Did a big storm just blow through the area? You won’t be able to stay organized or get the most out of it if your company doesn’t have standard processes in place.
So, what are the most important things you need to focus on during a hurricane, derecho or any big storm? The answer is time management, paperwork, and people. These three things are keys to success at any time, but especially when you’re busy during or after a major storm.
Time Management
Time management doesn’t mean just using a calendar. It means focusing on what needs to get done and blocking out time to complete those tasks uninterrupted.
How can you accomplish this?
- Scheduling
Write an install schedule for when you need to put on a roof. It may even be helpful to always make it on the same day of the week and at the same time. Remember to write up the schedule for the next week in advance so you’re always prepared ahead of time. - Checking in jobs
Don’t let jobs sit after a big storm! If your sales rep sees the job sitting, it will leave a bad impression and reflect negatively on your business. Letting jobs sit can also create a domino effect. Think about it: If materials are going to take four weeks to arrive but that job sat for a week, you’re already 5 weeks behind schedule for having materials for that job.
It’s best to schedule 2-3 days a week for 2-3 hours at a time to check in jobs and approve them to make sure you aren’t letting them sit for too long.
Paperwork
From the roof inspection checklist to the contingency agreement, your paperwork, digital or physical, must be consistent. No matter if you own a business or are an independent contractor, you need a clear procedure in place to keep you organized. This allows you to tell the margins on a job and if it’s ready and producible.
Cutting corners on paperwork does not save time—it wastes it! When a big storm hits, it’s easy to let things slide because everyone is so busy. Letting little things go sounds okay in the moment, but can lead to major issues down the road. Having clear procedures and practices in place will keep your crew efficient and organized during the most chaotic times.
People
No matter how good you are at your job, you can’t do everything yourself, especially in a big storm situation. You need people to help you, which means you have to take time to hire and train new team members.
You might be saying to yourself, “There’s no way I have time to hire new people!” But think about it this way: If you spend 20 hours a week for 2-3 weeks to recruit and train someone, that will be paid back to you 100 times over in both money and time.
Hiring roofing sales reps, administrators, and production managers gives you the opportunity to focus on time management – making sure paperwork is correct and your operations are running smoothly.
So, there you have it, if you want to run a successful roofing business when large storms hit, you need to focus on your (and your team’s) time management, hire the right people, and don’t slack on the paperwork!
For more storm management information, check out our video Roofing Sales Tips: Managing Huge Storms or contact us to set up a one-on-one customized consultation with our industry experts.