creating a business plan for roofing company

Roofing Business Plan: Tips and Sample Template

Even though starting a roofing business can be challenging, you'll have a higher chance of success if you have a good roofing company business plan to run everything efficiently.

Roofing is a lucrative industry to get into, especially for people who are willing to work hard and get the job done. Every home and building needs a roof, so, there’s a market there for sure for people who want to build a roofing business. Why, then, do 96% of roofing businesses fail in the first 5 years? A big reason is that many roofers skip a vital step in building a successful business: Crafting a thoughtful roofing business plan.

There’s a saying that goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail” and that rings true for businesses. Anyone can start a business, but it takes work to build one that last. Having a business plan for your roofing business can help you set yourself up for long term and lasting success.

In this blog, we’re going to help you craft a roofing business plan by exploring:

• What a business plan is.
• Why you need one.
• 5 Tips for creating your roofing business plan.
• A traditional formal for a business plan.

We’ll end off with some info about how roofing business software , like Roofr , can help you set up your business for long term success.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that lays out a companies objectives, goals, and actions to achieve those goals. It acts as a template for what they want to accomplish and how they will get there. This of it as a roadmap of your roofing business' journey, from when you create it to a particular growth point in the future (typically in three to five years).

Why do you need a roofing business plan?

Your roofing business plan is not only helpful for you when planing, but comes in handy for establishing and growing your business. A business plan is usually a requirement for:

• Landing investors and winning over extra capital to fund your business when you’re getting started.
• Applying for business licences, loans, or any other documents you need.

Business plans are also super helpful to:

• Keep you focused on your goals and objectives as you grow.
• Provide a kickoff point when you’re getting started.
• Get you thinking about marketing plans and how you want to promote your business.
• Ensure you have all your brand info — like logo, colors, fonts, etc — decided proactively.
• Establish financial goals and limits.

Business plans also get you to consideration whether you’ll want to invest in roofing tech like Roofr to streamline your processes and optimize your business.

How to create a great roofing business plan

Now that you know what a business plan is and why you need one, it’s time to get into writing one!

It doesn’t matter if you are a new company, or have been around for a while — it’s never too late to build a business plan! You may want to go back and update it — or your goals and plans — over time, too.

Here’s our top 4 tips for writing a great business plan.

1. Have a realistic plan

Realistic is KEY. By realistic, we mean both realistic goals, budgets, and timelines. Another way to think of it is to make sure that every plan and goal is SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Set goals that relate to your business strategy, your annual revenue, or lead goals. Everything should bet set in a time frame that makes sense - annual revenue, monthly leads, 5 year growth, etc.

Being realistic is key for long-term success. If you set a goal that is unrealistic, it’s easy to become defeated or unmotivated quickly. Having $10 million in venue in your first year is not realistic for most new roofing companies. But, growing to $10 million in venue in 5 or 10 years? A bit more realistic.

It’s also important to set goals based on your own location. What worked for a roofer in California won’t be the same for a Roofr in Georgia.

2. Think about your purpose for your company

By “purpose” we mean beyond the obvious. Yes — you want to sell roofs and install roofs.

But, what drives you?

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

Your purpose could be to motivate a team and unite them to achieve a common goal. Your purpose could center around being highly profitable and seeing the healthy growth of your roofing business. It could be about bringing tech to the industry and learning how to use roofing tech.

What your purpose is can determine what you include in your business plan, or even how you write it. For an investor, it can be helpful to hear about your purpose or dreams .

You can also set goals and objectives based around your bigger purpose. If your goal is to leave a legacy of a roofing company that treats its employees really well, then you could set goals for how much you want to pay them, if you want to host employee appreciation days, how many hours they’ll work, what your retention rate should be year over year, etc.

3. Establish certain company values

Your company values can be industry-specific, but should also target customer loyalty while ensuring employee satisfaction. By acknowledging these values and additional ones, you can achieve both short-term and long-term business goals.

Some examples of company values for roofers are:

Quality Craftsmanship: Being committed to delivering the highest quality roofing solutions, ensuring durability and longevity for our customers.

Customer Satisfaction: Customer happiness could be your ultimate goal. Commit to going the extra mile to meet and exceed our clients' expectations.

Safety First: Prioritizing the safety of our employees and clients by following strict safety protocols and ensuring a secure work environment.

Innovation: Staying at the forefront of roofing technology and continuously seek innovative solutions to enhance our services and products.

4. Enlist yearly initiatives and goals

Yearly goals are really powerful for long term change. Try to think about what your goals are in year chunks. They should be big enough to take a year but, again, be realistic. Make a list of all your yearly initiatives and goals to keep an eye on the growth of your business. These initiatives can become milestones for growing your company, specific revenue or head count you want to hit, or a number of jobs you want to close.

Roofing business plan template

Here’s a common format to follow when creating roofing business plan s:

• Executive Summary
• Company Description
• The Business Opportunity
• Competitive Analysis
• Target Market
• Marketing Plan
• Financial Summary
• Funding Requirements

You can also include sections on your sales strategy, product or service details, any 5 or 10 year specific plans, etc. Think about your own objectives and goals and build from there — but there 9 are pretty standard.

Here’s what each of those 9 should include.

1. Executive summary

An executive summary for a business plan should be a brief overview of the rest of the document. It should be that first “grab” to a reader who is looking over your plan. Any key opportunities, goals, objectives, or plans should be included, but smaller details don’t need to be added.

Keep it short!

2. Company description

By the time someone is done reading this part of your plan, they should know:

• What your business does.
• Who your customers are.

If you do siding, eavestroughs, or anything else, be sure to call that out here. Your company name, and yours — if you’re the owner — should also be included.

This should also be nice and short!

3. The business opportunity

In this section, you can dive a bit deeper into who you are as a company. What are your values? That legacy piece that we talked about earlier — this is a great place to highlight that. If you’re seeking investment money, then you can win them over on your company here.

4. Competitive analysis

This section should cover your competition. Look at who your main competition is, what they’re doing, and anything you can learn about how they run their company. Keep in mind that depending on your area of expertise and target demographic, not every roofer in your area could be competition. For example, if you are a residential roofer, then don’t bother looking at commercial roofers.

5. Target market

Don’t be afraid to get specific! Your target market can include everything up to:

• Household income.
• House size.
• Family size.
• Occupation.
• And anything else!

It can seem counterintuitive to go so specific on who you want to target for your business, but getting really niched down can actually make marketing efforts more effective.

6. Marketing plan

How do you want to market? Now that you’ve niched down your target audience, look at where that audience is. Many roofers use Facebook to connect with homeowners. Does your ideal neighbourhood have a facebook group? You can also look at more traditional forms of marketing like radio ads or billboards. Again — depending all on your target market.

At the very least, you should have a website on your marketing plan. Every single potential customer is going to look for you on the internet, so make sure you have a presence there! You could also include any tools like Roofr’s Instant Estimator in this section and identify how it will bring in qualified leads.

7. Financial summary

This section is all about the money. You’re going to outline:

• Operating expenses
• Historical financial statements
• Budget planning
• Income expectations
• Revenue goals

You can included any financial goals in here too.

8. Team info

If you already have employees or plan to hire, this section should contain all your info for that. Company positions or team headcount requirements, hiring processes, job requirements, etc. If you’re just getting started, this may seem premature, but remember that these plans are all about how you want to grow. This kind of information can be really helpful when getting business licences or securing an investment.

9. Funding requirements

This section is specifically for businesses who are seeking outside investment. If you’re building a business plan for yourself, then you may not need this. Funding requirements should outline how much money you’re looking for, what you plan on doing with it, what ROI — return on investment — you’re expecting, and anything you’re willing to provide back to an investor (money, shares, etc) .

Other inclusions for a roofing business plan

Your goals and objectives related to each section can be included within that section itself, but you could also include a page of all your goals and objectives in a single place. If you think you’ll go back to your business plan often to reflect on your goals, it could be a good idea.

Our big tip for writing a business plan?

Always go down the rabbit hole.

If you find yourself wondering if it’s important or if you should include it, do it. At the end of the day, the more in depth your business plan is, the more thought you’ve put into what you want to achieve. That will never be a bad thing.

Roofing business plan FAQs

How much investment am i going to need.

As you know, every new business requires a substantial financial backing to work. The same goes for a roofing business.

However, the amount of funds you’ll need depends on the business size you want, labor availability, budgeting for tools and machines, and if you want to save on costs by using roofing platforms like Roofr. Sadly, there’s no exact figure for starting a roofing business, but you may be able to ask around the industry to gauge what a reasonable budget would be.

What are some funding sources for roofing companies?

For many new roofing companies, the source of operational finances is personal savings. Obviously, that doesn’t always work. After all, the more your business grows, the more you’ll spend on your operations.‍

If you don't have much personal savings, there are numerous financing avenues to turn to. For example, bank loans, credit cards, and angel investors.

Bank loans and personal savings are the most efficient ways to fund your roofing business, since the other funding methods are not as reliable and effective.

What equipment do I need when starting my business?

While you’re thinking about all these big, heavy questions around your business, take time to think about the seemingly “smaller” things: your tools! Once you’re ready to go, you’ll need af ew things to get started:

• Underlayment
• Roofing material
• Roofing accessories (drip edge, vents, etc)

A roofing business plan is a plan for success

Don’t think of your business plan as something you have to do. Think of it as your first deep dive into the legacy you want to leave and what you wish to accomplish for your business. Hopefully this guide helps and you feel confident to get started on your own roofing business plan.

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Roofing Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Roofing Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Roofing business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Roofing businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Roofing business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Parker Roofing LLC is a new residential roofing company located in Columbus, Ohio. We provide multiple roofing services to the homeowners of Columbus, including installation, repair, maintenance, and replacement services. We know that other roofing companies in the area don’t follow through with their promises. They overcharge for their services and don’t always do the job properly. We aim to be the #1 roofing company in the area by providing the best customer service in the industry, charging affordable rates, and providing quality roofing services to every client.

Parker Roofing LLC is founded by Jonah Parker who has over twenty years of experience as a roofing contractor. He has worked for several other businesses and provided roofing services to hundreds of clients over the years. His extensive experience, customer service skills, and previous clientbase will ensure the business is a success.

Product Offering

Parker Roofing LLC will provide residential roofing services to homeowners in the Columbus, Ohio area. These services will include roof installation, maintenance, replacement, inspections, and repairs. We also install gutters and skylights. Parker Roofing LLC will utilize a variety of roofing materials, including solar tiles, clay tiles, shingles, silicone, metal, and more.

Customer Focus

Parker Roofing LLC will primarily serve homeowners living in Columbus Ohio. Columbus has a 44% home ownership rate, so many residents will require our services at some point. We will also work with real estate companies and property management companies who need roofing services for their residential properties.

Management Team

Parker Roofing LLC is run by Jonah Parker. Jonah has worked for several other roofing companies over the past twenty years and has created a loyal following of clients through his work. After working for other businesses, he is ready to utilize his skills, connections, and loyal customer base to create his own roofing company.

Success Factors

Parker Roofing LLC is primed for success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Quality roofing services for an affordable price.
• Management team with extensive roofing experience and a focus on maintaining long-term relationships with customers.
• Skilled team of roofing professionals who will get the job done right the first time.

Financial Highlights

Parker Roofing LLC is seeking $225,000 in debt financing to launch. The funding will be dedicated to the office build out, purchase of initial supplies, working capital, marketing costs, and startup overhead expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office build-out: $50,000
• Equipment and supplies: $50,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $50,000
• Marketing costs: $25,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Parker Roofing LLC.

Company Overview

Who is parker roofing llc.

  We primarily aim to serve homeowners living in the Columbus area, as they need professional and friendly experts when something goes wrong with their roof. However, we will also provide roofing services for real estate companies and property management companies who need roofing services for their residential properties.

Jonah recently conducted a market analysis and consumer survey to see if the business would be in high demand. The results from these were very positive, with many consumers saying that they would be interested in hiring the company’s services as soon as the business launches. Jonah immediately began to plan out his business after receiving the results and is now ready to launch Parker Roofing LLC.

Parker Roofing LLC History

After spending several years in the roofing industry, Jonah Parker has gained the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to start his own roofing business. In April 2023, he quit his job at his employer and incorporated Parker Roofing LLC as an LLC.

Since incorporation, Jonah has achieved the following milestones for Parker Roofing LLC:

• Developed the company’s name, logo and website
• Finished the list of services the company will provide
• Determined equipment and inventory requirements
• Found a potential office location

Parker Roofing LLC Services

Parker Roofing LLC will provide the following services:

• Roof installation
• Roof inspections
• Roof replacements
• Roof maintenance
• Roof repair
• Skylight installation
• Gutter installation

Industry Analysis

Roofing is essential for every building. A sturdy roof protects residents from the elements, such as snow, rain, and sleet. Roofing is also necessary to prevent the natural elements from destroying a building from the inside out. The roofing industry is an essential industry, as very few buildings can thrive without a roof. This makes the industry highly profitable and provides market stability.

The roofing industry is expected to grow over the next several years. This is primarily due to the increase in housing construction, leading to millions of new homes being built and needing roofs. Demand is also high due to many older buildings needing roof repairs and replacements. According to Allied Market Research, the global roofing industry was valued at $102.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from now until 2030. This moderate growth ensures the industry will remain profitable, so it is a great time for new roofing companies to enter the market.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Customer Segmentation

Parker Roofing LLC will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Real estate companies
• Property management companies

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Parker Roofing LLC will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Smith & Smith Roofing

Smith & Smith Roofing has been a major residential roofing service for the Columbus area for the past forty years. Run by Charles and Jane Smith, the company employs over 100 roofing contractors and has helped install and replace hundreds of roofs for local residents. Though Smith & Smith will continue to be successful, they are a minor competitor because they only provide installation and replacement services. We will have a competitive advantage by offering repair, maintenance and other services to our clients.

Columbus Roofing Solutions

Columbus Roofing Solutions is a roofing contractor that exclusively installs roofs on newly constructed buildings. They install roofs for new homes in housing developments as well as new offices and other commercial businesses. They do not offer repair or maintenance services and they don’t make roofs for existing properties. Though we expect to compete heavily with Columbus Roofing Solutions for clients building new homes, we will not compete with them for our other customer segments.

Sturdy Roofs LLC

Sturdy Roofs LLC is a local roofing company that provides a variety of roofing services for both residential and commercial buildings. The company works with roofs of all styles and materials, but prioritizes the use of energy-efficient and green materials when possible. As such, they are extremely popular with upper market clients and those with the disposable income to make their property more environmentally friendly.

Though Sturdy Roofs LLC will maintain its success, their services price out many residents in need of roofing services. They also make most of their money through commercial contracts. We will not provide commercial roofing services, so we expect Sturdy Roofs LLC to be a minor competitor.

Competitive Advantage

Parker Roofing LLC will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Pricing : Parker Roofing LLC will provide an array of roofing services that will be priced competitively and be more affordable than the competition.
• Customer-Focus : Parker Roofing LLC’s focus will be on providing customer-focus service that prioritizes customer satisfaction and maintaining long-term relationships.
• Management : Jonah has been extremely successful working in the roofing industry and will be able to use his previous experience to make clients feel comfortable with the process.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Parker Roofing LLC will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Client-focused roof installation, restoration, and repair services, where the company’s interests are aligned with the customer.
• Service built on long-term relationships and personal attention.
• Quality services for affordable rates.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Parker Roofing LLC is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The company will have several social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. These accounts will showcase pictures of our crew as well as a list of the services we provide. The company will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.

SEO Website Marketing

Parker Roofing LLC will invest funds into maintaining a strong SEO presence on search engines like Google and Bing. When a person types in “local roofing services” or “Columbus roofing services”, Parker Roofing LLC will appear in the top three choices.

Advertisement

Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. Parker Roofing LLC will advertise its services in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

Parker Roofing LLC understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The company will encourage its clients to refer other individuals and businesses by providing discounts on future services for every new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness as time goes on.

The pricing of Parker Roofing LLC will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when hiring our roofing services.

Operations Plan

Parker Roofing LLC will utilize the following operations plan. Operation Functions:

• Jonah will be the Owner of Parker Roofing LLC. He will run the general operations of the company and provide roofing services to his initial clientbase. He will start off running the business on his own, but will gradually hire the following staff:
• An Administrative Assistant who can answer phones, schedule appointments, and work on general administrative tasks.
• An Accountant who will manage all client invoicing, billing, and payables.
• A Marketing Assistant who will run all the marketing and promotions campaigns.
• Several contractors who will provide quality roofing services.

Milestones:

Parker Roofing LLC will have the following milestones complete in the next six months:

• 5/1/202X – Finalize lease agreement for office space
• 6/1/202X – Office build out
• 7/1/202X – Hire and train essential staff
• 8/1/202X – Begin marketing campaign
• 9/1/202X – Launch Parker Roofing LLC
• 10/1/202X – Reach break even

Though Jonah has never run a business before, he has spent enough time in the industry to understand the operations and management aspects of running a roofing business. However, Jonah will hire several other staff to help provide roofing services as well as run other aspects of the business that Jonah is unfamiliar with.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Parker Roofing LLC will come charging our clients for our roofing services.

The cost drivers for Parker Roofing LLC will include the overhead costs, salaries, cost of supplies, and marketing expenses.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number Of Clients:
• Annual Lease: $25,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Roofing Business Plan FAQs

What is a roofing business plan.

A roofing business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your roofing business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Roofing business plan using our Roofing Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Roofing Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of roofing businesses , some examples include: Hot roofing, Metal roofing, Single ply roofing, and Shingling.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Roofing Business Plan?

Roofing businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Roofing Business?

Starting a roofing business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Roofing Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed roofing business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your roofing business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your roofing business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Roofing Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your roofing business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your roofing business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Roofing Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your roofing business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your roofing business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful roofing business:

• How to Start a Roofing Company

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Roofing Business

Back to All Business Ideas

Building from the Top: Steps to Launch a Roofing Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on March 16, 2022 Updated on July 21, 2024

Investment range

$6,550 - $13,100

Revenue potential

$192,000 - $770,000 p.a.

Time to build

Profit potential

$57,000 - $115,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Consider these crucial factors when launching your roofing company:

• Services — Decide on the types of roofing services you will offer, such as residential roofing, commercial roofing, roof repairs, roof inspections, and maintenance.
• Licenses and permits — Depending on your location, you may need a general contractor’s license or a specific roofing contractor’s license. Ensure you have the necessary permits for each job, including building permits and zoning permits if required by local regulations.
• Roofing tools — Invest in high-quality tools and equipment necessary for various roofing tasks, such as ladders, safety harnesses, nail guns, and cutting tools.
• Vehicles — Purchase reliable vehicles for transporting materials and equipment to job sites.
• Safety Gear — Provide appropriate safety gear for your employees, including helmets, gloves, and fall protection systems.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Staff — Look for and hire experienced roofers with strong skills in various roofing techniques and materials, as well as a commitment to safety and quality workmanship.
• Partnerships — Build relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, and other professionals in the construction industry to enhance your services.

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your roofing business today!

You May Also Wonder:

Is a roofing business profitable?

Yes, roofing companies can be quite profitable. Just make sure you do the best quality work possible, and your business will grow as you get referrals.

How can I assess a roof’s condition and provide accurate estimates for repairs or replacements?

Start by visually examining the roof for signs of damage, such as missing or damaged shingles, leaks, or sagging areas. Check the attic for any signs of water damage or moisture. Utilize appropriate tools, such as a moisture meter or drone, to assess hard-to-reach areas. Consider factors like the roof’s age, material, and overall condition. Use industry-standard pricing guides or software to calculate accurate estimates based on the required materials, labor, and other factors.

How can I attract clients and market my roofing services?

Create a professional website that showcases your expertise, past projects, and testimonials from satisfied clients. Optimize your website for search engines to improve online visibility. Utilize social media platforms to share before and after photos, client success stories, and educational content about roofing. Network with local contractors, real estate agents, or property managers who can refer clients to your services.

Where do roofers make the most money?

The earning potential for roofers can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, specialization, and the size of the roofing company. In general, areas with high demand for roofing services, such as urban or densely populated regions, may offer more opportunities and higher earnings for roofers.

How do I make my roofing business successful?

To make your roofing business successful, focus on providing high-quality workmanship and excellent customer service to build a strong reputation and generate positive referrals. Establish relationships with suppliers to ensure access to quality materials at competitive prices. Continuously invest in training and stay updated on industry best practices to offer cutting-edge solutions and expertise. Develop a strong online presence through a professional website, social media, and online directories.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a roofing company has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

• Good Money – A new roof costs $8,000 and up
• Flexibility – Run your business from home
• Provide Value – Roofs keep people warm and safe from the elements
• Seasonality – In many places, colder weather limits work
• Hard Labor – Roofing is difficult work and can be dangerous

Roofing industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The US roofing industry is worth more than $52.2 billion after modest growth the last five years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/roofing-contractors-united-states/ ))
• Growth forecast – The global roofing industry is projected to expand by half from 2020 to 2030.(( https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/roofing-market )) 
• Number of businesses – In 2022, 109,331 roofing businesses are operating in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/roofing-contractors-united-states/ )) 
• Number of people employed – In 2022, the US roofing industry employs 283,203 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/roofing-contractors-united-states/ ))  

Trends and challenges

Trends in the roofing industry include:

• Metal roofing, such as aluminum or stainless steel, is becoming much more popular. They require more of an investment to install, but they can last up to 50 years. A roofing business can take advantage of this by offering metal roofing as an option.
• Silicone roof coatings have been used in commercial roofing for some time, but they are starting to be used more in residential roofing. They can be applied to new or existing roofs to make them last longer.

Challenges in the roofing industry include:

• Skilled labor shortages are making it difficult for roofing companies to recruit employees. 
• Competition is massive in the roofing industry, which can pose a challenge for roofing businesses just entering the market. 

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states -The most popular states for roofers are North Dakota, Connecticut, and Vermont . (( https://www.zippia.com/roofer-jobs/best-states/ ))  
• Least popular states – The least popular states for roofers are Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma.  

What kind of people work in Roofing?

• Gender – 6.2% of roofers are female, while 90.6% are male.(( https://www.zippia.com/roofer-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average roofer is high school educated.
• Average age – The average owner roofer in the US is 37.4 years old.

How much does it cost to start a roofing business?

Startup costs for a roofing company range from $6,500 to $13,000. You’ll need a truck to transport materials, ladders, and tools. You’ll also need a roofing contractor’s license from your state. Requirements vary, but often you have to show a certain number of years of experience and education, and also pass an exam. 

To learn to roof you can do an apprenticeship or attend a trade school in your area. You could start your education with an online course, such as from The Roofing Academy , and decide if it’s for you. 

You might get roofing certification from the National Roofing Contractors Association . A certain amount of experience is required for certification, and exams must be passed.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your roofing business, including: 

• Roofing nail guns
• Hammer tacker stapler
• Roofing hammer
• Air compressor
• Roofing blade and shovel
• Caulking gun
• Safety equipment such as harnesses and hardhats

How much can you earn from a roofing business?

The average price of a new roof is about $8,000, including materials. After costs and labor your profit margin should be about 30%. 

In your first year or two, you could do two roofs a month, bringing in $192,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $57,000 in profit, assuming that 30% margin. As your brand gains recognition and you get referrals, sales could climb to 8 roofs per month. At this stage, you’d rent a commercial space and hire more staff, reducing your profit margin to around 15%. With annual revenue of $770,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $115,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a roofing company. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The required skills and licensing 
• Startup costs
• Stiff competition

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a roofing company, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research roofing companies in your area to examine their products and services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a roofing business that installs metal roofs or slate roofs. 

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as slate roof repairs or asphalt roofing.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your roofing services

Your services will depend on your skills. You can offer a variety of roofing choices or specialize in one, such as metal roofing or asphalt roofing. You could also specialize in either residential roofing or commercial roofing. 

How much should you charge for roofing services?

Your prices will depend on the size of the roof and the materials used. You should estimate your total costs of materials and labor and aim for a profit margin of about 30% when you’re running your business from home. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market is most likely to be homeowners who you can find on Instagram and Facebook. You can also partner with realtors to get referrals. You can network with them on LinkedIn. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a warehouse facility for roofing materials storage. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Roofing Company Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “roofing” or “roofing contractor”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Skyline Roofing & Construction” over “Commercial Roofing Pros”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Roofing Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your roofing company’s vision, detailing the types of roofing services provided and your strategy to deliver high-quality and durable roofing solutions.
• Business Overview: Describe the scope of your roofing services, from residential re-roofing to commercial installations and repairs.
• Product and Services: List the specific roofing services you offer, including new roof installations, repairs, inspections, and maintenance programs.
• Market Analysis: Analyze the local demand for roofing services, taking into account factors like regional weather patterns and housing market trends.
• Competitive Analysis: Identify your competition and highlight your roofing business’s differentiators, such as superior materials, craftsmanship, or warranty offerings.
• Sales and Marketing: Explain your approach to generating new business, which might include digital marketing, partnerships with builders, or direct mail campaigns.
• Management Team: Present the experience and qualifications of your management team, emphasizing industry knowledge and operational expertise.
• Operations Plan: Outline the logistics of your service delivery, including scheduling, supply chain management, and safety protocols.
• Financial Plan: Provide a financial overview that includes startup costs, pricing strategy, and revenue forecasts.
• Appendix: Include additional documents such as contractor licenses, insurance policies, or detailed case studies of past roofing projects that support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to roofing companies.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your roofing company will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a roofing business. 

Step 8: Apply for Roofing Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a roofing business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

You’ll need a roofing contractor’s license from your state. Requirements for each state vary, so check with your state government.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your roofing business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability : The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property : Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance : Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation : Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property : Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto : Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability : Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) : This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as MarketSharp , JomNimbus , or iRoofing , to manage your bids, projects, invoicing, and payments.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Local SEO Optimization: Ensure your business is listed on Google My Business, and optimize your profile with accurate information and customer reviews to improve local search visibility.
• Social Proof Through Before-and-After Visuals: Showcase your expertise by sharing high-quality before-and-after photos on social media platforms, creating a compelling visual narrative that demonstrates the quality of your work.
• Referral Programs: Implement a referral program that rewards existing customers for referring new clients, leveraging word-of-mouth marketing and building a network of satisfied customers.
• Educational Content: Develop informative content, such as blog posts or videos, addressing common roofing issues, maintenance tips, and industry trends to position your company as an authority in the field.
• Community Involvement: Sponsor local events, sports teams, or community projects to enhance brand visibility, build trust, and demonstrate your commitment to the local community.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with other home service businesses like contractors, painters, or real estate agents for cross-promotions, expanding your reach within a related network.
• Emergency Response Service: Highlight your ability to provide quick response times for emergency repairs, emphasizing reliability and readiness during urgent situations.
• Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program that offers discounts or special perks to repeat customers, encouraging customer retention and building long-term relationships.
• Online Reviews Management: Actively manage and encourage customer reviews on platforms like Yelp and Angie’s List, responding promptly to both positive and negative feedback to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Targeted Direct Mail Campaigns: Develop targeted direct mail campaigns to specific neighborhoods or areas where your services are in high demand, showcasing your expertise and offering exclusive promotions.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your roofing business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your roofing business could be:

• The best metal roofing, guaranteed for 30 years
• We’ll restore your slate roof to turn-of-the-century perfection 
• Silicone coating to extend the life of your asphalt roof

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a roofing business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in roofing for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in roofing. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a roofing business include:

• Roofing Workers – help repair and install roofs
• General Manager – staff management, ordering, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Roofing Business – Start Making Money!

If you’ve done roofing before, why work for someone else? Starting a roofing business is a fairly straightforward process, and an easy way to enter a growing $52 billion market. You can start your business from home before you expand and grow. 

Now that you know what’s involved, you’re ready to skip the corporate ladder and become the proud owner of your own successful roofing company!

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Roofing Company Name
• Create a Roofing Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Roofing Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Roofing Business - Start Making Money!

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How to Create a Roofing Business Plan

If you want to take your roofing company to new heights, a well-crafted business plan is the ladder that will help you reach them.

It’s late afternoon, and you’ve got a phone crammed with unanswered messages that you haven’t had a chance to open yet cause you’re stuck in the sweltering heat, directing a shingling crew.

After all these years of hard work getting your roofing business off the ground, why are you still being pulled back on the jobsite? You’re so ready to free yourself from the daily grind, you can taste it. Like the cold drink that’s waiting for you if this day ever ends…

You’ve heard about elite roofers who’ve found a way to run their companies with calm and control. Are they urban legends? We can definitively tell you they exist. We know a bunch.

What’s their secret?

A clear, effective business plan.

What is a roofing business plan?

A roofing business plan sets out your vision for the future of your company over the next 5 to 10 years and covers the financial, operational, sales, and marketing strategies you’ll use to achieve your goals.

Why does my roofing company need a business plan?

The benefits of a business plan are immeasurable, and include things like:

• Helping to clarify the long-term vision for the company, not just for yourself, but for your team as well.
• Providing you a roadmap you can refer to when faced with unexpected decisions or “shiny” opportunities that threaten to knock your business off-course from your goals.
• Stating intentions in a document has an uncanny way of bringing dreams into reality – if you’re serious about getting off the tools, this is the first step to making it happen.

Remarkably, most roofers don’t have written business plans. They’re getting by and taking what’s thrown at them day by day. If that’s been your approach thus far, ask yourself: how’s it working out?

If you’re still waffling about whether you need a business plan, your answer to that question should be all the motivation you need to get started.

What should I include in my roofing business plan?

• Executive Summary - highlights of your business plan
• Company Overview - key details about your company and culture
• Market Analysis - industry, competitors and customers
• Marketing & Sales Strategy - how you’ll land jobs
• Operations Plan - how you’ll execute those jobs
• Financials & Revenue Forecasting - how much you’ll make from those jobs

☝️These are the main sections typically found in a roofing business plan template, but unless you’re hunting for funding and need to appeal to investors with a more formal structure, your plan is yours to customize however you want.

Ideally, it should still include the above sections, but what you call them is up to you.

Here’s a process to walk you through getting to a finished plan.

How do I write a roofing business plan?

• Conduct market analysis: Who’s your competition?
• Work out what matters: What’s your company’s WHY?
• Figure out your financials: What are your projections?
• Set your sales strategy: How many jobs do you need to close?
• Define an operational path: How will you get the work done?
• Summarize it!

Let’s break down each step, and look at which section of your plan it relates to.

Step 1. Do some market analysis

Get a birds-eye view of the market by researching the following:

• The size of the roofing industry in your area
• Whether it’s slated to grow or decline over the next decade or so
• The most in-demand roofing services, such as solar installations, shingle repairs or gutter maintenance (just as a few examples…)
• The main companies offering those services
• The roofers you admire most
• The kind of customers you’re best positioned to serve. Residential? Commercial?
• Where you can find them

This phase isn’t just about learning more about the market in general, it’s also about identifying where you fit within it. While it’s important to understand who your competitors are and what makes them successful, also keep an eye out for where they’re dropping the ball. That could present an opportunity for you.

Your findings will make up the third section of your business plan: Market Analysis. (But remember… you can call your sections whatever you like!)

Step 2. Work out what matters

g everything you learned in the last section, give some thought to what makes your company unique.

Beyond the typical service differentiators, zero in on the magnitude of what you’re building, and the potential your company could have on the wider world. And don’t downplay it. After all, helping people have a safe and secure roof above their heads is a noble endeavor. It’s also just the beginning.

Give some thought to:

• Which roofing services you’ll focus on
• What your company can do better than anyone else
• The core values behind your brand
• The larger purpose your company serves
• What motivates you more than money

Your answers to the above will form the second section of your plan: Company Overview (aka, your purpose or “why”).

Step 3. Figure out your financials

The most accurate – and admittedly, easiest – way to create your financial projections is to work from your previous financial statements.

Don’t have any? It’s okay. (Kinda.) It may or may not surprise you to learn most roofers don’t have a formal financial tracking system in place. While it’s certainly not an ideal scenario, if you have to make educated guesses, it’s not the end of the world. At least for now.

Pull together what you can and get a sense of your:

• Annual revenues
• Net profit margin
• Gross profit margin
• Operating expenses

Once you’ve compiled all that, use it to formulate financial projections for the future, particularly for your anticipated profit margins and target revenues. The numbers you come up with will heavily influence your sales and marketing strategies, which is why we recommend doing this step now.

Ultimately, though, your decisions here will be used to complete the last section of your business plan: Financials & Revenue Forecasting.

If you don’t have a proper financial plan in place, now’s the time to fix that! This Budget Quick Tool will get you started.

Step 4. Set your sales strategy

For roofers, a precise sales goal is essential to your plan. You need to know what you’re aiming for in terms of deals closed.

Reverse-engineer your “jobs needed” into “leads required” by doing a series of basic calculations:

• What’s your average job size?
• How many jobs do you need to do to achieve your target profit margin? (You defined this in Step 3 above.)
• How many estimates do you need to do to get that many jobs?
• How many leads do you need to generate that many estimates?

Now for the big finish: How are you going to find those leads? Door-knocking? Social media? Referrals? Vehicle wrapping?

There are a ton of marketing tactics to choose from, and you’ll have to give careful thought to which ones will most effectively connect you with the ideal customers you identified in the first step of this process.

The decisions you make here will form the underlayment for the fourth section of your plan: Sales & Marketing.

Step 5. Define an operational path

Alright, now that you’ve pinpointed where you’re going, it’s time to figure out how to get there.

Outline the following:

• Your BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal)
• Who will you need on your team
• The systems do you need to implement
• How will you keep track of progress
• How you’ll maintain accountability within your team

Don’t fret about every tiny detail, this step is about broad strokes. These answers will help you round out the fifth section: Operations Plan.

If you’d like to take this exercise a bit further, we’ve got a template for an Annual Strategic Plan that will help you break your vision down into executable steps for your team. (Quick tip: don’t tackle everything all at once!)

Step 6. Summarize it!

Congrats – you made it! Well, almost. Technically, there’s one last section you need to do, but you can give your brain a break cause you’ve already done all the heavy thinking.

Basically, now you just need to create a brief write-up with a general description of each of the above sections.

Even though it’s the last part you write, it’ll be the first section of your plan: Executive Summary.

Do’s & Don’ts of creating a roofing business plan

Want a hand with your business plan? Learn more about Breakthrough Academy’s coaching program for elite roofers .

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Roofing Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Roofing Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their roofing companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a roofing business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a roofing business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your roofing business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.  

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a roofing business or grow your existing roofing company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your roofing business to improve your chances of success. Your roofing business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.  

Sources of Funding for Roofing Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a roofing business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for roofing companies.

How to Write a Business Plan for a Roofing Company

If you want to start a roofing business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your roofing business plan.  

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of roofing business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a roofing business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of roofing businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the roofing industry.
• Discuss the type of roofing business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of roofing business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of roofing businesses:

• Hot roofing: This type of roofer specializes in installing tar-based roofing materials.
• Metal roofing: This type of roofer specializes in installing metal panels.
• Single ply roofing: Singly ply roofers specialize in installing or replacing flat and foam roofs.
• Shingling: This type of roofer specializes in installing or replacing shingles and tiles.

In addition to explaining the type of roofing business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of roofing projects completed, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the roofing industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the roofing industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your roofing business plan:

• How big is the roofing industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your roofing business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your roofing business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of roofing business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.  

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other roofing businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of contractors that provide roofing services, large construction companies that provide roofing services, and retailers that offer do-it-yourself roofing products. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of roofing business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for customers to acquire your services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a roofing business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of roofing company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide flat roofing, tile roofing, or shingling services? And, will you provide new installation only, or installation and repair services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your roofing company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your roofing business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your roofing marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your roofing business, including answering calls, scheduling roofing projects, billing and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth customer, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your roofing business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your roofing business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing roofing businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a roofing business or successfully running a small medical practice.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you employ 5 roofers, and will each roofer complete one roofing project per day? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your roofing business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a roofing business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease, photos of completed projects, or testimonials from happy customers.  

Writing a business plan for your roofing business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert and know everything you need about how to start a roofing company. You will understand the roofing industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful roofing business.  

Roofing Business Plan Template FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my roofing business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your roofing business plan.

How Do You Start a Roofing Business?

Starting a roofing business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Roofing Business
• Create Your Roofing Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Roofing Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Roofing Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Roofing Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Roofing Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Roofing Business Equipment
• Develop Your Roofing Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Roofing Business
• Open for Business

Learn more about how to start your own roofing business .

Where Can I Download a Roofing Company Business Plan PDF?

You can download our Roofing business plan PDF here. This is a roofing company business plan PDF template you can use in PDF format.

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business planning advisors can create your business plan for you.  

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