A roof provides an essential barrier between the inside of a house and the outside elements. It also impacts a house’s overall value. Roofing Companies offer services to repair or replace roofs.

As a roofing contractor, you have several types of legal coverage that are available to you. Workers’ compensation, for example, protects you from financial loss if one of your employees is injured on the job. This policy covers medical expenses, disability payments, and death benefits. Almost all employers must carry this type of insurance. You should also consider getting errors and omissions insurance to protect yourself from claims made by homeowners due to faulty roofing work.

During the course of business, it’s easy for third parties to become hurt by your business equipment and tools. General liability insurance can help pay for third-party injuries, including property damage and legal costs associated with such an injury. Roofing worksites often get messy, and it’s easy for a passerby to trip over ladders, discarded shingles or pallets of replacement materials. Similarly, falling debris may cause damage to a nearby car. Roofing contractors also need commercial auto insurance to cover any damages your vehicle may cause during transportation to and from jobs. If you need to transport specialized tools or equipment, you should consider getting an equipment floater as well.

A surety bond is not technically an insurance policy, but it helps ensure that you’ll take your responsibilities seriously and perform the work you’ve agreed to do. It’s also a requirement for many government contracts, and it shows customers that you’re reputable.

The legal coverage you need for your roofing company will vary, depending on the nature of your business and the state or province where you’re located. It’s important to speak with an attorney to determine which policies are right for you, and to draft the necessary documents. It’s also a good idea to review your policy periodically to make sure that you have the proper coverage for your business. For instance, you should always check your date of expiration to avoid having a gap in coverage that leaves you vulnerable. It’s also a good idea for roofing businesses to have an ACORD Certificate, which is a document that summarizes their insurance coverage. This can be especially helpful when working with clients who may require proof of insurance before granting you access to their property.

Insurance

Roofing companies have to have several types of insurance coverage in place, just like any other business does. Generally, these policies will protect the business from third-party risks as well as property damage to equipment or facilities. The business may also need to secure a bond depending on its industry, which is regulated by the state or province it operates in.

Having workers’ compensation coverage is important because it covers medical expenses, lost wages and disability payments in the event that an employee is injured on the job. Almost every state requires this insurance for any type of contractor. Errors and omissions insurance is another type of policy that can be beneficial to a roofing company. It will help pay for legal fees if a client claims that the company provided them with incorrect advice or services that caused them to lose money.

A business owners policy, or BOP, is usually recommended for roofing businesses because it combines several policies into one. This includes general liability, commercial auto insurance and sometimes a workers’ compensation policy. It is also common for a roofer to add a tool and equipment insurance or floater policy to their BOP in order to provide protection for tools that are in storage and vehicles as well as the expensive materials they use, such as premium shingles.

Commercial auto insurance is important because it will cover any damages incurred when a roofing business vehicle is involved in an accident while on the job. Generally, personal auto insurance will not provide this type of coverage for the business, so this is an essential part of any roofing contractor’s package of insurance. Inland marine insurance is a good idea for roofing contractors because it will provide protection when the business is moving equipment from one location to another. Most roofing companies will also purchase a blanket property insurance policy that will cover all owned property no matter where it is located.

Lastly, a surety bond is often required for roofing companies because the industry is highly regulated and certain tasks are considered more dangerous than others. Obtaining a surety bond is a quick and easy process, and it can help ensure that the company will comply with all regulations.

Accounting

Running a roofing company involves a lot more than repairing roofs. Small business owners wear many hats, including chief brand officer, and the way a company looks can be as important as its quality of work. Logos, uniforms, branded truck signage and even a website can make all the difference in getting the word out about a new roofing company.

A well-researched business plan is also key for a new roofing company. Whether it’s a plan for growth or just determining how much it will cost to break even, the plan should include all relevant expenses. This includes hard costs like equipment, labor and supplies, as well as soft costs such as marketing, office overhead and promotional material.

When it comes to accounting, new roofers need a solid foundation for their bookkeeping system. It’s important to get a qualified bookkeeper who understands the intricacies of construction accounting and who knows how to set up QuickBooks specifically for a roofing contractor. If not done correctly, your roofing contractor bookkeeping will be inaccurate and you won’t be able to properly evaluate the profitability of your business.

The right roofing contractor software can streamline the day-to-day tasks of a roofing company, from sales prospecting to project estimating and bidding, billing and invoicing, accounting, and more. Many roofing contractors find that their profit margins are higher when they use a quality program that automates tasks, increases efficiency and accuracy, and reduces errors.

It’s also a good idea for roofers to set up a separate bank account for their business. While it may not be legally required in every state, this can help with the bookkeeping process by separating personal and business-related transactions and expenses. It also helps to legitimize a roofing business with suppliers who will be more likely to do business with a company that has a business bank account.

Finally, it’s a good idea for roofing companies to consult with an accountant or CPA who can help them take advantage of the tax deductions available to their industry. This can save a roofing company money by helping them avoid costly tax mistakes and keep their books in order.

Marketing

Roofing companies need to market themselves in order to generate leads and sales. This can be done in a number of ways, including advertising online and through social media. Online marketing is particularly important because it can help a roofing company rank high in search results and capture the attention of potential customers. There are also many other forms of digital marketing that can be used to promote a roofing business, including PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, content marketing, and email marketing.

Creating an informative blog or YouTube channel can be a great way for a roofing company to reach its target audience and establish itself as an authority in the industry. Posting before-and-after photos and customer testimonials can also be effective. In addition, a roofer can start an email newsletter to share tips with its audience and generate new business.

Social media is another valuable tool for a roofing company to use. By encouraging referrals and promoting special deals on social media, a roofing company can get its name out to more people and generate more sales. A good roofing company should also monitor its online reputation and respond quickly to any negative reviews.

If you are a roofing company owner who wants to take your online marketing efforts to the next level, consider working with an experienced digital marketing agency. An agency can offer a variety of different digital marketing strategies for roofing companies, such as SEO (search engine optimization), map optimization, website conversion optimization, review management, and social media marketing.