Several areas of concern in the roofing industry have resulted in a negative reputation for many companies and the industry at large. With high costs for repairs, inaccurate and dangerous inspection methods, and a lack of preventative maintenance, traditional ways of doing business often do not make the customer’s best interests a priority. However, a new breed of roofers is using drone technology to build greater trust and provide more value to customers.

The old ways aren’t working

Traditional methods for inspecting roof conditions are cumbersome, and frequently involve manual surveys, requiring a person to physically climb the roof and take note of problem areas. These types of inspections are time-consuming and costly. One study published in 2014 by Moore & Wagner found that residential roofing is a major ongoing source of fatalities, and companies occasionally do not take precautions or adhere to safety standards, which contributes to the negative perception.

Since manual inspections are costly and dangerous for roofers, they do not occur regularly. Lack of maintenance, especially preventative, is a common roofing problem according to Buildings, and only leads to neglect and other types of damage. Without accurate assessments and preventative maintenance to address problems upfront, property owners can incur larger repair costs, leading to distrust between roofers and their customers.

A change in the industry

A new breed of roofers focuses on building trust and providing more value to their customers. They are working diligently to become trusted partners, delivering improved transparency and high-level customer service. By making strategic investments rather than cutting costs, they are adding value to their relationships with their customers.

These roofing companies are making a major investment in drone technology or unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Drones are a much safer and more comprehensive method to complete roof assessments and ultimately provide customers with quality, proactive service.

Drones are a smart investment

Today’s drones can perform a roof assessment quickly and accurately, providing real-time data and extensive details. These drones eliminate human error, including bias from an adjuster or inspector, delivering a more transparent and comprehensive analysis of roof conditions with the highest accuracy possible. This systematic, proven approach to inspections puts the customer first with trustworthy information and reliable reports, which leads to a much higher degree of assurance when making decisions and addressing repairs.

compliments of property and casualty 360