the next 20 bids.

5. Flip default to AI‑first once time and variance meet targets; keep human review for edge cases.

Copy/paste asset — Parallel Estimate Scorecard (per bid):

Bid #: | Time (current vs. AI): / | Variance ($): | Scope gaps: | Notes: | Go/No‑go: __

Proof & payoff: Field tests show ~76% faster bid prep (8 hrs → ~1.9 hrs) with accuracy improving from ~82% → ~94%, enabling ~4× more proposals with the same estimating headcount.

Source: The Builder’s Edge — Eric Witt, [09:15–13:40], [15:20–18:45]).

Quick Wins (Do Before Next Friday)

• Pre‑empt the weather call‑back: Text scheduled customers before storms: “We’re tracking weather and will confirm your start window on Wednesday.” (The Crux — Jennifer Martinez, [28:45–32:20]).

• Three‑option proposals (anchored by premium): Present Premium / Recommended / Basic so you consult, not pitch. Use the premium option to set the anchor and guide to the middle. (The Crux — Martinez, [20:15–24:30]).

• Prove it on video: Record start‑conditions, a daily progress clip, and a final walkthrough; save to the job file and reference it in close‑out. (The Builder’s Edge — Eric Witt, [15:20–18:45]).

• “Meet the crew” clips: 30‑second introductions build trust before you arrive; post to your site and link in appointment reminders. (The Roofing Academy — Marcus Johnson, [21:10–23:40]).

Benchmarks to Screenshot

• Complaint SLA: 100% of customer complaints acknowledged within 24 hours (log: time‑stamped texts or emails). Owner: GM; Cadence: Daily check. (The Crux — [15:30–19:45]).

• Warranty triage cadence: Use Acknowledge → Investigate → Commit on 100% of warranty calls; set on‑site + follow‑up times in CRM at open. Owner: Service Lead. (The Crux — [37:20–42:10]).

• Video documentation standard: Start‑conditions + daily progress + final walkthrough video on every job; weekly spot‑checks. Owner: Ops. (The Builder’s Edge — [15:20–18:45]).

• Content depth cadence: Publish one 1,500‑word guide this week (city/roof replacement, ventilation, materials). Owner: Marketing. (Contractor Evolution — [20:15–24:40]).

Watchlist — Market Shifts You Can Monetize

• SMP metal coatings have crossed a performance threshold—now warrantied for color fade up to 35 years and matching or exceeding PVDF in most inland commercial environments at ~60% of the cost; keep PVDF near salt spray.
  

  Try this next: Ask your supplier for updated SMP warranty docs, pilot one inland commercial spec, and prep a side‑by‑side cost/finish explainer for owners. (Metal Roofing Channel — Mike Patterson, [12:45–16:20], [18:30–21:15], [25:40–28:10]).

Finish Line Checklist

Get Paid to Train — Apprenticeship Credit — we’re done when…
▢ DOL sponsorship approved; standards + hour tracking live.
▢ CPA confirms credit capture workflow and deadlines.
▢ First apprentice cohort enrolled; progress ladder published.

Repair‑to‑Review Engine — we’re done when…
▢ Direct Google review link (QR + short URL) distributed to all field staff.
▢ Automation sends same‑day ask + 72‑hour nudge on job complete.
▢ Weekly scoreboard shows new reviews and % mentioning tech/city.

AI‑Estimating Pilot — we’re done when…
▢ 10 parallel estimates scored on time/variance and assemblies tuned.
▢ QA checklist adopted; platform becomes default for new bids.
▢ Time‑to‑estimate and win rate baselines updated in dashboard.

One Last Nudge

Pick one play and get exceptional at it before adding another.

Want help implementing? We’ll pick one person who replies in the first 24 hours with a 30 minute advisory session helping to implement one of the items listed above. Just reply with the play you want help with.