How hard to sell roofs around Dallas/Ft. Worth?

Roofing Business Talk
1

So right now this is just speculation on my behalf.
I live in Nebraska, and I have just been selling roofs for about 6 weeks…but I am doing pretty good at it. I work for a local company, but kinda of storm chasing. I am working a small town about 2 hours away from me that had a hail storm. Not a brutal one, but there are about 500 homes in the area that got beat up pretty good.

My wife is a horse woman, does barrel racing, and for years she has talked about moving down to TX. She does NOT want to live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area proper…but around there some where. Either up north around Denton, or out west around Weatherford and Granbury. From reading online, it looks like the Dallas/Ft Worth area had hail somewhere pretty dang regularly. Weather Channel I think it was listed it as one of the 10 most hail prone places in the country. To me that means there is probably a lot of work pretty much every year (I dont want to be a true chaser going all across the country…I want to work within an hour or so from home). My other thought though is this. If there is that much hail in the area that regularly…that probably means there is a crap ton of roofing companies down there, and a ton more salesguys?

This would be something I probably would not do until next spring, but just kind of looking for any insight anyone can give me about this job in that area.

Thanks.

2

I storm within my state.IMO the LAST place I would try to storm is a top 10 city.Because if you think about it thousands think,have thought and are thinking the same thing you are.

3

Something else.Actually you are sitting in a honey hole.Nebraska,Kansas and Iowa are not only closer but a little less over taken by contractors.

There has been so many hail storms in your area that you should be swamped.And In the southern states they are always overrun.

4

I’m in Louisiana, and i would never step foot into Texas to do roofing.

The only way you would be successful as a sales rep is if you got on with one of the BIG boys there. A company with a name & reputation that sells.

Just keep in mind… there is a ton of Labor in Texas. Home owners higher many directly.

Any place where there is tons of storms… Home owners are well educated on how to abuse the system.

5

I know that where I am is good…although I don’t plan on going too far into KS or IA. My plan is to stay within 2hrs of home.

I am just looking at options because my wife really wants to live there. My gut was telling me just what you are…that it is such a large population center known for hail, that it would be really tough competition…I figured some of you here will know better than I.

6

go with your gut…its usually right.

7

the wife is going to stab him in the gut if she doesnt get what she wants! lol jk

8

[quote=“RoofingRevolution”]

the wife is going to stab him in the gut if she doesnt get what she wants! lol jk[/quote]

then tell her to be the bread winner… :shock:

9

[quote=“RoofingRevolution”]

the wife is going to stab him in the gut if she doesnt get what she wants! lol jk[/quote]

Ahhhh…someone that has met my wife. j/k

Let me ask a different question. Does anyone know if there would be enough damage etc out there in places like Gainsville, or Stephensville etc? Even in Nebraska, the smaller communities are pretty much ignored by most of the companies. Just another thought…

10

The policies say wind/hail.Use your head and work the wind.Nobody else does.Learn wind and O/P.And make some goals and knock.

11

[quote=“RoofingRevolution”]I’m in Louisiana, and i would never step foot into Texas to do roofing.

The only way you would be successful as a sales rep is if you got on with one of the BIG boys there. A company with a name & reputation that sells.
[/quote]

Yet I know of at least 25-30 folks who work for small to medium sized companies in the DFW area, all of whom do very well by industry standards.

Sure, you have to work for someone who has references, a good history, good crews, etc. But large companies have their issues too and sometimes the flexibility of a small to medium size operation is the best enviornment for a true professional. It sure is nice when the owner comes by to meet your customers on every job, even if it is for just a few minutes. With a big operation, you have too many layers for my taste and with layers comes lost percentages of commissions. And I aint talkin about layers of shingles.

The best insurance restoration sales pros I have seen and worked with could all do well at any company IF the company met the basic standards when checked out by new clients. (You would be stunned how many companies cant, but thats another story. :roll: ) In most cases, the company name and reputation is part of the package, but not the most crucial part. The most crucial part, naturally, is the salesperson who presents the service and gets a signature on the contract.

Can you expand on why the “BIG boys” would be a better choice for a sales rep?

12

[quote=“mcompton1973”]
Even in Nebraska, the smaller communities are pretty much ignored by most of the companies. Just another thought…[/quote]

Big town,small town,big company.small company if you see an area that has not been worked you would be nuts to travel outside your state if there is legit damage.

Nobody will know you until you put your feet to the pavement.I am talking door knocking.Fancy trucks and flashy signs will not compete with knocking on about 50 doors or more per day.

Depending on your salesmanship as it is right now be realistic.If your so-so you might get a couple.I have had soooooo many doors slammed in my face and quite a few “Oh God’s” but,I stuck with it.Failure is not an option mentality is needed.You have to want their business.

Just stay away from the need to feel you have to become a deductible eating cash back contractor to put signs in some yards.Try to lead the pack,you will eat better than feasting with leftovers and sharing scraps with the pack.

13

Homeowners in DFW are well educated and have high deductibles. They are always looking to have that deductible taken care of. The best way to combat that is to educate yourself and then the homeowner as to the reason why they need your services vs. the other guys who will eat it in a heart beat. Tough to compete against that but if you approach it the right way then you will be a better salesman. Good luck.

14

It’s not now.
Everyone else is here, come on down and enjoy the party!!!

15

Yeah, there’s a few damaged properties in the DFW area. :roll:

Commerically, so far, I have 6 customers who I did major work for a few years ago. Damage is not an issue(3-4" hail, all the hard stuff), so its just a matter of going over some details, agreeing on the scope with insurance carriers and scheduling the work. Those alone will be over 5000 sq of mod bit or tpo. HVAC, plumbing, siding, painting, roofing, demolition, engineers, osha consultant, etc etc. Really, really good work.

Got a call from a(staff) adjuster who handled a big job we did last year and the first words out of his mouth were “are you kidding me?? You guys are gonna put us out of business” We both had a laugh and he told me to add 5% on to last years price and he will approve it! 1780sq torch down mod bit. Same crew, etc. Same OSHA plan, same materials, same everything!

I have given a guy that works for me around 50 of my repeat residential customers to handle(so far), because there is no way I can cover the commercial stuff and the residential. We split up the profits and nobody has to cold call !!

And, the vast majority will be GC’d by us (10 & 10).

All that extra effort I/we made to endear outselves to our customers has paid off big time in the form of millions of dollars in work that will keep us busy for as long as we can handle it.

As for the out of town guys, the good ones will do fine. The rest are going to find the usual obsticles, but nothing too bad. Obviously, the local guys like us have a big leg up, especially with repeat business.

More than likely, this is a once in a lifetime storm if your a DFW contractor. If your not working 7 days, at least 14 hours a day, your missing opportunities IMVHO.

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it(my wife to me as this storm passed thru)

16

[quote=“Roofmaster417”]Something else.Actually you are sitting in a honey hole.Nebraska,Kansas and Iowa are not only closer but a little less over taken by contractors.

There has been so many hail storms in your area that you should be swamped.And In the southern states they are always overrun.[/quote]

i agree 100 percent walking into a bee’s nest best advice do residential not storm chasing i know a company mrc 25 a million company with hard core sales guys you hasve little chance against companies that follow and have full running offices there and i do know wally and bob over there. my 3 cents