®

The Official Publication of theWestern States Roofing Contractors Association

MARCH/APRIL 2012 �� $3.50

The Official Publication of theWestern States Roofing Contractors Association

MARCH/APRIL 2012 �� $3.50 On the cover…Aerial MeasurementTechnology for Contractors(page 14)

In this issue…Commercial RoofingConvention RecapsUnderlaymentsRoof DrainageSafety

On the cover…Aerial MeasurementTechnology for Contractors(page 14)

In this issue…Commercial RoofingConvention RecapsUnderlaymentsRoof DrainageSafety

WR Cover 3-12:Q Cover 7/03 5/16/12 7:59 AM Page 1

ame changers are ideas,concepts, actions, or peoplethat have the ability to alter

an overall outcome. Southwest Air-lines changed the airline travel indus-try by developing a model that variedgreatly from traditional airline prac-tices. By using point-to-point travel,operating only one type of aircraft toreduce costs, and redefining the cus-tomer experience, they emerged farahead of other airlines in terms ofsuccess and profitability.

So how does a roofing contractorembrace a game-changing conceptand apply it to his or her business?Let’s take a look at a recent technolo-gy that was introduced to the roofingindustry in 2008: aerial roof measure-ment technology. EagleView® Tech-nologies, Inc. invented the concept of3D aerial roof measurement reports.A software engineer and his brother-in-law, a roofing contractor, devel-

oped the patented technology thathas become the next game changer inthe roofing industry.

Leading contractors are experienc-ing an evolution in their business byembracing technology and learninghow to use it to grow profits and rev-enue. They are adapting and incor-porating aerial roof measurementtechnology and experiencing highlevels of ROI throughout the roofingprocess by including it in marketing,sales, production, and warranty.

It’s important to understand whataerial measurement technology is andhow it works. When you provide aproperty address to EagleView, theyuse high resolution photographs tocreate a 3D model of that property.Highly skilled spatial recognitiontechnicians create the model, andfrom that determine the exact linelengths, including ridges, valleys,rakes, eaves, hips, parapet walls, and

WESTERN ROOFING – MARCH/APRIL 201214

more. The pitch of each roof sectionis accurately determined as well asthe square footage. The patentedtechnology and a five-step qualitycontrol process ensure that the mea-surements are accurate.

Chuck Chapman, president of Tec-ta America Arizona, a large commer-cial contractor based in Glendale,Ariz., first learned of this game-changing technology at a WesternStates Roofing Contractors’ Associa-tion board meeting where he servedas a director. “We tried EagleViewfor the first time last year and it savedus so much time on takeoffs,” saidChapman.

Chapman says he likes the fact thatthey can order and have the Eagle-View report before they go to theproperty for the first time. “We getthe report and take it with us on thefirst visit,” said Chapman. “By hav-ing the report it makes our visit much

Tech AdvantageAerial Measurement Technology is a Game Changer for Contractorsby Karen Edwards, freelance writer for the construction industry

AERIAL ROOF MEASUREMENTTECHNOLOGY HELPS ROOFING

CONTRACTORS GROW PROFITS.

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WESTERN ROOFING – MARCH/APRIL 2012 15

restocking fees from distributors, andno materials sent back to the bone-yard. This all leads to an increase inefficiency, which in turn boosts jobprofits, “explained Ellsworth.

Another area where Ellsworth sayscontractors have been able to see agreat return is in the ability to accu-rately plan production and makeexact payments to their subcontrac-tors. “Being armed with the pitch ofeach roof section and knowing thesquare footage of each section allowscontractors to plan for material deliv-ery and make precise payments tosubcontractors,” said Ellsworth.

Staying ahead of the pack andincreasing profitability as a roofingcontractor means identifying gamechangers and learning how to incor-porate them into the business. Thecompetitive nature of the roofingbusiness and the increased operatingcosts in today’s economy make itimperative that contractors maxi-mize productivity and take advan-tage of new business technologiesthat will launch them to the front ofthe pack.

more efficient and shorter. When weare out there we can focus on gettingour core cuts and no longer have tospend hours onsite or make multiplesite visits.” Chapman has also foundthe reports to be extremely accurate.

Time savings is not the only bene-fit that Tecta America Arizona hasenjoyed since incorporating Eagle-View reports into their business.Chapman recalled one very large jobthat involved an insurance claim forstorm damage. “The insurance com-pany was basing their estimate onnumbers that were vastly differentfrom ours,” Chapman explained.“We gave them the EagleView reportwhich showed the breakdown of thesquare footage of each roof sectionand that justified our numbers to theinsurance company.” The differenceto Chapman’s business was about$100,000 worth of work.

Because EagleView is consideredto be an independent, third-party forroof measurements, insurance com-panies accept the measurements asaccurate. Jobs are often completedsooner because there is no longer aback and forth between the insurancecompany and the roofing contractorover the actual costs for roof repair orreplacement.

Charles Terry, owner of CharlesTerry Construction in Midland,Texas, has found benefits beyondtime savings and accuracy. He recog-nized the game-changing attributes ofEagleView reports when he used hisfirst one several years ago in his salespresentation to a homeowner. “Thediagrams, the measurements, and thecolor photos were very professional,”he said. “I put that into my sales pre-sentation for the homeowner and itwas a slam dunk.” Terry recalls thathe brought his presentation to thehomeowner and saw that his com-petitors had dropped off single-pageestimates. “The EagleView reportmade all the difference. It positionedus as a professional company and wegot the sale. That by itself madeEagleView worth using on everyjob.”

Terry has seen an increase in hissales closing rate of about 20% that heattributes to incorporating the Eagle-View report into his sales process. “If

people aren’t taking full advantage ofthe report and using it in their pre-sentation and closing, they are miss-ing the boat,” Terry said. “When youlook at the cost of an EagleView com-pared to what it does for your busi-ness, its pennies on the dollar. Youget back so much more in the end.”

So far this game changer hashelped these contractors improvetheir businesses and profitability bydelivering time savings, an increasein sales closing rates with a profes-sional presentation, and eliminatedsome of the headaches that comewith doing insurance work. HeidiEllsworth, vice president of sales andmarketing for EagleView, said thesebenefits are only the tip of the ice-berg. “These reports can be usedthroughout the entire roofing job life-cycle to improve profitability overallfor contractors,” Ellsworth said. Forexample, many contractors reportincreased efficiencies in materialordering. “The measurements areexact so it helps contractors with pre-cise material orders. No more worry-ing about overs and unders, no more

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHSARE USED TO CREATE A 3DMODEL OF THE PROPERTY.

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I N D E P E N D E N T S T A N D A R D F O R A E R I A L R O O F M E A S U R E M E N T R E P O R T S

© 2012 EagleView Technologies, Inc.

Measure more roofs in one day using EagleView from

your smart phone or your computer. It’s that simple!

Call 866-447-3741 or visit www.eagleview.com.

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Copyright ©2008-2012 EagleView Technologies, Inc. – All Rights Reserved – Covered by U.S. Patent Nos. 8,078,436; 8,145,578; 8,170,840 and 8,209,152. Other Patents Pending. CS-118 WR Cover 2012 08/2012