It can be a bit trickier to grow your roofing business during the winter off-season. I researched some activities which could help give you some ideas to better sustain your business during those snowy months.
So how do you earn money during the winter? You can provide seasonal services such as minor or indoor construction projects, removal works such as snow and ice dam removal, house works such as chimney sweep and installation of roof decorations, and other services such as towing and moving services. Also, providing roofing consulting, continuous marketing, and proper budgeting ahead of time will help your business through the season.
However, as roofers, you do not need to stick to “roofing activities” to earn money in the winter. Seasonal activities can be done as long as you have the required equipment to perform such.
Do Roofers Work in the Winter?
Yes. As roofers, you’d be expected to work all year round because no season stops the need for replacing and repairing roofing. As professional roofers, work must be done, especially in the harsh season when people need it most. There are, however, extra precautions because safety will always be the priority.
To perform roofing activities during winter, the following should be ensured:
- Worker’s safety and skill
- Tools’ efficiency
- Type of roofing material to be installed/repaired
Roofers need to be extra careful working on roofs due to the moisture and presence of snow. Naturally, you will need warm clothing such as jackets, pants, and slip-resistant boots. The tools also must be considered if they are working well. Because of the freezing temperature, some devices might end up ineffective. If repairs or installations must be done, the type of roofing material used should be able to handle the cold temperature because others, such as rubber roofs, couldn’t be installed due to the adhesives used.
What Can Roofers Do in the Winter?
As mentioned earlier, roofers don’t have to stick to “roofing activities” during this time of year. Because of the different equipment available to your business, you can extend your scope of service in different areas and this could be done seasonally. Seasonal services can include construction projects, removal works, house works, and other similar services.
Construction Projects
Patching and Minor Repairs
You can perform patching and minor repairs such as fixing leaks inside the house, filling in insulation, repairing damaged shingles, replacing missing shingles, fixing damages from debris, and repairing the roof flashing.
Remodeling
You can also choose to do minor remodeling services such as painting works, window treatments, and installing moldings. You can also extend to kitchen countertops, bathrooms, and basement remodeling if you have the expertise.
Interior Window Cleaning
Professional window cleaning can be an added service, especially during the harshest weather. With the right tools and skills, any roofer will be able to do it.
Drywall Repairs
Fixing ceilings and walls is a service you’ll provide hand in hand with fixing leaks.
Removal Works
Snow Removal
This is a popular service during the winter season. You can provide snow removal services, including snow plowing and snow shoveling, walkways, patios, and decks.
Ice Dam Removal
Ice dams can damage a roof, so this service will help many people during this time. You can help prevent structural damage and other personal danger for anyone living in the house. You can also provide regular roof inspection and maintenance.
Junk Removal
Debris removal or junk removal will help in the maintenance of a house. You’ll also want to provide this service if there will be roofing repairs or installation to dispose of old and broken shingles.
Gutter Cleaning
In relation to debris removal, sometimes junk gets cluttered in people’s gutters. A clogged gutter will not only produce leaks but can serve as a home for rodents, pests, mold, and bees.
House Works
Installations of Holiday Decorations
Particularly Christmas lights, now is the time when people put up their Christmas decorations. You can provide this additional activity to help your clients put up their holiday decorations, especially those on their roofs.
Chimney Sweep Service
A fireplace is what a household would use a lot during winter, and it is best to be used clean and free from hazards. Doing a chimney sweeping service may help you earn money during the winter as it is best to be done by professionals.
Other Services
You can perform other services that aren’t exactly related to roofs but will still help you earn money during the winter as long as you have the needed equipment. These are towing services and moving services.
Towing Service
It’s hard to have flat tires and car breakdowns during a snowy day. Providing roadside assistance such as a towing service could be a valuable thing you could provide.
Moving Service
As a roofing entrepreneur, you’re sure to have your trucks and a strong crew for business. You can use these to provide additional moving services to households moving to a new home.
Summary of Services to Help You Earn Money During Winter
| Construction Projects | Removal Works | House Works | Other Services |
| Patching and Minor Repairs | Snow Removal | Installation of Holiday Decorations | Towing Service |
| Remodeling | Ice Dam Removal | Chimney Sweep Service | Moving Service |
| Interior Window Cleaning | Junk Removal | ||
| Drywall Repairs | Gutter Cleaning |
These are only some of the services you can add to your scope during the winter season. By adding these, you don’t only make ends meet but you expand your client base as well since most of these things can still be done outside the winter season.
How to Keep the Roofing Business Alive During Winter?
You can expect that business will probably slow down in harsh weather but there are ways to keep the business alive. Instead of just focusing on hands-on repairs, you can also focus on providing roofing consulting and inspection, off-season marketing, and budgeting for the next year.
Provide Winter Roofing Consulting
Some homeowners aren’t aware of how much damage snow and ice can do on a roof. Providing consulting services can help prevent or maintain their roof before damage is done. You can also provide inspection services to see if the roof has any weak spots that might not be able to handle heavier weight.
Marketing
Whether it’s through newsletters or simply reconnecting with your clients, it’s always a good idea to show you’re in business. Some people may not be aware that roofers do work during winter. You could also extend your other seasonal services (such as those that were mentioned here) to your clients through email, website, or social media pages.
Budgeting
Whether a business will be fast-paced or slow in a particular season will reflect in its analytics. As a roofing entrepreneur, you can plan how you shall use the budget and distribute it throughout by reflecting on these analytics. Some businesses survive just by proper budgeting and focusing on repairs, even without the other services. Although, additional services such as the seasonal ones can help you earn more money during winter which could especially be helpful on a tight budget.
When it comes to finances, I recommend checking out Dave Ramsey. As someone who has been bankrupt and now has a net worth of 200 Million, you might want to take some ideas from him.
Is Roofing a Profitable Business?
It’s not news that starting a business is challenging and that there are many factors as to why businesses succeed and fail. Roofing can be a profitable business as long as you get your factors right. So how to help ensure that you have a profitable roofing business?
- Have a clear record of your business finances
- Diversify your market by diversifying your services
- Calculate a fair price
- Join different review websites
- Get some soft skills aside from your hard skills
Taking note of the money coming in and out of the business will never be a bad idea. It’s best to hire experts such as accountants and bookkeepers to ensure you’re getting it right. Diversifying your services, on the other hand, as promoted by this blog post, will help expand your current client base so you’re not limited to sole roofing repair and installation alone.
Next, calculating a fair price is a no-brainer especially in a competitive market. You’ll want to give an honest price but with just the right amount of profit to keep the business alive and well.
You can also join review websites to help provide promotions to your services since you can also ask satisfied clients to provide feedback. Lastly, investing in soft skills by hiring personnel who will take care of your website and online presence is also a good idea. For your current hard skilled personnel, it’s also never a waste to keep training them and expanding their skillset.
Additional Questions
Is roofing work seasonal? No, however, depending on the climate you live in, work can slow down significantly. With that said, roofing work is available and done by roofers all year round because needed repairs and maintenance can happen any year.
What is the best month to replace a roof? Autumn or fall may be the best month to replace a roof. The weather is cool and comfortable which could help in the productivity of the roofers, and it will help roofing shingles best to set effectively before facing the extreme winter weather.
Is it cheaper to get a roof in the winter? The price will generally be cheaper if roofers have less work to do and if there are off-season prices available. You can compare the prices of roofers near you using HomeAdvisor.